Bulldogger

Thank-you Gregg. That calibration step was challenging, as the feed dog never wanted to sit still as indicated. Once I got the vibrating foot set correctly, the step you show was easier to get right. Here is the step that I had very miscalibrated. The eccentric, number 2 on the figure, was spun on its shaft and very out of cal. Bulldogger

Constabulary, that is what was happening. It was very odd. It seems ok now that I moved the feeding eccentric for the vibrating presser foot about 100 degrees on its shaft. I will connect the motor this week and test the stitching abilities. I incorrectly noted my Singer model, it is a 591D200A. Bulldogger

Super! Thanks mikesc, it does look like part of the tensioning and take up assembly. Bulldogger

One last issue, the dreaded “mystery leftover” part... It doesn’t appear in any of the photos I took prior to cleaning and calibrating the machine. Part number stamped on it is 176332 Any ideas? Thanks again Bulldogger

Thank you shoepatcher, you were typing this while I was sweating in the garage one more time through the calibration steps. The "lifting eccentric" for the vibrating presser foot was indeed way off! This was the most rusted part in the machine. I found acorns in the recess in fact. I think a mouse had been living inside at one time. Some bravery with a gentle punch freed up the eccentric and allowed me to observe its effects. Once I brought it noticeably far around the shaft the vibrating presser foot reversed its motion and the feed dog obliged. I then recompleted the entire calibration order to realign everything. It appears ready to mount to a table and motor. I had a stiff piece of 1/8 leather next to me on the workbench, which I use as vise jaw pads, and I hand stitched a nice long bead of holes in it. (Didn't have thread or bobbin handy) Next I will mount it and perform the thread tension and alignment steps and see how it will stitch. Thank you all for your encouragement! Bulldogger

I cannot find anything that look like timing marks or arrows on the shafts underneath or on the pulleys. My manuals do not include instructions on replacing the internal drive belt or timing the pulleys... I will search for more manuals. Most manuals online are for newer machines not mine. Bulldogger

Thanks pintodeluxe, I'll go look. I don't recall any timing marks in the manuals I found but I didn't look on the shafts for arrows so I will Bulldogger

Gunnarson, the reverse mechanism appears intact, and it reverses the direction, just that it’s backwards Constabulary, I don’t have it on a motor yet, I’m turning it by hand so not a motor problem. The stitch length lever is positioned correctly. Pintodeluxe, where are these timing marks please? That sounds like a distinct possibility. Lastly jere are a couple of photos, in case they help. Bulldogger

Hello, my name is Alex and I live in Virginia. I've recently acquired a Pfaff 1245 and am looking forward to seeing with it. My current machine is a Singer 519 that I've beefed up to be able to sew 1000D Cordura nylon for custom truck covers, but I've been searching for a true leather machine for a while. I've put a problem thread up about the Pfaff as well. I intend to use the Pfaff to help with truck covers and also for upholstery work in the future. I have searched thus site many times in the past as well as recently and appreciate the generosity of its members with advice and help. I hope I can continue to learn and also at some point help as well. Alex (Bulldogger)

Hello all. I'm new to having a leather sewing machine and new to Pfaff mechanisms. I do ok with my Singer 519 but I'm stumped with this older 1245 Pfaff (706/47). After following the service manual guidance for calibration I was nearly finished when I realized the feed dog and vibrating foot are moving backwards. I am sure I'm rotating the balance wheel correctly (towards me like most machines) since the bobbin assembly is clearly rotating correctly. If I push the reverse lever upwards the machine feeds forwards, which is good I guess (it "reverses") but no less confusing. The machine was old and sitting in a shed a long time. I took off external fittings for rust removal, but none of the main mechanisms or lever arms, and dosed her well with kerosene. After a while she started moving freely and now turns over fine. It is very possible (and my working theory) that attempts by me and previous acquaintances to turn it over while half frozen caused an internal timing error. Unfortunately the service manuals I've found online are not assembly manuals, they assume a working machine only in need of calibration, more or less. Has anyone else seen or heard of this and can you offer any advice where to look please? There is a service center near me, if I fail in my attempts, but I've spoken with them in the past and was rubbed the wrong way. I'll take it there if I must but hope I can DIY this. Thanks in advance. Alex