fibersport

Being new to sewing myself, I like to watch various youtube videos to pick up tips and then try them on some scrap vinyl. My first project was seat covers for my Jeep CJ in leather. Before actually using leather, I made up one complete out of vinyl for practice. I'm very formtunate in that I have literally rolls of vinyl to use. It really helped to determine the order of assembly. Other than that, practice sewing, once you feel comfortable with straight lines, throw in some curves, then some tight 90's. I picked up a lot of tips from a guy who has a business called "pit-n-tacks", he's really good in showing you the basics.

I love my Pfaff but that one looks like its seen a lot of use. All things equal, I would have to go with the Singer just from the pictures. I second the difficulty and price for Pfaff parts.

Have you looked at any of the owners manuals? I seem to recall seeing the cutouts in some Pfaff documentation I ran across some time ago.

Servo motor with a 45mm pulley on the motor, best thing you could do. The servo motors do not run when you are not sewing so there is an electricity cost savings there as well. It would basically be a simple swap, unbolt one and bolt in the other. You will need a different belt too, easily found at the local hardware store or on-line once you measure for it. Contact CowboyBob on this forum, he can set you up with a nice analog servo motor and pulley.

I've had a Pfaff 145 and now have a 545. I like the bigger bobbin on the 545. The Consew you show looks to have less miles on it but it is a side load bobbin which you may or may not like, the Pfaff has a top load bobbin which I find just a little nicer than a side load. KGG brings up a very valid point, you're knocking on the door of a new machine with a warranty if the $900 prices are firm. Just for comparison, my 545 was listed at around $900-1000, I was able to pick it up for $400 I think. I would not have paid the original asking price. Parts for the Pfaff are expensive and some of the off brand items like presser feet are of questionable quality, don't know about the Consew parts. If I were to buy another machine, I think it would be a Pfaff 1245 or a comparable Juki or maybe even a Thor. I work on my own auto and marine upholstery only and am not in business. Just my $0.02 - good luck.

Great videos, thanks for posting. I never realize they were supposed to actually touch. I'll have to take a look at mine to see how it's set.

Was the machine running before you started to tear it down? Reason I ask is that when I had my 145, I had it all apart and it didn't need any extra force. I don't remember the order I followed to take it apart though, sorry. Do you have the manuals for the machine? They show all the parts so you can make sure all the screws are out.

The color of the original posters machine looks really close to my Pfaff 545.

Curious where you ordered the parts from. I have a 545 which is in great shape but it's always good to know where to get parts should the need arise.

Superior Sewing Machine has a parts manual, doesn't show how to tear it down but does show the parts and their original part numbers.

I had a 145 and found a 545 which I think is great. I would like a 1245 but for now I'm satisfied. There are numerous manuals out there, right now I don't have access to my files but can send them tonight. If you read the posts on this group, you'll find many who have submitted them as well. I will say, the best one I found was the setup or adjustment manual for a 1245, the machines are pretty much the same in most areas and that manual will walk you through step by step to setting up your machine. Reply back later if you can't find them and I can send them to you.

If you put a smaller pulley on the motor, I think 2" or 45mm is the smallest they make, it should slow it down just right. I also removed the brake shoes on my analog servo motor as well, made start up much predictable and smoother.

Nice looking machine, easily will last another 60 years. There is another recent Pfaff thread, there are some great links to information on the Pfaff machines.

I use 135 with a 22 needle on mine, works very well. Go here and search for manuals for the 1245. https://www.pfaff-industrial.com/en/support/downloads/technical/documentsearch The service and instruction manuals are what you want. I wouldn't get too hung up on the letters and numbers of your machine, yes, nice to know but you're never sure if it was changed somewhere along its life.

Give it a good cleaning, oil it up and adjust it. There is a manual for setting up a 1245 which can be used for the 545, plus there are copies of the 545 manual but honestly the 1245 manual is much better. Your problem looks like the tension is set wrong. The 545 is a great machine by the way although parts are sometimes hard to find and are usually pricey. Give this post a good reading as well: