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fibersport

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Posts posted by fibersport

  1. 12 hours ago, fredk said:

    SAE oil rated at a viscosity of 5 in Winter

    Modern cars usually use something like 10w/40 multigrade oil = 10 viscosity in winter and 40 in summer, ie its thinner in winter

    FredK - I see you're in Ireland so that might explain your comment about "modern cars" (not making any bad references to Ireland or your cars of course), here in the US 10W-40 went out with the 70's.  Some of our newer cars run 0W-20!  

  2. Don't mean to sound snarky but the best screwdriver is the one that fits.  You might have to shop around for some, might try a gunsmith supplier?  Guns usually have odd size screws that get marred if not using the correct size.  Only other suggestion is to be very careful with what you do have on hand.

  3. I had a 145 that had sat for years.  Initially it had sort of a hard spot as you rotated the handwheel that got better once I reset the timing.  I now have a 545 that ran very smooth but once I reset the timing in it, it ran even smoother.  Granted it sounds that yours has some miles on it but it might be worthwhile to check the gear backlash and overall timing of it.

  4. 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.

  5. 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.

  6. 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.

  7. 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.

  8. 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.

  9. 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.  

  10. 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: 

     

  11. I agree on the servo motor.  I installed a Consew CSM550-1 analog servo motor on my Pfaff 545, held off with installing the speed reducer and have found it to be just fine.  If you go with the Consew servo motor CSM550-1, two suggestions:  1. contact Bob at Toledo Industrial (advertised on this forum) 2. remove the brake shoes from the motor, it makes startup much smoother.  I wrestled with going with the analog vs the digital servo motor and opted to save a little money by going analog. Sometimes I do wish I went with the digital so I could install a needle positioner.  If you go digital, Sewquiet or Sailright 12 coil motor would be my choice.  I've been using mine for some Jeep seats in leather, my next job will be an interior for my boat using vinyl.  The Pfaff is a great machine, you really lucked out on that one.  Let us know the specifics on the machine and holler if you need help, always someone here to help out.

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