fibersport

what is the rock frame?

Is your feed dog set correctly? You need to follow the setup instructions in order because some of them build on the previous. Adjusting the needle position seems a little involved but should be able to be done but you have to have your feed dog set correctly first.

Define longer lasting. My personal opinion is that with proper maintenace, either machine will be running long after we're gone. Another thought, Pfaff's were built in China in later years if I'm not mistaken, although their current line seems to be only embroidery and clothing directed. I think the main question is how would you use the machine? If it were for hobby use and the price and the machine was right, then go with it, if you're setting up a business where downtime waiting on parts would hurt, you might want to look for something more current. Only my $0.02 ...

I have almost the same machine except mine is the H3 version which is not the high lift model. I am currently making a set of seat covers out of leather and have also made some practice covers out of vinyl and it works great. I'm a novice to sewing so my experience is limited but it does everything I've asked it to do. I did install a Consew 550 servo motor with a small pulley to slow it down which also works great, I can basically sew a stitch or two at a time. Parts are a little hard to find and are a little pricey but since I'm doing this only as a hobby that's OK. Watch out for vendors that say their presser feet will work, some won't fit. Keep it oiled up and it will run forever. Not sure what you have on manuals but there are a couple made for the 1245 that work for adjustments and use, the machines are pretty much the same in basic design, the original manuals for the 545 were a little light in information if you ask me. I have some information on the machine I can share, let me know if you need any.

As a suggestion on a great design and fantastic execution of it - make the panels out of clear Lexan or something similar so all the inner workings can be appreciated. You could also mount it on top of the table to show it off?

Any chance the dial just sets the maximum speed? That's how mine works. A high startup speed is what you get with either older or very inexpensive servo motors. Try installing a 45mm pulley on the motor.

My question would be why? If you're going to build your own machine, will you have any time left to actually sew? I'll admit, I like to tinker but at some point I have to decide will I just tinker or will I acutally use the thing? When I had my Pfaff 145, I had thought about converting it to a large bobbin like the 545, lukily I found one for sale close to home for a decent price. I then tinkered with the motor and drive system, I ended up with an analog servo motor with a 45mm pulley. Now I'm satisfied and can actually concentrate on sewing. I may upgrade my servo motor in the future to a digital one, but for now I'm satisfied wiht my 545 with a Consew analog servo motor.

You might also want to adjust your servo motor speed dial a little higher, I've heard others on this forum say they have their set around 6 (I think), what that does is give you a range of speed from 0 to 6 where 6 is the max it will run. Allowing the motor to have a range sort of spreads your speed out making it easier to do one stitch at a time if that makes any sense. I would give it a try with different settings once you install the belts the right way -

I seem to recall Wizcraft answering this for me some time back, however I can't seem to find my post. I'll check later tonight but maybe he will stop by before that.

Just for my clarification - doesn't the outer presser foot pinch the material between it and the throat plate while the needle foot and feed dog separate from the material and move towards the back, then they clamp the material while the needle comes down while the outer foot raises up to release the material? Remember I'm new to this and just trying to picture the motion of everything. If what I'm saying is true, then is the width of the outer foot all that critical as it should still be able to pinch the material, especially if its a thicker leather. I'm also assuming the narrow outer foot is to be able to fit within a zipper? I should look up a youtube video on sewing a zipper into something ....

I got an edge guide presser foot for my birthday from China. It was listed as working on the Pfaff 545, well it didn't. The hole on the rear presser was in the wrong place and the whole foot was too long, the needle presser was too long by quite a bit. I contacted them to discuss the problem, they quickly refunded my money and told me to keep the part as it would not be cost effective to ship it back. They suggested another edge guide but I had already ordered a replacement from another company. This one fits just fine and has a brand name of CKPSMS, I would think other feet of that brand would fit the Pfaff as well. Not sure what brand you bought but maybe this information can help -

Let us know what it turns out to be with teh repair shop. Don't forget, I'd be willing to accept a donation

Are you using the correct size needle for the thread? I would agree that the stitch is not being completed correctly, but what doesn't make sense is you are saying the top thread (black) is very tight and the bottom (red) is loose I would expect to see the red thread popping up through the top rather than the black. Is your tension correct on your bobbin? I have found in the past that if I just loosen up both top and bottom threads and start over, it sometimes helps out. If all else fails, just donate that machine to me ..... Lol!!!

If you can find either a piece of rope or an extension cord that measures about 3/8" in diamter, you can get real close to measuring the size of belt you will need. I have a flat 3 wire electric cord that is perfect for measuring, I've also calculated the belt size with an on-line calculator and both were spot on.

I don't think it was a timing issue until your last post, you might have overthought it and ended up messing the timing anyway. Initially it looks like the black thread tension is too low. Is your bobbin threaded correctly? Also, is the black thread wrapped around the post at the top of the machine? Do you have the Pfaff manual? There is one for the 1245 that I used to work on my 145 and 545, great walkthrough to setting everything up. 1245-1246 adjustment manual.pdf

Is your bobbin threaded correctly? I would take it out and rethread the machine top and bottom, maybe you got something backwards.

I asked the same question a couple of months ago. Welting & piping I think are the same, they come in different diameters for different diameter welting. By edge I assume you mean edge guide? They give you a more consistent dimension from the edge of the seam, I would think they would woek great for belts. I was told to just try different ones, others have said they have many different ones but use the standard one that came with the machine. Overall though, the best answer was that most of them make certain things easier to do, but you can do pretty much everything with a standard foot -

Another method is to get a left handed drill bit, sometimes the drilling action is enough to turn the screw out. I'm not sure what they cost but it might be better if the part is not easily replaced or costs a fortune.

I agree with contacting Toledo Sewing Machine, however you could possibly get by with just getting a 45mm diameter pulley for the motor. This will slow things down considerably and is much cheaper than a speed reducer. I just went through this same thing, I built a speed reducer, then bought a different servo motor (Consew SM550) with a smaller pulley and tried it without the speed reducer. I'm very happy with the setup as it is. You will still have to practice with your starts as it will take a little experience to get your foot to do what you want it to do.

Do you have WD-40 where you are? That's a good cleaner and really helps clean up the old grease and oil. spray it around and work the hand wheel by hand until it feels nice and smooth. Once cleaned up, wipe it off and then lubricate with the oil and grease recommended for yuour machine.

The comment about the hand wheel made me think about my machines. I have a Pfaff 145, Pfaff 545 and an old Singer 212 (I think). Both Pfaff's have the belt on the outside, the singer has it on the inside. The Pfaff's feel just right, the Singer does as well but the Singer adjusts the stich length by turning the hand wheel which would explain why it's on the outside. I think the Oryx orientation is correct, check it by sewing a little, if it feels right it probably is.

Reminds me of when I worked at a camera shop in the 70's. People would buy cameras from the catalog stores or the big box stores and then bring them in and ask for help on how to use it. Those customers would have to wait until everyone else was taken care of then we would give them some quick general information and maybe sell them some film and offer the first roll developed for free. Many times it worked and we got some long term customers, others it wouldn't work at all. Sometimes though my boss would get ticked off and tell them to ask for help where they bought it - that was usually when we were swamped with customers.

Scroll up about 8 posts and read the post by Uwe, he talks about starting up a machine that has been sitting. If you can post a couple of pictures it might help others to understand what you have which might bring more suggestions.

Look at the post "buying a used first industrial machine", the poster is looking at similar machines. I didn't realize that there were different versions of the Pfaff 1245, I would really like one of the newer versions myself. I believe if you have a twin needle machine, you can always run with just one needld, not sure how that affects the presser foot and such. I have a Pfaff 545 and really like it despite it being an older machine.

What kind of motor does it have? Clutch motors 'MIGHT" be able to be lubricated, servo motors most likely not. Does it run smoothly and quietly? Again, some info on it might help.