fibersport

Not to disagree with your findings but a Pfaff 145 H3 would normally use a 134-35 needle system. Now, they can be adjusted to run the more common 135x16 or 135x17, just make sure that you're running the correct needle. The Pfaff's are a great machine, I had a 145 and was able to find a 545 which I have now. I installed an analog servo motor with a 45mm pulley, I can run a stitch at a time for great control.

Thanks, it's more of just a question as it isn't causing any problems.

Wizcrafts: Would clockwise be what is recommended? The reason I ask is my Pfaff 545 manual shows mine should run clockwise but I've heard some will run it counterclockwise to get a little more tension on the bobbin thread. I've noticed that sometimes I hear what sounds like the bobbin spinning. I've never had it knot up but just wonder if that might help tighten things up a bit to eliminate the sound - not that it really matters.

Not sure if this was brought up but a butcher block counter top would make a great top.

Check this manual out, it's for the newer 1245 but most of it will apply to the 145. While the machine isn't designed to run backwards, it shouldn't bind up in a turn or two, it might take a few times to get everything set correctly, just make sure it's oiled up. I like to use a mixture of a light grease like Lubriplate and a 3 in 1 household oil. One more thing, is there a chance the safety clutch was tripped? If it was, the timing will be off and it can lock up like that. Read up on resetting the safety clutch and check that. 1245-1246 adjustment manual.pdf

I think this is what he meant by the hollow [ploy(sp)] poly belts, but the connector is called a barb, not a burr. https://durabelt.com/hollowbeltinfo.php You need to be careful on the minimum pulley diameter with the ones shown, says a smaller pulley will cut through the tubing. There are other brands.

I have a Pfaff 545 that I'm trying to determine the age of. I found a serial number list on the ismacs.net site but the serial number on mine doesn't fit the format. Anyone out there have any ideas? Here is a picture of the serial number on my machine, according to the website it should have 7 digits whereas mine has 9, and 3 of them are vertical.

Nice job on the cleanup. It really looks like a low hour machine. For a servo motor, just go with a simple brush motor, the Consew CSM550 is great, that's what I use on mine. I got mine here https://www.tolindsewmach.com/motors.html . Be sure to call them up and ask Bob for the 45mm pulley, you probably won't need the speed reducer with the smaller pulley. The belt will depend on a few things, but it will be a 3L belt, you can get them at ACE Hardware. You can get a close measurement with a piece of closeline or even an extension cord. As for removing the pulley, there is a set screw that needs to be removed as well as a horizontal screw. Take them both out and you might be able to tap the pulley off, if it's really stuck you can pull it off with a 3 jaw puller. A little heat from a propane torch and some penetrating oil could also be helpful. I might not be too concerned with it though, it wouldn't be worth breaking it just to clean it up as replacements would be tough to find. You could also just use the motor to run the machine while you clean it up with a scotchbrite pad or sandpaper, depends on how far you're taking it down.

keep in mind that the marvel mystery oil may remove the decal so you might want to avoid that area, I had a 145 and upgraded to a 545. Great machines but parts can be difficult to find. You might also want to lubricate all the working parts with the oil and then start taking it apart to further clean it once you have it free up and running smoothly. I have a bunch of files for the 145 and 545, holler if you need anything.

It looks like the Vevor is a brushless servo motor, and probably on the lower end of the price range. That being said, it probably has a start up speed in the 500 rpm range, too fast to use it stitch by stitch. As long as you don't have a needle positioner attached, you can slow it down by installing a 45 mm pulley on it. You could also buy or build a speed reducer. I made one out of angle iron, pillow block bearings, a shaft and pulleys - yes they can be made out of many materials, it all depends on your abilities. I bought a Consew 550 servo motor with brushes, installed a 45mm pulley and it's wonderful, its start up speed is around 150. You will need to learn where the start up speed comes in with your pedal, it's still easy to get two stitches instead of one but again, muscle memory will come with more use. You might want to look here where I got mine: https://www.tolindsewmach.com/motors.html talk to Bob.

Glad to help -

Hi from a fellow Hoosier! Wizcrafts summed it all up about the brush servo motor. If you don't need the needle positioner, I would go with the Consew 550 but order it with the 45mm pulley. I too bought mine from https://www.tolindsewmach.com/motors.html . I have a Pfaff 545 which is similar to your Juki, I use it for auto upholstery now and will be using it for marine upholstery and covers in the future. The smaller pulley allows you to feather it at start up so you can better control things.

There is a manual for the 1245 that covers how to adjust the feed dog, the two machines are very similar. Not sure if I should post it or not so send me a PM.

One other thing to look at, what size thread and needle are you using? I wonder if that could affect things since it seems to be tension, timing and speed related.

First check your safety clutch to see if it's been tripped. Are you trying to run it with the bobbin cover off? With the Pfaff, you have to have the cover over the bobbin completely closed.

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 ....