fibersport

I solved my bottom stitch birdnesting tonight, maybe this might help. I noticed it would make an odd sound like the bobbin was spinning, that's when it would generate tons of loops. I removed the cover plate over the bobbin and everything was fine, adjusted the top tension and colsed the cover and it would birdnest. open the cover to watch and it would be OK. Turns out I had the top cover plate turned 180 degrees which would allow the thread to hit it causing the noise. It sounds bizarre but my problem is gone. The top cover plate has some curved areas above the bobbin which I believe lets teh thread hit it and then direct it where it needs to go. I should say that I have a top load bobbin, not sure if you do or not. Next is to play around with tension to get my stitches all dialed in.

Can some of the Pfaff experts out there help me out with understanding the models of a Pfaff machine? Mine is a 145-H4 designed for leather, however it seems to have been downgraded to a fabric model B or C. I'm curious what the differences between the H2, H3, H4, A, B, C and D models are. I have the various manuals but nothing that actually explains the differences. For instance, I know an H4 uses a 190 needle system, however mine seems to be better with a 135 system but I would really like to know why? Any help or direction to a source is greatly appreciated.

If I may jump in on this one .... I have a Singer 251, it was my first industrial/commercial machine some years back. It does not have a walking foot and is more appropriate for quitling which is what the woman I bought it from was doing, it also has an oil pump. Fast forward some years and I wanted to try and make a seat cover for my Jeep. All went good until I tried cramming multiple layers of Sunbrella under a foot that raised up only a hair over 1/4". The search for a walking foot machine built to handle leather began and I found a Pfaff 145 about 2 weeks ago for a cheap price although it did need a lot of TLC. I was able to get it sewing very well, even up to 8 layers of vinyl with no problems. Then I thought I would be smart and clean all the rust and gunk on it. My problems began and it has been a little difficult getting information on this machine which is about 60 years old. There have been a few people on this forum who have helped quite a bit however parts seem to be difficult to find. If the machine you found is indeed rebuilt and in great working order, I still think the price is a bit steep. I don't think I would buy an older Pfaff for that money unless I planned on light useage only because of possible issues with parts. My Pfaff did run great and would probably be more than I could ever need (once I get it dialed in) however there are costs associated with that. Honestly if you want a mchine with a lineage, look for a Pfaff 1245. If you want a machine that you can get parts for get a Consew. I deal with an upholstery company that is making seats for our train cars, they also make seats for Amtrak and Delta so they know their business. I was at their plant a few weeks ago, all their new machines are Juki's. They have numerous models but if they have invested their money into those machines, that has to tell you something. Just my $0.02 ...... And a servo motor will make a big difference!

You have given me more great information to try out maybe tonight - thanks again. I have not done any adjusting yet, I didn't realize the needle guard was adjustable. I do believe the hook is good because there is another one facing the opposite direction that seems to be almost in line with the main one. This backwards hook is called the hook gib in my parts manual. The needle guard also was chewed up on the top edge so I wonder if some needle decided to commit suicide on it at one time. The manuals I have been able to find are for newer models and seem to cover mine pretty well. With your help, the manuals and a little mechanical engineering logic I should be able to figure it all out in time. Will update as things progress.

You could be right about a bent hook, however I just got the machine last week and had it sewing perfect stitches, only until I tired to clean it and adjust it did my problems show up. I do know that originally I adjusted the clearance so that the needle guide just touched the needle, now it actually bends it to the left. I just recieved an order of new needles and should be able to try them out along with some adjustments tomorrow. I do think that either the hook or the needle guard are bent. The machine sat for years in an unheated garage and accumulated a lot of rust, dirt and old dried grease. Maybe I should have left it alone? All I can find is a manual for a Pfaff 1245 which i understand is close to the 145 which is what I have. I'll keep trying with all the suggestions - thanks to all for the help.

I already found that guy. My machine is missing the parts for the knee lift, the ones mounted to the machine, both on the underside and the topside. I have numerous parts manuals but I need to identify the correct parts for my machine. I can live without the knee lift for now but down the road I'm sure it will make life easier. Another member had mentioned a shop in Indianapolis, and I know of Hoffman Brothers, just looking for some others that people are familiar with.

Thank you both. Currently it looks like the needle guard may have been damaged with a prior owner. The top edge was all chewed up so I dressed the rough edges but noticed that after setting my clearance between the needle and hook, the needle guard really pushed the needle over. When I first got the machine running smoothly, I had adjusted the clearance so that the needle just barely moved, now when I tried to set things by the book, my stitches are now a little erratic and the needle guard pushes the needle over quite a bit- hence my question regarding clearance. I'll keep playing with the clearances and see how it performs.

Should the "hook washer" or needle guard actually touch the needled at any point in it's rotation? For that matter, should anything actually touch the needle enough to move it?

Sorry I can't help but misery loves company. I too have a similar problem with my Pfaff, although I have not tried to retard the timing. It used to sew just pretty good but I needed to give it a good cleaning as it sat in someone's unheated garage for years and was very rusty and dirty. After taking things apart, I reset things by the book and now come up with bird nesting on the underside and having to run the top thread tension very tight. I'm trying to find some original replacement parts for things that are either missing or have been damaged but am not having much luck. I will continue to play with the timing and clearance settings to see if that helps and will let you know of my progress. One thing I do know is that I had greater clearance between the hook and the needle before when the stitches were good, maybe try opening that up a bit?

Anyone have any suggestions on where to find Pfaff parts? ebay is hit or miss, was hoping someone knew of a good sewing machine "boneyard". Thanks in advance -

Newbie here and am trying to set up my new to me Pfaff 145. I'm having some problems with the top feed stroke. I'm following the adjustment manual for a 1245 and am wondering if this setting is actually the same for the 145 and 1245. I have a feeling I have the timing off between the presserfoot and the vibrating presser foot. I also have some questions on the pressure setting of the presser foot. A little direction would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks for the suggestion -

Any members who have a 145-H4? Would appreciate some pictures of the lifting mechanism and maybe a name or two of a decent sewing machine repair shop.

Just joined the group and just getting into marine and auto upholstery work, eventually may do leather interiors as well. I also just picked up a Pfaff 145-H4 that needs some TLC and some parts as well. I noticed on my Pfaff google searches, many of the searches pointed to this group. I'm trying to get this machine working smoothly and could use some help with the timing. I have the adjustment manual for the Pfaff 1245 which seems similar but would like to find a similar adjustment manual for the 145, does one even exist or can I just use the one for the 1245? Along the same lines, is there a good place to find spare parts? Mine is missing the parts for the knee lift mechanism, I have the parts on the table but am missing the bar across the back along with the rod and the mechanism on the underside. Trying to see if the previous owner might have them but if not, I would like an alternate source. Thanks for reading and looking forward to learning and sharing my journey.