general timing question

[fibersport]

A few things made me think this. First the name tag is stamped H4, second the part numbers on many of the bobbin parts are listed in a Pfaff manual as being for an H2 and for fabric and third it uses a 135x17 needle, I tried a 190 but there was no way I could time the machine with it.  Many of the screws are chewed up so it's obvious the machine has been "worked on" in the past 60 years.  I'll find the source and post the page later today.

[DonInReno]

I think it’s a good thing you’re not afraid of digging into it, and there’s a lot to be said for learning how things work.  I don’t know if helped any, but it sounds like you’re no worse off.  :-)

Imagine how many different people have turned a screw in those 60 yrs - it’s a testament to how durable these machines are.

The individual history of sewing machines has always fascinated me - the artifacts left behind by all the users not to mention the guys who built it are really quite varied.    There’s a 99.9% chance your machine is exactly what the tag says and various parts, correct and not, have been added just to keep it going in a production shop.   Then there’s an occasional machine that doesn’t have the correct tag.  The quickest way to add $$ value to an old machine is to change the tag into something slightly more desirable or expensive.  I have an old industrial “Singer” probably from the 50’s, that doesn’t have a single Singer part in it.

In my twenties I worked briefly for a guy selling industrial parts who wouldn’t hesitate to embellish or bend the truth if it meant an extra $5.    If he were selling sewing machines back 60  yrs ago and one of his clients dropped an H2, ruined it, and called up frantic that they needed a new machine that day to not disrupt productivity I know exactly what he would say.   He’d  look over at the three H2’s and one H4 on the rack, and say, “Sorry to hear that - I’m all out of H2’s, nobody can get them right now, however you’re in luck - there’s a H4 in stock, but because you’re such a good client I’ll drop everything and readjust the needle bar and replace as many parts as possible so you would never know it’s not an H2 if you didn’t see the tag.  Unfortunately, that machine is $100 more than an H2, but if you need it you need it.”   Then he’d swap tags and tell someone else the H4 came with the wrong tag, but it’s full price.  That guy still makes me laugh all these years later!  

Here’s a needle chart off of ISMACS that has some good information and a few typos so don’t take all of it as gospel, but it helped shed light on how a lot of different needles are related:

https://ismacs.net/needle_and_shank/needle-cross-reference-chart-round-shank.html

 

[Uwe]

On the Pfaff 145/545 line, the various sub model designations affect different, somewhat independent parts groups in the machine.

Here’s my simplified description of the model variations, not claiming to be gospel or all-encompassing:

The 145 vs 545 is mainly a different hook/bobbin diameter with matching hook saddle, along with take-up lever mechanism. 

The ABCD duty designations affect mostly hook design (thread path clearance and bobbin tension bits, but not hook size) to deal with different thread thicknesses.

The H1234 lift height variations affect foot lift mechanism and walking height motion parts, along with needle bar bits and needle system (H4).

The S/L material designation affects feed dog, throat plate and presser feet.

The N stitch length versions affect material feed motion parts and reverse capability (N10 has no reverse).

 

If parts get replaced over the decades with variations on the original parts, then the machine itself will eventually no longer match the model type plate codes (just like this topic is drifting away from the General Timing Question title). That’s not a problem as long as the machine can still be adjusted to make a nice, reliable stitch. It may not be worth the effort to try and bring the machine back to match the original type plate codes, depending on what has changed.

[fibersport]

Thanks for the chart Uwe.  Were the ABCD and H1,H2,H3,H4 treated the same way?  Meaning 145 - A or 145-H4 ?  I know the letters for material, stitch length and safety clutch were a separate set under the model.