pfaff 345 h3

[barclay]

Hi All, Happy Easter.

rebuilding a 345 and have the pressure bar out.  Now how do I get all those pesky ball bearings back in the sleeve inside the guide bushing?  

Is there a trick?

barclay

[1hp]

have you tried holding them in there with grease?

[barclay]

Have not tried anything yet, but grease would be my first choice, working my way down or up from the bottom so I don't lose the buggers. I think i will try your idea and see how it goes.  Should I paint the head or leave it original?

[barclay]

omg  the grease trick worked, a pain in the neck but i got it!  thanks.

[Northmount]

1 hour ago, barclay said:

omg  the grease trick worked, a pain in the neck but i got it!  thanks.

Another tip I saw a couple days ago is to put a rare earth magnet next to where you are removing or replacing small items like c-clips, screws, etc. so if you drop them, the magnet will grab them saving you from searching all over the floor and benches or furniture where they like to hide.

[barclay]

I think i am not going to paint it, keep it original with the original decals, one from Willcox and Gibbs sales and service.  So putting it back together.

[shoepatcher]

Paint in good shape.  leave it.

glenn

[barclay]

yup decided not to paint, going with the original and the real decals.  A couple of touch ups and thats it.  it is back together and soon might be stitching.  thanks Shoe patcher we think alike, ....maybe. :-)

[barclay]

what is this bracket for?  under the hand wheel 

[barclay]

someone must know what this is for, the bracket I mean.

[kgg]

2 hours ago, barclay said:

someone must know what this is for, the bracket I mean.

The part number is 91-087951-75/995, costs about $20 US and is a part of the Arm Parts. This type of bracket is also used on other PFAFF machines like the PFAFF 337 to mount such things as needle positioner, speed synchronizer. The video at 0.24 shows such an installation ( www.youtube.com/watch?v=SateU14ZlKI ).

kgg 

[jannickz]

Unfortunately, reassembling the pressure bar with the Ultra high-speed angular contact ball bearings inside the guide bushing on a 345 can be a tricky and fiddly process without a specific tool or technique. If the ball bearings are magnetic, use a strong magnet to carefully guide them one by one into the sleeve through the opening in the guide bushing. Be patient and precise with your movements.

Edited March 5, 2024 by jannickz