Restoring my Pfaff 145

[JulesPDX]

Ok - here it is fully restored with a new motor. On to thread next! Suggestions for leather?

 

 

 

Edited April 19, 2024 by JulesPDX

[shoepatcher]

nice job.   You get the rust off the balance wheel.

[JulesPDX]

I think I got most of the rust off! I am trying to sew for the first time and threading my needle. I'm having a REALLY hard time moving the hand wheel while it is connected to the servo motor. Is that normal? Should I be disconnecting it when I need to hand crank it? I have a CONSEW servo motor if that helps.

[fibersport]

The Consew servo motors have a brake.  One option is to remove the cork pads, the other is to apply just a little bit of force on the treadle to get the motor almost turning which will release the brake, you can then turn the hand wheel very easily.  

[JulesPDX]

oh dang. I don't think I have the brake pads on. My motor didn't come with any instructions. Anyone have a link?

[JulesPDX]

ok, I found an amazing video that covers the installation. I see the pads are already in there - I see what you mean now and I'll try that. I hope this video helps someone! I'm close but oh boy is my thread bunched up. I'll start a new thread on timing...

 

[fibersport]

One thing to check is if your safety clutch has been tripped.  If the thread is bunched up, there's a good chance it tripped and will appear as if the timing is way off.

[JulesPDX]

oh, the thread is bunched up!! I really don't know how to sort that out

[purplefox66]

If the safety clutch is disengaged it won't sew and leave loops on the bottom.

[AlZilla]

6 hours ago, JulesPDX said:

oh, the thread is bunched up!! I really don't know how to sort that out

I'm guessing you mean in the bobbin area. I've done it a time or two. You should be able to get it out with tweezers, screwdrivers scissors and assorted pointy things. I'm thinking it's under the hook? I've never had to pull the hook to clear one, but even that's not too hard. A couple of screws underneath, if I remember right.  You'll get it.  I've had the hook out of mine a couple of times. It's a good exercise just to give you a better understanding of how the machine works.

Edited April 24, 2024 by AlZilla

[fibersport]

If I remember correctly, the Pfaff 145 is not so easy to take apart.  I'm pretty sure you will need to reset the timing on it due the screws you have to remove.  It does make it a great time to clean and lubricaate everything under there.  If the thread is all balled up underneath the hook, it's a good chance that the safety was tripped - it will then show up as a really out of time machine.

[JulesPDX]

Ok, here's the status of where we're at. All bound up! I've removed and cleaned EVERYTHING around the bobbin, the case, the needle and therefore it is a little outta whack. Any help is appreciated

 

 

[fibersport]

Bobbin tension does look a little tight, however I'd like to ask how you are setting up your machine.  Are you closing the bobbin cover.  Are you holding the top thread while you cycle the needle up and down to catch the bottom thread?  Any chance you can make a video of you setting up the top and bottom threads?

[JulesPDX]

yep! will do tomorrow. I'm following this video to the best of my knowledge:

 

 

[fibersport]

His videos are pretty informative, I've watched them a few times.  One other thing, are you holding both threads tight when you start sewing? If not, the bobbin thread will ball up like that.

[JulesPDX]

oh, let me try that too. this is without holding them tight!

 

 

Edited May 3, 2024 by JulesPDX

[JulesPDX]

ok, one more while holding the threads

 

 

[fibersport]

You have to close that cover over the bobbin, otherwise it will ball up like that.  If that doesn't work, still close the cover but loosen the tension on the bobin.  

[fibersport]

I watched your videos again, it really looks like it's a tension issue.  If you watch, the top thread is wrapped around the bobbin thread yet the bobbin thread doesn't seem to move at all.  The the top thread tension on mine is pretty tight, if I pull the top thread to the right, it actually bends the tip of my needle to the right, and I have a #22 needle on it.  The bobbin tension is loose to the point where it seems it almost doesn't have any tension.  I would check to see if your top is tighter than the bottom.  If you get it to the point where it's sewing, you can then adjust your tension to bring the top and bottom threads together at the center between your layers of material.  

[JulesPDX]

Thank you - I'll play with the tension. I do think I maybe loosened the bobbin tension way too much

[AlZilla]

If you can find out what the actual bobbin tension is supposed to be, this cheap scale here will help you ballpark it:

https://www.amazon.com/Manual-Postage-Kitchen-Mechanical-AMWHAND-BLK/dp/B003STEJ8O/

I'll attach the actual pic so that when that listing goes away, this post will still have relevance.

On domestics, about an ounce of bobbin tension gets me in the range and it's worlds better than guessing.  If a person wanted to spend a LOT more money, actual purpose built bobbin tension gauges are out there.  For our purposes, this little one works fine.  It's a little fiddly, but who cares?

[JulesPDX]

OK! I think that worked! I adjusted both the top and bottom tension, tightening both, and also found that either the bobbin or the way I wound it was intermittently refusing to move. I used a different bobbin and we seem to be in business! It does bunch periodically as I start off, but I'll keep fiddling with it. Thanks, all, for the advice!!

Now on to the Adler 67 I also picked up to refurb!!

[shoepatcher]

Hold both threads in one hand when you start sewing.  Keeps it from tangling.

glenn

[Constabulary]

when i start sewing I have top and bottom thread UNDER the foot.

[fibersport]

I never thought of holding both threads with the foot, it would sure make it esier sometimes when you really need two hands, I'll have to try that.