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ElfLeather

Info on Pfaff 34?

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I recently acquired a Pfaff 34-5AL and I'm having a hard time finding any documentation about this machine. From the scattered info I've been able to find about reading the model number, I believe this machine is for work in lightweight leather. I can't find what the A refers to in 5AL, though. The serial is 7553320, which would put its date of manufacture at 1962. The previous owner had very little information on this machine, mostly that it didn't have a reverse feature, and that he hadn't used it for ~12ish years.

It seems to be in good mechanical condition, moves smoothly, though I'm going to go in and give it a cleaning before running it. It also came with a 3--phase motor which I'm going to replace with a brushless DC.

Does anyone have info on this machine? Any specific advice for using or caring for it? I plan to use it for garment leather, though I'm curious if it's capable of working with anything heavier.

PXL_20241023_011101393.jpg

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Looks a lot like a Singer 31-15 or 31-20 Taylor's machine to me. Does not appear to have walking foot. Is that correct?

Edited by suzelle

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Correct, it's wheel feed, not walking foot. 

PXL_20241023_042457665.jpg

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Yes, very similar to Singer 31K. This machine has a CB hook and wheel feed instead of a feed dog and a swing aside roller foot.The needle plate is missing, I hope you have it. If not then it will not sew. Finding a spare will be challenging I guess since the wheel feed Pfaff 34 were not very common.

Here is a parts list for the 34, scroll down to the page 33/34 for the specific 34-5 parts.

Pfaff_34.pdf

Edited by Constabulary

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Thanks for the info and the brochure, exploded diagrams are always helpful. I've got the needle plate, I just took it off to get a look at the feed wheel.

 

I've never used a wheel feed machine, is there anything I should keep in mind? Any limits or caveats to watch out for? 

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What do you investigate or service when you buy a vintage machine? This machine is from 1962 and hasn't been used in 12 years. My plan is to degrease all the internals, deal with any hidden rust, re-grease the gearbox, and oil everything else.

Parts I know I'm going to replace:

  • The pressure spring on the feed wheel race. PO replaced with an off-the-shelf spring that isn't quite right
  • 3-phase clutch motor for a brushless servomotor.

Screenshot 2024-10-23 204008.png

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