New to me Pfaff 145 H3 BSN, set up and other questions

[dwhacks]

Long time lurker, first time poster. I have been looking for a walking foot machine for about 4 years. I live in a small town so its rare that they come up reasonably priced and close enough. One came up at a local live auction, so I did a bunch of research and decided to make the drive and bid on it! Well, I spent more then I wanted in the excitement of the bidding war, but I got it. Seems well used, but mostly taken care of (except the grease on the gears, dry or sticky icky).

First bummer I realized was it is a "binding" version, with no vertical cam plate.

And the next one, is someone has set it up to use 190 system needles. Or was it somehow modified to be an H4 with higher lift? I don't know how to tell.

A few questions:

• is it possible to retrofit the vertical cam plate and associated parts? is this complicated or even worth while?
• if so, any idea what parts are needed?
• how would someone fit a 190 needle? Should I leave it or go back to stock? (it seems to sew fine)
• Whats the use of a 48537 throat plate vs a 26746A/B? is there a description of throat plates and different foot options? (it came with a bunch)
• 

[dwhacks]

Forgot to add, I will mostly be sewing Cordura and canvas type materials, with possibly some light leather work. This just seemed like the best forum to talk about sewing thick materials slowly.

[dwhacks]

Well it looks to me like all I need are parts: 91-008 440-91 which is the Cam, Arm and screws, and part 91-010 223-92 which is the "lifting crank"

Anyone know if I would need a different feed dog or anything else?

I have also order the correct spec needles, hopefully no irreversible modifications have been made, or I will need more parts!

[nejcek74]

what is " vertical cam plate"?

are you trying to achieve the full movement of feed dogs? Just asking because my 1245 also moves them only in horizontal direction and I haven't found that problematic. But I like to tinker with my machines, so I will follow your work.....

My 1245 was retrofitted by previous owner from 190 to 134 35. I never bothered to buy 190 needles as I use 134 35 in two other machines and I don't need the additional height (similar use as you). Needles are practically the same, but 190 is few millimetres longer than 134 35. With my pfaff you only need to lower/raise the needle bar. A minor annoyance is that if the needle bar is in the lowest position, foot is set to maximum vertical movement  and I raise the feet, the middle foot touches the needle bar.

[dwhacks]

Not sure why I wrote the word "Plate" but there is a vertical cam that an arm rides on to move the feed dogs up and down. I believe the 1245 had a "4 way" option that moves the bottom feed dogs in more of a square movement. apparently the machines without up and down movement are dedicated binding machines? Although they probably work fine, I also like tinkering so I want to "upgrade". More info here:

Thanks for the Info on the Needles. I will set mine up for the stock 134 35. The machine came with a few 90 needles, but I figure if I'm ordering needles I might as well get original specification.

I ordered some parts, I'll keep this thread going with my progress. Might be slow as Canada Post is on strike.