Pfaff 145

[Yvon]

Hi, I have a Pfaff 145, that I’m trying to reduce the clearance between the hook and the needle. Timing is ok, but the hook is too far away from the needle.

when I move the shuttle block towards the needle, it hits the hook washer, while the clearance is about .005”.

has anyone encountered this situation before, and what is the solution? Thank you 

 

 

 

[Northmount]

1 hour ago, Yvon said:

I have a Pfaff 145

Moved your post to Leather Sewing Machines

[friquant]

6 hours ago, Yvon said:

when I move the shuttle block towards the needle, it hits the hook washer

I'm not sure what you mean by hits the hook washer. Perhaps you can include some close-up photographs?

On my Jianglong 341 I had to slide the feed eccentric farther down the hook driving shaft before I could move the hook close enough to touch the needle.

[Yvon]

7 hours ago, friquant said:

I'm not sure what you mean by hits the hook washer. Perhaps you can include some close-up photographs?

On my Jianglong 341 I had to slide the feed eccentric farther down the hook driving shaft before I could move the hook close enough to touch the needle.

The hook washer as it’s called in the parts book, is the large flat washer that sits under the hook, it has like a finn that extend at 90 degrees upward just below the point of the hook. 
i can’t figure out what it’s function is, but the needle is rubbing on it, and I don’t think it supposed to be this way. I’m an automotive mechanic by trade, I have no previous experience in sewing machine.

when sewing multiple layers of upholstery leather, it all goes well for about 12 inches, then my string frays and breaks. (135 thread, 160 needle, 5 stitches per inch, pressure is ok)

[kgg]

27 minutes ago, Yvon said:

(135 thread, 160 needle, 5 stitches per inch, pressure is ok)

Your needle is probably to small for the T135 (V138) thread in thick/grabby leather. You should try using a #24 needle. Here is a link to a good thread size vs needle size chart: ( https://www.tolindsewmach.com/thread-chart.html ).

kgg

 

 

[friquant]

45 minutes ago, Yvon said:

the large flat washer that sits under the hook, it has like a finn that extend at 90 degrees upward just below the point of the hook

Ah yes. On other machines, this is called the needle guard. Its purpose is to prevent the hook from stabbing the needle. Whereas the hook is very hard and fairly brittle, the needle guard is soft and malleable.

You can bend the needle guard out of the way just a smidge, move the hook saddle closer to the needle so the hook point rubs a little on the needle, then bend the needle guard back so that the needle guard pushes the needle to the side just a bit as the hook comes by and the hook point just misses the needle. Here's a video by Uwe, known as "Stuffing the Hook"

 

And some references: 

1. https://leatherworker.net/forum/topic/47477-211g155-do-i-have-the-wrong-machine/page/6/#findComment-304044
2. https://leatherworker.net/forum/topic/65973-video-how-the-hook-catches-the-thread-loop/#findComment-428831
3. https://leatherworker.net/forum/topic/65973-video-how-the-hook-catches-the-thread-loop/#findComment-428844
4. https://leatherworker.net/forum/topic/65997-video-sewing-veg-tan-leather-on-a-consew-225/#findComment-429071
5. https://leatherworker.net/forum/topic/131796-singer-211-u166a-walking-foot-problem/page/3/#findComment-785084