Domestic sewing machines

[Curious Observer]

 

 

On 12/20/2025 at 8:51 PM, AlZilla said:

I've got a scad of these old domestics, but no Pfaffs

I'll agree with Friquant that the old Pfaff really should start slow and smooth and ramp up evenly.  Foot controllers are often a culprit, The motor itself can be a factor. Most of them can be disassembled, cleaned, the commutator surface refreshed and new brushes installed. Plenty of youtube videos. Find one shows how to test the windings for opens and shorts.

A multimeter  can test the foot controller. I don't have any exact values to give you but the resistance should start off high and drop to zero or close enough with the pedal fully engaged and do it smoothly.

Let us know how its going.

Good Morning AlZilla, 

I thank you and the rest of the members that took time to share their knowledge and help with me. Just yesterday I put my little 130 Pfaff through an exercise as I put together a small bag. She was determined and a sport, but clearly not a leather sewing machine. We had a good time (sure!), and came up to a place where something was made and we both limped away with a small sense of pride. I'll try to take some pictures to share. Mind you I really did not know Jack from Jill, and really still don't, when it came to machine sewing. My initial thought was that I would get a sewing machine and learn how to operate it, and if proven capable, would eventually get me a more capable machine for my hobby and turn it into a jobby as someone so aptly put it in a thread I read earlier. 

During one of my many sessions at the University of YouTube, I saw a lesson where someone touted the virtues of the Pfaff 332 and called it a leather capable sewing machine. After missing on what seemed like a good Singer ( I think it was) at the Marketplace, a 332 (1957 vintage) showed up and I jumped in it head first. Pure impulse, but since it was not a true leather sewing machine, the hit though probably excessive was not devastating. When I brought her home after grabbing it without even testing it, many a flaw showed up. These flaws though were learning opportunities. I had to replace old electrical wires, get a working pedal and found out what appears to be very common with these old German ladies, they tend to freeze. Now I read from your comment that you have your own stable of Vintage mares, so are probably familiar with my experience but at a larger scale. My Pfaff 130 (1951) I picked up for nearly no money and did not expect it to work immediately. The wiring was in shambles so most of it was replaced and it presented its own set of learning opportunities. She is less complicated than the 332 who has an impressive set of dials and cams which when working properly can make a crap-load of decorative stitches. The 130 I have can zigzag, reverse and adjust stitch length, as far as I can use. I'm afraid that I've been bitten by the old German machines bug, so I picked up yet another, a Pfaff 260 which sits in the shed awaiting for spring when hopefully I can give her a makeover. This one I also picked up at what seemed like a very good price and am hopeful to be able to bring back to working order. If I succeed, she and her table should be very nice. I'm going to see if I can attach that video Piquant asked to see from the machine in use. I was able to paste a posting I did which included a video on a Pfaff 130 owners group. I'm afraid I'm proving as limited in my interactions with this website as I am with my sewing. 

I thank you again for your help and time as well as the opportunity come here to this site and enjoy the knowledge and support of a community.

 

Edited 19 hours ago by Wizcrafts
Removed unsupported video file and corrected typos.

[friquant]

A bag maker in the making...with a zypper, no less 🌟

That seam next to the zypper would look cleaner if you pull the old thread off. (Looks like you made a seam, ripped that seam out, but left the old thread)

 

[Constabulary]

thread is coming of the spool a bit the odd way. Maybe one of these thingies may be helpful. However if it works for you then don´t mind. 😉

 

[AlZilla]

5 hours ago, Curious Observer said:

Just yesterday I put my little 130 Pfaff through an exercise as I put together a small bag. She was determined and , but clearly not a leather sewing machine

Yeah, a lot of us learn that the hard way.  Partly because a lot of semi-scrupulous sellers market them as leather machines. You could put a bigger motor under the table and a torque increasing speed reducer. But you're still limited by the needle and thread size. 

But ... Let's talk about these Pfaff's! I haven't found one yet because they usually bring a premium price. You have multiples!

I believe Singer bought the rights to make a machine based on the 130. If you look at Singer 306's you can see the similarity. A friend of mine recently found a Singer 206, of which I am most envious. It's a pint sized version of the 306.

You have a great machine and I suggest you look into making some denim bags. I made a bunch from thrift store jeans and people loved them. The skills you learn will mostly translate to to a bigger machine, once you find one.  Then just start keeping an eye out. I started my industrial adventure with a Singer 111W153, commonly called an "industrial walking foot" machine which is a good range to land in. It's a good all around general purpose machine. Many other kinds serve equally well, maybe better in some cases.

Have you looked at Wiz's treatise on leather sewing machines?

https://leatherworker.net/forum/topic/25239-the-type-of-sewing-machine-you-need-to-sew-leather/

[Curious Observer]

1 hour ago, AlZilla said:

Yeah, a lot of us learn that the hard way.  Partly because a lot of semi-scrupulous sellers market them as leather machines. You could put a bigger motor under the table and a torque increasing speed reducer. But you're still limited by the needle and thread size. 

But ... Let's talk about these Pfaff's! I haven't found one yet because they usually bring a premium price. You have multiples!

I believe Singer bought the rights to make a machine based on the 130. If you look at Singer 306's you can see the similarity. A friend of mine recently found a Singer 206, of which I am most envious. It's a pint sized version of the 306.

You have a great machine and I suggest you look into making some denim bags. I made a bunch from thrift store jeans and people loved them. The skills you learn will mostly translate to to a bigger machine, once you find one.  Then just start keeping an eye out. I started my industrial adventure with a Singer 111W153, commonly called an "industrial walking foot" machine which is a good range to land in. It's a good all around general purpose machine. Many other kinds serve equally well, maybe better in some cases.

Have you looked at Wiz's treatise on leather sewing machines?

https://leatherworker.net/forum/topic/25239-the-type-of-sewing-machine-you-need-to-sew-leather/

Thank you AlZilla. I read through Wiz's thread, very comprehensive and loaded with interesting and technical information.  I'll keep working with that little 130 trying to improve my skills and enjoying the process. The little 130 I found for just $30 and had to buy a motor, belt and rebuilt the old lamp in it. Admittedly I don't know much about sewing machines, but believe she is doing pretty good and is the one I can use as the fancier 332's needle hits metal when the zigzag moves to the left. I haven't worker on her for a while and hope to get her fixed and sell it eventually so that I can fix the 226 and keep it and the 130 for my personal use.

You mention the Singer 306 and I am yet to look it up and see how she is like the Pfaff 130. Now if the Singer 206 is that tiny, possibly portable, machine. I've seen some around in the ads and they go for a lot of money. I am hoping to pick up a Nakashima 280L and make that my first "leather sewing machine".  It is at a local shop where she will be worked over, a servo motor installed and be a "turnkey" purchase. It might be priced on the high end of the spectrum but the shop is staffed by someone who seems to be a very honest gentleman who is always very helpful. I feel there is value in that. If I do, I'll be sure to share the information in this forum.

Thanks again!

Now I'll go look for the306 via Google before getting to some computer work I've been putting off.

[Curious Observer]

13 hours ago, friquant said:

A bag maker in the making...with a zypper, no less 🌟

That seam next to the zypper would look cleaner if you pull the old thread off. (Looks like you made a seam, ripped that seam out, but left the old thread)

 

HaHa, did you see that? Like I said, we both limped after it was all done. Many adventures on that first attempt at a bag, or pretty much anything for that matter. That little project pushed both the machine and I beyond our capabilities but we survived! I'm just shameless enough to show it on this forum. 

[AlZilla]

9 hours ago, Curious Observer said:

hoping to pick up a Nakashima 280L and make that my first "leather sewing machine".  It is at a local shop where she will be worked over, a servo motor installed and be a "turnkey" purchase. It might be priced on the high end of the spectrum but the shop is staffed by someone who seems to be a very honest gentleman who is always very helpful. I feel there is value in that. 

A local industrial sewing machine guy is a valuable asset. 

The 280-L appears to be one of the many machines like the 111W series and it should have reverse. 

Most of us equip a machine like that with a servo motor and a speed reducer. But that's a rabbit hole you can burrow into of you decide to pursue it.