Gibbsleatherworks Report post Posted July 22, 2009 Im looking at a few head units to replace my Singer 281-1 which wont run larger threads. Im looking to use 138 or 207 thread, I already have speed reduction and a servo motor. Heres a few heads that Im looking at, hoping for some good advice. Im leaning towards the Pfaff 545 but thought that a cyclinder bed could be useful too. http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewI...em=180384119109 http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewI...em=260444538616 http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewI...em=260449173110 http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewI...em=260447415341 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Henry Report post Posted July 22, 2009 Im looking at a few head units to replace my Singer 281-1 which wont run larger threads. Im looking to use 138 or 207 thread, I already have speed reduction and a servo motor. Heres a few heads that Im looking at, hoping for some good advice. Im leaning towards the Pfaff 545 but thought that a cyclinder bed could be useful too. My humble opinion is that none of these machine is designed to be used with 207 thread and that 138 wold the limit of the machine. My best advice is to try the machine or send the seller some thread and leather to sew to see if it will actually sew the combination you want to sew with it. Cheers, Henry Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Art Report post Posted July 22, 2009 The Pfaff will run 92 thread all day long (till the bobbin runs out) at speeds that make women folk and little children run from the room in terror. With 138, it usually a matter of it will or it won't, most times it will at reasonable speeds. I have not seen a lot of success with 207 at any speed. The Consew machines are somewhat the same. The 153 is a 69 or 92 machine. The price on the 153 is a little dear for the head only. The Pfaff is a little high for head only too. The Consew flat bed is better price wise. The table cutout for all these machines is different. Call Ryan Neel or Bob Kovar and see if they have anything used like what you are looking for, they'll treat you right. If they don't have anything, cal David at Atlantic Sewing, he sell a LOT of used machines. Art Im looking at a few head units to replace my Singer 281-1 which wont run larger threads. Im looking to use 138 or 207 thread, I already have speed reduction and a servo motor. Heres a few heads that Im looking at, hoping for some good advice. Im leaning towards the Pfaff 545 but thought that a cyclinder bed could be useful too.http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewI...em=180384119109 http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewI...em=260444538616 http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewI...em=260449173110 http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewI...em=260447415341 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gibbsleatherworks Report post Posted July 23, 2009 Thanks for the replys. Im still learning about machines so Im still unsure of the thread size I will need to use. Specifically I will be building motorcycle seats, sewing two pieces of 8oz or so together at very slow speeds. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gibbsleatherworks Report post Posted July 23, 2009 After some needle size searches I found that the Pfaff can take up to a size 24. The other three only had up to size 22 available. Would this hint at its ability to handle larger threads? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gibbsleatherworks Report post Posted July 24, 2009 Err sumthin Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Art Report post Posted July 24, 2009 Not necessarily, In some circles, a 24 is the right size for 138. Art After some needle size searches I found that the Pfaff can take up to a size 24. The other three only had up to size 22 available. Would this hint at its ability to handle larger threads? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kevinhopkins Report post Posted July 24, 2009 Hi... A 24 needle will most certainly carry 138 thread, but it sure does make a big hole.... I think if I were going to buy a machine to sew leather that was that heavy, I'd be looking for a new one if possible. It sounds like you've got some experience with sewing, but 2 layers of 8-9 is pretty heavy, and I think for that sort of work you'd be better off getting a machine that is designed to sew with heavier thread and needles, rather than try to push the upper levels of a machine that really isn't designed to do what you want.... You might want to consider a Toro or Cobra... Of course, that will affect your financial outlay, but it might head off a lot of grief at the pass! Kevin Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
