Help With New Pfaff 335

[Bru]

2 hours ago, Hockeymender said:

Guess the first question is: was it sewing and will no longer pick up the bobbin thread? If so then it's most likely a timing issue re hook to needle. That will require readjusting the hook point to the needle scarf. Report back and we can go from there. 

Hi Joe - I'm a friend of Glenn Miller's, and he has nothing but great things to say about you and your work.  I'm glad that you responded!  To answer your question - no, I just got the machine, it's my first industrial machine, and I just can't figure out how to set up the thread in the bobbin case to allow the needle to pick it up.  The instruction manual has a diagram that somewhat shows how to insert the bobbin in the correct position, and it also shows that 5mm of thread should be left outside the bobbin.  But - I can't seem to figure out how or where to set this outside thread so that the needle and pick it up.   Each time I try something new, the bobbin either doesn't spin at all or the thread gets all would up inside the case.  Am I making sense?

My wife has a non-commercial singer type machine, and all she has to do is wind the bobbin thread and then insert the case in place and the machine does the rest.  Is this the case with the Pfaff as well?  Thanks for any help you can give!

[Hockeymender]

You want to make sure the thread is inserted properly in the bobbin case. Make sure it's under the spring. Let about three inches hang loose from the bobbin case and make sure the entire unit "snaps" into place in the bobbin carrier or case. With needle threaded, rotate the hand wheel towards you. As the needle drops into the "needle hole" it should emerge with the bobbin thread. If you are doing this and still no joy, PM me and we will go from there. 

[Bru]

Thanks Joe!  I guess my main problem is that I don't know how to insert the thread "properly" into the bobbin case.  I'll give it another go keeping your advice in mind and PM you if I still can't figure it out.  Thanks for the quick replies!

 

[sandyt]

5mm is way too short. Did you mean 5 cm? 

[Uwe]

The Pfaff 335 Manual actually shows the threading and bobbin loading steps fairly well on pages 23-25.

[Bru]

1 hour ago, Uwe said:

The Pfaff 335 Manual actually shows the threading and bobbin loading steps fairly well on pages 23-25.

Maybe I'm just not seeing it.  I can clearly see how to thread and load the bobbin, but placing the thread inside so that it can catch with the needle thread has been a big problem.  For reference, here's the bobbin case next to a pic of the instructions.  You can see that the case itself and the pic look nothing alike (in my eyes) which is why I'm confused.  

[Uwe]

They really are the same. You need to pull the thread into the slot on the bobbin basket (red arrow) and then pull it to the top so the thread runs under and emerges at the tip of the black tension spring blade (blue arrow).

[Hockeymender]

Here are a couple photos that may help. The First shows the thread being pulled thru the slot in the bobbin case. The second shows the thread which has been pulled thru the slot pulled UNDER the bobbin tension spring. Install the bobbin case (be sure it "snaps" into place) and cycle the needle. Should pick up the bobbin thread.

Edited March 27, 2016 by Hockeymender

[Bru]

@Uwe @Hockeymender - yes, that did the trick!  I tried pulling the thread through the slot before, but I must not have also pulled it under the spring and outside the case when I snapped it into place.  Thanks for the diagram and pics - and your patience.  It seems so simple now but I just couldn't get it from the instructions.  

Now, unfortunately, I've got another problem.  I can get about two stitches through a single layer of 2mm jenpro before the top thread snaps.  I've adjusted the thread tension to it's absolute lowest pressure setting (a few more turns and the nut will fall off), but the thread tension still seems very strong.  It's too the point where the needle will bend if I pull the thread with my fingers.  Is the tension supposed to be this tight?  I am also hearing a slight metal on metal click as the needle descends into the hole, so perhaps I've got a timing issue instead?  Would you guys have any suggestions?

Thanks again for all of your help.  Sometimes I feel like I've bitten off more than I can chew with this machine.  So much to learn!! 

[Uwe]

Turn off the motor and turn the wheel by hand. Closely look and listen to what happens in the hook area. Don't turn the motor back on until you can hand-turn a dozen perfect stitches. You can do considerable damage by stepping on the gas pedal if something is not right. Make sure the thread unwinds from the spool and isn't caught somewhere.

 

Edited March 27, 2016 by Uwe