Pfaff 335-17Bl

[dikman]

When I picked up my 211G166 today the guy showed me what else he had for sale. One was a Pfaff binding machine, which he no longer uses. Looking at it I figured it was a walking foot, but the feet looked quite peculiar to me as they were for binding. He said that he suspected this one might be hard to sell, and it was open to offers. It's a nice cylinder arm, but we were both wondering if the feet can be changed to a more conventional style and use it as a normal walking foot.

Anyone know? If so, what sort of leather/needle/thread would it be good for?

[dikman]

A bit more searching was inconclusive. It is a walking foot, but I don't think it's a compound feed i.e. the needle only goes up and down (I think)?

The reason I'm asking is that if it's usable to me I may be able to get it at a good price, as in its present form he doesn't see it selling easily and said to make him an offer. (Having just bought the other machine may help - plus he also rides a Moto-Guzzi too ).

Edited October 1, 2015 by dikman

[DrmCa]

It is a walking foot, no needle feed.

You'd need to get the regular feet for leather. I am not sure, but think you can keep the binder plate on it.

This page should give you an idea: https://www.college-sewing.co.uk/Pfaff335SewingMachineParts

[dikman]

Thanks, DrmCa. I'll have a word to him about it, I think. I don't really need it, but it's a nice looking little machine and if the price is right.......(I think I'm getting the collecting bug!!).

[dikman]

Got it! Or will have when I pick it up this afternoon. . He wanted $495, I offered $200 (because I didn't really need it) and we agreed on $250. I figure that's a bargain, as all I need to do (hopefully) is replace the feet - plus I'll have an edge binder if I ever need one.

[dikman]

This is the machine. While discussing the possibility of getting replacement feet at my local industrial machine place, he suggested just using the existing feet and slide the binder out of the way. The previous owner said he tried that, and it did work.

Looking at it, however, I reckon I need to make a new plate to replace the long one that has the binder mounted on it (pretty easy, as it's just a flat piece and aluminium should work) and I will also need a new needle plate. A bit trickier, but I should be able to work something out.

It came with a Consew clutch motor, which doesn't look too old, and a quick try before I dismantled it showed that it had pretty good slow speed control (unlike the motor that came with the Singer). I figure that fitting a smaller pulley will give me adequate control without having to resort to a servo motor.

Not at all bad for $250 .

[DrmCa]

This might be a slightly earlier model than mine, or the same - my handwheel is different.

A small pulley on any motor would feel like a big difference in stitching speed control.

Now you are going to need a regular feed dog, throat plate and feet.

Keep those binder parts - you may find buyers for them if you end up not needing them!

[Uwe]

It is a walking foot, no needle feed.

You'd need to get the regular feet for leather. I am not sure, but think you can keep the binder plate on it.

This page should give you an idea: https://www.college-sewing.co.uk/Pfaff335SewingMachineParts

So is it true that this 335 version does not have needle feed? That would seem very odd indeed.

I thought these Pfaff 335 machines all have compound feed, except on most of them the feed dog does not go down while moving forward (it just moves back and forth at the same height unless it's a specific sub-class with that drop feed dog feature)

[dikman]

I was just looking at it, and I reckon it is a compound feed. I set it to the largest stitch and turned it over by hand and the needle definitely moved back and forth along with the inner foot, and you're right about the feed dog, it oscillates back and forth in a horizontal plane. The reason I wasn't sure initially is that reading the documentation that I could find was a bit confusing, as it certainly gave the impression that it wasn't a compound feed.

I'm even happier with my purchase, now that I know it's a compound feed.

I've found a place in China that sells a set of "welt feet" for a reasonable price (I'm assuming that these are standard feet, but I'll have to do a bit more research first).

DrmCa - or anyone with a non-binder setup - could you post a couple of photos of the needle plate/feet area, please? This will give me an idea of just what I may need to do to restore mine to that condition. Even if I have to spend a bit for the bits, I think it will be worth it, considering how little I paid for it.

[jimi]

Hi There, looks like we have the same machines. the only difference at first glance is the thread tension unit and possibly the needle bar and the domed shuttle guard cover. (cant see your needle bar) this would be the 335-17B S=fabric setup and 335-17B L=leather setup differences??. your serial nº should be under the thread spool holder plate on top of the machine and on the front rim in front of you. this is the needle plate,feed dog and feet that came with the machine. i suppose they were the originals as they are pfaff made and look quite old. the binder foot and feed dog (non original)have the row of teeth which yours does not have? they could possibly have been ground down as they might have left marks on the leather. just a thuoght?? also it looks like your presser foot tension screw is missing?? or i am going blind jaja!

The non original binder parts are from http://www.kwokhing.com/.

Edited October 3, 2015 by jimi