Something Wrong, What Do You Think?

[Wizcrafts]

Alex;

Did you set the timing at the zero motion position? Doing so will time the needle and hook in both directions. Also, make sure the hook is about 2mm or so above the eye on the upstroke.

[alexitbe]

HI Wizcraft,

I am not sure what you mean by the "zero motion position."

I rotated the wheel (connected to the motor pulley) until the tip of the hook sat directly behind the needle. The rotation position was different for both the straight stitch and the zig ziag, so I did it for the zig-zag only.

At this particular position, I think the feed-dogs moved alot when I toggled between forward and reverse. I will check that tonight. Is this important?

I would say, that hook is less than 2mm above the eye, so I will adjust this tonight.

Thanks for your help.

Alex

Edited January 18, 2016 by alexitbe

[Constabulary]

I don´t know the Pfaff 38 but I once had a 138 - I doubt there belongs a pulley or disc or something else between the tension discs. Are you sure the machine is threaded correctly and the thread regulation spring is present and functional?

Pictures of the machine are always helpful

Zero motion is the centered position of the thread length adjuster / reverse lever and at that position the feed dog should not move at all - except up and down.

Edited January 18, 2016 by Constabulary

[alexitbe]

HI Constab,

I don't think I set the needle height when I was at zero motion. I will try that tonight.. An maybe that will clear it up.

I was confused about the strange little disc myself. I thought it was a spacer, initially, but only closer inspection it looks like a tiny little pulley... So i put it inbewteen the discs. The other thread tension unit does not have it. I will remove it and see. The tension discs barely move when I lift the presser foot to release the tension, so when I remove it they should separate more. Maybe that helps?

The machine is threaded properly, or atleast according to the manual. I have the original...

The regulation spring is there, but it does not look in very good condition... And I don't really know how I should set it.

Pics are difficult right now as I have no power in the cellar, so must use a torch.

Cheers

Alex

[Constabulary]

Pictures always tell more than 1000 words. I guess you have the parts list for the Pfaff 38. If not google is your friend Pfaff usually has nice detailed exploded view drawings so you should see what parts belong to the tension unit and how it is assembled.

[Kohlrausch]

HI Constab,

I don't think I set the needle height when I was at zero motion. I will try that tonight.. An maybe that will clear it up.

I was confused about the strange little disc myself. I thought it was a spacer, initially, but only closer inspection it looks like a tiny little pulley... So i put it inbewteen the discs. The other thread tension unit does not have it. I will remove it and see. The tension discs barely move when I lift the presser foot to release the tension, so when I remove it they should separate more. Maybe that helps?

The machine is threaded properly, or atleast according to the manual. I have the original...

The regulation spring is there, but it does not look in very good condition... And I don't really know how I should set it.

Pics are difficult right now as I have no power in the cellar, so must use a torch.

Cheers

Alex

Hi,

here you can find the Renters - Der Nähmaschinenfachmann-books as downloadable scans: http://www.occaphot-ch.com/bernina-startseite/industrie-masch/

Vol. 2 covers Central-Bobbin-machines (Bahngreifermaschinen) and vol.3 covers the Pfaff zigzags starting with the Pfaff 38 on page 136.

The Renters books contain tons of info 'bout repair and adjustment of all kinds of (from todays point of view) older sewing machines.

Greets

Ralf C.

[alexitbe]

I worked on it tonight....And all was going well and then I decided to clean the feed-dogs. I removed it, cleaned and then replaced it... Now my forward and backwards stitches are different lengths... I currently dispair...

I've got power back in the cellar, so will post some picks tmrw.

I took a closer look at the thread return spring and it looks like its broken... Cost of replacement is 15 euros...

EDIT: THANKS RALF... Just saw your post.... I appreciate the information and I will look at it tmrw.. .Right now, I am furious with myself for cleaning the feed-dogs and messing everything up...

Cheers

Alex

Edited January 18, 2016 by alexitbe

[shoepatcher]

For info,

I found a parts list for the 38 class Pfaff on Universal's web site under the Pfaff manuals.

glenn

[CHARECO]

Hello,

I am currently working on a Pfaff 38-45/12.

Looking for advice about how to time the feed dogs for the same stitch length forward and backward.

I read in this thread that retiming the dogs may help, can anyone walk me through that process?

Thanks

[Constabulary]

I have adjustment instruction in English for the 138 and similar machines - maybe it will help you .

Adjustment Pfaff 138.pdf