Pfaff 1245 Help

[WoodsideCo]

Thanks for all the help fellas, I'm pretty sure I'm going to pull the trigger on one of the 1245's, I'm very excited! Was wondering if anyone had recommendations for a good servo motor (make/model) to replace the clutch motor with? Also do you think a speed reducer is also a good idea with a new servo motor? Appreciate any and all feedback

[Hockeymender]

I would recommend the Goldstar GBSM 550S. I have four of these motors and have had them in service for over a year. So far I have not had a single problem with them. Being 550 watts they provide plenty of punching power, and the needle positioner is a huge help as well. Setting up the motors and positioners is very straight forward and only took about ten minutes. Here is a link to to product page for more info: http://store.allamericansewing.net/goldstar-gbsm-550-brushless-servo-motor-550-watt-34hp-with-needle-positioner

I have NO affiliation with the seller of these motors, just know what works well for me. 

[SARK9]

I've used a a few similar "servo" motors (branded by Consew), but all without the needle positioners....many of these imported offerings share so many similarities one might assume they are all made under the same roof. I am currently using 6 machines with these motors installed and have sold/traded off 4 other machines using older versions of the same motors. I personally haven't had one DOA or any other issues with the 10 or so I've bought....though the oldest one I have has only been in use for about 3 years. I do use a speed reducer on the 3 walking foot machines that are similar to the 1245, but run them direct on higher speed fabric machines like my Pfaff 483.

A couple of dings I would give the ones I use: They come standard with either a 90mm or 75mm pulley, which I usually replace with a 50mm. The more recent ones I've purchased now seem to start rather abruptly....still fine at about one stitch per second or less, but really POW! when they come on.

 

-DC

 

[WoodsideCo]

Joe, that motor looks very nice and I like that it has the needle positioner on it. Do you think there would be any reason to get a speed reducer with this or should be good to go with just the motor?

Sark- The repair guy in my area stocks and recommended a motor that sounds just like what you've been using. I think he said it was a "family" brand and its 3/4HP with 550 W. He said something similar about feeling like a lot of these motors made in china are almost identical other than the sticker on the front. From what you have said and others as well these seem like a good option, my only concern is the abrupt start. Ive worked on a juki that had a similar type of jump off the line feel to it and it kept throwing me off, I'm sure with  a few days of working on it it would not be a problem though.

[Hockeymender]

I have two with speed reducers and two without. Unless you are going to sew some very thick materials, or need to run at a super slooow speed I would say no speed reducer is required. These motors can be set for slow start, just to address the other issue mentioned. 

[WoodsideCo]

9 minutes ago, Hockeymender said:

I have two with speed reducers and two without. Unless you are going to sew some very thick materials, or need to run at a super slooow speed I would say no speed reducer is required. These motors can be set for slow start, just to address the other issue mentioned. 

Ok that makes sense. Sorry for all these questions, really appreciate everyone's feedback. About the needle positioner system, once it is installed correctly is it easy to switch from the needle ending in the up position and then back to the needle ending in the down position in the material? Meaning could I do a run of stitching with the positioner in the down position and then flip a switch and have it end in the up position on the next run of stitching? Not sure if that's how these systems work, don't have much experience with them. As far as install is it pretty much plug and play? Would I need to order a different sized belt or does the motor come with a new belt that will fit the 1245? Thanks again!

-Sam

[Hockeymender]

Needle position is controlled by the pedal. There a several different settings available. Mine are set to stop needle down every time I stop sewing. To raise the needle, I just "heel back" on the pedal. Setup is pretty straight forward. You can select maximum speed, needle position, slow start and some others I've forgotten. As for the belt, the motor position is very adjustable, however that may not mean you will have to get a longer or shorter belt depending on your setup. 

[SARK9]

Just to clarify....Re: The Consew branded "servo" motors....(CSM1000). The more abrupt one is the latest one I bought...it has the "slow start" option 0-9 codes in the typical *all your base" instruction sheet....I can't really tell configuring it has any affect on the sort of sudden pow! this motor has at start.

Although it has the same model number on the control unit, it is obviously different than the earlier CSM1000 I have, which is quite well mannered. This is the abrupt one:

 

 

 

....and this is the slightly older one that starts perfectly smoothly:

 

Both are sold as CSM1000's.....

 

-DC

 

 

[dikman]

I have three servos (from China) and the control housing is the same shape as SARK9's (top photo), only difference I can see is the markings on the two buttons. I also bought a needle positioner but don't use it. For high speed stitching it's probably quite useful, but because I run at very slow speed I found it was more trouble than it was worth. With mine there are two main settings that can be adjusted (internally), start speed and max speed.

[WoodsideCo]

Thanks for the replies on the motors guys, I have a lot to think about. I was wondering what the max thickness of leather is that you have been able to sew consistently is on your 1245's? Also, I was hoping I could get some input on buying one of these pfaff's vs. a new machine under warranty such as the consew 206-rb5, keep in mind this is my first machine. I see positives/negatives of both options, but was wondering if you were buying your first machine and had these options what direction you would go?  The way I figure it after I replace the clutch motor, get the machined serviced etc, its going to be within a couple hundred bucks of that new consew, or another newer similar machine. What route do you think I should take?