Pfaff 138-6 Old but New to Me!

[suzelle]

Hi Folks!

Well, this new (old) Pfaff arrived about 2 weeks ago. She was being used for years in an Industrial Environment. However, just using a light weight thread, about the weight of a household thread, or serger thread. Company I bought her from was using this machine for sewing on patches, mending, that type of thing. I'm adjusting the settings to run v69 weight thread on a daily basis. Have really cranked down the tension disk, as you can see in photo #4.

It's so tight, cranked all the way down (see knurled knob on the right) and photo shows this... tension disk on the right is the one I'm using and it's quite a bit lower than the tension disk on the left. I don't like having to set it so tight. However, it's sewing fine. I've also adjusted the bottom tension to get a pretty even stitch from top and bottom (locks in the middle) and no puckers in the fabric.

My question is, can I do something to make the stitch sew correctly without cranking this poor tension disk all the way down?

The reason I ask is because I'd also like to use v91 weight thread in this machine once in a while, but I have no more room to crank that disk down. Don't want to ruin the machine or the disk.

Also, with the v69 thread, I'm finding it a little difficult to pull a tail of thread out before beginning to sew. It's just tight when I pull and that is never good on your needle.

Hope I have explained myself clearly. Please advise, if you can.

There is another issue with this machine too, but will address that in another post.

Thanks ahead!

Edited May 18, 2016 by suzelle

[Kohlrausch]

Hi,

 

that's what the machine has two tensions for. Use the left one with the stronger spring for the stronger thread.

 

HTH

Greets

Ralf C.

[suzelle]

Really? Lol! Geesh! I read somewhere that the other disk was for a double thread. You know, running a double needle with one bobbin thread. Guess that was not correct information

Here's what I'm getting so far for stitching. Looks okay/ pretty good, but could be better.

Hmmm, will try threading other disk too. Thank you so much!

I am printing an Instruction manual I found on the internet for the Pfaff 138. Will see if there is some fancier threading information in it. So far, I have not found anything in manual about 2nd disk.

[suzelle]

So far, nothing in the instruction book I have on how to thread the two discs. I tried it though, works better than threading one disc. So thank you Kohlrausch. Much appreciated!

Please, anybody else with info (perhaps pictures of how to thread the 2 discs from an Instruction Manual please)... Feel free to post.

Thank you!

[Constabulary]

The older Pfaff 138 had a stamped in "K" for Knopfloch (thats German for Buttonhole) on the left tension unit and originally the 2nd bobbin case that was supplied with the machine also had a stamped in K. You also can use double needles with this machine f.i. for sewing tucks (in German it is called Biesen) - but don´t ask me how this work's I never tried this. When I had a Pfaff 138 I used the 2nd unit for heavier thread as Ralf C. said.

 

[Constabulary]

I have an english 138 manual where the 2 needle sewing thing is mentioned but file its too large to attach. Here is a picture of the "K" marked parts. I only have this tiny picture of the threaded left tension unit - hope this helps

Edited May 18, 2016 by Constabulary

[suzelle]

Constabulary,

Thanks so much! Very helpful information here, photos are very much appreciated! Looks like I have it threaded right, I appreciate the threading picture too. So nice of you! Okay, you confirmed what my thoughts were, that the 2nd tension knob was used for multiple situations.

One funny thing about my machine when I got it is... I was trying to install a round (commercial needle) and couldn't get one in the slot. Then I examined the needle that was in the machine when I bought it home and found it was a flat side or shank, a needle designed for a Home machine. At first I was a little put off by it, because I have a whole bunch of industrial needles I wanted to put to use in all sizes. Thought about it some more and realized that I had a lot of flat shank needles too in all sizes, so what the heck! The advantage is to a standard household needle is I can install that blind-folded. Fits right into the place it's supposed to, no turning while trying to see if I got it positioned right. Love it now!

I think the reason that the Sewing Machine Repair place that Serviced the machine installed the flat side needle holder is that there were two little ladies in their mid 80's (Sisters) who worked for them and ran this machine and another machine just like it. They probably couldn't see too well and it just made the needle changing easier.

Another thing on this machine that is different: One of the bobbins that came with the machine had a section that was cut out of it. Not sure why, but looked like it was altered. Anyhow, no complaints, the bobbin runs fine. Photo attached. Unfortunately, I do not have the original bobbins. My machine has been well used but she runs nicely.

Thank you both Ralf and Constabulary, you are the best!

[Kohlrausch]

14 minutes ago, suzelle said:

 

Another thing on this machine that is different: One of the bobbins that came with the machine had a section that was cut out of it.

Hi,

 

that looks like broken off. Probably fell down and somebody stepped on it. Bobbins and bobbin cases have been unaltered by Pfaff for decades, you can easily find spares. Pfaff also markets a bobbin case for thicker thread. http://www.naehwelt-flach.de/Zubehoer/Pfaff-Zubehoer/Zubehoer-Naehen/Pfaff-creative-Spezialspulenkapsel.html This will probably be the equivalent of the K-marked part that has been lost. I have discussed this with my sewingmachine shop and we have not been able to find out the difference between the "spezial"-case and the standard case. You can always turn up the tension on the setscrew of the spring, so I don't quite see the point. On my Pfaff 130 and 138 I have been sewing up to size 138 thread with size 22 needles, which is where the 15x1-needle system (flat shank) maxes  out anyway. Over it's period of production the Pfaff 138 has been offered with several needle systems, so flat shank does not necessarily indicate an alteration, it may be the way the machine left the factory.

 

Here's some additional info on threading and a link to the manual:

http://www.buzzerco.com/pfaff/

 

HTH

Greets

Ralf C.

 

 

[suzelle]

Ralf,

That link you posted is where I read about how to thread the machine, LOL! I like to follow Brian's blog. He is always playing with some new Thrift Store sewing machine find and posting the information.

Anyhow, great information you had put down about the bobbins, set screws and adjusting. I think that perhaps the reason that Pfaff gave you (2) bobbins adjusted different ways (you say one was for buttonholes) is probably because most people who sew a lot like me, don't want to have to adjust a bobbin set screw each time they change to a different thread thickness or set the machine up for a different task.

I have a couple of commercial buttonholers around and will likely use one of them for the Pfaff 138. We'll see. But I might just pull out my trusty old Kenmore when I have to do those. So easy and very predictable what kind of buttonhole the Kenmore will give me. I like that. Have had that machine since I was 16, bought it brand new. I won't tell what year that was.

For my commercial embroidery machines, I have bobbins set for my standard 40 weight poly embroidery thread, then I have a bobbin set to use a different weight thread on occasion. Just makes it easier for me. I have set my sewing machines up that way too and this Pfaff 138 will get the same treatment. I plan to invest in a couple new bobbins, going to get the Italian ones. When I am running all (3) machines and loading and unloading garments, I don't want to mess with tension problems, I just want to get the job done and delivered to my Customer.

Thank for all your input, so helpful. Have a wonderful day!

Edited May 19, 2016 by suzelle

[suzelle]

Ralf,

On second thought, I will hunt down those bobbins you posted the link too. I'll have to see what the Pfaff Dealers around here would charge for them in the USA.  Hopefully not too crazy. I appreciate this so much, thanks again!