Pfaff 545 Thread size max

[AllSeamsPossible]

On 12/3/2019 at 4:00 PM, Jeanneau403 said:

Hello, I have purchased a 545 model C,  it appears most folks have asked the question how thick of material can be sewn, my question is kind of the opposite.  I have purchased the machine for doing boat canvas (sunbrella) work.  I have been sewing with a pfaff 138 with Tenera thread and #14 needles.  

With the Tenera thread the smaller needle diameter works better.  It appears a number #14 needle is smaller than recommended for the model c 545, is this a thread tension spring issue?  Thoughts?

I am asking on this forum as this forum has the most information on the practice use of the 545.

Thanks in advance for any insight.

 

 

 hi I know this is probably a really old post hopefully it's not had a few questions and since you said you are working with boat upholstery / canvas umbrella work I myself am doing the same thing and I'm quite new at it. So it may sound stupid but you said that you use its narrow thread is that the lifetime thread that you were using and the size needle I'm not really sure about needle sizes and what you can use exactly with which type of thread should I be using a #14 like you were saying.? Is there anybody on this that can tell me if exactly what type of needle I should be able to use with the Tanera lifetime thread?

Thank you

Heather

[Leebroox]

On 12/8/2019 at 6:06 PM, acowboy said:

If I remember right if your machine sets different in forward and reverse, try turning the lever over inside the reverse handle

easy fix.

also my 545 stays loaded with 207 top and bottom

Acowboy,

What do I need to do to my 545-H4 to get it to accept the 207 thread?  I have gone back and forth with all of the tension settings and I am still not getting the bottom/underside stitches to cinch inwards.  The bottom thread just rides along the underside and never locks into the leather. I don't have any issues with a 92 size thread but I want a much bigger thread if possible. I know this old but I am new to the sewing machine world so hopefully this makes it to your in box.  Thanks.

Cheers,

Leland 

[CowboyBob]

6 hours ago, Leebroox said:

Acowboy,

What do I need to do to my 545-H4 to get it to accept the 207 thread?  I have gone back and forth with all of the tension settings and I am still not getting the bottom/underside stitches to cinch inwards.  The bottom thread just rides along the underside and never locks into the leather. I don't have any issues with a 92 size thread but I want a much bigger thread if possible. I know this old but I am new to the sewing machine world so hopefully this makes it to your in box.  Thanks.

Cheers,

Leland 

207 is a large stiff thread ,you need alot of tension the the needle & very little on the bobbin to get it to pull up,alot of people have better  luck using 207 on top & 138 in the bobbin,the 138 can pull up in the stitch easier since it's smaller.

[kgg]

8 hours ago, Leebroox said:

What do I need to do to my 545-H4 to get it to accept the 207 thread?

Also what size of needle are you using as you will probably need a #24 or #25 needle depending on how thick the leather is. 

kgg

Edited November 26, 2022 by kgg

[Leebroox]

On 11/26/2022 at 4:15 AM, CowboyBob said:

207 is a large stiff thread ,you need alot of tension the the needle & very little on the bobbin to get it to pull up,alot of people have better  luck using 207 on top & 138 in the bobbin,the 138 can pull up in the stitch easier since it's smaller.

CowboyBob, Thanks.  Yep I had 207 in both and Max tension up top and absolute minimum on the bobbin and I was still getting the railroad tracks on the underside. At the very least you have confirmed that I was doing everything right.  I will switch to 138 in the bobbin and see what that looks like.  Appreciate the help.

On 11/26/2022 at 6:00 AM, kgg said:

Also what size of needle are you using as you will probably need a #24 or #25 needle depending on how thick the leather is. 

kgg

Absolutely. I am using a #24 going through two pieces of 3.5oz vegtan.  Albeit very slowly to prevent the needle from breaking.  I have found that is as thick as I can go without something binding up and breaking the thread or needle.  Appreciate the advice because that needle selection was a shot in the dark and when I installed it, it looked a little big to me.  I will probably switch to #21 or #19 and 138 or 92 thread, if I cannot get the 207 to take like I want.  Thanks again.      

[Wizcrafts]

1 hour ago, Leebroox said:

I will probably switch to #21 or #19 and 138 or 92 thread, if I cannot get the 207 to take like I want

I use a #19 needle with v92 and a #22 or #23 with v138 bonded thread. If you use a needle that is too small it makes tighter holes and the take-up lever has to work harder to pull the knots up. It also tends to lift the leather as the threaded, knotted needle ascends. This causes missed stitches and ratted top thread.

Here's a needle and thread chart that I consult.

[shoepatcher]

Smallest needle you can use #138 on is #22.  I use #23 titanium coated.  Less deflection and the coating makes the needle slide easier thru leather.

glenn