Pfaff 230 - any experience?

[MarB]

I can be helpful once. I own Pfaff 230. I love the machine, however. Compared to other domestic machines around 150 USD that I tried, Pfaff 230 sews much easier through heavier fabrics. Small leather goods are no problem for it. I have original table with foot pedal (foot power), which is great for watch straps. But I very rarely go through the hassle of switching belt. All the different stitches are fun, I love to hear it clicking, although I have no practical use for them. It is nice to have a option to sew shirt for my girls from time to time.

But.

It is no "heavy duty", "leather" or industrial machine, even though it weights like one. Hemming jeans can be struggle. You need to be comfortable with spending days learning to set it up correctly. It needs some care and switching between heavier and lighter fabrics can mean a bit of tune up. Did I mention it is heavy? I wouldn't use it if I didn't have space for table and would have to move it. I spent a lot of time troubleshooting, searching for manuals and figuring out how it works.

For occasional heavier fabric it is ok. Great all-around machine. If you like mechanics and are comfortable with screwdriver, it is joy. Although some time when you want to sew something, you might spend the time aligning the needle. I would buy it again in good condition. Should I need to depend on the machine for some income, I would go for something modern, be it chinese. If you want to sew only heavy fabrics, go for something bigger.

[DavidJohn]

People seem to forget that it wasn’t made for industrial work it is a domestic machine, you can get away with buying an old industrial like the Pfaff 460, Singer 95k40 and others, they might be old but just as effective as say a new Juki.