Pfaff 335

[GeorgiaK]

Hello everybody!

I've been sewing mainly fabric bags and just experimenting with leather but I would like to start making leather bags, purses, wallets etc. I found an old Pfaff 335 with servo motor. I know it's  suitable for binding but it is used also for leather. The vendor warned me that I might have trouble with the length of the stitches while top-stitching.

Would you suggest this machine for a newbie? 

[GPaudler]

Hi Georgia,

Most of what I sew is not leather, but I love my 335 which is a vintage similar to the one in your photo. It has been very reliable sewing through as much webbing as I can fit under the feet which is about 7-8mm. The unison feed is great. The maximum stitch length is somewhat limited and I think that #138 is the largest thread I've used. 

I think that if I could have only one sewing machine, the Pfaff 335 would be it.

Gary

 

[dikman]

Welcome to what is probably the best leather and sewing machine information resource on the planet! For a newbie any industrial sewing machine is a big step. The Paff 335 is a very nice machine and as long as there's nothing wrong with it mechanically it should be great for what you want, and coming with a servo is a huge bonus for someone just starting out, but ideally you need to see it sewing first. Is this photo the actual machine? If so it is set up with a binding attachment (most of these seem to come that way). You can sew normally using the binding feet, but it's not ideal. The feet and feed dog plate will need to be changed to more conventional types.There have been posts about this before. Be aware that if there's anything wrong with it Pfaff parts can be somewhat expensive.

I'm not sure what the vendor means by trouble with stitch length, like all machines they have a maximum stitch length, I'd want to see it sewing different stitch lengths to make sure that the stitch length adjustment is actually working ok.

I haven't used mine much (too many machines!!) but I'm impressed with it's quality, and like Gary have got it to sew with #138 thread.

[Constabulary]

if I remember correctly there are 335´s w. very short stitch length like 3mm or so but not sure if this is limited by the needle plate only or if it is factory set. So better test the machine before you buy it.

[dikman]

Ah, yes, I seem to remember that coming up somewhere. I think it was the plate that the dial adjustment lever slides in, the slot was deliberately made shorter to restrict the stitch length. It doesn't make any sense that they would re-engineer the cams and offsets inside just to reduce stitch length. The machine in that photo, at least, appears to have a full-length slot.

I would really like to know what the vendor meant regarding stitch length.

[GeorgiaK]

Thank you for the help and the welcome! 

This is a photo of the actual machine that the vendor has fully repaired and offers a 2-year guarantee. He is on vacation until the end of August so I can't visit it him in person till then but afterwards I'll be able to test it and ask further details according to your suggestions. If I remember correctly he told me that it can't support stitch length similar to the one of newer machines but he could just want to sell me a more expensive one.. 

1 hour ago, dikman said:

Ah, yes, I seem to remember that coming up somewhere. I think it was the plate that the dial adjustment lever slides in, the slot was deliberately made shorter to restrict the stitch length. It doesn't make any sense that they would re-engineer the cams and offsets inside just to reduce stitch length. The machine in that photo, at least, appears to have a full-length slot.

I would really like to know what the vendor meant regarding stitch length.

 

[GeorgiaK]

8 hours ago, GPaudler said:

Hi Georgia,

Most of what I sew is not leather, but I love my 335 which is a vintage similar to the one in your photo. It has been very reliable sewing through as much webbing as I can fit under the feet which is about 7-8mm. The unison feed is great. The maximum stitch length is somewhat limited and I think that #138 is the largest thread I've used. 

I think that if I could have only one sewing machine, the Pfaff 335 would be it.

Gary

 

Thanks Gary for the feedback! I think it's value for money. Plus the vendor is local and offers a 2-year guarantee. I believe that your phrase "The maximum stitch length is somewhat limited and I think that #138 is the largest thread I've used" pretty much concludes the vendor's warnings about the stitch length and the thread.

[dikman]

I just had a look at his website, unfortunately it's all Greek to me!

I tried enlarging the photo and it looks to be in very good condition (at least on the outside), If all he means is that the stitch length isn't as long as newer machines then it's nothing to worry about because he's right! You will probably want to factor in changing the feet/feed dog plate, as I mentioned (maybe you can beat him down a bit, based on this?) but if it sews ok then it will be  a nice machine to have.

[shoepatcher]

See if you can get a picture of the brass plate on the machine .  it will tell us a lot about the machine's stitch length, lift, safety clutch, 4 motion drop feed vs. skiff feed. tec.

glenn

[GeorgiaK]

5 hours ago, shoepatcher said:

See if you can get a picture of the brass plate on the machine .  it will tell us a lot about the machine's stitch length, lift, safety clutch, 4 motion drop feed vs. skiff feed. tec.

glenn

Thanks Glenn! 

The vendor is on vacation until the end of August and he hasn't attached another photo to his ad. When he returns I plan to visit him in person.

Georgia