PFAFF 545 OR 1295 experience? opinions?

[plinkercases]

I am aware this an apples to oranges question but:

I have a line on a PFAFF 545  described in add as follows:

PFAFF 545, Walking Foot Sewing Machine Reverse, New 550w Servo Motor, Newer Table Top, Table On Casters To Move Around Easily. Machine Recently tuned and Timed. Great Leather/Heavy Material Machine Can Be Tested, These Machines Were Built Tough!!!!!

it is 950 Canadian and local so I can pick up.

OR a

Pfaff 1295 Post Bed Industrial Sewing Machine in use and excellent shape fro 1800 Canadian OBO.. also local for pick up.

I understand that one is very different from the other in terms of table versus post and the 1295 looks like a much heavier duty machine with thicker thread capabilities.... but for the little and rare time I get to make a belt heavier bag etc. (I do my sheaths and holster by hand still) I am wondering which would be the best bang for the buck.

I watch Ewe's video on the 1295 and started to fall in love....  but all I have seen on the 545 is impressive too. I can see the post being more versatile for strange seems and hard to get places... the table is cheaper and I am not a big production number guy....

So thoughts, experience, opinions, admonitions....?

[Old Coach Saddlery]

My employer uses a 545 for her horse blanket repair part of the business. I have sewn a few chaps on it. It sews like butter but....... Parts seem to be hard to find and the safety clutch seems to pop frequently. Easy enough to reset.

I like my Juki better. Parts are easy to find and it is less temperamental.

 

[plinkercases]

Fair point about cost of ownership re parts and service... but butter is nice...

Whay Juki do you use and for what mostly?

[Old Coach Saddlery]

I had an LU562, which was a nice machine but I upgraded to a DNU154. I like the horizontal hook better. The LuU562 would get clogged with thread.  With the DNU1541 can use a heavier thread if I need it. This machine I use for English tack repair. Replacing Knee pad and Knee rolls on English saddle. My heavier jobs like halter and harness I use my Ferdinand Bull.

[plinkercases]

No one with  experience with the 1295?

[Uwe]

For every Pfaff 1295 out there I imagine at least a dozen Pfaff 145/545 floating about. That means Pfaff 1295 are very hard to find and if you need one and have an opportunity to get one, get it. Most of what I know about operating the Pfaff 1295 machine was in that Pfaff 1295 demo video you mentioned. Thread capability between Pfaff 545 and Pfaff 1295 should really be very close (happily sews size 138 all day) , they may even use the same hook - check the parts lists to be sure. Both the Pfaff 545 and Pfaff 1295 I had/have are exercises in buttery smoothness once adjusted well, just a joy to use. Which one of them suits your needs better depends, well, on your needs. If in doubt, get both. Lots of interchangeable parts between them. 

Make sure the Pfaff 1295 has the throat plate and feed dog you need/want - those are even harder to find than the machine itself and priced accordingly. Also make sure the tension release mechanism on the back of the Pfaff 1295 is complete - it's a chinese puzzle.

[plinkercases]

The you Uwe... you...

Machine is in good working order and in use the seller just has the one amongst his stable of machines and all the others are Juki, He doesn't really need to sell but thought he could use the room and be a on brand shop for simplicity. The servo is a "Reliable" brand. it comes with selection of feet, bobbins and needles.

 the 1295 Looks well maintained and is asking 1,800 Canadian and is in driving distance from where I live. so... is tempting .... the  issue of cost of ownership, parts service etc. is a prohibitive factor.

the 545-H3 is 1,200, driving distance, comes with large bobbins, thread, needles, drop down guide, service with reducer and is an in use machine asking 1200 Canadian.... perhaps cheaper cost of ownership but table make sit less project versatile....

to make things even more goofy I just got a line on a new Techsew 5100 at a sale price we are working out.... I may just "buy once and cry once" since I have a solid table machine (though not walking foot) for my bag type work....

I realize I am now talking apples, oranges and bananas but that's how my old head works it seems....

More to consider and available funds after the holiday may make the decision for me!

Thanks again for the input/advice.

[dikman]

I don't have any experience with any of these machines, but from my perspective the Techsew would be the better choice in the long run - if the finances permit! Within reason you should be able to sew "lighter" things on it, but you can't sew heavy stuff on a medium-weight machine. There's always the chance that you may come across a "medium-weight" walking foot going for a good price later on, should you feel you still need one.

[plinkercases]

2 hours ago, dikman said:

I don't have any experience with any of these machines, but from my perspective the Techsew would be the better choice in the long run - if the finances permit! Within reason you should be able to sew "lighter" things on it, but you can't sew heavy stuff on a medium-weight machine. There's always the chance that you may come across a "medium-weight" walking foot going for a good price later on, should you feel you still need one.

That is the way I am leaning for sure. the table machine I have is Ok fro what I need in the soft stuff and I may add a servo... walking foot table machine with a little more oomph in the middle weight (or layers) of the soft stuff...mostly upholstery I use to make packs and shooting bags etc.