Problem Machine Sewing Veg Tan

[ebm010]

I use a Pfaff 1245 with #180 needle and #138-T135 polyester thread.

While most of my work is done on heavy canvas and vinyl, I recently have found it necessary to sew 2 layers of 7 - 8 oz. veg tanned cowhide.

The machine works perfectly on one layer but when I try to stitch 2 layers together it will not sew.

I have maxed out my bottom thread tension and have tried every possible top thread tension with no success.

The former owner of this machine (long passed) performed this kind of sewing frequently so I know the machine is capable.

I found some references to this problem on the site but they were quite old so I thought I would re-submit the issue.

Any help would be a life saver.

 

[Constabulary]

a Metric size 180 needle punches a quite large hole for 138 thread - I usually run a 140 (metric) needle with 138 thread. Canvas and vinyl are "healing" the needle hole where as veg tan leather is not so the too large hole is probably the reason for not forming a proper thread loop. Hope you know what I mean.

Try a 140 or 150 metric needle with you thread and I´m almost sure it will work.

[ebm010]

Tried a 140 wont even sew the single layer.

To be fair thought I don't believe this is the right model needle for this machine as the scarf is a bit different from my proper 180.

What I did decide to do is to reset my hook timing and along with it the needle bar height.

Before I even got started I noticed the spring latch on the drive shaft was tripped out of its notch.

I would bet you are familiar with Pfaff machines (mine is a 1985 German model and my prized possession) so may I ask if you know what causes this.

Anyway... reset the latch, fine tuned the hook time and needle bar height and I seem to be sewing ok with the 180 for now.

I'm really bothered by that latch tripping.

I cant really even tell when it happened.