Pfaff 545

[LAPat]

I am new to the forum and trying to do a crash course on sewing machines. I have been looking at a Pfaff 545 in town but I already made one mistake, a Bernina 950, and I don't want to make another.

I've read through the forum and learned a little but I am still unsure what to do.

I sew sheepskin and leather dog toys, leashes and collars. My budget is under a thousand dollars, so I'm looking for a good used machine. I don't really know the difference between needle feed, compound walking foot, and walking foot machines.

Sheepskin is porous and easy to pierce with even my Singer 500 but the thickness of the fur is what causes problems. I don't even bother to try and get the leather sewn and I'm really at a standstill in terms of what I can design or do without an industrial.

I looked at a Consew but the Pfaff seems a much more robust machine. I don't think the Boss is right for me because I need to mass produce items. What else is in my price range?

Oh, I also have a Bonis fur machine that I picked up very inexpensively on Ebay, does anyone use one of these? I will probably eventually set it up if I can figure out how the bloody thing works. But I really need a machine for leather.

Thanks in advance for any information. Art suggested this group and thanks again to him.

Pat in L.A.

[barra]

Ah The Pfaff 545. I have used these for 15 years or so until work decided to upgrade to the pfaff 1245's. To me the 545 is a gem of a machine and just purrs along at a nice steady pace. The 1245's we now use are a great machine but to me it is like going from comfy tried and true worn jeans to new. we used the 545's and now the 1245's for Aviation fabric components, so they go from upholstery weight leathers, then bridle leather to harness webbing to 15 ounce canvas with minimal tension adjustments. We also used them for making sheepskin seat covers although we have the skin side against the flat bed so that the feed dogs fed the work through and sewed a material gusset to the wool side. This alleviated feed issues with the wool fouling up either the feed dogs or presser feet. I would have a 545 in a heartbeat if 1, it is in good working order. 2, the price was right. Maybe someone else can let you know what is a good price in the $US and 3, it sews what you want. Take some samples of the various items you sew along and try it out. I would also contact an "industrial" sewing machine mechanic to see about the availability of spares or if the 545 is compatable with later models. If ongoing spares are an issue but it sews your jobs fine and again the price is REALLY right I would still go for it.

We also have a furriers machine that I have yet to play with. Now that I am in a more managerial role I don't get to play with the toys as much but am determined to find time to play with the furriers machine. I will pass on pointers to you as I make mistakes. There is a fair amount of scrap sheepskin after an aircraft refurbishment so i plan on making myself some UGG boots (now that I am allowed to again call them UGG boots).

Barra

[LAPat]

Thank you Barra,

I love that we live in times when someone from Australia can talk to someone in L.A. like this!

The Pfaff is $800 complete with table. But I have been waiting for the seller to find a stitch regulator screw and he's already got the wrong part from the company once.

By the way, I apologize for the subject heading "Shee" It should have been "Sheepskin and leather sewing machine. Oh well. I sometimes feel like saying "Shee..." anyway.

Best

L.A. Pat

[barra]

Pat. I think $800 is a fair price but again I'm thinking Oz $. Let me know if you run into probs with the stitch pitch regulator screw. I will look at our 1245's today and try and find out if the part numbers are the same for the screw on the 545 and our 1245. In case you are unfamiliar with this machine. The lever on the upright is both the stitch regulator and reverse. Lift up the lever and you get reverse. Wind in the dial and you adjust the stitch pitch.

Where abouts in LA are you. I am looking for a cheap Industrial that I can get hold of and leave in LA as I am there frequently. This will allow me to set it up and repair friends horse gear eg blankets. These little love jobs I do while in LA keeps me well supplied in beer and good Mexican food.

Barra

P.S. Thanks for clearing up the title. I was wondering.

Edited July 4, 2007 by barra

[Art]

Hi Pat,

Good to see you here. The Pfaff 545 is a medium weight industrial machine that has been used in the sail and canvas industry for a long time. It is an older machine that they don't make anymore. It has a forward and reverse lever that also adjusts the stitch length. Good machine that was popular so make sure it is not worn out. There should be very little play in the needle bar and not too much play when you turn the crankwheel forward and backward, you are looking for "play" and that machine should not have a lot of it. That machine should go for $600-$900 depending on the condition, and for $900 it should be darned near brand new. Add $100 for a speed reducer if it has one. Most of the ones I have seen do not have the speed reducer (it is a part of the table/stand and is a wheel that bolts to the bottom of the table and a belt goes from the motor to it and another belt from the reducer to the machine head). Most that I have seen have a 1750 rpm 1/2hp clutch motor. some have a 3450 rpm clutch motor also. You want the slowest you can get. You can replace that with a servo motor for $150 and it is pretty much an unbolt and rebolt job. Remember that the slower it goes, the more torque you have, and that is what you want in a leather machine. This is why a lot of leather machines have speed reducers, they multiply torque.

You do not want a Bernina 950, good machine but not for what you are doing, you won't be able to make it work well.

If things don't pan out on the Pfaff, the Consew is a good machine that you can find plenty of new and used. Models used would be the 206 RB3 or the 225, 226, or 227. The older Consews were made in Japan, the newer ones are make in China, just info not saying the Chinese ones are no good because a lot of them are very good, but a lot of them aren't.

Old singers are also good, the 111 is a great machine as is the 153 if you want something a little heavier. Today, Tacony makes the Tacsew 111 which is functionally identical to the Singer 111s.

What you want is a tight, medium size industrial leather sewing machine, which means it will have at a minimum,

Walking foot

needle feed

drop feed

industrial stand

1/2 hp motor (that's 400 watts for youall in Yoba Linda) in your voltage (add $150 if you have to replace motor)

Speed reducer, but not absolutely necessary

V-Belt drive

usually 135x16 or 135x17 needle system (although older machines are sometimes different)

but most importantly, it sews what you sew with the thread you sew with, this is important, if it doesn't sew your stuff for an hour, walk away, or make them fix it till it does.

Spare parts availability.

You are lucky to live near LA as they still have some semblance of a garment industry and there are mechanics left to help you with an old machine. Like I told you before, contact Melanie, that guy knows more about leather machinery than most.

Art

I am new to the forum and trying to do a crash course on sewing machines. I have been looking at a Pfaff 545 in town but I already made one mistake, a Bernina 950, and I don't want to make another.

I've read through the forum and learned a little but I am still unsure what to do.

I sew sheepskin and leather dog toys, leashes and collars. My budget is under a thousand dollars, so I'm looking for a good used machine. I don't really know the difference between needle feed, compound walking foot, and walking foot machines.

Sheepskin is porous and easy to pierce with even my Singer 500 but the thickness of the fur is what causes problems. I don't even bother to try and get the leather sewn and I'm really at a standstill in terms of what I can design or do without an industrial.

I looked at a Consew but the Pfaff seems a much more robust machine. I don't think the Boss is right for me because I need to mass produce items. What else is in my price range?

Oh, I also have a Bonis fur machine that I picked up very inexpensively on Ebay, does anyone use one of these? I will probably eventually set it up if I can figure out how the bloody thing works. But I really need a machine for leather.

Thanks in advance for any information. Art suggested this group and thanks again to him.

Pat in L.A.

Edited July 4, 2007 by Art

[LAPat]

Hi Barra

I live in West Los Angeles, twenty minutes from Malibu or Burbank without traffic. I would be happy to store a machine for you if I can make room. I have a small studio however -- are you thinking something portable that you can take to stables and shows etc? Is there such a thing? I rode for ten years in Malibu at Pepperdine until they closed the stables to make room for a law school or some such. I am sure the college administrators had no idea what an education riding really is. We used to take the fire roads up the coast and it was phenomenally beautiful. I miss it. I got into dogs because I couldn't afford horses.

My problem was that I fell in love with big dogs. Ah well.

Anyway, I also thank you for the possiblity of a stitch regulator screw. It turns out there is a Pfaff on Ebay right now but it's from Canada and I can't sew on it if I buy it. Also if there are any bids at all it will be off my budget.

More soon,

Best

L.A. Pat

[barra]

Pat. I have friends in Burbank around the LA equestrian centre and will have a place to store a machine at a barn in Los Feliz right next to Griffiths Park

Barra

[LAPat]

Well I ended up buying a Pfaff 545 on Ebay. It will come in the next few days. It was a risk because it's "mail order" but I guess I just needed to get it done and that's that. The one in town seemed to be in a permanent state of waiting for the part and I had waited months already.

Thanks to all for the advice. I will report on my further adventures when the machine comes. I have other questions but I think they are for a new thread.

Wish me luck.

L.A. Pat

PS Barra, I know the Burbank Equestrian center well and have had friends who boarded horses there. I almost took a rental trail horse out for my birthday, but decided to take my dogs on a hike instead:>)

[LAPat]

Well the Pfaff 545 is up and running and for me, it's a dream. It is a tight and smooth machine, and I am in love. I don't think I'll have any trouble regulating the speed with the standard motor, but I'm not using it yet for anything but the sheepy dog toys. I'm using regular needles in a large size (20 and up) and the quilting thread I had for now. Of course I have to educate myself about thread, I have heard stories of melting...

Now I can give my old Singer 500 a rest, bless her.

I still don't know if I will eventually need a cylinder machine as well, I guess I will. But next step is to get the two fur machines, a Bonis and a John Garde, up and running or out of here. I am bringing them to Melanie (is that the name of the company, Art?, I know I have the post where you recommended them) in the near future. If they work, they will be good for round toys and so on.

I will keep you posted.

Best

LAPAT

[Leebroox]

All, 

I understand this is a very old thread but I just purchased a Pfaff 545 that was previously used for fabric and I am trying to set it up for leather.  This is the first sewing machine I have ever used and am not very familiar with it and am still learning. 

I guess my first question is; what would be the best needle and thread combination for this machine to sew wallets, bags and perhaps journal covers?  For the Journal covers I have used 3/4 oz vegtan.  Thanks in advance. 

Regards, 

Leland