Need Advice About Buying/Using A Pfaff 145 H4 6/01

[TorqueMonster1]

    Thanks for reading my post. I'm new to this forum AND also new to sewing in general.  I've read a lot on the internet and I've probably learned enough to be dangerous.  SO, I thought I'd bring my questions to the experts.  I'm considering buying a Pfaff 145 H4 6/01 industrial walking foot machine.  It has had some modifications to it. Those include: it's been fitted with a larger diameter hand-wheel pulley (for lower torque).  It has a Large Hook/Bobbin from a Pfaff 545.  It's a single needle, compound high lift walking foot (5/16 welt foot), adjustable walking foot height, special large Hook/Bobbin, it has reverse stitch and safety clutch.  Complete new thread tension assembly, new Bobbin case, new needle plate with screws, new outer foot attach screw, new R/S hook slide cover.  It's in nice condition and ready to go.  It's on a nice base with a new table top and a servo motor.  

 

    With that said, here is what I'm interested in doing.  I want to be able to sew vinyl and leather.  I want to make interiors for for automobile and boats.  Maybe make a cool umbrella to go over a table on our back deck.  I don't have an interest in making leather wallets, handbags and belts at this time. IF I became interested in those areas I'd probably be up for getting a different machine to do those things. 

 

    So, is this Pfaff I'm considering a good machine for what I'm interested in doing?  Is it set up to do what I'm wanting to do?  If I do buy it are there any improvements/changes that you believe I should make?  I've read many Many post on this forum.  I am bring my questions to all of you Because I believe this is where the knowledge and experience is.  I'm open to any and all suggestions.  Thank You from a new guy for your replies!!  Mark

[DonInReno]

I'm not familiar with that machine at all, but others will chime in as to the availability of parts, etc. I'm guessing presser feet are more expensive for that make than one that takes Singer-style feet, but you won't need a lot of different ones.

In a generic sense that's exactly the type of machine for what you're wanting to do.  Get some 92 size bonded polyester in a half dozen colors, size 20 needles, and samples of various types of upholstery fabric to play with.  My local fabric store that caters to the kinds of things you're interested in has a scrap bin for leather remnants and small yardage vinyl and fabrics that is sold by the pound for super cheap.

Basic thread colors that always seem to get used are navy blue, black, white, creame, sage green, tan, medium milk chocolate brown, dark chocolate brown, medium gray.  If I had to pic three colors to get started it would be white, black and a tan - simply order new colors as needed to match projects.  Keep crappy colors for practicing.

Simply practicing sewing seams will teach you a lot about your machine, the fabrics and what looks good and what doesn't.  Most of it sews quite easily - it's the folded seams that will break thread and needles if you try to haul ass over them.  Good upholstery require practice to get a good feel for it - just like turning wrenches teaches a feel for how tight is just right and all those other skills that build up good instincts.

It's 100 percent guaranteed when you finish a project there are many things you'd change next time - so enjoy the small projects before taking on big expensive ones.

In my 20's while running a fire crew I borrowed an old Singer from the smoke jumpers and we didn't make anything new, but everyone enjoyed learning how to sew modifying heavy duffel bags, repairing equipment and whatnot.

Ive become a big fan of patterns when making covers for patio furniture or whatnot.   Clear 10 mil poly is easy to cut and tape, as is ordinary construction paper.  Some items just don't drape like it seems they should.

have fun with it - make cool stuff!

 

 

[Uwe]

That Pfaff 145 seems like great candidate to start your upholstery sewing adventure, especially if it's ready to sew.

Make sure it actually does sew well, though. That upgrade to the larger 545 hook involves a bunch of parts and they all need to be changed over. Starting out with a machine that had an incomplete upgrade will be an exercise in frustration because it simply won't work like it's supposed to, no matter how you adjust it.

Good quality presser feet for the Pfaff x45 series are readily available. I'd recommend getting a set of standard feet like the ones shown below (I have a few left on clearance, check the link in signature below.) Other aftermarket parts are also available from various vendors online, at reasonable (but not dirt-cheap) prices. 

The Pfaff 145/545 are a very good design. The ones I've had were super smooth and a pleasure to use.  If this one is as good as you describe it, it'll set a reference mark for your future machines.

By the way, that large diameter hand wheel pulley provides slower sewing speed and higher (not lower) torque.

For some how-to videos on sewing car interiors, visit Youtube user Cechaflo (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCw_8PUaXqvjSq3p1lYouXzQ) - he makes it look easy.

 

 

Edited June 17, 2018 by Uwe

[TorqueMonster1]

Thank You both for your input.  I did buy the machine.  I will be asking local upholstery shop if I can have/buy their scraps so I’ll have something to practice on.  Uwe,  I couldn’t find What you were referring to as a signature.  I’m sure it’s because I’m new here and just not used to this forums layout.  I’ll try to post pictures of it later this evening so you can actually see what I now have and make recommendations etc.  I have. some questions about thread so I started a new post in the Leatherwork Conversation section.  Any advice is certainly welcome!! Thank You, Mark

[Wizcrafts]

2 hours ago, TorqueMonster1 said:

I couldn’t find What you were referring to as a signature.  I’m sure it’s because I’m new here and just not used to this forums layout. Any advice is certainly welcome!! Thank You, Mark

You can add a custom signature to the bottom of your posts by going to your profile and clicking on "Edit Profile." The signature field is on the bottom of the page. Some accounts have the signature field under Settings instead of Edit Profile. You get there by clicking in your Profile on the down arrow next to your small profile photo in the upper right corner, then select Settings. It will be in the left sidebar under Account Settings.

You can use some HTML/rich text and even upload a photo to your signature.