plinkercases Report post Posted July 8, 2018 I am trying to ascertain the actual class of machine (and thus capacity) I am looking at and the interweb isn't being helpful... the owner has told me its plate says 145-H-3 and the 3 letter below are BSN. I am asking for a clear picture of the plate as there are more digits after the H-3 which I don't know... as seen in this picture of the plate from another machine. I think BSN would mean it is a B class..? The picture of the machine is the actual one I am looking at. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
plinkercases Report post Posted July 8, 2018 Fantastic. I found a post with almost all those codes except the S .... fabric.... so its a pass in this one thanks. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DonInReno Report post Posted July 8, 2018 Um...Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but aren't the only differences between the fabric and leather models smooth vs grooved walking feet and feed dog/needle plate? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wizcrafts Report post Posted July 8, 2018 17 minutes ago, DonInReno said: Um...Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but aren't the only differences between the fabric and leather models smooth vs grooved walking feet and feed dog/needle plate? No. Cloth walking foot machines usually (but not always) have lighter tension springs and bobbin case springs. The take-up parts may not be as beefy either. Hooks tend to be M or LU style in dedicated leather walking foot machines, which are normally triple/compound feed, rather than dual feed (with teeth) as preferred for transporting cloth. Reasons why Cloth sewing is normally done with light weight cotton, polyester, or polycore thread that is thinner and much more fragile than bonded nylon or bonded polyester. The walking foot machines used in garment construction are usually run flat out at about 2500 rpm, or faster. Some have sump pumps with automatic oilers that need to be run fast. The thinner, fragile threads used in them need to have gentle tension paths and light springs. Sometimes the top thread is run through liquid silicon in a jar on top of the machine. If the work generates too much heat, compressed air tubes may be installed to cool the needles, which may be made with titanium or black Teflon coating. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ken Nelson Report post Posted July 8, 2018 Thank you for the information WIZ, You never cease to amaze me!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Uwe Report post Posted July 9, 2018 The Pfaff 145/545 parts manual (PFAFF-145-545.pdf) may contain some clues regarding the specific parts differences between the S and L versions of the Pfaff 145. Personally, I wouldn't necessarily rule out a Pfaff 145 for leather work just because of the "S" in the model descriptor. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
plinkercases Report post Posted July 9, 2018 Uwe i did consider but the foot lift is only 11mm based on the codes as far as I can tell and I am looking for more capacity in thickness, needle and thread size as i have a machine for the lighter end of the spectrum. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Constabulary Report post Posted July 9, 2018 well - on this type of machine with needle system 134-35 or a bit longer 135x17 the 11mm foot lift already is a VERY good score. Maybe the Cowboy CB341 / Juki 341 type will give you a bit more foot lift but I´m not sure how thick they really can sew as they also have the 135x17 needle system. I think they max out at approx 12mm material thickness. If you want to sew thicker you will need a much heavier machine approx in the range of a Juki 441 or clone or Cowboy 3500 and similar. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wizcrafts Report post Posted July 9, 2018 2 hours ago, plinkercases said: Uwe i did consider but the foot lift is only 11mm based on the codes as far as I can tell and I am looking for more capacity in thickness, needle and thread size as i have a machine for the lighter end of the spectrum. Walking foot machines using system 135x16 needles can't sew much over 3/8" (~10 - 11 mm). This limit is imposed by the up/down stroke of the needle and alternating height of the feet. When you are sewing 3/8 inch (10mm), the feet need to alternate up and down about 1/8 inch (~3mm). In Metric-speak, that's about 13mm. In order to sew thicker than 3/8", you need a Pfaff model that allows for higher alternating (working) lift and longer , System 190 needles. These needles are about 3/16" longer than System 135. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
plinkercases Report post Posted July 9, 2018 (edited) I have a Pfaff 335 walking foot cylinder bed with system 135-45 needles that will sew this capacity (3/8ths) and some have had it work ok with as high as 207 thread so if this has the same lift and needle system limitations then not sure why I would get another machine that doesn't give me more material and thread thickness. A next machine would be in the 7/8ths capacity and large needle/thread group of machines. Its 800 Canadian and looks to be in excellent shape.. they say it is tuned up and working very well.... If it was a C or D class I would go for it. Edited July 9, 2018 by plinkercases Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wizcrafts Report post Posted July 9, 2018 6 hours ago, plinkercases said: system 135-45 needles Are you sure? Did you mean to type: system 134-35? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
plinkercases Report post Posted July 10, 2018 yes sorry 134-35... I was multi-failing when posting and my dyslexia got the better of me (seriously) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dikman Report post Posted July 10, 2018 I got my 335 to work with #138 - just. It's much happier with #69. I reckon it would be a struggle to use #207 myself. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
plinkercases Report post Posted July 10, 2018 Yes once it is set up (the 335) I will be happy with 138 or even 92 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
