libbysstitches Report post Posted October 8, 2018 Hi all. I am very new to my Pfaff 335b (old casting). I have the manual and hunted through hundreds of videos and posts and I am having trouble with the stitch length. The machine was transported via trailer so my feelings are that something has come loose somewhere. I know that the maximum stitch length for this machine is 5mm at best, which is fine for me as I don't sew extremely thick leather or vinyl. My issue is that I am only getting a 1-2.5mm stitch length. There is very little forward motion of the middle foot and it feels like it sticks at a certain point if I am hand cranking it. Before I do a 10hr round trip to my nearest repairer, does anyone have any suggestions, please? Bear in mind I am mechanically challenged. I am also new to this forum so not sure how to upload a video. Is there any chance someone can post a video of the motion while being hand cranked or a link to a video? Thanks in advance! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jimi Report post Posted October 8, 2018 (edited) Hi there and welcome, Check out this one... it is a similar setup as your machine, only difference is this is a flatbed. Then check your stitch length again. Edited October 8, 2018 by jimi Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
libbysstitches Report post Posted October 9, 2018 Thanks for the video. I will look at the machine again tomorrow. My feed dogs don't appear to be coming up that high though. They seem to be staying below the bed of the machine. I wonder if it could partially be something to adjust on them? That is a great video. I knew about the wing nut but not the screw adjustment. Thanks again for taking the time to reply. There is surprisingly little about the Pfaff 335 (old casting). Yet so many people seem to love them. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
libbysstitches Report post Posted October 9, 2018 I have found adjustments in the manual for the feed dogs so that is something I will try. I am making the 10hr round trip on the weekend to a repairer if I can't fix it myself. As a complete novice should I attempt these adjustments or leave it up to the professionals? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chrisash Report post Posted October 9, 2018 Maybe place the machine on one of those camping inflatable matresses when you transport it to lessen the shocks whilst going back and forth Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
libbysstitches Report post Posted October 9, 2018 I will cushion it well. Very nervous about transporting it. That is one of the reasons I was hoping to fix it myself as the travel can't be good. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jimi Report post Posted October 9, 2018 (edited) Could you post a picture or two of the machine where the feed dog is etc.. If the picture is too big to upload, just right click on it-edit-resize-pixels-and reduce to half or less the number it shows. jimi. Here is a link to an old casting type one i fixed up, I believe if i can fix one up anyone can! haha.. Edited October 9, 2018 by jimi Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
libbysstitches Report post Posted October 9, 2018 Righto. Will do so tomorrow when I am back in front of the machine. I will also try and upload a video to show the motion of it as it walks. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jimi Report post Posted October 9, 2018 (edited) Edited October 9, 2018 by jimi Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Constabulary Report post Posted October 9, 2018 Have you sewn with the machine before the transport - meaning are you sure it had a longer stitch length before? It could also be possible that the throat plate (actually the length of the cut out where the feed dog moves back and forth in) or the stitch length lever limits the stitch length (same here - the cut out in the dial / scale where the stitch length lever goes up and down in could limit the stitch length) so it´s not necessarily a technical problem it could be a general setup problem. Pictures of your machine would be helpful. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shoepatcher Report post Posted October 9, 2018 show us a pic of the reverse stitch lever so we can see the plate it goes thru. That gives stitch length. glenn Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
libbysstitches Report post Posted October 9, 2018 8 hours ago, Constabulary said: Have you sewn with the machine before the transport - meaning are you sure it had a longer stitch length before? It could also be possible that the throat plate (actually the length of the cut out where the feed dog moves back and forth in) or the stitch length lever limits the stitch length (same here - the cut out in the dial / scale where the stitch length lever goes up and down in could limit the stitch length) so it´s not necessarily a technical problem it could be a general setup problem. Pictures of your machine would be helpful. Yep, I sewed on it before I brought it home and she had it set to a 3.5 and it was slightly shorter than I thought it should be but I had also read about the shorter stitch length on these machines and wasn't particularly bothered by it, but the stitch length seems to be getting shorter! I will take video and photos this morning and post them. There is a really stiff spot when I turn the wheel by hand and I can hear a slight grinding. I will try and get that on video as well. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
libbysstitches Report post Posted October 9, 2018 For some reason I can't get photos to upload. I will try again later. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shoepatcher Report post Posted October 10, 2018 the top shaft may need oil in the oil hole to lubricate the bushing. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
libbysstitches Report post Posted October 10, 2018 I have watched everything I can find and read everything I can find now. I think the problem is something beyond my skillset. I think it is time to take it to the repairer and get a lesson while I am there for future reference. The video and photos above have been a great help. I can't undo the screws as shown in the video but I reckon that may help to make that adjustment. The timing of when the middle foot and the feed dog meets appears to be more than halfway along as the foot moves back. I think it had been a couple of years since it had a good service so I will get the guy to teach me how to do that also. Thanks everyone for your help and advice! I will check back in and let you know what the problem was. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Constabulary Report post Posted October 10, 2018 Your pictures are too big most likely. I think you have to reduce the file size. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
libbysstitches Report post Posted October 14, 2018 One day I will figure out how to make the pictures smaller so I can upload them. I ended up doing the 13 hr round trip and got her fixed! Timing was way out. There was a screw loose on the inside at the top which has been tightened and he has popped a couple of marks on the parts so I can line them up if it moves out of position again. He also adjusted something inside at the back for the middle foot to be timed properly. There was also a screw missing from the bobbin case which he replaced and was able to make an adjustment to the stich length lever so I am now able to get a full 5mm long stitch. Unfortunately the machine hadn't been oiled properly for quite a long time so there is a bit of where inside for the middle presser foot but that doesn't effect anything. As long as I oil it on a regular basis it won't get any worse. Just highlights how important it is to oil ALL the moving parts inside the head of the machine, not just the red dots you can see on the outside of the machine. Thanks everyone for your suggestions. I will at some point put up a youtube video to show where the adjustments were made and where it wasn't oiled. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wizcrafts Report post Posted October 14, 2018 1 hour ago, libbysstitches said: One day I will figure out how to make the pictures smaller so I can upload them. I use FastStone Photo Resizer. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dikman Report post Posted October 15, 2018 Sounds like you found someone to fix it who knows what they're doing. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
