Pfaff 545 - Tread Pickup Lever Lifting Product Up

[Kryptonite]

Hi Guys,

I have a beautiful low mile Pfaff 545 H3 that I final got hooked up to sew garment leather. I'm having a problem with the thread pickup level pulling the garment leather up about an 1/8+ inch at the end of it's stroke.  So when I am sewing along the edge of 2 layers of leather, this lift is enabling the needle to miss the top layer of leather on the downstroke, ruining my stitch.   The foot/presser timing seems to be good. The needle and the inside presser, and the feed dog hit the product at the same time. I checked my Consew 206RB-02 and there is just a hint of product lift. This to me says something on my Pfaff is not timed right. Can anybody shed some light on why the take up lever is pulling my product up?

I can post a video if needed.

Thanks,

Will in Central Florida

Edited November 2, 2018 by Kryptonite

[Pintodeluxe]

Looks like your foot pressure knob is backed off all the way.  You might try adjusting the black double knurled knob on top of the machine.  Unscrew it to increase foot pressure.

 

[Kryptonite]

There is plenty of tension on the pressers. My fault for not explaining myself very well. it is not that the presser are being lifted up as the thread lever pickup pulls the leather up an 1/8th of an inch. The pressers are ok, they are staying put. 

I think it best if I make a short video  

Thanks, Will

[Wizcrafts]

On 11/2/2018 at 5:28 PM, Kryptonite said:

There is plenty of tension on the pressers. My fault for not explaining myself very well. it is not that the presser are being lifted up as the thread lever pickup pulls the leather up an 1/8th of an inch. The pressers are ok, they are staying put. 

I think it best if I make a short video  

Thanks, Will

I think I Grok your problem. If the feet are staying put on the leather but the unsupported edge is lifting as the needle pulls out, the thread tension needs to be reduced. Lower both the top and bottom tensions to balance the knots. It also helps to tape or glue the layers together before sewing them. I use 3M Venture Leather Tape, or contact cement to secure lined items for sewing.

Another tweak is to attempt to cause the inside foot to stay down longer as the needle ascends. Sometimes this can be done by raising the lift of the inside foot vs the outside foot so it hits the top just after the needle. It will then lift later, as the needle exits. You may even be able to adjust the foot lift timing enough to keep the inside foot down until the needle is fully out. The theory is that the downward motion of the inside foot causes the outside foot to lift off the material and vice versa.

If that adjustment doesn't help, there may possibly be an internal adjustment the alters the lift ration of the two feet. Certain Singer 111 sub-models have an eccentric inside the head to vary the foot lift ratio. I have no experience with your Pfaff model.

[Kryptonite]

Thanks Wiz. I'm trying some of your suggestions.

[Uwe]

We'll need that video or at the very least some close-up photos that show how the leather is lifted. It's just a wild goose chase otherwise.

[Kryptonite]

Well I played with the tension and I can minimize the product lift a little but it still a problem and I am getting pissed. I have ruined 4 projects by going off the edge of a top layer.

As I see it, the take up lever is lifting too high or too late. The last inch of lever travel is pulling the thread taught, the thread releases a bit from the tensioner, and then the leather lifts up.

This to me suggests the timing of the upper shaft is too late. If I'm right, how can I check the timing?

This machine is so smooth I can see why the Pfaff is so highly regarded. I hope I can fix this.

 

 

Edited November 6, 2018 by Kryptonite

[Kryptonite]

I made a video

Edited November 6, 2018 by Kryptonite

[Kryptonite]

 

[Pintodeluxe]

I like Wizcrafts comments to lower upper and lower tension.  Did you decrease the upper thread tension and decrease bobbin thread tension too?  That makes sense to me as one fairly simple cause.  The take up lever is trying to pull thread, but tension somewhere in the thread path won't let it. 

I assume you're using a standard thread cone on the stand.