First leather sewing machine: Pfaff 545-H3-6/01 or Singer 111G156?

[johnny91]

Hey, everyone.

So, recently I have been offered these 2 vintage walking foot sewing machines. And because I do some upholstery projects as a hobby and not professionally, I don't want to invest a lot of money on expensive one.

So, the machines are Pfaff 145 and the other is Singer 111G156. What would you choose between these 2? Which one has more spare parts available? I'm more biased toward the Pfaff. But I would appreciate your opinions so much because I'm not so much experienced with the sewing machines.

EDIT:  Hi, I’ve been told wrong, It’s Pfaff 545-H3-6/01 and not 145

Best regards

 

 

 

 

 

Edited September 9, 2020 by Northmount
Corrected Machine Model Pfaff 545-H3-6/01

[Wizcrafts]

Parts are definitely more available and cheaper for the Singer. I have a 211G156 and it is a capable upholstery machine.

[CowboyBob]

Yes,as Wiz said get the Singer parts & feet are alot cheaper since they are used in many different brands.

[shoepatcher]

Yeah, but the Pfaff will sew smoother and better.

glenn

[toxo]

Does the singer have reverse? Looks like the Pfaff does.

[johnny91]

@toxo  Yes, it does. Both have reverse

 

By the way, does anyone knows when these sewing machines were manufactured? Like an approximation? I guess the Singer is much older than the Pfaff?

Edited September 9, 2020 by johnny91

[JJN]

I agree that parts for the Singer are easier to get. But, based on condition, I would get the Pfaff. The singer is a repaint and makes me question the history and wear on that machine. The Pfaff has original paint and decals. The bed wear is minimal. It looks like it has a lot of life left. You need to inspect closely the mechanism of both machines to make a final decision.

[johnny91]

There's a little update, I've been told wrong, It is not 145 but 545-H3-6/01. That's the correct model of Pfaff.

[JJN]

Bonus, that is a large bobbin model. How much is it? Does it have a table and motor?

[Pintodeluxe]

With all things being equal I would get the Pfaff.  

The only better (older) upholstery class machine in my opinion would be the 545 H4 and the Juki LU-563.

Big bobbin top-loaders are hard to beat in my book.    

You may need to add a servo and/or speed reducer to get it to do what you want, but that's true with any machine.