Pfaff 545 H4 needle selection and timing

[destes]

Hey y'all. I found this forum while searching for info on my recently purchased Pfaff 545 H4 machine. I bought it from an upholsterer who had it as an extra machine. He demonstrated 

iy and it ran well.  I have used it for awhile and when I went to order needles for it I realized that the manual specifies 190R needles due to the height capabilities of the H4. All the needles that came with the machine, including the one currently being used are 134-35 needles, which are shorter. When I tried to replace it with the 190 size, the machine will not pick up the bobbin thread. After reading ob this forum. I assuming that the timing was changed to accommodate the shorter needles. I guess my question is should I attempt to change the timing to fit the 190 needles or just continue to use the shorter ones? As for as the height, I am not using supper thick materials, at least not yet. I'm just wondering if the machine would work better with the manufacturer recommended needles. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks,

Don

Memphis

[Uwe]

It’s not really the hook timing per se, but rather needle bar height that you need to adjust in order to change between the two needle systems. The tip of the hook arrives at the needle at the same correct moment, but the eye of the needle is not at the correct height if you change to a longer or shorter needle.

To change needle systems in your case, bring the needle bar with the system 134-35 needle in it to the highest position. Measure or mark the height of the needle EYE above the throat plate. Then insert the system 190 needle and adjust the needle bar height to bring the needle eye to that exact same height. The machine should now sew as it did before.

The H4 versions have an extended needle bar stroke. If you use the shorter system 134-35 needle, the lowered needle bar may touch the fully raised presser feet in certain situations, causing a bind.

I’d recommend using the needle system the manual calls for unless you have a specific reason not to.

 

 

 

Edited March 28, 2021 by Uwe

[destes]

Thanks so much, Uwe.  Looking at the machine, and rotating the wheel, I see what you mean. I'll try that with the longer needle.

[destes]

Made the changes and it's working great. Thanks again. Is there a service manual for this machine? I have a downloaded copy of the owners manual but it doesn't go into much detail about servicing the machine.

[Pintodeluxe]

I like 190 system needles better anyway.  Since your H4 was designed to use these longer needles, you definitely made the right decision.  Someone probably ran out of long needles, and adjusted the needle bar to use the needles they had in stock.  

I switched my Juki 563 to accept 190 needles, and I like the setup a lot better.  It sews through thicker material without any interference between the feet and needle bar.  

[Uwe]

I’ve not seen a service manual dedicated to the Pfaff 545. Here’s a past topic that goes over certain adjustments for the Pfaff 545 and also has a link to a Pfaff manual with a service instructions supplement:

 

[destes]

Thanks again, Uwe.  Downloaded that copy of the manual. The copy I had before didn't have that information.

The videos were very helpful.

 

[destes]

Just out of curiosity... I found a site with Pfaff history and a list of serial numbers and years of production.  The chart dated my machine from 1902!

Can anyone confirm this? I new it was an "older " model but it's hard to believe it can be 119 years old and still working so well.

[Uwe]

That plate number in your picture may not be the serial number.  My Pfaff 545  has the serial number stamped directly in the casting:

 

The serial number 8435866 on my Pfaff 545 dates it to 1965, according to this Pfaff Serial Number Dating chart I came across long ago:

[destes]

Interesting. I've looked all over the body of the machine and don't see another no. stamped anywhere.   Your's does look a little newer than mine, but hard to believe mine could be that much older.