Messages

You could try HH-66 glue to glue a patch on.

Jim

We have a Pfaff 138 and have used it for sail repairs for boats up to about 17-19 feet. I wouldn't try to use it for anything larger than that.  It looks like that machine may be set up for double needle but with no real close up photo it's hard to be sure.

If it is a double needle I wouldn't hesitate to buy it especially at the price shown.  It can still be used as a single needle machine.

I'm not sure I care for the table all that much as it doesn't appear to be adjustable but a good buy for the price and assuming that you check it out well before you buy it will be a good addition to your shop.

Things to check for might be:

Has it been oiled recently?  If not oil it liberally, especially after 15 years of non-use.  Turn the balance wheel.  Does the balance wheel wiggle?  Do you feel a "bump" as you turn the balance wheel?  Does the zig-zag work as easily as the straight sewing?  It should. Look at the needle bar for "bluing" If the machine has been run without oil for a length of time the needle bar in particular will develop "bluing", similar to a motorcycle exhaust pipe which can cause warping to the needle bar and elsewhere on the machine.

Good luck!  Your looking at a great old machine worth much more than what they're asking for if its working properly.

Jim

Pfaff.  Definitely.  We have four Pfaff machines... 1245, 545, 138 & 130.

I know they're expensive to fix but we've never had to fix one.  Knock on wood!

As far as parts go I usually buy the generic and have no problems.

Singer's are great too.  I have an old 111W153 that I swear works better the older it gets.

Good luck.  There's lots of good machines to choose from out there.

Jim

You could try here: http://www.seattlefabrics.com/webbing.html#Type_II_A_Cotton_Webbing

Can't say what the cost for shipping from Seattle to Australia might be...

Good luck!

Jim

Happy Father's Day Everyone!

Without looking at the set-up on your table the answer I have would be a definite maybe.

You would likely need to adjust the belt tension for a different machine, (not too difficult) and the knee lift apparatus that you have now may not line up quite right with another machine, (a little more difficult to arrange).

There are a few machines, the Pfaff 1245 being one of them, that have a dedicated rear attachment to the table but most have the hinge dogs that insert into the bed on the rear of the machine and are largely interchangeable.  

What type of machine are you looking at for a replacement?

Jim

Gregg,

Thanks for the response.

Maybe you could e-mail me a quote on the price?

Its just for the one 1245 machine so I don't need very much.

jwatt101@msn.com

Thanks,

Jim

Hello all! ;D

Our Pfaff 1245 needs to have the zerk fitting lubed and I don't feel like taking the machine for a days ride to Seattle or Vancouver so I've been thinking of doing it myself.  

Problem is the manual calls for:

Lithium base grease with a dripping point of 185° C and a worked penetration of 22-25 mm at 25° C.

Pfaff recommends: Pfaff Sewing Machine Grease Part No. 280-1-120-247

Huh!? ???

I probably don't want to throw any old lithium base grease in the zerk fitting of the old war horse do I?

Or do I?  

Anyone had experience with this stuff and where the hell can you find it?

Hope everyone is doing well.

Jim

You gotta admit!

The groovy Charlie Brown piano music is seriously funky  ;D

Jim

If you can't find a job working in someone's canvas loft to get experience start out doing some repairs on marine canvas.  Just being around marine canvas will get your mind working on how it's constructed and how you can maybe make it better.

Sails can be tricky but if you have a decent zig-zag machine and some good thread you could make a few repairs there too.  Pick up a sewing palm too!  You'll need it!

You'll get your name out there and eventually you can take a try at patterning and stitching a cover together.

Sailrite, Smart Flix, http://smartflix.com/,  and others have videos on "How to" marine canvas stuff. 

This is a cool website too--> http://marinefabricatormag.com/

Good luck!

Jim

It depends on where you're at.  Around here, Seattle to Vancouver, B.C. area it would sell for around $500.00.

A lot depends on the condition, type of table / motor, additional presser feet, ect...  Basically the more extras you have to go with the machine the better.

Jim

Pop a snap in the bottom of the zipper where the pin would go.  Better yet put a Common Sense fitting in there.  It might even look kinda cool!

Just a thought...

Jim

I've been looking for an oil pan also for of our machines.  We have one with the plastic tray also and it cracked a long time ago.

One of those things I think about and immediately forget about again.

I'll call Bob in the morning...    If I can remember!  :o

Jim

That's a nice machine you got there!

I've seen similar machines around here, Seattle area, sell for $550.00+

Oil the heck out of it!  If it moves - Oil it! 

Congrats on your new machine.

Jim   

The old Singer 111Wxxx are really decent machines and $150.00 for that machine and table in a good deal.   The table & motor could be worth $150.00 itself.

Some things I would look for are:  

* Check the balance wheel to see if turns easily and smoothy.  If you can feel a "bump" as you turn the wheel there is probably something wrong with the drive assembly.  It also might indicate something broke in between the balance wheel and the needle bar and perhaps may have been either welded and/or bent back into shape.  Either problem could give you trouble down the line.

* Also feel the balance wheel to see if it has a wiggle to it.  If it does it could mean the moving parts are working loose or just plain wearing out.

* Since they're going to let you test drive the machine bring some material with you.  A thick piece of webbing and some leather would work good.   Fold the webbing and leather over itself a few times and run it through the machine.  That machine was designed to sew through several layers of thick material so it shouldn't hurt the machine to do that.  If it won't sew through them, or gives the machine problems getting through the material,  then there could be a problem.  By the way, you'll want to be sure to use a thick thread...  92 to 138 thread would be sufficient.

* Be sure the machine has oil in it.  In fact, if it hasn't been dripping some oil into the drip pan lately it needs oil.  Take a look at the needle bar to see if there is any "bluing" on it, the kind of bluing you might see on a motorcycle exhaust pipe.  It means someone has been running the machine without oil and that's where some of the wiggle / looseness in the balance wheel comes from.   Those machines will run without oil for a long time but will eventually seize or break when they get too hot.  I've seen it happen.  It's not pretty!

*  If you do find some of the things I've mentioned don't disregard the machine entirely.  There are lots of parts around for those old 111WXXX machines and fixing it isn't too much work, at least not for somebody who knows that machine.  I've got an old 31-15 parts machine and some of the parts are interchangeable.  Tons of old 31-15's out there in the sewing world!

Good luck with your purchase!  If its a good running machine it'll give you years of service.  The old Singer machines run better with age... If you keep oil in them!

Jim