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[Michelle_Trillium]

Hi Everyone,
I wanted to introduce myself and have a question.
I'm taking John's online courses to become an automotive upholsterer (currently working as a massage therapist and housekeeper). I'm changing careers because I like to do that every 10 years or so, but also because Covid forced me to close my massage biz AND because my husband is a big time car guy! He kept complaining about how there are super long wait times for him and his colleagues to get anything reupholstered or to get custom work done. I see a demand and want to capitalize on it! (We're up in Canada BTW)

I've owned a regular sewing machine and have done needlework since I was a kid so upgrading to a bigger, better machine is a challenge that I'm excited to tackle! I'm also fascinated with Germany and have taught myself the language, so a Pfaff was a natural first purchase for me! My question is: I purchased the Pfaff 145-h3 used on FB marketplace and when I got it home I noticed that the top gear casting is missing? ( see 1st photo). Is this a big problem/hard/expensive part to replace? Should I return the machine and get a refund? The gear on top looks very dry but it moves very well.
Thanks in advance!
Michelle

[Kuph]

Can you re upload the photo. I dont see it in your post.

[Michelle_Trillium]

Done. thanks

[Kuph]

Here’s a pic of my 545-H4 In fully working conditions. I know the 545 is Similar to mine so I hope this helps? I recommend finding a parts manual online and cross checking things. You can look the part up online or via the link below. When using universal sewings website (universalsewing.com) just use the search bar and don’t use any dashes or spaces when entering the part number.


The thing is, there is never just “1” part missing..... Just by the looks of it, the connecting rod ($83) and eccentric bushing($21) are missing plus the associated screws and nuts (maybe $10). If the crank is also missing (the part in the bottom right hand corner of the parts diagram below) that’s another $57. Kinda see where I’m going...

Depending on what you paid. There are plenty of these machines still in use. Those using these pfaffs won’t use anything else. It’s a cult like following. Parts are becoming so expensive and hard to get that people with these machines are buying every one they find and hoarding them for parts. Worst case, and again depending on what you paid, you should be able to recoup your money as long as you didn’t pay full price.


These things are selling here in the US like hot cakes right now. In 100% working condition that machine fetches $800-1000(US$) all day ( just my rough guess based on what I’ve seen these machines bring in). My only concern is what else is missing and why was it taken apart.

Feel free to add more pics and I will take a quick look to see if anything else looks out of place or missing.

Do you have a reputable sewing machine repair guy/gal locally? These machines are Swiss watches that really take patients when working on. If you want to fix it yourself just take a lottttttttttt of pictures as you start to work on it. Loosening one screw could set off a chain reaction affecting five other components. Working on these machines can be very challenging but equally as rewarding.

I’m going to break my rule of never giving advice with what “I” would do if I was in your shoes as I would never want to make someone else’s mind up for them. Your best bet is to try to obtain a working walking foot machine and get to practicing as soon as possible while this is career change is new and exciting. Fixing a machine like this can be insanely time consuming, expensive, and most importantly discouraging at times. Right now I would focus on the application of techniques as fixing a machine like this is a full time hobby/ job in its own right. That recommendation only comes from my interpretation of how excited you and your husband seem to be to get started in the automotive upholstery industry. .

https://www.universalsewing.com/images2 ... kko5oe.pdf

[Michelle_Trillium]

Hi again :) thanks for taking the time to reply with pix! I just wanted to ask, what would be the consequence of the connecting rod and bushing missing? My machine seems to be working, I made sure it worked before buying it. Forward and reverse both work. I spent the afternoon cleaning it (about half done) and didn't find anything that looked like open space from something having been removed. I also checked online and found a video (in german) showing the internal parts with a machine that also doesn't have the piece yours has and it also doesn't have a cover on the top gear. So i'm wondering if it's a feature of the 545 that doesn't exist in the 145? This is all new to me so i'm just sharing my thoughts and eager to learn :) I've attached a couple of pix to show you more of my machine and a screenshot of the machine in the german video.

[Kuph]

Not a problem!!!
I thought by the top gear casting that you mentioned in your OP that you meant that cast aluminum part that I pointed out.

If it seems to be working and you machine looks similar to other 145s then you are good to go.

As far as the gear cover goes, I personally remove them anyway so that I can directly lube/grease the gears each day.

[Michelle_Trillium]

Ya I figured it's more convenient to have them uncovered. Thanks so much for your help :)

[souperdoo]

Guten tag.

Dies ist ein gutes Werkzeug. Es funktioniert auf engstem Raum. ;^)
https://www.lowes.com/pd/CRAFTSMAN-10-P ... lsrc=aw.ds

This tool will fit any standard bit you might need and makes it especially easy to remove needle plates, feed dogs, and those screws in the bed of your machine. It will allow proper engagement with the screw head and avoid boogering up the slots, and it also gives you the leverage that a tiny screwdriver won't.

[BigRig]

@souperdoo , thank you for the tip!

[John]

@souperdoo Danke schon!
Great tool to have.

[souperdoo]

Bitte schön!

I have seen too many boogered screw heads and videos and pictures of folks using screwdrivers that were too long for the application. It's such a shame to come across an otherwise nice machine and find damaged screw heads. Plus, a burred-up head can catch and snag the material. Not such an issue with vinyls, but with some fabrics it is.

I particularly remember one where a, um, 'sewing machine technician' was using what had to be a 14" inch long screwdriver to remove the screws for a needle plate. Not only was he messing up the needle plate screws, but he was scratching the tensioner area of the machine body. Working in the throat and in the needle area is a challenge, but c'mon.