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Advice on Pfaff 545

16K views 13 replies 2 participants last post by  JJ269J 
#1 ·
I have an opportunity to pick up a Pfaff 545 (with clutch), table and motor for $500. I have not yet seen the machine in person (only pictures) but am told it is in good working order. Seems like a decent price for that machine and with a couple hundred extra to upgrade it with a servo it would be pretty sweet.

Does that price seem to good? I would of course make him show me it works before I forked over the cash. What do you guys think?
 
#3 ·
The 545 is an older machine, but Pfaff is a very good machine. $500 is a steal.

Min/max size on the 135 X 17 needle you would use is 16 to 24. You would hardly ever use a size 16 needle, so I would say 18 would be the smallest. I use 18, 21, and 22 for almost everything.
 
#5 ·
Well, I picked up the pfaff 545 yesterday. They let me sew on it for a while before purchase. It sews really smooth and the clutch is pretty easy to use but I think I will probably pick up a servo at some point in the future. I think I got a smoking deal. The sale included the machine, motor, table, a couple spools of 138 thread, a bunch of needle (which I haven't had time to see what size yet), a half gallon of oil, and a gigantic roll of welt (at least a couple hundred yards). I even spoke with the machanic that has done the service over the past couple years and he said its a smooth running machine and all he has had to do is basic maintenance.

Hopefully I can get to practicing and produce something soon. Thanks for the advice Dan. By the way, where is a good comprehinsive source for sewing supplies online?
 

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#6 ·
You got a fabulous deal on the sewing machine. What kind of sewing supplies? Unfortunately, there is no one good source for all the things you'll need. Thread is one thing, needles another, and welt cord etc. is another.
 
#7 ·
I found a pretty good source for thread at thethreadexchange.com. The machine came with a bunch of needles and a few different size welt feet, but I'd like to be able to get other size needles when I need them. What about a source for sew foam, and the cloth tape for reinforcing the back of french seams? Thanks for the advice/help. Now that I have a real sewing machine I'm sure the questions will keep coming.
 
#8 ·
You need an upholstery supply place like Your Auto Trim CLICK HERE for things like sew foam and twill tape. There are a million places on line to get needles. A couple good brands are Organ and Schmetz.
 
#9 ·
Thanks for all the help Dan.

The machine is sewing great so far. I ordered some 92 and 138 thread, but am just practicing with the old 138 that came with the machine. Sewed some welts and different seams to get used to the machine.
I've started looking at servo motors to slow down the machine. They seem to wildly vary in price (and quality). I saw THIS on ebay, seems cheap....is it any good? What would you recommend for someone just starting out and not wanting to break the bank for one? Thanks
 
#10 ·
I don't know anything about this particular motor, but that's awful cheap for a servo motor, and they charge $35 for shipping. The Consew name doesn't mean anything, they get their motors from a supplier who brands them with the Consew name.
 
#11 ·
I ended up ordering a Reliable 4000 servo and they threw in an additional smaller pulley and free shipping. I starting to get used to the clutch but I'll be happy to install the servo.

I've gone through all the 190R needles I got with the machine, about 50 total. About 30 #19 and the rest #23. Will one or the other be OK to use with both 92 and 138 polyester thread? I don't really want to have to use to different needles if I don't have to. Thanks!
 
#12 ·
The rule of thumb on needles is if the thread size you're using will easily go through the eye of the needle it will work fine. Either size , 19 or 23 is fine for both sizes of thread you are using.

FWIW You have already gone through more needles than I have used in the past 15 years
 
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