| Pfaff:139 (Sewing Machine) | | Viewed 871 time(s) | | Review rated Very Helpful by 9 people | | Reviewed by: | Peter in NYC | 
 | About Peter in NYC | | NY USA | | Member since: 6/9/09 | | Reviews written: 20 | | Sewing skills:Advanced Beginner | | Favored by: 30 people | | sewing machines reviewed: 4 | | Bio: more... |
| | Posted on: | 10/1/09 1:39 PM | | Approx price paid: | $45 | | Had this machine for: | 6 weeks | | Recommended? | Yes | Features
- Adjustable Stitch Length and Width
- Adjustable Presser Foot Pressure
- Adjustable Needle Position
| | What Peter in NYC likes about this machine
I preface this review by saying I am biased toward old mechanical machines. I recently attended the American Sewing Expo and, during the three days I was there, had the opportunity to test a wide range of new machines, both mechanical and computerized. I sampled Elnas, Berninas, Pfaffs, Janomes, and more. I liked every machine I tested, and -- a veritable Ado Annie of sewing -- I tended to like most the one I was sewing with at that moment!
But still, for me, there's something about a vintage machine...it has a history and represents the (I believe) superior craftsmanship of an earlier time. Plus, let's face it, except for those fetishized Featherweights, they're cheaper! Pound for pound (and the old machines tended to be heavy) you get a whole lot of bang for your buck. It's also a "greener" choice, since these machines are outside the normal manufacturing and market cycle, so buying one doesn't result in the creation of yet another machine, with its associated impact on our environment. (I'm not ready for a treadle just yet, however.)
I have noticed as I read sewing machine reviews on PR that the vast majority of us are not only satisfied with our machines, but also like almost everything about them! I think this is because most of us know intimately only a small number of machines and, let's face it, most of them get the job done and then some. So it's hard to say if we'd be happier with this machine or that machine. We know what we know.
I primarily construct garments, so I only need a reliable straight stitch and zig zag (for overcasting seams), though I use the latter less and less. I make my buttonholes with a Kenmore buttonholer that only fits on my low shank Kenmore 158.1212, which I reviewed here earlier this summer. At the Expo I saw machines that make monograms, stitch intricate embroidery, do everything but fix dinner. These are great features if that's what you need but right now I don't.
OK, so the Pfaff. A little over a month ago I was wandering through the Chelsea Flea Market in NYC, as I often do on weekends, when I stumbled upon a large, metal, classic-50's-era Buick of a sewing machine labelled "Pfaff 139." I was immediately intrigued as I always am when I find an old machine for sale, and since I'd always heard Pfaff was a great brand, I rushed home to do a little online research that, unfortunately, yielded very little. I tried to argue myself out of purchasing another machine (I had 3 at the time) but my bad angel won out -- or was it my good angel, I forget. I returned to the flea market and asked to test the motor. It purred and felt very, very strong. The machine also looked like it had been recently used: it was spotless, and came with a clean satin pin cushion full of needles and pins as well as a relatively clean spool of thread. The seller wanted $45 (firm, he said), which is a bargain when you consider that I didn't have to pay for shipping. So I lugged this heavyweight (more than 35 lbs) home in its box and looked inside. The gears were gorgeous -- honestly, an industrial design classic. There was hardly any wear visible on this machine.
As I researched this model in greater depth, I learned a lot about the history of sewing machines. Most interestingly, perhaps, is that the 139 was NOT designed by Pfaff! Around 1957, Pfaff bought another West German sewing machine company, Gritzner-Kayser. Pfaff subsequently branded this model the 139 and sent it to market. Wouldn't you know that the presser foot that came with the machine is inititaled "GK" and the underside of the machine bed is labeled "GZ." Pfaff, Schmaff!
I also discovered that White -- who manufactured sewing machines for Sears Kenmore (the 117 series) -- used this very Gritzner-Kayser machine as the model for it's first zig zagger. In fact, the Pfaff 139 is nearly identical to both the Kenmore 117.740 and the White 651. Interesting, right?
I have read that the 139 has a 1.3 amp motor though it's not written on the exterior of the machine. The motor feels STRONG and the machine sews smoothly and surprisingly quietly. I've made shirts and a jacket on it recently and it breezes through everything I give it -- but I have rarely heard of a machine that can't. As for the stitches, with the bobbin and top thread adjusted correctly, they look great, which is also true of essentially every sewing machine out there.
One of the things I enjoy most about this machine, which I haven't always experienced on old mechanicals, is that it gives me a wide range of speed, and this could also be related to the foot pedal. It starts very slowly without any sign/sound of motor strain, and speeds up gradually when I add pressure to the pedal. It never races. This gives me excellent control over my work. As a new sewer, I prefer to sew slowly.
The 139 has an up/down vertical lever to control stitch length, typical of most machines of this period, and a horizontal zig zag width dial which is used in conjunction with a left/right pivoting switch. The feed dogs drop, which I love for attaching buttons, and the machine has 3 needle positions, which I find tremendously useful especially when using edge feet, where 1/10 of an inch may make the difference between landing on a seam edge and missing it.
This Pfaff uses Class 15 bobbins and the same standard bobbin case as my Kenmore and Necchi. It's a high shank machine so I've attached a high shank adapter to it so I can use the same snap on feet I use with my other machines. Easy!
If you like old mechanicals, you'll really enjoy this gem of a sewing machine. I have even seen it on eBay a few times this month. Because of its weight, shipping costs tend to be high.
What Peter in NYC does not like about this machine
What don't I like, hmmmm.... I still need to adjust the lever that makes contact with the bobbin as it winds, braking it when it's full. Right now the lever is set too low and it doesn't allow the bobbin to fill 100%.
The stitch length lever -- and I'd say this about all stitch length levers as opposed to dials -- is a little imprecise, and this one isn't well labelled. I just adjust stitch-length by eye -- rather than set it to a specific number of stitches per inch. Works for me.
I have a photo album of the Pfaff 139 here:
http://picasaweb.google.com/PeterLappinNYC/Pfaff139#
Take a look!
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| Reader Comments | | dbsewer | 10/1/09 | Peter, thanks for a very nice review, including not only on the details of what the machine can do, but its history and your search. It sounds like a wonderful old machine. Hey, you can never have too many machines, and what a fabulous price. You may have to find a bigger apartment, though, if you continue to acquire. | | * * * | | maryl | 10/1/09 | Peter, I loved the review. I love stories about how people find machines and now I want to go to New York to check out the flea markets. Thanks for taking the time to write it. | | * * * | | Sewing Joe | 10/1/09 | Sounds like a great machine. Now I want one too! | | * * * | | Peter in NYC | 10/1/09 | Be strong, Joe, be strong! | | * * * | | Lil Flo | 10/1/09 | Really enjoyed the story with finding this sm. You got a great price. It looks very clean from the pics. It is a beauty. Thanks for the review. | | * * * | | Soolip | 10/1/09 | Loved your review, Peter! I know and love the Pfaff 130, but never heard of the 139. What a beaut! | | * * * | | Nancy Rhodes | 10/3/09 | Great find and fun review... In Yahoo Groups you should be able to easily find the vintage pfaff group if you have not already.... helpful bunch of enablers!
Good Angel by the way
Nancy | | * * * | | my_seamstress | 10/3/09 | Beautiful machine & what a bargain! I agree, we all tend to be fans of the machine we know. Similar to vacuum cleaners....how different can a lock-stitch be? The mechanics have basically remained unchanged over the years. I'm a recent purchaser of an old Pfaff Industrial. Mines a 138-6. | | * * * | | Peter in NYC | 10/5/09 | My seamstress, you might be interested in this: http://picasaweb.google.com/briansews/Pfaff138# | | * * * | | johnr55 | 10/6/09 | What a great review! I have been torn between preserving a fully capable appliance and buying something new. Trouble is, if we don't, we won't have anything but cheap Asian crap! Like you, I love owning vintage machines, knowing that some time, decades ago, someone took it home that first time and what a thrill it must've been! Thanks for the info on the origin of this model; I've certainly seen them. And what a beautiful stitch! Thanks so much for sharing with us- | | * * * | | BBerry | 10/17/09 | It's a joy to read about people who love old sewing machines. Thank you for the background - all new information to me. Happy Sewing! | | * * * |
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