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needs work..I need advice (Moderated by Sharon1952, EleanorSews)
Posted on: 4/14/09 3:29 PM ET
I have been looking at a Pfaff 130, which may date to the 40's. It is missing the throat plate over the bobbin, the light comes on but won't stay lit unless the knob is held, the round stitch control on the front seems to be frozen and the wiring looks to be original. On the plus side, the paint and decals are in good condition, the belt is the gold original one in good condition, it comes in a cabinet with a knee lever..there is no foot pedal and no accessories. There is also a chair with two storage drawers built under the seat and about 40 years of dust on everything. They are asking $100.
When it was plugged in, it only worked intermittently, but the repairman was trying to rotate the wheel clockwise and it did rotate counterclockwise..the machine was set to reverse. To me this indicated a wiring problem, but he said the motor was gone. I'm going to speak to the manager tomorrow and see if they will come down on the price. This is a thrift store and they know nothing about sewing machines.
I know this model has an excellent reputation, but how difficult would it be to rewire..the local Pfaff dealer is not in today..would they work on a machine of this age? The motor does not look to be original to the machine..it is gold colored, 1.5 amps and says "made in the USA for Pfaff". The pictures I have seen of this model all have black housings on the motors. Any idea of repair costs? I'm thinking in the several hundred dollar range. Is any of this something I could do?..I've rewired lamps and an antique chandelier and installed ceiling fans but I'm not an electrical expert.
Any advice or comments? Should I go for this? All the ones I've seen on EBay are in the $400-500 range, but I don't know if they are being sold at that price.
jan
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When it was plugged in, it only worked intermittently, but the repairman was trying to rotate the wheel clockwise and it did rotate counterclockwise..the machine was set to reverse. To me this indicated a wiring problem, but he said the motor was gone. I'm going to speak to the manager tomorrow and see if they will come down on the price. This is a thrift store and they know nothing about sewing machines.
I know this model has an excellent reputation, but how difficult would it be to rewire..the local Pfaff dealer is not in today..would they work on a machine of this age? The motor does not look to be original to the machine..it is gold colored, 1.5 amps and says "made in the USA for Pfaff". The pictures I have seen of this model all have black housings on the motors. Any idea of repair costs? I'm thinking in the several hundred dollar range. Is any of this something I could do?..I've rewired lamps and an antique chandelier and installed ceiling fans but I'm not an electrical expert.
Any advice or comments? Should I go for this? All the ones I've seen on EBay are in the $400-500 range, but I don't know if they are being sold at that price.
jan
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2009-113.25 yds
2010-115.5
2011-80.25+30+donated
2012 86.3 yds..
2013 21.0
Everyone who sews seriously has a stockpile of fabrics, because it is natural to purchase more than can be sewn in any one season" Singer, Timesaving Sewing, 1987
2010-115.5
2011-80.25+30+donated
2012 86.3 yds..
2013 21.0
Everyone who sews seriously has a stockpile of fabrics, because it is natural to purchase more than can be sewn in any one season" Singer, Timesaving Sewing, 1987
Posted on: 4/14/09 4:23 PM ET
In reply to jannw
Sometimes the old vintage machines on e-bay will bring that much..but not always..if you read the descriptions closely on all the machines on ebay some have already been refurbished, serviced, and so on..some have a lot of feet and accessories..I have even bid on machines just to get the feet and cams and such that I wanted.depends on the price..for instance take a old non-working ro maybe working bernina. but loaded with accessories that is bringing say under 200..if the accessory package is worth much more than it makes no difference if the machine works or not..I get my monies worth anyway.. Professional e-bayers, those that e-bay alot know which dealers really service their machines and to what extent and take into consideration the cost of servicing when placing a bid..In your case..unless you just want the machine for looks, say as a bookend in your sewing room..haha..if you really want or need this machine to sew on..go talk with your technician regarding the costs involved in servicing the machine..that will help you decide whether you want to purchase ...On the bright side, not a whole lot can go wrong with the older machines and parts are still available for the most part..your technician can adbise you on this..Can you do the repair..most probably .IF you can find the parats and a service manual etc. etc. but I would urge you to get the take on the purchase..some advise from a technician..before you take this on..IF the price is only a few bucks I say buy it..and worry about the repair later..but only if you realize it may never work ..There are a few ebay sellers that also repair machines if there is no technician near you..but if there is not you may want to pass.. I myself am faced with this problem when I garage sale..always a tough call to make..
Posted on: 4/14/09 6:13 PM ET
In reply to jannw
Sounds to me like they are copying prices from Ebay where they may at least be in good working condition. Good advice to check with a technician that knows this type of machine. You might offer $10 and tell them to call you if they want to get rid of it for that! You don't sound confident enough to safely tackle the motor problem, but perhaps you know someone who is more experienced.
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Janome serger 634D, Brother PC6000, Singer 500A, Kenmore Mini-Ultra, vintage Bernina 600, White Rotary treadle, New Homestead A VS treadle
Posted on: 4/14/09 7:23 PM ET
I have a Pfaff 130 and I like it. However, $100 seems high for a machine that may need considerable work. There is an Ebay seller who sells a Pfaff 130 service manual but it's $40, which would add to your up-front cost. If I were looking to buy one of these machines, I'd probably opt for one that had already been serviced. However, if you can get the seller to lower the price on this machine, it might be worth a gamble.
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Susie
Lady Kenmore 89, Juki MO-735, Kenmore 19606, Juki F600, Singer S16
Lady Kenmore 89, Juki MO-735, Kenmore 19606, Juki F600, Singer S16
Posted on: 4/14/09 7:55 PM ET
The motor problem might be the brushes. Check the motor for two little round screw looking things with slotted tops and use a screw driver to loosen and pull straight up and look to see how much of the carbon is left.Put them back in the same way they came out!! Many times that is all that is wrong with the old motors.
$100 does seem high for a machine with no foot pedal or accessories that needs that much done to it.
$100 does seem high for a machine with no foot pedal or accessories that needs that much done to it.
Posted on: 4/14/09 8:22 PM ET
deleted to maintain world peace and harmony
-- Edited on 4/14/09 10:12 PM --
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-- Edited on 4/14/09 10:12 PM --
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http://blog.sew-classic.com/
www.Sew-Classic.com
www.Sew-Classic.com
Posted on: 4/14/09 8:24 PM ET
I would say $ 25 max to pay for it. It would be worth getting it redone, which will be 1-2 hundred for to new moter wiring etc. These sell for $6-7 hundred in refurbished condition at a Sewing Machine service in Seattle that caters to local business. They come with a warranty for their work. These machines can be set up for domestic or industrial use. They are really great machines.
Posted on: 4/14/09 9:01 PM ET
*removed due to apparent misunderstanding *
-- Edited on 4/15/09 3:03 AM --
-- Edited on 4/15/09 3:03 AM --
Posted on: 4/15/09 0:12 AM ET
In reply to SewClassic
I for one would have been very interested in your post on this..as you have what I would conside expert knowliedge in this subject..I did the best I could do but your take probably would have been so much better than mine..
Posted on: 4/15/09 0:46 AM ET
Sewclassic, please, if it is my post that made you remove yours...I really did mean you ARE the expert .That is why the smile is there. Sorry , I meant no offense.
Please put your post back. It was very helpful to the OP..
-- Edited on 4/15/09 0:49 AM --
Please put your post back. It was very helpful to the OP..
-- Edited on 4/15/09 0:49 AM --
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