Pfaff 11 Sewing Machine Serial Number Lookup
Marry Kirklin
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I picked up a well used Pfaff 145 H3 LMNP (ilegible 6/1C or 671C or 6/10?) with clutch motor. While it needs some attention it seems to work ok when practicing/playing on a leather work glove. That is saying a lot (or perhaps very little?) for a complete newbie to ALL things sewing. The serial number appears to be 7574944 which I think makes in born 1962? (young compared to me) The paint appears original but is a greenish hue - not the gold referenced in this blog. Once I play a little (gotta get a bobbin winder or learn how2 do that) I'd like to attempt to clean, adjust, and restore the machine and table. My initial ignorant questions are:
repainting a pfaff - in my book, that is a bad idea. or, at least, if were going to buy one, i'd be wary of one that has been repainted. with the original paint, the story of the machine is told through the paint. for instance, the machine you show in the photo has low miles. very low miles. if it were painted, that fact would be obscured. a repainted machine - i would assume the worst.
Don't apologise, we all have to start somewhere, and the subject of industrial sewing machines can be quite complex (initially, at least). I'd still like to see a closeup of your threading around the tension assembly.
However in the manual that she has graciously made available for free, you can see at the bottom right of page 27 what I assume is the parts number for the manual (I've found the same in most Brother manuals of this vintage)...
191924-0-12
Printed in Japan
ZA2-B924
MODEL-1681
Checking that serial number on the internet, there is a similar machine here...
-Sewing-Machine-Case-ZA2-B924-Model-1681-Good-Working-Order-/122965716176
...which describes it as a Jones Brother Model 1681. This is the photo from this listing via a Google image search.
...and just to make sure that Americans don't feel left of having a JA-28 machine, this Bradford based on the Brother Galaxie (Model 7786?) is shown as a JA-28 at 2:27 here...
They make generic needle bars that come with the set screw for the needle. The lower thread guide is either a slot or hole cut into the needle bar. I would replace the needle bar. Despite what people tell you, there are a good number of generic bars available that are not to bad as to price. If you need genuine parts, be prepared to pay. Any screws that are "boogered up", sand and clean up or replace. Be sure to get an extra needle set screw or two because they do wear out. I recently broke the needle set screw on my Pfaff 335 and went to replace. I go into the drawer and low and behold, no extra needle set screw. I order 8 of them that day because the 545, 335, 345, 1295 and 1245 all use the same set screw for the needle. I got both genuine and generic to see which is better. The genuine was $1.18 each, the generic was $.88 each. Not a lot of money for peace of mind. To many people on this board do not keep extra parts or screws on hand until they need them. Not me. Time not sewing is money. My advice to you once you get this machine up and running is stock a few parts.
A) There is a horizontal bar and two levers fixed to this bar with a pair of screw each side (see pic). Two left screws are almost dead so I ordered a new pair. I ordered part no 11-108 225-15 as descibed in the parts list. During the replacement, after unscrewing them it appeared that two left screws are different then two right, however in the parts list all of them have the same part number. (see photo). On the left side I have fine thread (40/inch) diam 5,49mm screws. The right one are normal thread and diam 4,95mm. I believe that the right one are 11-108 225-15 part no but cannot recognize the left one neither in the parts list nor anywhere else in the machine. Can anyone can help me to identify these thick left screws and where I can buy them?
Ha, I'm having a déjà vu experience here. My Pfaff 545 also had mangled screw heads in the clamps on the foot lift linkage bar. I had ordered new screws based on the parts manual numbers (11-108 225-15) but they don't fit my machine either.
Based on my measurements, I'm voting for the screws in my Pfaff 545 being size 7/32"-40, which is a weird size even in the sewing machine world. I was expecting it to be a 15/64" or 13/64" , which are somewhat common in sewing machines. I had some Juki 1/4"-40 L-11 screws which looked promising, but only for a brief moment. Who knows, maybe Pfaff just found a big box of weird screws on their shelves and decided to just use them somewhere (I really hope I'm wrong here.)
table mounted winders for industrial sewing machine usually dont have springs on the axle - at least I havent seen this before. There are some type of machine mounted bobbin winders that may have a small spring if I recall correctly.
Founded in 1862 by Georg Pfaff, this German sewing machine company expanded into the international market by the early 20th century. Vintage Pfaff sewing machines can famously sew through many layers of heavy-duty material. Today, vintage Pfaff sewing machines are sought-after collectibles.
In this article, you will find out where Pfaff sewing machines came from. You will also learn about the most famous Pfaff models. Finally, you will discover how much an old Pfaff sewing machine is worth today!
In 1862 Georg Pfaff made his first sewing machine. The following year he made a total of six machines and proceeded to launch a sewing machine business in Kaiserslautern, Germany. With this tiny foothold into the industry, Pfaff built a family-owned company out of nothing.
By 1872, Pfaff and his small group of employees sold more than 1,000 high-quality sewing machines. After Pfaff retired, his son Georg took over and saw an enormous expansion of the company. In fact, by 1910, the Pfaff company sold more than 1,000,000 sewing machines!
The Industrial Revolution opened the door to many sewing machine innovations. This era saw the rise of big companies like Singer and Bernina, as well. But Pfaff did several things quite differently from other sewing machine companies of the time.
Most SVG Worldwide sewing machine companies, including Pfaff, now manufacture all models at factories located in East Asia. Pfaff does not clearly state where its sewing machines are made today, but it is unlikely that the company manufactures them in Germany as it used to do.
The Pfaff 11, or Model K, is probably the most famous early Pfaff model. This gorgeous antique had a vibrating shuttle and either a hand crank or a decorative treadle, depending on when it was made. Like most Pfaff models from the early years, it also has elaborate golden decals painted onto it and a prominent brand name on the sewing machine arm.
Today, a Pfaff 130 in good condition will sell for around $400, significantly above the average price for a vintage sewing machine! If the 130 comes mounted in an original cabinet or table, the price could rise even higher.
The 260 has a more modern shape because it has an internal motor instead of the mounted motor with a belt that operated earlier sewing machines. It comes in solid mid-century metal, usually in a grey or cream shade.
You can buy brand-new Pfaff models today, selecting from a wide range of different models. These include highly advanced sewing and embroidery machines, computerized quilting machines, and sewing machines for all skill levels.
The Creative Icon Embroidery and Sewing Machine comes with a vast workspace, a touchscreen so advanced you can pinch and zoom on the screen, and more than 800 embroidery patterns. Pfaff continues to offer great power in its high-end machines, and this model can power through difficult material while sewing fancy stitches!
On the other end of the spectrum, Pfaff also sells some more basic sewing machines like the Smarter By Pfaff. This machine offers special features like adjustable needle position for topstitching and adjustable presser foot pressure for different materials. This more basic model sells at a mere $299.
Once you locate the serial number on your Pfaff sewing machine, you can use it to find out when your machine was made. The International Sewing Machine Society kindly provides a full list of all known Pfaff serial numbers and manufacture dates here!
The serial number helps you match up your machine to a particular year, but the model number also matters a lot. This number you can usually find painted or printed prominently on the body of the machine. When you talk to other sewers about your machine, you will refer to it by its model numbers, such as the 130 or the 260.
Antique and vintage Pfaff sewing machines can sell for anywhere between $200 to more than $1,000. The price varies depending on the collectibility and condition of the individual Pfaff model. The functionality and features of the model, such as an included wooden cabinet, can also make it much more pricey.
Despite their collectibility, the true value of a beautiful machine like the early Pfaff models lies in its functionality. These semi-industrial sewing machines contain precisely fitted parts that function like Swiss clocks. They also contain a huge amount of power for stitching through thick fabrics.
Absolutely, Pfaff is a good sewing machine brand! Pfaff produced remarkable sewing machines in the late 1800s and it continues to market high-end sewing machines that rival any other brands on the market today. Pfaff regularly ranks with Bernina, Janome, and Viking as the best high-end or luxury sewing machine brands available.
Vintage Pfaff models offer precision, power, and durability. They contain solid metal parts and excellent engineering. On top of this, Pfaff made super heavy-duty machines that worked just as well for professional use as they did for home sewing.
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