The Sewing Place
Machine Talk => Sewing Machines => Topic started by: annieeg on July 16, 2019, 17:25:34 PM
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Does anyone know why the power button on this machine wouldn't stay on?
If I keep it depressed with my finger the power and light go on and the needle moves up and down and the feed dogs rotate so I think the machine works, but can't understand why the button won't stay down.
I've also never come across the threading system before and not sure I'm threading it correctly, and whoever wrote the instruction book for this machine is a sadist!!! :devil:
If any TSP'er is familiar with this machine or can point me in the direction of any knowledge, I'd be very grateful.
I love Pfaff's and don't want to give up on this one without a fight!
annie
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@annieeg If you google Pfaff 1229 there is a service manual that you can download. Page 12 shows the threading. It's different to anything I've seen before. Hope this helps :)
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I've got a Pfaff Select 4 and the needle threading is totally different to my other machines, including the Pfaff Expression machine I have. Really weird trying to remember the difference.
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I've managed to master the threading and have the machine running (with the on switch held down by jamming in a bit of card to stop it popping back up :S).
I've adjusted the tension, given a bit of oil and TLC and changed the needle.
Its stitching well and some of the decorative stitches are very pretty.
Its a super machine - BUT - for those of you (like me) who love IDT - its a disappointment because the IDT lever won't stay down. It clips down but immediately I start stitching it pings back up!
Not sure if this is fixable but otherwise I'm pleased with it.
It also has a special overlocking foot which I shall experiment with.
Will post samples of stitching if anyone's interested in seeing that.
Annie
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@annieeg are you using the right foot? Some have bit cut out for use with the IDT on my 1475.
I would check the manual.
Hope this helps.
Jessie
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Make sure you have the standard foot on. IDT doesn't work with the clear embroidery foot, from memory, because it would prevent the embroidery coming out correctly but it should clip on to the standard and zipper feet. I can't remember whether it works with the overlock foot (I used it as stitch-in-ditch foot so I think it does). I've just sold mine otherwise I'd have a look for you. Have you downloaded the manual? It's all in there. You shouldn't oil it except for a drop in the bobbin race, this model is oiled for life, the manual explains.
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Thanks @Lachica
I'll check the foot.
I find the manual unclear but I'll start from scratch.
I did only use a tiny bit of oil on the bobbin race.
Did you find the large dial on the front face of the machine difficult to turn?
Annie
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No, on mine the dual moved very smoothly.
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@Lachica @b15erk
changed the foot and the IDT works fine - thank you :)
Another problem now - the foot pedal is not responding :(
It was working perfectly yesterday but today it doesn't work ! If I press the foot pedal and turn the wheel by hand it does stitch but then will stop. It won't work at all if I just press the foot without encouraging it with the hand wheel.
any ideas why this might happen?
Annie
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I've replaced the footpedal twice on my Pfaff 1485 @annieeg - and it isn't cheap.
If it's the same as mine - light grey rectangular, it's difficult to open up, and even more difficult to put back together!
Hopefully, it will be something simple - bad connection maybe?
Jessie
eta glad the IDT works for you
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Mine had a similar foot pedal problem after I'd had it a while. DH took the pedal apart, searched online for the problem and identified a component which had failed. Ordered online, it came from the States in around 5 days & was fitted in 5 mins. He thinks it cost around £15 but that was a couple of years ago.
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@Lachica @b15erk
I have taken it TO sewing machine repair man today and am waiting for the verdict.
Will keep you posted.
Annie
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@annieeg when I saw your post I went cold all over thinking it was the machine I sold & wondering how so much could go wrong so quickly! The lady who bought mine was also Anne. I'm sorry to hear you're having so many problems but it is a great machine & I'm sure you'll love it once it's fixed
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@Lachica
I bought mine on ebay and it was damaged bay on transit.
I think it's worth a relatively modest investment to see if the poblems/,damage can be repaired.
Annie
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@Lachica @b15erk
I've just been told by the Sewing Machine engineer that the 1229 is "toast".
Apparently the "drive shaft is bent?" its not fixable...
The foot pedal isn't registering on the machine (electric fault?)
He can't get replacement parts as its so old.
What I find confusing is that I did get it stitching for a while, then the foot pedal gave up the ghost!
I suppose I have to give up on it :'( :'( :'(
I'd bought it on ebay as a fully working machine but I think it hadn't been used for some time.
When it arrived the front dial was smashed and it had obviously been dropped!
The seller refunded me immediately I made a claim, and said I could keep it to try and repair, but it hasn't worked out.
This is a lesson to me that I won't buy an old machine again on ebay.
Is it worth my offering the feet/bobbins on TSP for token prices?
Annie
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@annieeg that's a great shame....but how could the drive shaft be bent if it was stitching ok? This machine is built like a tank. I'd take it apart myself, if it were mine. Nothing to lose since you've had a refund from the seller. You said you had it stitching fine until the foot pedal went pop, so I'd start there. I seem to remember it was very simple inside, but I can't remember what the component was that failed in mine, I'm wondering whether it was a capacitor (rf suppression) as I know that failed in my Bernina pedal and we just cut it out & soldered back together. (Rf suppression isn't an issue with digital radio). These models are much more common in the States, there are lots of references to them on Pattern Review forum, maybe ask there?
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I raised more questions with the dealer today about what was wrong with the machine and they confirmed the on switch was not functioning (which I knew) and that when the machine was dropped it cause damage to the circuit board which was why the foot pedal didn't work (engineer couldn't get it to work at all).
The shop doesn't want to keep it for spares and I have to collect it.
I'll probably drop it off at the nearest recycling point, but I will try and offer the feet for sale to try and recap some of my costs (£25 to engineer for investigating the problems) and diesel etc. :( :'(
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@annieeg also offer the case if it's in ok condition, and the accessory tray which is removed to access the free arm. (It lifts off a pin at the back left if you didn't already know). The foot control is also worth offering since the repair company say it's not connecting to the machine but they presumably tested it. I hope you can recoup your £25.
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Update July 28
On Friday 26 July I got the machine back from the engineer (who had declared it as "dead") and just thought I'd try it one more time before putting the accessories up for sale. Foot pedal was unresponsive but I turned the front dial to adjust the needle position and the motor started up and it worked and the foot pedal has been working since! I've used it yesterday and today and it seems fine.
Fingers crossed it keeps going.
0_0. Annie
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@annieeg so much for the engineers. Steer clear of them in future. Sounds as though there's a contact inside/ under the front dial. Does that mean you only have one working needle position? If so you'll be very limited in your choices of fancy stiches :'(
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@Lachica I'm treading very warily with any range of stiches because I don't want to risk it non-functioning again!
I'll update with any successful stitch options in due course.... but for now I'm happy its working at all!
;)
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@annieeg , enjoy your machine, and while you are doing so, try to research any solutions online.
I think sometimes an engineer will write off a machine as there wouldn't be any profit in it for them. Can't blame them as the parts are sometimes difficult to locate, but they should at least be honest about the problems.
Lovely to know that it isn't going to go to the sewing graveyard yet!
Jessie