Thursday, September 7, 2017

Pfaff Bobbin Winder Clutch

I got a question this morning about how to put a Pfaff bobbin winder clutch back together.  I happen to have a Pfaff 1197 at home, so I've taken it apart, and here's how to put it back together.
I've taken the top of the machine and the side panel off.  Then unscrew the plastic screw in the center of the knob.  Work the outside belt off so you can remove the knob.

Here's what the knob looks like inside.  There are 2 black plastic knob parts, one black part with an oval hole, one white part and a small spring.

 

Edited to add:  Remove any white waxy grease that has hardened and replace it with Tri-flow grease.

The first thing to do is to put the spring in place.  It just sits in the little trough that is molded to just the right size.
Next, put the white plastic part in.  The white part has a post on the underside that fits into a small round hole.
 Then put the black part with the oval hole onto the center shaft.  The protrusion will go into the square hole in the handwheel.
 
Now position the white part so it rides on the outside of the black part.


Then put the center knob on top, with the black post going into the curved trough on the knob.

 

Edited to add:  Make sure the shaft is clean and well oiled (with sewing machine oil) before you put the handwheel back on.

Hold the parts together as you put it back on the shaft.  Then put the belt back on.

Put the washer on the plastic screw, and carefully screw it into the shaft.  Don't tighten it too tight, or you'll break the screw off.  Dang!  It's a good thing I can get a replacement part #0401655-BSCREW  Pfaff Hand Wheel Black Plastic.  Retail on those is about $6.

40 comments:

  1. Oh Thank you, Thank you so much. I literally ( and figuratively ) don't have words to thank you enough.
    You went all that trouble --- from opening the machine,taking photos, putting machine back ) and made a whole post about it. This helpfulness and kindness is so great .
    I will try to do my best with my Pfaff. I think my assembly doesn't have the spring, because I didn't find any when I opened it. It must have been lost during some tinkering by previous owner.
    I will take the part to a hardware store and try to find a spring, which fit in the grove.
    And every time I would look at my Pfaff, even if I am not able to get it running, I will always send a prayer to your way.
    Thank you again.

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  2. Hi I have been trying this for hours. Part of the inside black piece sometime gets engaged in the spring and I did have to squeeze the spring to get it into the trough it is supposed to sit in. It doesn't slideinto the channel to turn the the drive piece of the machine. It doesn't seem like it should be this hard. Can you help

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    Replies
    1. Hi Dawn,

      I wonder if the grease is holding it back? These machines have a whiteish grease that turns into a hard wax that has to be chipped away. It’s the only thing I can think of… Do you want to send me a picture?

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    2. I have a Pfaff Creative 1475 and the handwheel no longer works after 30 years. I have been told it is probably the hardened grease. Does this repair that? Thank you.

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    3. I don't see much in the illustrations about cleaning out the hardened grease. Maybe yours didn't have it?

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    4. To remove the hardened grease, I start with WD-40, then start chiseling it off with a screwdriver.  Add more WD-40 and keep chiseling it off, then wiping it off with a rag.

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    5. Thank you for your reply. I need to try that. Are there other areas that I can expect to have problems with regarding the hardened grease? I was just thinking while I am inside, I could clean those too.

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  3. I have a Pfaff 2170 combination sewing g/embroidery machine. The bobbin winder motor is not getting steady electrical output from the motherboard causing it to turn very slow and then at normal speed. Can this be corrected without replacing the mother board?

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  4. You have to first place the black inner piece and then place the spring. This is a fiddly part as you will notice the spring has to be guided and pressed together at the same time. I do this with a small flat screwdriver.

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    Replies
    1. So the spring must be squeezed behind the end of the black piece and not just lay in the channel?

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  5. Would this part work on a Pfaff 1212 machine too? (I did the exact same thing. Doh!!)

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    Replies
    1. Yes, you can use either part #0401655-B SCREW Pfaff Hand Wheel Black Plastic OR #9303411625 Screw Pfaff Handwheel Metal.

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  6. This is awesome! My screw broke too, but it was while I was trying to wind a bobbin. SO...... My model is slightly different (1069). Your pictures and description are great for putting the hand wheel back together, but I've never taken the cover off my machine before and not sure where to start? Because the wheel is completely off (my fault I pulled it out) I can't fit it back onto the belt because the case of the machine is in the way....

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    Replies
    1. There are two belts. 

      If it's the belt that goes from the center pulley, up to the handwheel, you put it on the small pulley first, then onto the handwheel second, then put the handwheel onto the shaft.  It isn't easy, you'll have to use some muscle.

      If it's the belt that comes from the motor, you can loosen the motor mount, position the belt, then tighten the motor back on.

      You'll need to take the top of the machine off. There are two screws that hold the molded top accessory case in. Sometimes they're covered with a thin plastic piece that has some sticky to hold it in place. Remove those two screws, then remove the lid at the hinge. To remove the molded accessory case, twist as you pull up. It wants to get stuck on the take-up, so be careful with that twist.

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  7. I just acquired a Pfaff 6091. Got it all running smoothly, but I noticed that disengaging the clutch to wind the bobbin does not actually disengage. Do you have a good idea which part I'm going to need? I hate to disassemble more than I have to. It's a nice machine that for an hour or so of work and clean up and $60, will make a great portable macine. Thanks!

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    Replies
    1. You shouldn't need to replace any parts, just clean the old grease off the clutch, like it shows in the post.

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  8. Don't know if I've asked on this yet, but no one seems to know what the part number is for the washer (non-metal pictured in your post, next to the broken screw). I have a Pfaff Creative 7570 and it has a metal screw...that didn't break, but I did overtighten it and punched a hole right through the wafer-like washer:( Thanks, Stacey

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    Replies
    1. I found a parts diagram and the part # is 93-040-735-05. I hope you can find that washer.

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  9. Hello, I have a Pfaff tiptronic 1071 and as of today it does no longer sow. I have taken the top of and I think that the problem is with the transmission on the side of the belt and the turning knob. Looking at your pictures I think it might be that the black part with the oval hole is worn at the corner where it should latch into the wheel next to it. The spring still seems to function but when I turn the knob it looks like the corner just slides from the place it should pick in. Could you confirm weather my idea of the problem could be right? And if this part is still available for purchase? Turning the axis by hand still moves the neadle and the house around. I would be happy to hear from you

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    Replies
    1. It is possible that the part is worn out.  If so, here's the part information.  https://www.sewingpartsonline.com/handwheel-set-pfaff-93-035106-71.aspx  The part is "no longer available," on that site, or on Brewer.  But you might be able to find it somewhere else.  Ebay is a good source for parts that are no longer available.

      Before you buy parts, take it apart, clean the waxy grease off and put it back together.  That might be all it needs.

      Good Luck to You!

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  10. Thank you. Your tutorial is excellent. I have just bought a pfaff tipomatic 1025. When turning the knob didn't disengage the clutch for winding the bobbin I took it apart and the spring took off. I have put it back together correctly but still have the same issue with disengaging the sewing function. As well, the bobbin winds bottom heavy. Any suggestions? This machine is in great condition. I did clean up the hardened grease but there isn't any crud or accumulation. Thank you

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    Replies
    1. Did you oil the clutch shaft?  That's one thing I forgot to add to the instructions on my blog.  I'll go add that right now.

      I hope that's all it is.

      Good Luck to You!

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    2. That did the trick. Thank you

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  11. Replies
    1. To add to my reply. I found I had to also make an adjustment with th drive shaft to have it align with the wheel. Everything clicked together after that

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  12. I have cleaned the waxy stuff of the parts in here and got it back together, but, when I disengage the fly wheel and wind thread onto the bobbin the needle still moves up and down intermittently and the fly wheel area makes a screeching noise, also intermittent. Any idea why?

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  13. I have cleaned the waxy stuff of the parts in here and got it back together, but, when I disengage the fly wheel and wind thread onto the bobbin the needle still moves up and down intermittently and the fly wheel area makes a screeching noise, also intermittent. Any idea why?

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  14. I just had to do this fix on my 1471E. But unless mine is different (the parts look identical to here), the position of the spring shown shown in the 6th photo - partially under the black plastic part - is incorrect or misleading. I found that the spring needs to go COMPLETELY UNDER the black part, such that its pushing it outward (to the left in the photo). This would spring-push the cog on the other side of the piece into the main drive shaft, which is what you want. To fit the spring, I found it easiest to put the black plastic piece in first and slide it to the left, leaving the moon-shaped gap on the left (in the photo its on the right). Then use tweezers to slip the spring in under the plastic via that gap.
    FWIW, I found that just about every problem I've had the 4 Pfaffs I've owned and serviced had to do with hardened grease or oil. I now only use synthetic lubricants.

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  15. Your post inspired me to attempt this maintenance myself. I ended up cleaning and oiling the entire machine. Reinserting the spring was fun. I had to download the service manual to accomplish that. Thank you for giving me the confidence to open it up.
    Cheers,
    Ari
    Pfaff 905

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  16. Where can I get a service manual for the Pfaff 6091? I have the same problem with the clutch not disengaging.

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    Replies
    1. I found a free PDF for mine here.
      Maybe they have yours too. https://www.sewingpartsonline.com/instruction-manual-pfaff-creative-1472.aspx

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  17. My question with a new to me Pfaff 1472 creative, is how to disengage the needle to wind a bobbin? The instructions: hold the larger wheel and turn the smaller inner wheel to the right doesn't disengage the needle. So far not sewing because I can't wind the bobbin. I can wind it with the needle engaged... but I'd rather do it right.

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  18. I have a Pfaff 1471, my problem is that while I was sewing the plastic screw of the handwheel snapped and so it all went flying leaving the screw end embedded in the metal arm I have no idea how to get it out, tried various things but have only made it worse. Any suggestions please. Thank you

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  19. perhaps a small flathead screwdriver with its tip heated up so that it will create a slid inthe plastic remainder. Leave to cool down and see if it can be turned.

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    Replies
    1. Thank you Declutter but have tried that but not enough grip to turn. I have been told the machine is strong enough to chip the plastic out but I haven't attempted it yet. I need to take the top and side off to make it easier to try.

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  20. I discovered that you can't just place the oval cover on the spring. You need the spring to be behind the little peg and the centre hole thingy. It is a bitch trying to get the spring under the oval cover. I had to use a small screw driver, going in from the centre under the cover to pull the spring back and while holding the spring compressed, I had to coax the cover on it. Phew.....Now it works. Did you get yours to work without compressing the spring into the black cover? Thanks for the info anyway. There is no video on how to do this. May be I should do one. But I am not going to open that bitch up again!!

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  21. Thanks to this post I’ve been able to get my Pfaff 1471 working. I really appreciate the support 😁

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