Pfaff 262 Seized up to sewing within a week!

[@ibsoarin]

Thea, you have impeccable taste in sewing machines. These Pfaff machines are precision built machines that work perfectly when cleaned and lubricated. They are the most challenging machines I have ever encountered. Several repair videos are available but you need to understand German for some of them. I have one now that is just waiting for me to tackle. Maybe I will get the courage from your experiences. Thank you for posting this video.

[@TheaStarr]

Well thank you. I really do love and appreciate the Pfaff builds. It is helpful to know some German for a few models for sure. The manuals are often only available in Deutsch. Ich spreche ein bisschen Deutsch.

[@TodayinJensSewingRoom]

This was my first machine and I sewed on it for 20+ years. It's such a workhorse. I don't have it anymore but boy I miss it.

[@alexandraleigh]

I love how KZbin recommends such great People who love Vintage sewing machines Thank you for sharing this and taking us along your journey!!

[@azainkky]

I love vintage sewing machines I have 2 Pfaff 262,, n one 260 of my mum

[@walteraddie7925]

Sounds like the typical issues I see on most all vintage machines. Nice to see it saved and working again so kudos to you.

[@TheaStarr]

Thanks! I was surprised to hear about the „protective“ treatment that was applied for shipping overseas. Looking forward to getting the decorative stitches working.

[@jennyhall1120]

I have a 230 and a 260, purchased at real bargain prices. Local repair guy won't touch them, so I must learn. Thanks for sharing your Pfaff journey. I used to have a 7570, which was nothing but trouble. I'll be sticking with such mid-century (or earlier) mechanical gems from now on.

[@TheaStarr]

I've actually read up quite at bit on the 7570s. It does seem those have a few known issues. I've considered one. I do really love the mid century builds too. They are complex but clear. To answer your other question about the tension /pressure spring (I think is the name). It sews well, it just doesn't do the decorative stitches.

[@rustandmagic]

Heat is good to give it some help, open top lid and blow with a hair drier, you can do that for some time, there is a lot of metal to heat up, that often help with the varnish to soften a bit.

[@mmvmx]

I love that it's got it's own tiny little table! Oh and great work, obviously! Excited to see all the things you'll do with it!

[@TheaStarr]

Aww thanks!

[@davidmessa1419]

Stuck in zigzag or no zigzag are usually caused by the zigzag regulator stud being frozen (common). I've had this on my 260 and 360. Oiling doesn't seem to work on the frozen shaft. I found disassembly was the only way to fix the problem.

[@edwinabeewere4583]

I am happy I own one now...Greetings from Nairobi Kenya 🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@renushah7729]

I have the same machine and have been stuck since the thread gets stuck in the tension wheel in the left front of the machine which breaks the thread as soon as I start stitching. It was working okay before. I've tried adjusting tensions, oiling etc but to no avail. Any advise? Am from Kisumu.

[@dannyl2598]

Thank you. I have a 231 that was stuck, I freed it up to do straight stich and zig zag but it will not do the fancy stitches. I haven't figured out why but it's a very common thing. It does what I need so I haven't gotten in to it. Pfaff is my favorite also. I'm up to four now. Moat recently, a computerized plastic one. It's not German made but I can't find fault with it.

[@pascalzenker9092]

Interesting that for export they had a white top cover, in Germany they were painted all grey.

[@joycedollar1198]

The channel never too many has this machine. There is dial chart for all the embroidery stitches over 200 combinations. Maybe they can share and you can check the cams out.beautiful job.

[@jludtxs]

Thanks, I got a 262 and couldn't figure out where to plug in the pedal. The manual shows a completely different cord setup

[@TheaStarr]

Glad I could help

[@jennyhall1120]

How did the machine run without the little tension clip? I broke one on my 230 when I had my first look inside.

[@colleenacourtney]

I read that it should straight stitch and zig zag without the cam assembly. Mine is stuck in zig zag too

[@TheaStarr]

I read the same thing. After sitting on it for a bit now, aside from replacing a piece that is missing in my assembly - I read that you really have to heat things up to get it clean and moving correctly. I'm guessing I didn't do it enough. I was just so excited to get it going I guess.I plan on doing that and will share any discovery updates.

[@colleenacourtney]

Me too. Some suggested leaving it out in the sun or in a hot car for a day or 2. I’m going to try that.

[@sheldoncooper6230]

I love my vintage Pfaff's (I have 5 different models). You can use a hair dryer or a heat gun on a low setting to warm up the solidified grease. Pfaff had such tight tolerances on the moving parts. The machines run so smooth when working properly but they are prone to get gummed up if they have been sitting a while.

[@dannyl2598]

If the gasoline has turned to varnish, alcohol may be helpful to dissolve it. I use denatured alcohol to clean up carburetors.

[@kirpallall2191]

Did any body know how to adjust it I have my needle is on the right side and before it was on the left side and I want to bring to the center

[@Cakes858]

Here's a vid for freeing up a seized zigzag mechanism: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gnumaHp4g895mas I don't know if you were ever able to unfreeze the stitch type mechanism but, you could try a product called Blue Creeper. It works similar to sewing machine oil but, a lot faster. I learned about it when I was in a Necchi sewing machine group I used be be in. The group was geared toward restoring and maintaining Italian made, all metal, Necchi sewing machines. They also recommended using a blow dryer to heat things up after they'd been oiled and never to use force, and if there's any plastic, don't get any oil on it. I have a Pfaff 230 and it sews like dream.

[@belenharris8174]

Came here because mine is acting up 😂

[@petervavaroutsos449]

You shouldn't run the machine with the presser foot on the feed dogs. The feed dogs will scratch up the presser foot and and the dog teeth will get dull. Always put some material between the presser foot and feed dogs (or drop the feed dogs) when putting the presser foot down.

[@kirpallall2191]

I cannot bring my needle in center first it on the left side now it on the right side please if anybody can help it will be appropriated

[@howardgoldstein867]

great job of getting that gem working again, but never, ever, run a machine with the presser foot down & nothing under it...........

[@BS-wd7do]

I bought this on Marketplace but the needle isn’t moving at all. When I turn the wheel, it doesn’t engage the needle even a little bit. Any recommendations?

[@TheaStarr]

Sorry I missed your comment here. Assuming you've done all the recommended oiling and greasing mentioned in the manual, I've honestly just found that heat and patience have been key to old Pfaffs. I have used heat guns to focus warmth in spots that I believed to be an issue.