Pfaff bobbin problem
 

I hope someone can tell me how to get the bobbin case out of a Pfaff 260 that I recently sold without doing the proper check-out before sale thing. I thought the machine was in tip top shape, but I guess I though wrong. The buyer checked out the machine yesterday, took the bobbin case out, changed the bobbin, and put in back in. No problem. It sewed fine.

Today, I was checking out the machine to do some sewing for a do-good project she is involved in; took the bobbin case out, changed the bobbin, put it back in; nuthin'......tried to take the bobbin case out to check out the problem; nuthin' doin'.......stuck fast. We both tried and tried and tried. Finally, looked at the book that came with the machine--this one is a 260, and the book is for a 262 and 263. I never even noticed that the whole time I had the machine. Normally, I don't have to refer back to one for something as simple as threading and filling the bobbin, and especially removing the bobbin case.

Now who can help me? I have a whole week to try to figure this out. This is a wonderful machine, and is supposed to be superior for FMQ. It is nice and quiet, and isn't completely worn out--even though it is pretty old, my guess being sometime from the early 60s.

Please, please, please. I did finally find some TriFlow oil, so I can at least take that with me if I need to when I go back to try it out again.

I fear I don't know much about that model. However, there is a wonderful group at yahoo who could offer their expertise. It's called Old Pfaff forum. Good luck!

Quilting Lady, it sounds to me like a timing problem and may need a visit to the machine doctor to fix it. I have a Pfaff 260 and a Pfaff Quilt Expression and any time I have had any problems of this kind, it has been timing out of sinc. Beautiful machines and I love mine dearly.

Will the machine move or is it stuck and won't move by turning the hand wheel? Remove the needle from the machine. Try moving the hand wheel toward you, don't force it, and see if there is some movement in the bobbin case. If there is a bit of movement pull up the latch on the case so you have something to hold on to, then move the hand wheel while pulling the case straight out. You may have to move the hand wheel back and forth a couple times but it will eventually let go.

The only time I have had this type of problem with my Pfaff 130 is when a thread has gotten stuck in the bobbin area. Mitch's mom has given good advice.

Thanks, y'all. I am going to print your answers off and take them with me when I try again.

Good advice. Most Pfaffs, especially those early Pfaffs, can get the smallest bit of thread or lint in them, so small you can barely see it, and - ka boom! - no more sewing. In fact, I have one on my bench like that right now. Get out your magnifying glass and your best tweezers and see what you can find. You are looking for a very small piece. You probably have to take the needle plate off, and if all else fails, the feed dogs as well.

Don't think of blowing air in it, as that drives dirt deeper, but you could vacuum the area.

I do NOT think it is a timing issue. It sewed fine before and that indicates the timing is fine. (I don't know everything but I am a certified sewing machine mechanic and I work on many machines. Timing is almost never the problem.) Are you using the correct needle for both the machine and the thread and fabric?

Oh, don't ever use your Pfaff for bobbin work, where you put specialty thread in the bobbin. Ask me how I know!

You can find more information on a yahoo group called oldpfaffforum. You need to join it. They might have a manual. Look in the files.

Your Pfaff is worth the effort, IMHO. I have a Pfaff 130 in pristine condition and it free motion quilts very well.