Does anyone here have the Pfaff Expression 4.0?
My friend in Texas just called me and said she bought one and is having trouble winding the bobbin (she says it looks "rough" ) and also, after she gets it threaded into the bobbin area and starts to sew, she gets a jam message.
She said she's gotten the manual out and went step by step. I said to be sure she loaded the bobbin with the correct side up. She swears she did.
Is the 4.0 a quirky machine or does she just need to practice more?
I told her I'd ask here since she doesn't have a computer.
I have a Pfaff 2170 with a vertical bobbin, hers is horizontal, and I've never threaded a horizontal one. So I really can't help.
Thanks-

Are you sure she had the thread in the correct path. A "rough" bobbin wind suggests that the tension was off (happened to me on one of my Pfaffs).

How long has she had/used the machine? Maybe it's time for a basic maintenance visit to the ER. Maybe she needs to take the 4.0 apart and do a thorough cleaning in all the nooks and crevices.

I recently bought a Babylock because I was very disappointed in the workmanship of the newer Pfaffs. They are reportedly persnickety.

Well she said she had the thread going through all the guides needed for winding bobbins. But I'll mention it to her when I call her back later.
Thanks

I've heard the 3.0 & 4.0 machines have had many problems and need numerous adjustments. I know 5-6 people in my guild & bee who have them & all are having problems
Pfaff quality is NOT what it was, when they were German-made. I understand even these high $$$ machines are being made in Asia now ... they were making them in Sweden but no longer.

Oh Oh She's been waiting for a long time for a new machine. But I'll let her know. Maybe she can get her money back.

Well I hope she doesn't have to do that ... everyone I know has had some adjustments made ... I'll ask some of them & follow up with you
Her dealer should def adjust the machine or worst case, replace it with a new one !! It's a pricey machine to have trouble with

Be sure she is threading the machine with the needle up and the presser foot up. I have a couple of Pfaffs and I love them both, but if the presser foot is down when threading it is a mess.

Speak to her dealer about it.

I remember when I had lessons with my Expression 2, we were showed a rough bobbin fill and a correct fill, though for the life of me I can't remember why they said it was incorrect.

They are a great machine, she just needs to sort out the problem.

She seems to be doing better with it this evening. At least that's what she said. I think (hope) it's just a learning curve that she's going through with the machine, because she's been sewing for years on her old machine.
She thanks you all for your ideas.

I hope she is taking classes with her new machine.

When I got my new Babylock, I got 4 free classes - from basic maintenance to all the feet and not sure what else. There are two classes in the Mastery Series that are not covered and I plan to pay for those. These new ones are not easy to learn on your own (IMO). I decided that I would not put up with any frustration but wait for the classes to sink in.

It may be worth for your friend to check if there is a forum for the Pfaff Expression. She may get lucky and hook up with some nice folks like the QB.

Yes she's had 1 class and the next one is this Saturday.

My son has the 4.0 and seems to be doing fine.

She's spoken to the LQS service guy and he's going to look at it on Monday. He thinks something needs adjusting. She's pretty p.o.'d that he wouldn't do it today. But he said he had to leave early.

I have had this machine for 12 months and have had no trouble with the bobbin. In fact I am very happy with it.

I'm beginning to think it might be 1/2 machine and 1/2 her....lol.
She's not good with "change" so maybe having a new machine is a large learning curve for her.

She said she'd call me Monday after the service guy looks at it.

I have the Expression 4 and it does take a bit of getting used to. It's certainly not error tolerant. When your friend is winding the bobbin, tell her to make sure she is threading the machine so that the thread goes round the upper part of the thread guide. If it goes round the under part that could be causing her problem. PM me if you need further details.

I've actually heard something about this while I was at my dealer taking a class. I'm not sure about posting the dealer's web site but I'll pass it on to those I feel are in need.

oops

Can someone take my last post down, I goofed up and was supposed to send it privately. Never mind, I found a way to get the post down. Not perfect, but, it will work until someone can pull it down. I realized I don't know how to edit/delete my own message.

I got your PM and PM'd you back.
Thanks

There are a couple of yahoo groups that might be able to help you. Other wise see the pfaff dealer for answers on this question.

Don't have a Pfaff expression 4.0 but have been sewing with Pfaffs for a number of years. The bobbins of the ones I've sewn with have to click onto a little point on the bobbin winder. I marked the point with a black marker to help me find it. If the bobbin doesn't click onto that point it won't wind correctly. Hope this helps your friend. May in Jersey

Ooh, whoops! Hope all this works out for her! I have my Exp 3.0 on lay-a-way but will also continue to use my Sidewinder. Hopefully that will avert the problem for me!

She had to take it back to the dealer twice and now it's sewing fine. Something about the take up lever having to be replaced.