Oooo, so tempting. I live in Chicago and want to avoid shipping a machine (especially a computerized one!) since anything could happen in transit and both the seller and I could end up heart broken and out of $$. I did get a Featherweight from Graham Forsdyke in England, and everything was fine, but I was so nervous. I'm sure someone nearby would live it, though!

I agree! I bought my 7570 in mid-99 for $2500 (made in Germany) & wouldn't get rid of it (LOVE the IDT)! I AM thinking of selling the embroidery unit, since I got a Viking Designer SE 3 yrs ago for the larger embroidery field, so the Pfaff is now my sewing & quilting machine. Surely someone could find a mother-board or get another used machine IF it ever had to be replaced. Never had an issue w/ mine. Sometimes it's a risk w/ any used machine, but one w/ such a great reputation is certainly worth the risk.

I wouldn't be afraid to have a computerized machine shipped. I have purchased 4 different high dollar embroidery machines off of Ebay. I have NEVER had a problem. I always insure them for at least emough to replace from a dealer if something is broken. But, so far so good. I have loved each one of them..

Before I would listen to your Pfaff dealer's advice, I would contact 15 other dealers to see if you ge the same answer. Last year my mother's 1952 pfaff had to go to the shop after she had uppolostered all the cushions in a used camper. Her pfaff dealer took the machine in and kept it for two weeks. When she went in to check on the machine, he told her it was unrepairable but he would give her a "good" tradein on a new machine. My mother is 87. She brought the machine over here to texas on her next trip and asked if I had a person who worked on my machines. We took the machine over to my service guy. She went home that weekend and I called a week later to check on the machine. He asked me who had worked on it, and I gave him the story. The only thing wrong with the machine was it needed to be cleaned and her dealer had wired the motor backwards......So much for dealer knowledge.....So it cost me $20 to have the machine cleaned....I took her machine back and it hasn't stopped running. My guess it will be my inheritance unless my sister gets there first. (It would be ok I have 2 pfaffs now)

I have the 7570 & love it! I had to replace the board for the embroidery unit. But until it was fixed I could still sew. It cost about $125 to fix. I have had it for over 10 years and no other problems.
SandyGail

Not sure how to pm you guys as I am new at this but if you are interested in seeling your pfaff I have a friend in australia who is looking for one. please email me at [email protected] that is if the one you were asking isen't interested. anyone that has one they would like to sell can email me. thanks

I have two pfaffs one is the tiptronic 2040 which is a real workhorse too and also has quite a few emb. stitches on it.
I bought a used one to have as a back up because I am so used to even feed system that if this one has to go in for anything I am lost. I have a brother too but its just not the same for sewing on thick fabrics.

Great advice Nona, thx!

Tootsie,
I have a lower model Pfaff-a 1527. I love the machine, but want an upgrade. I did not know that Husquvarna/Viking bought Pfaff. I was in Joann's awhile ago, and they tried to sell me the Diamond. Even willing to finance it for 48 months. I am a Pfaff girl, and scared to take the plunge. Any ideas?

I'm sorry that I traded in my 7570 for a 2144. It has never really worked well as it won't talk to the computer. A friend still has her 7570 and so far, we've only had to change the internal batteries twice. other than that it is still fine.
She has another (1475 I think from memory) which still runs OK but she can't buy any feet and parts for it very easily as the sizes changed when they manufactured later models.
I am thoroughly content with a mechanical Brother straight stitcher now - it has none of those issues.

The company that owns them, and also a number of other different brands of sewing machines, is called Blessington.

My first Pfaff was an 1196 bought in Germany at the BX. I loved it, but when I had it serviced when I moved back to the states, they messed up the stitches (it was push-button to get the patterns). I could never get it to do the stitches it had before they cleaned it. I then bought a 1473 CD 20 years ago and it's still my favorite machine--and I have 3 others. If I could get my hands on another one for a reasonable price, I'd buy it in a heart beat, but my local dealer said they never get one because people won't part with them. And the dealer has told me that the newer ones just aren't quite the same. I love my Pfaff!

I got a 1221e Pfaff thru freecycle. Cleaned it up, got the manual for it and it's running like a charm. It dates back to 1972 and was made in Germany. The manual states it should never need to be serviced - just oiled in the few different spots and cleaned.

My 7570 is a great workhorse - no problems and love it!!!

I have a Pfaff 7530 that I bought in 1999. It is a fantastic machine.

This past summer my husband bought me the Pfaff quilt expressions 4.0.

Both machines are fantastic. The 4.0 has made a real difference in my ability to free motion because it has that sensor feature. It has a wider throat for manipulating bigger quilts.

I love both machines. I had bad luck with two different Janomes, switched to Pfaff and wouldn't own any other brand.

I have a knowledgeable really good dealer which helps.

Pfaff rocks!

Try E-Bay. My friend had her Janome die on her over the holidays. Sewed the poor old 20 year old thing to death. She was budget poor, so tried E-Bay. She got a wonderful, like new 230 Bernina Patchwork only about 6 years old for $750.00 with lots of extra accessories and 30 bobbins. When she was looking brand new a model with much less stitch and accessories was over double the cost. She has been using it since Christmas Eve and says it is a wonderful machine and like new. Worth a try.

I have a 7570 & have never had any problems. Bought it used.
Been sewing on it a lot for the past 2 years.

I have a 7570 & have never had any problems. Bought it used.
Been sewing on it a lot for the past 2 years.

Check this one out. If I needed one I would sure bid on it!!

http://cgi.ebay.com/PFAFF-Creative-1...item2a0d0b1848

Not quite 2 days left to bid!

Here is a 1473 for sale:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...sPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

Just wanted to say. . . I have to laugh sometimes. All these numbers on these machines!!!

My Pfaff was purchased for me by my parents when I was 16. It's been all over to college, and moving and about 6 different states with me, fallen down a flight of steps (less bumps and bruises than I had!). Wouldn't give it up for the world. Hate the thought of having to replace it.

I'm showing my age here. . . . . . . it's a #79! I'll be 56 at the end of this month.

I've had my Phaff for around twenty years, have never had any issues. Never heard of motherboard problems

Thanks for all the great info. I need a backup machine.

I have a 1471 from the 80s also and have never had any problems with it. I would like to find another one if I could. It is a real workhorse and will do anything. One of the best machines made.

I have the 7530 also. I bought it new and have used it hard and put it away wet! I told the dealer not to sell me any junk as I would sew anything I could get under the foot and I wasn't kidding. I have sewn upholstery, fur, double knits, denims, sheer stuff, and it never blinked. It's about 13 or 14 years old and I would recommend one of these for anyone and I wouldn't be afraid to buy a used one like it. Mine doesn't have the embroidery unit but I have a Babylock that does so I can do just about anything I want.

I bought my first Pfaff 262 in 1968 brand new and it is the machine on the right in my Avatar. It is still going strong. I had to buy a walking foot for it as it did not come with IDT. The first Pfaff to come out with IDT is the Pfaff 1222. I belong to an Old Pfaffies Phorum, which is a yahoo group. I read and have learned so much about Pfaffs since becoming a member. I also have a Pfaff 130(built in 1950) I bought from a Pfaff dealer in San Antonio after he rewired the motor and serviced it. It is a collector's favorite of old Pfaff mechanical machines. I love it! There was a Pfaff 7570 in their shop when I was there, and one of the staffers said "This was the last Pfaff actually made in Germany and is the best machine Pfaff ever made." I also have a Pfaff 2170 embroidery/quilters machine but it was made after Pfaff was sold and was manufactured in Czecholavakia. OF course I wish it was made in Germany but it is a really neat machine. But I do most of my regular sewing on the old Pfaffs, mainly the 262 since it is bolted in a cabinet, and save the 2170 for embroidery. I definitely prefer my two oldies, 262 and 130 for FMQuilting over the plastic model for they are just so much heavier and more stable to work with, and of those two, the 130 is the smoothest of all. AND, I want to say that if I had the room I would for sure add a 7570 to my collection!

Wow, thx! Great info, keep it coming! Will join Pfaff forum ASAP!

I have a Pfaff Tipronic 2030 made in Germany. I bought it around 2001. I love it and I only had to change the light during all these years. Just last month I bought the 2140 upgraded to 2170 made in Germany= this one is used but I didn't doubt it when the dealer showed it to me.
I will use this for embroidery only. I don't think I would buy another brand. My serger is also Pfaff.

Once a "Pfaffie, always a "Pfaffie", I think is how the saying goes. By the way, The Singer parent company bought both Viking and Pfaff and own all three companies (Viking, Pfaff and Singer) under the name, I think, VMS. And, it is my understanding that the other machines that have the built in foot similiar to the Pfaff IDF are quite bulky and cumbersome and feed in a totally different manner than the Pfaff IDF. Anyway, I'm on my 3rd Pfaff (2044, 2056 and now the Expression 4.0. When I sew on a machine without the IDF, I feel like I'm a beginner at sewing again.

The PDQ on the Babylock Quest Plus seems quite similar to IDT, which is how my Pfaff obsession began... Accufeed on the Janome Horizon and Elna eXellence is much wider, but Horizon owners seem to love it. But Pfaff invented it. Thx to the poster who said that the 1st Pfaff model with IDT was the 1222.

I have a Pfaff Tripmatic, coverlock serger, and 2- 7570s. So far...no problems and have used all of them like workhorses. I was a professional dressmaker for 40 years and my machines ran 18 to 20 hours a day. I have 2 featherweights, 2 baby locks, other machines but I LOVES MY PFAFFS!!!!!!!

Another 7570, here. It has done extensize quilt piecing,tons of Litle Amateur theater, hemmed a 6 layer velveteen stage curtain, embroidered 100+hrch emblems on parishioners polo shirts,& yet still made expuisite Christining outfits.Go for IT!

Maia, I have a 1471 I have had for over 30 yrs. Bought it used for 1800. You are not going o believe this but I have a 7570 still in the box with the embroidery unit. I bought it new $4800 back 10 to 12 yrs ago.i also have 2 pfaff sergers. One still in the box. I had my own business, not quilting & didn't have time to sew. My DIL had my 1471 for about 5 yrs. Just got it back 2 yrs ago when I retired & oh do I love it. We just moved onto our new log home & am getting back into sewing & just took the 7570 out of the box. I hope it works after all these yrs.
You have a wonderful Pfaff dealer close to you in Joilet, Ill. Roberts sewing center. That is where I bought mine. Check him out. I wouldn't hav e any other machine. My whole family that sews all have Pfaff's. Donna, The Rustic Quilter

Sewing in your log home? Sounds like a dream come true to me! Keep us posted on how that 7570 fairs after all this time.

I have been trying to get my hands on a used 7570 by scouring e-bay and shopgoodwill. One I looked at on e-bay went for over $2000. If you can get one for $750 JUMP ON IT!

Thx for the tip abouts Roberts. The closer Pfaff dealer is where I got my Babylock and Brother machines, and while I'm happy with those machines, I can tell they are all about the sale. Not getting any more of my money. The 7570 slipped away, but I'm grateful for all this advice. Does anyone have German-made mechanical models with IDT to recommend? I'm pleased to know Pfaff is worthy of my obsession.

I have had a 7570 since 1998 and have had NO problems with it. I love it.

Just keep checking Ebay. They do come up once in a while. I se there is one now but, it was over 1000.00 last time I checked. Good Luck

Not that comfortable with eBay especially for those prices and items. Lots of reasons. But watching craigslist for local offerings.

If you want a genuine oldy, look at the 130s. They are all mechanical, weigh 40 pounds, and sew like a dream.