So I have a perfectly functioning Babylock Quest Plus with PDQ (seems identical to IDT) and three featherweights. But somehow, I just WANT a good used Pfaff with IDT, preferably German made. I can get a lightly used 7570 locally $750 or less. This was my dream machine in the 90's. But I've heard that the motherboard might go at any time and not be available for replacement or fixable. Then the machine would not sew at all. So it's a gamble, it might also sew well for years. If I got a used mechanical, it should at least be more repairable, right? What were the last German or European made Pfaffs? Are the Tiptronics mechanical? Am I just nuts? Should I just drop the whole idea? Buy a new Pfaff? Anyone have a 7570 or similar model motherboard replaced recently? Forgive the cross post to pattern review. Thx for advice.

I think alot would depend on what year it was made. You can look on the back in the serial number, can't remember exactly which numbers they are. Mine was made in 1999 and still going strong. I think either 99 or 2000 were the last year they were made. As far as cost to replace the motherboard, I wouldn't know. Maybe call a Pfaff dealer and ask what they would charge.

I have the 7570 and have heard about the mother boards...... I have had mine for 10 years now and use it all the time. Have not had any major work done on it, but I have a feeling that something is going to go at some point. I just hope it's not the board, 'cause I would be lost without it! Not all of the Pfaffs have the IDT, so check that out well. I also have an older Pfaff without the IDT and can never remember what model it is, It is a push button, without a mother board and is about 30 years old, no major work, still a great machine and had it on my table top frame prior to upgrading. I'm not sure when Pfaff went to the oriental country for manufacturing, but I'd join the Pfaff community on Yahoo! to find out more information. Good luck on your search. Also, the price for that 7570 is FANTASTIC even today. Does it have the embroidery unit with it?

I have a 7570 and if something goes on the mother board, I will find me another one on Ebay or CL. I love this machine. It is a WORKHORSE. Some dealers have mother boards from when this machine was new. I would just keep checking if my mother board goes out. Someone has to have one.

I have a 7510, and love it! Have never had any issues with it, and had it since new, about 15 years. :)

I just remembered that a friend of mine has a 7550. Same as 7570 except it is not the embroidery machine. I will probably never use the unit on mine as it is to hard to get designs transfered to the machine if you don't that a creative box.

Question: Aren't Pfaffs from Sweden? My Pfaff was made in Sweden, not Germany. :?

My 7570 was made in Germany!!

Thx ladies! The closest Pfaff dealer (not known for anything but SELLING) told me that the board could go anytime and is not possible to replace or repair. 'Course they'd love to sell me a new Pfaff. But I've read that the board could be replaced or repaired. It does come with the embroidery unit. I've never done that, so I'll either try it or sell/give it away. We'll see. But glad this isn't totally crazy stupid. I kinda feel like new machines are also a gamble since there are lemons and lousy dealers and if you end up with both at the same time, it's a mess. At least this is straghtforward, and no pricier than my 3 nearly identical FWs (one is clearly normal to have, even necessary, but three is clearly indulgent).

I have the 7530, made in Germany, with IDT. Absolutely love it. Don't know anything about motherboard problems.

To be hopest with you I haven't heard about any either.

If I'm not mistaken, Pfaff machines originally were made in Germany, then around 1999 Husqvarna/Viking bought Pfaff which may be why your's was made in Sweden.

I have several Pfaffs, including the 7570. In my opinion, this is one of the best machines ever made. I have more "updated" machines, but the 7570 is my true workhorse. If you can get a 7570 for that price, I say go for it!

I would grab it too. Usually you don't find to many people that will part with them. I sure wouldn't.

At that price I'd grab it. Don't know what it cost new, but my 7530 retailed for $2500 in 1997. You can't buy an equal quality/features new one for that today.

My 7570 was made in Germany too.

Don't know anything about your model. I have a Pfaff 1475CD made in Germany. Am willing to sell. If you are interested, please pm me.

all my older Pfaff were made in Germany, my Hobbymatic 947, (only one withOUT IDT) 1229 with IDT, and 3, 7570's,
my 2054 was made in Sweeden, and serger coverlock 4862 was made in Japan.
The last Pfaff made in Germany was the 7570, and considered to be the best one Pfaff ever made. I love, love LOVE my 7570's, and would love to have more of them, LOL
your price is very good, I saw one on a Pfaff group for sale recently for $525, without the embroidery unit. These machines are truly a great work horse and I would NOT give up any of mine. But get another one,? you bet in a heart beat, (if I have the money)

I bought my 7570 brand new for a little less then $5000.00 in 2000. The motherboard went out in 2006, replaced at no charge. It is my true workhorse. I also have the embroadery unit with it. I sew on a average everyday, till we moved. Still trying to get back in the mood because of other life issues (don't like the house). You will love it for that price. Make sure it has been serviced before purchase with a Phaff dealer and get receipt for that. Or talk to that dealer that serviced it, there should be record of it.

I have the older 1471, early 80's. The mother board did go out many years ago and had it replaced. I could never get rid of it-love that walking foot! This is the machine I use to do all of my piecing.

I have a 7550 and it was definitely made well (the old Pfaff quality) and then I have a newer 2058 and it is definitely made somewhere cheaper (I can tell the difference).

One thing I do not like about the 7550 is the foot pedal. Had to have it replaced once and when DH checked it out he said that it was poor design. The activation mechanism uses a slide connection (sort of like scraping chalk down a bord). It is jerky and not smooth at all. Other than that, the bobbin case busted on me but the rest works well. She is my backup machine to a Babylock (without IDT).

A friend of mine also had the 1475. She recently gave it to her DIL. She says it was also a great machine.

Thanks for the info! I really appreciate it! :thumbup:

I have 20 yr old 1471 and a new Expression 4. Both brilliant in their own ways.
Annie

My older Pfaff was fried by lightning several years ago, and the board was around $100 to fix, which I thought was reasonable. That machine is the Anniversary Edition, which I think is about 15 years old. I love,love,love that machine. I have a newer Pfaff that's five years old, and it's junk. Buy the older machine.

I had two mother boards go out and if they can find a replacement for $300 they will only warranty it for 90 days. Love my new Brother!

These posts scared me to death ... sure hope my motherboard doesn't go. I have a 7550 that I paid a huge amount for in 1996 and use nearly every day since then for 8 to 10 hours. I did have to replace the foot pedal not long after I had gotten it but that is all. Hasn't even been serviced for several years now.

Good to know all of this information. My 7550 was made in Germany.

I have a 7570 which was made in Germany, 1999. It is a faithful, trusty friend. I have toyed with the idea of buying a newer machine that embroiders with more ease because of the changes in embroidery software, but I would NEVER get rid of my 7570. Simple cleaning has been its only need.

:( the 7570 I hunted ran back into the woods. The current owner's mom is buying it. Smart folks. I'm thinking of turning my search to an older mechanical Pfaff with IDT, preferably German-made. What models should I be looking for?

I've had a 2170 for several years and haven't had a problem. I LOVE it! I had one for over 20 years - never had a problem with it either. Go with the advice of talking to a pfaff repair person to see what they see in terms of repairs. you'll love a pfaff - I wouldn't trade the IDF for anything!

I have the tiptronic 1171? and it's neat....just need to order the manual to see what all these gadgets does that i paid $4 for but it works perfectly!

Does this model have the IDT that she is looking for? I can't remember.

I have the Pfaff 7550 and bought it in Germany at the local military post exchange (PX) in 1998. It has traveled with me to many other states and when I finally went to work on it last year I noticed that the foot raiser was broken. Took it to the dealer and they fixed it and the motherboard works well however I think there is a problem with the bobbin case. I've considered selling it but it is an awesome machine and will not part with it. My local Pfaff dealer told me its a sought after machine because of the workmanship and I agree however she tol me I could sell it for $400! I told her no nicely! Its worth it for the older Pfaff's however I'm considering purchasing a new Pfaff, love their IDT, but am now concerned that many have had some problems.

what does the idt means? Im fixing to meet some quilters for lunch and when i get back....will post pic of mine.

I had one of the first computerized Pfaffs, don't remember the number. Never had a problem with the motherboard, but I finally wore out the motor. I replaced it with a Pfaff Creative 4.0. WOW what a wonderful machine. I really don't think you can go wrong with a Pfaff.

Integrated Dual Feed. Basically a built in walking foot. It is wonderful.

Contrary to what many people think, Pfaffs haven't been made in Germany since 1999. Some models were made in Sweden after Viking purchased them, and also in eastern Europe. I had a 2005 Pfaff made in the P.R. of Czechoslovakia, of all places, but the quality just wasn't the same at all. In the last 3-4 yrs they moved manuf. to China, even the top models like the Expression 2, 3 & 4.0.
I know a bunch of quilters who still have their 90's German made Pfaffs and won't part with them ... and I bet they'll outlast most of the newer ones ...

Husqvarna Viking bought Pfaff, closed the German plant and moved operations to Sweden with the Husqvarna folks.

The German plant was prime real estate. I "heard" the property was worth a lot more than building a new factory would cost.

The "Hobby" models are not built in Europe. They are a lower end and have not been manufactured in Germany for a very long time.

Yep, that's why I want an old German-made, that quality. Not that Asian factories can't produce quality machines, just that apparently, quality is very inconsistent now. So many lemon stories, lousy-dealer horror stories. I'm a nurse, and my motto is "believe the patient", or in this case the sewer. When Pfaffanatics say their older Pfaffs are better, I believe 'em. I might get a computerized, but would prefer a mechanical. Any model recommendations? Quilter Gary recommended a dealer in Milwaukee to me, might make a pilgrimage.

I purchased my 1473 used in 1994 just because it had the dual feed function. I was learning machine piecing at that time and needed all the help I could get. It is still my absolutely favorite (non-antique) machine. It goes to all my charity work days (2 guilds) plus workshops, etc. A couple of years ago I walked into the viking dealer in York, PA (my hometown - I visit a couple of times a year) and sitting right inside was another 1473. I have never seen one for sale - anywhere - including eBay. The dealer couldn't even find a bluebook price for it as they are just not available - everyone who has one just keeps them. Dealer wanted $450 and I didn't balk. At least I will have parts if anything goes wrong with the first one - but I am so happy to have this 2nd 1473. What a work horse - doesn't balk at anything.

Now my 7570 story - I purchased it for machine embroidery in Jan 2004. I never coulod get the tension correct on it so rarely used it for embroidery - sewed perfectly though. Hop ahead a few years - about 2007 or 2008 - the local quilt shop/Pfaff dealer was interested in purchasing it so I took it in. Put on the embroidery unit - it worked for about 3 minutes and then quit. Wouldn't embroider, wouldn't sew - nothing. I left it there for the service person to check with Pfaff to see about the problem. After a few months, I was told that Pfaff said it was the mother board and it would cost $700-$800 to replace. No way was I going to put that kind of money into it - so took it home and it became a doorstop for another year or so. One day a friend was taking a machine up to a local (as in 50 miles - Hildebran, NC) shop for service and suggested I take the 7570 along and have them take a look. Left it there - got a call the next day asking what exactly was the problem. Told them it wouldn't sew at all - heard it humming along in the background. They cleaned it up - no repair necessary!!! I'm figuring that she just didn't want to belong to my local quilt shop!!!

I have not put on the embroidery unit as I'm thinking that may be where the problem is - but the darn machine work like a charm. Now I have 3 Pfaffs - do not need 3 - want to get rid of the 7570 as I really, really like my older one - don't care about all the fancy stitches of the 7570. If you live anywhere near Mooresville, NC (about 30 miles north of Charlotte) let me know if you might be interested in adopting her.

Very long store short - you cannot go wrong with one of the older German models - my mother's 1371 (a limited edition beautiful cream and lavendar model) still hums perfectly - my sister has that one but doesn't sew at all anymore. I personally do not like the newer models - to me they are kind of ugly - just a personal opinion here.

Thanks for listening to my long-winded answer.

Sandy in Mooresville, NC

I had a used 1475, traded it in for a new 7550. Loved it! Went to work for the local Pfaff dealer. Bought the 7570. Loved it! Became a Pfaff educator from spring of 1996 to end of 1997. They sent me a 7570, loved it! Sold the older 7570, bought the one Pfaff furnished for an extremely good price.

I only sold the 7550 (with a great cabinet) in 2005 because we were moving from KC back to Jacksonville and moving in with my mother due to DH's extended unemployment. It's hard to go from 3 BR with full finished basement with 2 car garage to two rooms in a double wide mobile home. We sold A LOT!!

All of my Pfaffs were built before the company was sold. I also have a Designer 1 because when I moved to KC from Chicago I went to work for a Viking dealer. I sort of put my 7570 away and didn't pull it out again until about 6 months ago. It still sews like a dream! I haven't tried the embroidery even though I have about 25 cards because I've been embroidering with the larger design field on the D1.

Hope this is helpful.