Pfaff 2170 sewing machine

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Pfaff 2170 sewing machine

by Wanda Pace
(Twin Falls, ID)

The Pfaff 2170 is my second sewing machine. The first machine kept jamming and they had to give me a new machine.

The 2170 from Pfaff was very noisy but seemed to work okay ~ I did mostly FSL Lace with it and sometimes it would pucker and sometimes it wouldn't. Many times the motor would block and I couldn't finish the project so much of the time I spent too much time watching the machine incase something went wrong. I had to always use the slower speed in embroidering.

I purchased the grand hoop and the endless hoop plus I don't know how many extra feet for it.

I had my Pfaff 2170 serviced at the local dealer and the noisy stuff stopped and it seemed to be much better.

Then I had a big problem with it when the stitch finger broke and I took it to a dealer and they got it fixed and I got it home and started to test sewing - it started to jam underneath again. But I was very careful not to pull the thread from the top when it would jam.

Then after only 6 weeks of getting it fixed the stitch finger broke again. They had to straighten it out and didn't replace it but ordered the part and I'm almost afraid to use it again.

I can't get my money back and I spent way too much on it now I'm stuck - to trade it in on a Viking they would only give me $1,000 for it. I am into it it over $8,000.00 with all the extras I have purchased along with the software what a hard lesson to learn.

I would never purchase another Pfaff as I am not happy with their engineering. I thought German engineering was the best but I guess I'm sadly mistaken.

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Pfaff 2170 sewing machine

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Apr 13, 2009
Rating

Sad to say
by: Anonymous

Both Pfaff and Viking are made basically by the same company and most of them in China and of course the reason why you have had such bad luck. I hate to say for so much less you could have had a Brother machine and from what i have been reading seems to get the overall best ratings and the only exception might be the Bernina machines. For the money you can hardly go wrong with the Brother machine as they just seem to run. If Pfaff and Viking keep producing machines of this poor quality and to the point of being useless, they will soon find themselves without a customer of any interest in purchasing their crap. It is a hard lesson to have to lose so much money and get no compensation from the company without any desire to support the product or to make the product good for you. If i provided this kind of service to my customers i would have none.

randy

Apr 19, 2009
Rating

Beginners?
by: Anonymous

Hi, I would like to buy my first sewing machine. I've never owned one before so I really need something that is user friendly and won't breakdown in TWO weeks!!! I will mainly use it for making decrative pillow cases, cloting repair, costumes etc... nothing too hard core!
I don't want the threader to constantly get jammed. I've been doing some research online but I can't seem to get a good reading on best rated machine for beginnners? I keep finding Brother and Kenmore as being good machines, but I thought Singer was the best?? Any suggestions?

Apr 22, 2009
Rating

Brother recommendation
by: randysvh

The Brother from my reading is showing up as the overall best deal you can buy. You can get good machines for $150 on up. Do not get the cheapest machine. Look at a some of the better units and then check online for the ratings on those machines and you will find some good deals. The SE-350 may be an excellent machine to work with and consider for getting started. Just make sure you avoid the Pfaff and Viking machines as they are just poorly made. If anyone has good luck with current Pfaff and Viking machines, i would like to hear about them here.

randy

Apr 22, 2009
Rating

Beginners?
by: Anonymous

Hi, I ended up buying a Kenmore 15358 for $120. Based on the Consumer Report this was the best for the price. It was actually rated #2 in the mechanical model. #1 was Pfaff 3.0 at $800 and #3 the Brother XL at $150 but this one did not have the heavy material feature checked off. I am hoping I made a good choice! I'll let you know in a few weeks. Thanks!

May 08, 2009
Rating

Husqvarna Viking Lily
by: Joanne

I purchased a Husqvarna Viking "Lily" machine a few years ago and it has been a terrific machine. I have never had any problems with it. I just sewed a prom dress for my daughter with 16 layers of gathered tulle and as usual, the machine handled it all with ease. I have numerous feet and attachments for this machine, which also has many built in features and decorative stiches, and all operate as designed. In the past I have had a Brother machine, which was a basic machine and there is no comparison - the Husqvarna Viking "Lily" is superior in every way.

May 30, 2009
Rating

pfaff 2170
by: Anonymous

I also had a 2170, it was noisy always motor blocking and never working properly. I kept being told by the dealer that is was my fault. My husband intervened and contacted pfaff australia. after weeks of toing and frowing pfaff eventually and reluctantly replaced it with another 2170. This machine is OK. but of course I have lost all faith in pfaff machines and will never buy pfaff. I found the dealer rude and would not enter that shop again.

Jun 17, 2009
Rating

The 2170 is not really the best of Pfaff
by: Kathy

I have used Pfaff machines for ages--learned on mom's that she bought new in 1947, I had a 1229 for many years which I recently replaced with a 2170.

The 1229 was working fine, I just wanted more bells and whistles. Well..the new machine is not very satisfactory--I've had it in the shop twice for the same thing---several of the features just plain do not work---thread cutter pulls thread out of the needle almost every time so I have to re-thread over and over.

Low bobbin warning does not work well-either it does not warn me at all, or it warns me when there is only 2 inches of thread left. Not very helpful at all. The old Pfaff consistently warned me when there was 3 feet of thread left--plenty to finish a seam, etc.

I was told to use only the blue-tinted plastic bobbins, but still the warning does not work. The bobbin winder "freezes" in the middle of winding, or it fills the bobbin very unevenly. The thread IS properly placed in the guides, etc. Fabric is always "scrunched" at the beginning of every seam, so I have to pull it from behind to flatten out the first 5-6 stitches.

I get some warning messages on the screen when there is no real problem--almost like the 2170 has a mind of its own. I have not even ventured into the embroidery part yet. I did have one lesson at the dealer and it seemed to perform well, but seriously doubt I could do any embroidery without the dealer sitting at my side.

The manual is a joke---very poor illustrations, etc.

Jun 17, 2009
Rating

The 2170 is a piece of junk
by: Bekah

My Pfaff 2170 has been in the shop more than in my sewing room and every time I complain I am told just trade it in to another brand.

Was told by my dealer this was a lemon model and I would never be happy but I have spent all my money and can't afford to trade. Can't get a hold of anyone at the main company.

Jun 28, 2009
Rating

It fails to sew properly
by: Karen Cottom

Bought my Pfaff 2170 sewing machine 3 years ago. Due to family sickness after I bought the machine it didn't get use it right when I bought the machine.

Now that I have time to sew with it, I have nothing but problems with the machine and have taken it to two different dealers and tried to have problems corrected and will get it home and the machine fails to sew properly again.

Forget calling the company because all I get are e-mails saying my machine isn't listed as a valid model number and I am given another number to e-mail to to fix that problem and then when I call the 800 number I am on eternal hold.

Imagine I spent $5000 for a machine which has not sewn properly since I bought it. I am a quilt teacher and work in a quilt shop.

Nov 09, 2009
Rating

Pfaff 1530
by: Anonymous

I hate my PFAFF. I am following the instructions to the letter, but it gets stuck, or off time every single time I try to use it. I moved out of area from my dealer and the PFAFF HQ would fix it, but only if I paid shipping each way. I am so heartbroken that I paid $900 for a machine that doesn't work as well as a $99 Wal-Mart Singer. I WILL NEVER EVER EVER by a PFAFF again. I suggest that you do not either!

Nov 12, 2009
Rating

Pfaff Works Great
by: Anonymous

I read the comments and I am very surprised. I have owned 3 pfaff machines and they have worked wonderfully. I have had my current machine (2144 upgraded to 2170) for 5 years. The only problem that I am having right now is getting parts to get it fixed. The parts have been on back order for months now and that is a problem for me.

Jan 09, 2010
Rating

2170
by: Emma

This is my third Pfaff, and so far it is as good as either of the previous machines, and I still love using them. The 2170 has a few more bells and whistles and a larger embroidery field which is why I originally purchased it.

It runs quietly and has not needed repairs of any kind. The embroidery has been excellent and with the use of the precise positioning feature it is pretty painless to line up larger split embroideries or long borders from one hooping to the next. Sewing is a breeze, with a choice of foot up down, tie off and tapering to suit just about every creative task I can come up with.

I'm not sure what a stitch finger is of a previous bad review and why it would break and am truly sorry to see that some people have had bad luck with their machine. I couldn't be happier with mine!

Apr 07, 2010
Rating

Pfaff 2170
by: Dorothy

I have been lucky enough to have tried top model machines from both Husqvarna and Pfaff. My recent purchase is the Pfaff 2170.

The built in walking foot IDT as it is known is very good. The stitch tension/ width/ length are easy to set. A large range of presser feet are available; though the ones provided are sufficient for average sewing. It has two speeds which is wonderful if you are needing to go slow e.g.for topstitching.

The needle up and down function is great for patchwork. The needle threader is a handy item. This machine sews well with good quality thread.

Embroidery is a breeze and many hoops are available as extras though the three that are supplied are a good range of sizes. If the thread breaks during an embroidery; providing the design was saved to the machine; you can go back to the exact stitch where the thread broke and re thread and away you go again.

You can set the Pfaff 2170 machine to cut threads, also start with stop stitch and finish with a stop stitch. You are able to program in many choices which are handy for long sewing sessions.

You can get many hours of pleasure using the Pfaff 2170 sewing machine especially if you take advantage of the free lessons from your dealer to get familiarized with this great machine.

The things I hate about this machine are;
The needle threader is a weak point I have replaced it twice. The touch screen is very sensitive and when moving a large quilt around it can be accidentally bumped which puts the machine in a different mode... very annoying. Over all this is a nice machine.

Oct 21, 2010
Rating

Pfaff 2170
by: Anonymous

Hello, I have just purchased a Pfaff 2170. I am finding that the thread is constantly breaking. I have just completed my first embroidery piece, which, even with the thread breakage, turned out beautiful. I also have a Pfaff 2044 which has been a dream machine. I have used it a ton and haven't had an ounce of trouble with it. I have used Janome before and wouldn't waste my money on one again. I had a Bernina serger which I had nothing but problems with. I now own a Babylock serger and love it!

Nov 13, 2010
Rating

pfaff 2170
by: helena

hi i am having a problem with the computer in the machine. i try and download an upgrade and it gets as far as accept firmware and press yes. then a little hourglass comes up and please wait, and i'm waiting till christmas, that's as far as i get. i'm not bothered about the cost of repair as it is still under warranty. i just wondered it anyone can tell me what's wrong. thanks helena.

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