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Pfaff Select 4.0 has been discontinued. See the Best Sewing Machines & Overlockers.
2Pfaff Select 4.0

Pfaff Select 4.0

2Pfaff Select 4.0
2.2

9 reviews

Positive vs Negative
22%78%
Build Quality
1.0
Value for Money
1.5
Ease of Use
1.5
Cleaning & Maintenance
1.0
Noise Level
3.0
Safety
3.0
Thick Fabric Performance
2.5
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9 reviews
Belzac
Belzac2 posts
 
Build Quality
Cleaning & Maintenance
Noise Level
Safety
Thick Fabric Performance

The bulb changing routine on this machine is atrocious. The designer should have been sacked – The bulb started to vacillate so we attempted to replace it. Once we located the bulb the next saga was to get it out. That didn't work, I went online to find out how and that was nightmare is its own right. Then after we realized our fingers (normal size) were to large for the hole we learnt that a 'bulb changing' tool was available. Tried to… Read more

find that bulb tool online, that was hopeless. Forget, if Pfaff provides this sort service, don't buy one.

sharon
sharon
 
Noise Level
Safety
Thick Fabric Performance

A most horrible sewing machine! – This Pfaff Select 4.0 has not worked since I purchased it about 9 years ago. I have had it serviced many times at the dealer I purchased it from. As mentioned by other reviewers there is a problem with the bobbin. The top needle and the bobbin cannot mesh together and it gets stuck continuously! Then something in the bobbin breaks no matter how… Read more

gentle you are with it. The Pfaff Select 4.0 will not sew when this problem occurs, the needle breaks and the bobbin just falls out. Same old problem. I will not pay for another servicing, which I have been told was my own fault. It is also difficult to even get the bobbin to wind. Over all it is all a very cumbersome machine. I have had to go back to my old Singer until I can find another solution. I mostly sew women's clothing. I have been sewing since I was 9 years old and am now 58. I know well how to use sewing machines, including treadles. This is the only absolute piece of junk I have ever encountered in all the many machines I have used. It cannot make button holes and the needle is so far to the back you can hardly see what you are sewing. The accessory box in the front is only in the way. The tension is not adjustable. It is suggested just one number should are used. There is no information regarding this in the manual. When I purchased it I was told it was made in Germany. This model was actually made in Taiwan, I realized after I bought it. Trading in or selling this is likely not possible since it is so useless and now discontinued. A waste of almost $900 (US) dollars. This machine has kept me from enjoying the sewing I have always done. It is always a terrible frustration. Definitely a lemon!!

rosz
rosz4 posts
 

Don't really like it – I have the same problems others say. Hard to thread correctly and I never know what I've done wrong. It breaks anything but the strongest threads. I always have to thread it twice every time - I spend a lot of time threading and fiddling and it is not enjoyable, plus I waste lots of expensive thread. I find it fiddly. Putting in the bulb is… Read more

difficult and now I've got a bulb stuck in it somehow and can't do anything except take it to a professional because there is no way to get at it. It seems too noisy as well - maybe that is the timing problem others have mentioned.

mynamett
mynamett
 

Wont keep its timing – I have a PFAFF select 4. My machine could not keep its timing because the screws that secure the rotary hook to the shaft are made of cheap soft metal and over time the machine lose its timing. I got feed up and I solder the rotary hook to shaft. It is a completely difference machine now. Works really great There is a design flaw with these… Read more

screws and this machine will not last long and will not keep its timing. I cannot recommend any PFAFF machine that uses the same rotary hook as the PFAFF select 4. This could also be done on purpose to limit the life span of the machine.

Really sad about the timing issues, otherwise it is a great machine. But like I said and other reviewers said, this machine will not keep its timing because of these cheap metal screws. Dont buy

Blaza
Blaza2 posts
  Verified

Not satisfied at all – I am sewing for over 30 years, but lately really not so often as before. One of the reasons is my new machine Pfaff Select 4.0. I just lost the will and joy of sewing, because I spend a lot of time re-threding broken threads, rethreading threads from bobin (because it's not simple at all to thread it correctly, and when I finaly succeed, I never… Read more

know exactly why it wasn't correct before!)....

Disappointment! I took away my old machine to our cottage, but I will bring back my dear blessed S. from 70-es!

I took this Pfaff because I belived I am bying a solid piece of machine, and particulary for its ability to sew thick materials or several layers... I regret now, because in this 2 years I never needed this option... (I would, If I sewed as often as I did before.)

Annoyed
Annoyed
 

Issues.. Temperamental – I have had my Pfaff for 3 years. Dealer said it was a reliable mechanical machine - just what I wanted. I don't sew often, but when I do, I want to spend more time sewing than re-threading broken threads, replacing bent needles, and removing tangled threads from the bobbin. After reading the first review, I am wondering if my issue is timing,… Read more

too. I notice that frequently it sounds as if the needle is hitting metal and then my machine messes up. Half the time it works fine. Half the time I spend more time re-threading, etc. If I could go back in time, I'm not sure I would buy this machine again.

Kris Shaw
Kris Shaw
 

Lemon - what should I do? – In two years my Pfaff had to be serviced 3 times, for the same issue, timing, with the needle hitting the bobbin case. The dealer did give me a loaner which was appreciated. The second and third repairs occurred within 3 days! And, to top it off, the dealer I bought it from does NOT warranty service work (ie, 30 days labor, etc). I was chastized… Read more

for using the wrong needle, wrong thread, etc. I took it to a non authorized service center, repair person has been in business for 30+ years - told me machine had NOT been serviced correctly. He fixed it, worked great for three months, then problems, again. Took seller to Small Claims Court. The arbitrator said 'get over it, you bought a lemon.' (It had been on the floor used as a 'demo' for two days, so I was told). I've spent over $350.00 in repairs and here I sit with a non functional $1,020.00 sewing machine. Incidentally, this was a step up for me from Singer, to New Home to the big decision to buy this Pfaff. I've been sewing for 45 years and have never ever had a problem that comes close to this with a sewing machine. My mother had problems with her same model Pfaff and traded up. She is happy with trade. When it sews, it sews great and I love it. Ongoing timing issues

JayG1963
JayG196311 posts
 

Good – When you just want to sew all kinds of fabrics with the correct tension and brilliant consistency this is the machine. IDT is a feature worth having and on a machine in this pricerange its great A very strong sewing machine, nothing fancy but accuracy is excellent, IDT is a winner and on a machine at this price its brilliant. Will handle… Read more

thickness and sewing all day is good. Got some extra feet and use the ruffler with dresses and gathering for stable and equal gathers. Lamp could be a bit brighter, feels cheap but sews like a pro. The instruction book expects a lot of experience, not for a beginner from scratch. Zips for example has a foot style thats very different and needs practice to perfect

rrm.aus
rrm.ausNSW12 posts
  Selected Review

Versatile and good quality – Having owned this sewing machine for a few years, Im amazed at its capability. I seem to be able to make anything, and repair anything. The motor is quite powerful. It seems to sew through anything quite effortlessly. I am continuously surprised at the results. The IDT is amazing with any fabric, and I rarely use pins. You simply push the… Read more

needle through the fabric, and then drop the presser foot on top and start sewing. The IDT foot sits directly behind the presser foot, and holds the sewing in place while you carefully feed the fabric under the needle. IDT also helps reduce time-wasting errors.

My mother is a professional home sewer with a seperate sewing room in her house and I watched her sew, all my childhood. But she didnt have a Pfaff with IDT, and always had to pin everything.

The advantage of IDT makes sewing much simpler and more enjoyable.

IDT helps prevent slipping and sliding, that produces inaccurate results.

The IDT foot can be easily disengaged if necessary. But there is more risk of error without it.

PFAFF is the only brand with IDT.

This particular model has a great stitch variety, including valuable 'overlock' stitches, which prevents fabric edges form fraying.

The push-button stitch selection is fantastic to use. At the touch of a few buttons, a whole new sewing result emerges. And the stitching is tidy and accurate.

I have made and repaired so many different items around the home (plastic, canvas, vinyl, leather, blinds and curtains, quilts and polyester, tedious clothing repairs), and there seems to be nothing this machine cannot do.

Included for greater versatility, is a variety of presser feet and a detatchable tool box.

There is also a built-in needle threader.

It exceeds all expectations, and I have experimented with many fabric combinations through curiosity.

As far as a well equipped 'all-rounder' is concerned, this model would be very suitable.

Pfaff also produces several advanced models, with electronic display windows, extra sewing features, and more stitch choices, for specialised sewing.

The machine technician at the sewing centre where I purchased this from recommended the European brands Pfaff, Husqvarna, and Bernina, because of their sturdy quality.

The Pfaff was my preferance because of the IDT advantage, as well as EXTRA-HIGH presser-foot lift to sew thick items. Many items can be unexpectedly thick such as a quilt, a pair of jeans, or a belt coming unstitched (these are all everyday repairs that could occur at any time).

Many fabrics require slightly different sewing procedures due to their individual textures. The Pfaff 4.0 with its range of helpful features and the advantage of IDT, will produce very satisfying results. powerful motor, stitch variety, IDT accuracy, variety of presser feet, built-in needle threader, overall product quality. European brands and their accessories, can be more expensive than popular brands such as Janome, Brother, Singer.

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