u/rcreveli

I'm in the process of doing a major reorganization of our basement and I needed more work surfaces. I first saw YouTube channel NeverTooMany using hardware store tables last year and decided to try killing two birds with one stone. A table that I can set up a machine on but also use for general home projects.

What I bought
I bought the 46" adjustable height table from Home Depot. Lowes has a similar but smaller 42" table that also comes in pink which looks really sharp. The HD Table also comes in multiple sizes up to 72 inches long. The cost was just under $300.

What I like.
I was able to assemble this solo but if you have a second set of hands it will go faster. The instructions were excellent and it came with both wheels and plain feet.
The work surface is large enough to put a 18x24 cutting mat with no issues, You can squeeze a 24x36 mat but it just fits.
The table is more than sturdy enough for any of my 3 machines. That includes my 1950's Pfaff 230.
The height range is huge and the crank mechanism is smooth.
26 in. to 39 in. H when using the included leveling feet
29 in. to a 42 in. H when using the included casters

What I don't like.
The drawers are shallow. You have just over 2 inches of clearance. The tin for my vintage Pfaff just clears the top after the liners are installed.
The hand crank is slow. It takes a while to get from the lowest to highest position. It's not difficult just tedious.
The table came without drawer liners. HD is pretty good about including liners on even their cheapest tool storage. I have no idea why they skipped it on this product.

I plan to use this for a variety of tasks over the next few weeks. I have to knitting machines I'm refurbishing and I have to do maintenance on my 3d printer. Feel free to ask any questions.

If you're like me you have more time and energy on some days versus others. If you're like me in another way you may have more fabric specifically quilting cotton than a rational person may need.

For me i've found that boxed corner zipper pouches are a quick and easy win and they make cute gifts & gift bags. On my high energy days I've been cutting up fat quarters into a convenient zipper pouch size. Today I interfaced them.

Now I can grab 2 coordinating pieces from each bag and a zipper. Maybe I'll quilt the outer layer. Maybe'll use four different pieces of fabric. Maybe I'll play with color blocking. The point is that I'm starting several steps ahead and that means I have more energy to play around.

With Christmas being only 172 days from now it also give me ample time to stock pile just in case gifts for when your third cousin brings his new girlfriend who no one was expecting to the family dinner and you don't want them to feel left out.

We had new neighbors move in and they've already helped clear some overgrowth between our yard. I handed over a dozen cookies but I'd like to make bowl cozies in two different styles. The pictured cozies are 10inch x 10inch with 2 inch long by 1 inch deep darts. I'd like to make two like this and two that are shallower for wider pasta bowls.

How would I adjust the darts?

I was at Ikea today stocking up on the LÄKEMALVA fabric before it disappears when I saw & yes purchased this new item SANDMOTT. Does the hive mind think they'll sell it as fabric? While it's cute I'll miss the bold orange of the original.

I'm watching LIGHTSPEED ELECTROID ALBEGAS for the fist time

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ezb28kjbfM8

But you have Macross, Godannar, Gatchaman, Bubblegum Crisis, Yamato (Probably more Space Opera). So many songs that just go for it.

The 230 is great. I haven't played with the decorative stitches but the straight stitch and zig zag look great on 4 layers of heavy cotton.

As for the 30, I'm not sure if I'm in love or fear of my life. She went through eight layers of denim without slowing down.

The 230 is definitely quieter and maybe more refined but I think the 30 would sew through an I-beam if it fit under the presser foot.

I used Mara 70 thread (tex 40) for the tests and they both had #16 needles.

I got a Pfaff 30 & 230 last week and each came with a single presser foot. I was browsing eBay and found this listing. The price with shipping was $55 dollars but I like the tin and the narrow zipper foot seems for $26 by itself so I took a chance. Here' what I got.

1. Random made in Japan ruffler foot (Boo)
2. Pfaff 41350 zipper/quilting foot
   3)Pfaff 45037 straight stitch foot with a pivot
   4)Pfaff 41248 rolled hem foot
   5)Pfaff 46241 rolled hem foot X1.5
   6)Pfaff 41246 rolled hem foot ... I'm sensing a theme
   7)Pfaff 41242 Felling foot. I had no idea a special foot existed for felling
   8)Pfaff 42497 buttonhole foot
   9)Pfaff 46121 cording foot
   10)Pfaff 46120 Button Presser foot
   11)Pfaff 41251 feed dog cover. Which I don't need for either machine.
   12)Pfaff 41297 Seam guide. Sadly missing its thumb screw. Does anyone know the size and pitch?

Not pictured but I also received a hook that's stamped with Pfaff but no number.
It's got a shepherd's crook on one end and a right angle at the other. I have no idea what it's for. I'm guessing it's one of those "If you know you know" items.

overall I'm really happy with the purchase. I doubt I need 3 (or 1) rolled hem feet but the zipper and straight stitch foot make it feel worthwhile and it all came in a cool tin.

I was browsing Marketplace when these two popped up. The owner is someone who enjoys restoring vintage european machines as a hobby. He also has a few Pfaff industrials.
The 30 has a replacement 1.5 amp Alphasew motor and I believe both foot pedals are replacements.
They've both been rewired and have new motor belts. The cleated belt in the 230 looks good.
I paid $115 for both and while I haven't sewn on them yet, I feel like I got a good deal. I need to sew up a gift bag for my spouses birthday present and that'll give me a chance to try them out.