I cannot loosen stop motion knob so that I can wind a bobbin.

The Pfaff 332 has a stop motion mechanism that is a small knob in the middle of the hand wheel. This disengages the needle and allows you to wind the bobbin without having to check on the material to be sewn. Hold the hand wheel so that it will not move. Turn the stop motion knob counter-clockwise (turn the knob all the way to the left). Put a second spool of thread (of appropriate weight and color) on the right hand pin. Lead the thread from the spool around the thread retainer clockwise. Pull the thread into the guide and then push the thread through the slot in the bobbin from inside the bobbin. Place the bobbin onto the bobbin winder spindle so that the key at the base of the spindle enters the slot in the bobbin. Press the lever into the bobbin. Hold onto the thread end and slowly start to wind the bobbin. After a few winds of the thread, break off or cut the thread that is above the bobbin. Continue winding the bobbin (at any speed). When the bobbin is full the lever will automatically move back to its original position. (If you do not need a full bobbin, move the lever when the bobbin is sufficiently full.) Remove the bobbin from the bobbin winder spindle and cut it free of the spool thread. Return the stop motion mechanism to the right by turning it clockwise while holding the hand wheel.

Pfaff has a manual for the 332-260 on their support page: http://www.pfaff.com/en-US/Support-and-Updates/Support . The link to the machine page is http://www.pfaff.com/en-US/Support/3421 . The current link to this manual is http://www.pfaff.com/SiteMedia/PFAFF/Products/Machines/Support-manuals/pfaff_332-260-manual-EN.PDF . See pages 13-14 of the manual for some pictures of the guides and levers.

I hope this helps.

Cindy Wells

Look carefully for thread caught around and under the knob. If you can't get it to turn and find no reason why it won't, you can probably delay fixing it until the next time it's due for its yearly "tuneup" (COA, clean/oil/lubricate) by taking the needle out before you wind a bobbin.

slacken the small stop screw and remove the centre free motion knob. the balance wheel should now be free to turn independent of the shaft. you will have exposed the friction washer. clean all surfaces and relocate the washer with the two locating lugs facing outwards into the two slots in the shaft and refit the knob and screw. if the screw bottoms on the friction washer remove knob and turn the friction through 180 degrees and try it again

Hi,
The stop motion knob on most older sewing machines is very much the same. You should find a small screw on the face of the knob. Loosen this but don't take it all the way out, it is real easy to lose and hard to find a replacement. Loosen it until you can turn the knob counterclockwise past the stop. Now remove the knob and there will be funny shaped washer underneath. Pay attention to how it goes on, you will have to put it back the same way.
Now to the "why" of your problem. The assembly has run dry, no oil, and the hand wheel should turn freely on the center shaft. You may be able to get some oil in with no problem or you may have to remove the motor belt to remove the hand wheel.
I find this a lot on old machines, nothing broken, just no oil.
Good luck,
Bob

That is what was needed...they can bind over years of inactivity

What are you calling a stop motion knob? Are you trying to stop the needle from moving while winding a bobbin?

1 Release the stop-motion knob on the right side of the sewing machine by turning it oward you.2 Place a spool of thread of your choice on the spool pin located toward the back of the sewing machine.3 Pull thread from the spool through the threading knob on the top of the machine.4 Pull 2 to 3 inches of thread through one of the holes on the bobbin. Hand-wrap thread around the bobbin in an anti-clockwise direction five or six times.5 Place the wrapped bobbin on the bobbin spindle.6 Push the winder spindle to the right, against the stopper, and depress the foot pedal to begin winding.7 Wind bobbin until completed, then return winder spindle to its original position.8 Tighten the stop-motion knob.

Its been idle for too long and needs a good service. Try and trickle some oil behind the stop motion wheel. But what it actually needs is to have the wheel removed and then apply oil to the shaft. Careful when you start again as oil will fly out from the wheel so mind your drapes and wall decor.

I have only a cheap one (VX-1100), but when this is happening on mine, the stop-motion knob isn't fully engaged with the balance wheel. They are held together by one being tightened to the other for sewing, loosened for bobbin winding. Michael