Used Price For Consew 223

[medsar]

Query of the experts:

#1) what is a good used price for a Consew 223 or 227 with reverse and walking foot, table and motor?

#2) many threads talk about how big of a thread the machine can handle. I wonder how small a thread it can handle? I would like the machine to do light-med leather (max combined thickness of leather:14oz, max thread size 138, larger thread would only be for aesthetics) and thin sil-nylon or momentum 90 for making sleeping bags, down jackets etc (thread size V30 or V46). Those fabrics are slippery and require a walking foot. From what I can tell, those consew models would do the leather, but will they do the small threads?

Thanks a ton

[Wizcrafts]

That machine can handle thin thread. Just back off the top tension to balance it to the bobbin, which will already have less tension, due to the thinner thread under the spring. You may even have to add bobbin tension to get the knots to stay down.

Additionally, you may also have to back off the tension on the check spring, as it could override the top tension disk setting if it is too tight. Some people tighten that spring for use with #138 thread, making it way too strong with #46 or under.

You can back off the top pressure spring over the presser foot. This will make it a little easier to sew thin material.

Use the smallest needle that freely passes your thread and pulls the knots inside the bottom layer.

One other factor affecting soft material is the size of the hole in the feed dog. Walking foot machines have a fairly large oval needle hole. Soft material, like linings, can get pushed into that hole as you sew. Backing off the top pressure helps alleviate this to a degree. A wide presser foot set may give better results than a narrow set. This is going to be a matter for experimentation.

If the bottom layer is still getting pushed into the feed dog hole, or the rectangular slot in which it moves, add masking tape to the bottom layer and peel it off after sewing through it.