Ian1783

Answering my own question (in a way. Actually, Wiz had more to say about timing the hook in another thread): Wizcrafts mentioned two things that has me thinking the situation is solved (I'll know more when I test sew, which in itself may require a part or two): the set screw for the hook driver is set into a hole; I thought it was a friction set, and so, adjustable. This means that there really isn't a timing adjustment on this machine. Wiz explains that the hook picks up the thread loop during that part of the cycle when the needle hesitates, or, waits (on my machine, it actually bobs up and down just a bit (maybe 3/32")). I thought it might be that the hook point passed the needle eye on its final ascent. In order to test sew, I'll need a spool pin and the threading tool (long, thin wire-type doohicky). Anyone have a work-around for these before I find a source to purchase? I'm Guessing Bob at Toledo may have these. My goal is to find the appropriate stand for this machine so it can be treadled as originally intended. Ian1783 SF Bay Area

I picked up a Singer 29K60 yesterday and am in the process of assessing its condition and need for parts. There are a number of issues I'll need to address, but for the moment, in order to test sew the machine, I need to time the hook. Anyone with a step by step for that, or an online repair and service guide/manual? This machine is in very nice condition, as far as I can tell. It has no treadle stand or motor (actually, the previous owner did attach a small, domestic motor, but I don't want to keep that setup). Needs a spool pin and the thread guide tool. As far as the hook goes, it looks like I can simply loosen a set screw on the gear for the bobbin-hook drive assembly and, keeping the gear in place, turn the bobbin-hook until it is appropriately positioned for the position of the gear, needle, etc. The set screw is accessible through a small notch in the free arm, but it looks like it's designed to remain in that position while the hook driver is turned, as the set screw would not be accessible if the gear were to move. Very simple machine, but I'm hoping for some insight, rather than track off into unchartered territory. I've timed vintage domestic machines, so I'm comfortable with the process. I'm sure I'll have many questions regarding this machine, but must say that Wiz's stickies are awesome and the info, therein, valuable. Great job! No pics at this time, as my camera's data cable is missing. Ian1783

I sold my Consew, as it was more machine than I felt I needed. A great machine, but a little much. I added a servo motor from Toledo and it was just about perfect except for the the size, weight and lack of portability. I'm looking for more of a desktop-style walking foot for lighter leather (2 oz. sounds about right). My wife and I want to make pillows with a lot of leather we have in the 2 oz. range; good quality, furniture-grade (?) remnants. This is hobby/crafting situation. We've used my Singer 316 with a walking-foot attachment, but while the machine is willing (1.5 amp motor), the walking-foot attachment is weak. We'll need to sew through as many as four layers of soft, fairly thin leather. Thompson, Sailrite, any other desktop machine that might work well for us? Any ideas anyone? Price is always a consideration, but I'm used to wheeling and dealing, hunting down what I want, and finding that almost everything is negotiable, so I'm looking for quality and dependability, as well as ease of use (love that servo motor!). Ian SF Bay Area http://imcinnis.blogspot.com/

I should mention, the machine in question is a Consew 206RB-3. I only have the one foot set, and it doesn't seem to be very versatile. Ian

Can someone explain what type presser feet (presser foot sets?) are typical for sewing leather, and what their uses are? The set that came with my machine has a single-toe outer foot (toe on right) and an inner foot that seems fitted to that (slight curve at tip of inner foot, bending toward toe of outer foot). My first projects will be small bags of a very simple design using supple leather that is, I believe, about 1 oz. (1/16" thick, or so). Think of a paper lunch bag in leather. I won't be using zippers. I will have the seam outward, so will be sewing close to the edge of the leather. I know there are single-toe and double-toe outer feet, but that's about it. Ian SF Bay Area http://imcinnis.blogspot.com/

Thanks Ferg, I'm thinking I was overthinking the issue. You had me see things in a different light: it dawned on me that, as the foot proper (the sole?) is offset from the clamp center, both the heel and toe of the foot would tend to move away from the needle plate. I had in mind that as the foot pivoted, the toe would swing away from the needle plate as the heel would swing even more over the needle plate. Looks like I was wrong. I merely swiveled the foot so the needle was centered in the foot hole. There may still be just a touch of contact between the foot and plate, but no more than before, and the needle is better position in relation to the hole in the foot. I only have the one needle. It came with the machine. I haven't sourced them yet, but figure when I order my motor from Bob, I'll order needles as well. Ian SF Bay Area http://imcinnis.blogspot.com/

I'm in the process of upgrading my Consew 206RB-3 (waiting for info from Bob on new servo motor, etc.), and one of the issues I'm hoping to rectify (if, indeed, it is an issue) has to do with the position of the inside foot in relation to the needle, feed dog and needle plate. I've drawn a diagram that I hope clarifies the issue; it can be seen here: http://imcinnis.blogspot.com/ The machine is fitted with a single-toe presser foot. The inside foot seems to favor the right side of the feed dog. This positions the needle toward the left side of the hole in the inside foot, though the needle seems to be positioned, correctly, through the center of the feed dog. My questions are: is this an issue? Is the inside foot improperly made or bent (it doesn't appear to be)? Are there different inside feet styles or configurations? Are new feet, both inside and presser, expensive? As the inside foot follows the feed dog toward the rear of the machine, it's riding on top of the feed dog until the feed dog begins to drop just below the level of the needle plate. As the feed dog descends, the inside foot, still riding on the feed dog, follows it to just below the surface of the needle plate, just before it begins its ascent in the cycle. At that point when the feed dog drops, the inside foot comes into contact with the needle plate by just a hair. It then has to move ever so slightly to the left as it follows the feed dog. At this point, its in contact with the needle plate, where I would think it shouldn't be touching the needle plate at all (I'm hoping my diagram illustrates the issue). I only have the one inside foot, so I'm not able to A-B the situation. Sorry about any misuse of terminology. I'm coming from vintage domestic machines. With this issue resolved, and with a new servo motor, I'm hoping to find I have a well-mannered and properly setup machine that both my wife and I can use. Ian SF Bay Area http://imcinnis.blogspot.com/

OK, then! I've heard of Bob at Toledo Industrial, and have now checked out the ads, so I feel a little more in the loop! Thanks, guys for pointing me in the right direction. I see that it was Bob of Toledo who answered many of my questions regarding my 206RB (Thanks again, Bob!) When I first became aware of Leatherworker.net, it was through a Google search for any info I could find on the right sewing machine for leather; that led me to Wizcrafts' three-parter on sewing machines, which kinda locked it in solid as far as where I might turn for advice. Thanks for the support. I'll call Bob! Ian SF Bay Area http://imcinnis.blogspot.com/

I've decided that a servo motor on my Consew 206 is the way to go. My clutch motor's pulley is about as small as can be found for this machine, so I don't have that as an option for better control. I do want the manners of a domestic machine, as both my wife and I are used to that, and we won't have the serious workload that might garner us the experience needed for the best control of a clutch motor in any short order. So, where does that leave me? I see servo motors on eBay in the $125 range (including free shipping), but the choices are many, and I'm unsure of what would work best for me. Price does matter. I would think horsepower will also matter: 1/3, 1/2, 3/4? We will be working garment and furniture leather (1 oz, 2 oz?) into assorted items in the way of bags, wallets, etc. Not that we know what we're getting into; simple, fun stuff to augment our offerings at craft fairs and farmer's markets. Our machine was priced right for complete beginners – $200 for a Consew 206RB-3; the leather is free as remnants from a furniture-design house; our goals are modest (this is more in the hobby range at this time, though would love to make a little scratch). So – an inexpensive, but well-regarded servo motor that's been used by some on this forum, who might have a suggestion or two about the direction I might go. Of course, I'd still have the clutch motor for future use, if that's how things shake out. Ian SF Bay Area http://imcinnis.blogspot.com/

Thank you all for the input and information! There was a little bit of everything, and much to digest. I did check out the Consew site for an online manual for my machine, and indeed, there was one for the 206RB-5, which appears to be just what came with my machine, but the pictures were a bit clearer, so that's a plus. I rewired the light to plug into a power strip instead of the motor. And I then threaded the machine for a test sew: scared the hell out of me. I'll be looking into a servo motor for sure. The thread broke a couple of times, but for the most part, it sewed well. I'll need to slow it down to see just what I'm doing. Also, with the power on, the machine won't turn by hand without using the pedal, so I can't advance or reverse a half stitch or two as I'm used to with domestic machines. I'm hoping a servo motor will allow for a more familiar feel and action. I posted a photo on my blog: http://imcinnis.blogspot.com/ Thanks again for the help! I'll have more questions down the road, I'm sure. Hopefully they'll include one or two about a new servo motor. I see I've double posted my original post. Still learning Ian SF Bay Area http://imcinnis.blogspot.com/

Thanks Bob! All my questions answered in one reply! How great is that? So that's how the presser-foot pressure works, a leaf spring. I do see what must be that spring in there. I'll have to look for the effect of the adjustment screw. I have made an adjustment to the foot (here, I mean the needle foot – a new description, what with the two feet), but, after aligning it with the presser foot, it does have that issue. I'm sure I'll have to tear into the motor to learn more about them. This one isn't grabbing so much, as seeming to want to ramp up to speed with so little movement of the pedal. I can get a pretty slow stitch, but not as much control as I'd like. I'm sure with more than a minute's experience, I'll get better at controlling the speed. And thanks for the tip on looking for instructions on Consew's site. I'll give that a try. Ian SF Bay Area http://imcinnis.blogspot.com/

I'm Ian from the San Francisco Bay Area (San Mateo). My hobby of the last two years has been the buying, fixing, keeping, selling of vintage sewing machines in support of my wife's crafting endeavors. When she was given a large amount of leather, with the promise of more, she began to research simple projects and ran into issues with the machines she had. A walking-foot attachment for her Singer 316G solved an immediate problem, but had me interested in pursuing the acquisition of a machine more appropriate for her needs. I ran across Wizcrafts' postings regarding walking-foot industrials, and jumped on a deal for a Consew 206RB-3. What a beast! With your indulgence, I'd like to pose a question or two (or three) about this machine, so that I might feel more comfortable with this first foray into working with leather: I'll be working with lighter grades of leather to begin with (I haven't yet learned the meaning of the terms for leather weights and grades) – perhaps furniture grade; maybe garment grade. It's light enough to sew well with a fairly powerful domestic machine (the above mentioned Singer 316G, for one). I imagine starting with simple projects like small bags; maybe wallets; then, who knows. I bought a Consew 206RB-3 locally off Craigslist. I know sewing machines, but this is something new for me. Perhaps there are those of you who might have answers to my questions: The machine came with one needle. 135 X 17 is the recommended needle. Are these typically found at local stores like sew-and-vac type stores, or can one expect to have to buy online? My operating instructions (a zerox-type pamphlet with poor-quality illustrations) show a presser-foot pressure adjustment screw on the back of the machine just behind the thread-guide pin. This is counter intuitive for me, as I'm used to making the adjustment at the needle bar, usually by a knob above, and acting on, the needle-bar spring. That spring is there, and there is a screw directly above, but it doesn't seem available as an easy means for adjustment (it's tight). The motor on the machine is a Consew clutch motor. Is there a best way for adjusting this to maximize slow-speed sensitivity? I'm sure a servo motor would be a better way for what I want to accomplish, but I'm operating on a shoestring budget (the machine cost me $200). The utility light attached to the table is powered through the motor. It isn't working. I would think a regular plug into a power strip might be the better way to go. Thoughts? I have only the one foot with this machine and it appears to be off just a bit. The needle enters the hole in the feed dog right about center, but is positioned off center in the hole on the foot. The hole on the foot seems to be positioned more closely to the left (as you face the machine), but the foot itself seems to favor a position to the right, so that the foot, when following the feed dog, wants to just hit the needle plate as it descends with the feed dog below the level of the needle plate. This causes the foot to want to slip sideways just a hair (essentially slipping off the needle plate as it descends below the surface of the needle plate). I can see that this may not be cause for concern with material under the presser foot. Thoughts? I'm exited to have this machine. I'm now pretty comfortable with minor repairs to domestic machines, and this is a welcomed challenge. The machine itself is little used, though it has been in storage for some time (how long, I don't know. I don't know the machine's year of manufacture). I now have it oiled and running, but I've yet to test stitch anything; perhaps today. Thank you for this opportunity to ask these questions. I'm amazed at the examples of artistry and craftsmanship to be found here at Leatherworker.net. And the manner in which members support and help each other is comforting for one at the very beginnings of the discipline. Ian SF Bay Area http://imcinnis.blogspot.com/