Hi everyone,
I recently purchased a brand new Consew 199R-1A (specifications here: http://www.consew.com/View/Consew-Model-199R-1A-1). I've been having some troubles with it (details below) and would like to ask the members of the forum these questions:
-Did I buy the wrong machine or am I misusing it?
-Is this sort of quality to be expected from Consew?
-If so, can you recommend a zig-zag machine for medium-weight suede that would be less of a headache?
-If not, is it possible that I bought a lemon?
and finally,
-Should I try returning or selling this machine and getting a different one?
Background information:
A couple of weeks ago, I read a lot of the information on the LWN forums about sewing machines and decided that Consew seemed like a reputable brand. I make rock climbing shoes from 3-4 oz. cowhide suede (seems like this is usually referred to as a chap split). All of the critical seams in these shoes are abutted seams, which require a zig-zag sewing machine. One seam in each shoe is overlapped - so the machine has to stitch through two layers of suede - but the machine doesn't need to step up or down over the edge of the seam. From this I concluded (perhaps erroneously) that I wouldn't need a walking foot machine.
With all this in mind, I ordered my Consew 199R-1A through a local dealer. When the dealer received it, I joined him in his store to help assemble the machine and learn about it. I was surprised to find that while the parts seemed solid, the machine did not seem designed for assembly or serviceability, and some parts, like the stitch length regulator, stuck quite badly.
The dealer and I unstuck some parts, adjusted the machine, and then I tested it with the suede I was using at the time. Since the machine performed well, I took it home.
However, within a week, when a new order of different suede came in, I started breaking needles. It seemed like the needles were breaking because either the timing was off (I could see them hitting the hook), or because the suede was deflecting them into the hook. I stepped up to 135x8 DIA needles in size 18 and was able to finish the rock climbing shoes I was making at the time. However, in the course of solving my needle problem, I inserted and removed needles probably 50+ times.
About another week later, the threads in the needle post for the set screw which holds the needle in are stripped. The set screw no longer locks the needle in place. I've looked at the set screw, and its threads seem fine.
Based on the above information and on Consew's reputation, do you think it's likely that I'll continue to have problems with this machine?
Thanks in advance for your input.
-Laura
