stickandtin

Called the guy that has this machine for sale and got more details. He bought three of these machines at auction. This is only one left. They were owned by the U.S. Army and used to make/repair tents. He said this particular machine was mounted in a mobile trailer unit and used to repair tents. At one time this machine was dropped and if sitting at the machine, the front left front corner was broke off. It has been brazed back on. The repaired crack runs from the front edge of the machine straight back to the right edge of the bobbin access plate. Seller has no definite idea how old machine is but thinks it is an '88-'90 model. He says there are no identifying tags on the machine other than the Consew name. It has a 1 hp clutch motor and three pedals. One lifts the walking foot. One operates reverse and other controls clutch. He said he used the machine to sew some trampoline mats and has only had it 6 months. Given the above info, I am inclined to believe this machine has seen better days and is not worth the $1300 asking price. However, I am a rookie at all this and don't know if this is a good deal or not. I would appreciate any input from those with more experience. The seller welcomed us to come try the machine out.

Wiz.....thanks for the info. The machine is gray, not white like the one in the specs you sent me. Ad does not say how old machine is. If we go check this out, what sort of things should I be looking for in a used machine like this one. Is the $1300 a reasonable price?

Found this for sale today. Asking $1300. Is this machine worth the asking price? What are the advantages/disadvantages of a long arm? condition: good make / manufacturer: CONSEW model name / number: 206RBL30 I Have for sale a CONSEW 206RBL30 , which is a 30 inch long arm commercial industrial sewing machine. This machine has reverse, safety clutch and a compound walking foot for sewing leather, tarps, upholstery, trampoline mats, Just about anything that will fit under it. It comes with the stand with a 1 HP motor and clutch, thread rack, bobbin winder, light, and ready to sew. This machine new, now cost $ 5499.00 You can buy this machine for about 20% of what a new one would cost.

Thanks again for all the input. At one of the sewing supply stores in town, I notice their work table used for cutting fabric has a "V" shaped aluminum channel imbedded in it, flush with the top. The salesperson rolls out the fabric, then using scissors cuts the fabric using the channel as a guide. Does anyone here recommend having this channel set in the table? I have also seen an aluminum 8ft long measuring stick imbedded flush with the top in the long edge of a work table. Advantages/disadvantages of doing that? LumpenDoodle2, good tip on measuring a comfortable height for a work table. My wife is 5' 10" and I was wondering how to figure what height her work table should be for maximum comfort.

Wiz and Bob- thanks so much for all the advice. I keep the machine oiled regularly and so far, wife sews slow with it. No high speed stitching yet. Good to know the 1541 will handle awnings. We live way out in the country, about 45 miles from town. There are no upholstery supply places in Lubbock and no industrial sewing machine sales or repair shops. If the Juki needed fixing, closest place would be Bob or a couple of places in Dallas I know nothing about. In addition to having a back up machine, I was thinking it might be advantageous to keep one set up to do a specific job. From all the info and advice given, I will look for a second Juki 1541 as this machine will handle every type of upholstery we plan to do.

Actually, there is a surplus sale coming up that has several 2" thick solid core interior doors listed. They have laminate on both sides. I figured they might make a dandy long work table top. I'll have to check the local liquor warehouse and see if they stock Talisker. Never heard of stewart's cream of the barley but will check for that as well. Is it true that Famous Grouse, although a blended scotch, is the house scotch in pubs in Scotland?

Eventually she wants to start making awnings for the vintage trailers I restore. Most popular fabric used for awnings today is "sunbrella". Will the 1541 sew through several layers of sunbrella? If it will, maybe I just need to look for another 1541 as a back up machine.

Zuludog- thanks for your well thought out suggestions. I appreciate a good single malt. Glendranach or Glenmorangie aged in sherry casks comes to mind.

Yowza......those new Adler machines are way out of my price range!!! The approx. $2000 I spent on the new 1541 was a bit of a stretch for me at the time. Is there a used machine out there that can sew heavier material than the 1541 but operates the same way and the feet can interchange without spending $5000-$8500? Howdy Cowboy Bob....just realized you are Bob from Toledo Industrial. The 1541S we bought from you has been challenging at times to learn to use, but wife loves it. If we weren't rookies, probably wouldn't have any questions at all about the machine.

Wife got started learning to do upholstery work this year. Bought her a new Juki 1541S in January. She has sewn all her life, but only on a home use machine making clothes, pillows etc. the Juki was a mighty big step up. Since January, she has made a lot of progress. Learning the ins and outs of the Juki was the biggest challenge. Her hobby is turning into a regular business that is now taking up a good portion of the house. We have a 14' x 28' portable building that I will be turning into an upholstery shop for her. She will need work tables. Can anyone give me some input on how big the tables should be, what kind of material should the tops be made of, how tall, etc. I have read some folks integrate the sewing machine table into the work table. What are the pros and cons of doing this. Eventually she will be reupholstering cushions and seats for the vintage travel trailers I restore and may expand to making awnings for them as well. Thanks for your advice.

Found a place in Dallas(Sewing Machine Warehouse) selling a new Consew 206RB-5 with table, light, bobbin winder, thread stand and semi servo motor set up for $1200.00. Ad says semi servo motor has speed adjustment control. What is a "semi servo motor"? I've only heard of a servo motor. Wonder how they can sell this machine set up for so cheap. Are the Consews made in China now?

Thanks for the guidance. If I'm reading this right, the Juki 1508 has a different operating system. For some reason, I thought the bobbin on the 1508 was much larger. Thanks for clearing that up. Would the feet from the 1541 work on the 1508. Would the feet from the 1541 work on the consew 206? I guess what I'm trying to figure out is what would be the best route to go for a backup machine. Interchangeable feet would be nice. I've only looked at consew and juki. Are there other machines that would be as good or better? What would you do if you were considering investing in a backup or 2nd machine. Eventually, wife will be reupholstering seats, cushions etc for the vintage travel trailers I restore. Possibly making awnings for the same out of sunbrella and similar material. With that in mind should I be looking for a heavier machine or stick with one similar to the 1541?

In the future, I can see the benefit of having a second machine for wife's upholstery business. I have read the Juki 1508 is the next step up from the 1541S. One advantage of the 1508 is the much larger bobbin. She already has noticed the inconvenience of the smaller 1541S bobbin. I have also read the japanese made Consew is an excellent machine. I have seen used 226 and 206RB-5 machines for sale. Which one is heavier duty and which one would be a step up from the 1541S. Thanks for your help.

Ok, she'll give it a try see how it works. Thanks for all the tips.

Thanks wizcrafts. Boy this machine sure is sensitive. But when it's on, it is incredible. Do you think the #69 thread is too light for 4 layers of marine vinyl? Should she go up to #92?

I should add that she is sewing piping using the correct size piping foot into these chair covers. She made the piping using plastic welt cord and covering it with marine vinyl. So in essence she is sewing through 4 layers of marine vinyl. She is using a #20 needle and #69 thread.

Wizcrafts- Took your advice about checking top and bottom tensions on the 1541S. Backed off both, then started tightening both a little at a time. After each tightening, I would run about 3 inches of test stitches on two layers of scrap marine vinyl. I could see improvement in the tightness of the stitches after each adjustment and test run. After the 12 test run, I felt the stitches looked like they were where they should be. I then doubled the marine vinyl over again so there were four layers. Ran it through the machine and stitches looked great top and bottom. Wife then started sewing seat covers out of the marine vinyl for chrome dinette chairs. After about ten minutes of sewing I checked stitches. Now there is intermittent tiny balloons on the bottom. Machine will stitch tight, then she'll get about an inch or more of tiny balloons on bottom, then tight stitches again. Doesn't matter if it is around a corner or on straight run. Do you have any idea why the machine is doing this? Thanks.

I should clarify my previous comment. Bob said he didn't carry a big assortment of colors of thread. I'll give him a call and order some #92. Thanks for explaining needle sizes. After reading your post, she broke a #20 needle. Since adjusting the tension, I'll have her try sewing the chipboard again. If the needle does break again, should she get a bigger needle? Just for information purposes, how big a needle can this 1541S take? Thanks for the help Whizcrafts.

Whizcraft, thanks again. I looked at the package of needles that Bob at toledo industrial sent with the machine. It says 10 Nm 125/20. Not sure what all that means. Some other numbers on package are 135 X 17 and DP X 17. Needle brand is Groz-Beckert. Where can I get the # 92 thread. Last time I ordered thread from Bob he said he doesn't carry a big line of thread. Can you recommend a supplier that carries needles and thread. Boy.....we have a lot to learn.

Thanks Wizcrafts, when you say bottom tension are you referring to the bobbin tension? As a follow up question, wife was sewing some chipboard with a marine vinyl cover. When she started around the rounded corner, the needle broke. This was before we adjusted the thread tensioner. She hasn't tried sewing the corner since the adjustment. She's afraid she'll break another needle. Do you think too much thread tension caused needle to break? Should she switch to a heavier needle for this application? Thanks

CowboyBob- You hit the nail on the head. Thread tensioner was too tight. Backed it off and ran several test stitches and examined the tightness of the stitches after each run. Adjusted the tensioner between each pass until the stitches looked good and tight. Thanks for the help and advice. 25b, my bad....thread is size 69 on a 1/2 lb spool. Actually my wife started learning to sew when she was 4, she is now 50. The problem isn't her not knowing how to sew, it's learning the ins and outs of this industrial machine. She has never used a machine like this. Thanks for the help!!

Hi all- After much guidance from this site, bought a new Juki 1541S back in January of this year. My wife is trying to get started sewing upholstery for vintage travel trailers, etc. Started having some issues with the machine. Since both of us are total newbies when it comes to industrial machines, we have no clue how to fix the problems. The Juki manual that came with the machine is one of the poorest written user manuals I have ever seen. Plus, it is impossible to understand for two people with no experience with such a machine. First issue is loose stitches. My wife right now is sewing marine vinyl covers for vintage chrome dinette chairs. The stitches look tight on top, but when you turn the material over, there are tiny little loops not pulled tight......some are bigger than others. The juki manual says tighten the bobbin tension screw and/or tighten the thread tensioner. I tightened the bobbin tension screw a tiny bit, didn't seem to help much. When I tightened the thread tensioner a tiny bit, the machine would sew for a bit, then break the thread. Backed off the tiny bit of tension and thread quit breaking. Second issue.....at random, the thread will get pulled all the way to the middle between the thread tensioner discs and breaks. And/or, it jumps behind the takeup spring adjusting plate and breaks. Have no idea why it does this. Any advice/help in correcting these two issues would be greatly appreciated. Wife is sewing this marine vinyl with 69 lb thread. Thanks, Ron

Thanks everyone!! Did what you said and the Juki is ginning right along. Yes, we are about as green as a newbie can get. Ron

Thanks!! Being new at this, I didn't think to account for the thickness of the material around the welt ....duh!!!! LOL

Everything was flowing smoothly until this morning. New Juki 1541S started doing something weird. Been practicing making piping. Using 8/32 woven welt and light weight faux leather material fed through the 3/8 piping foot. When I complete a stitch run, then lift the foot and pull out the material, there are numerous strands of thread instead of just two. Can anyone tell me what's going on or what I'm doing wrong? I have tried several stitch runs and I'm seeing the multiple thread situation nearly every time. Once in a while it will stitch correctly. Thanks, Ron