Nandy

Does anyone has the owners manual for this machine? so far I have the service manual and the parts manual. Looking for threading sequence and other stuff...

It will probably be a few weeks. I have run out of space and have to move quite a few things to make space. I appreciate your help much.

So I have to fess, I went and bought the 1445 machines. I know, I know... allow me to explain. Is not that I ignored your advice but the intention for these machines has changed a bit after the advise here. What I got was two 1445 with the Efka Variostop controls and a 3hp 3 phase convertor. The Variostop controls the needle position to always stop at the bottom. It can also do the automatic backtack and thread cutter. The pneumatics also controls the presser foot lift (pressing the bottom of the foot pedal softly) or lift the foot, needle and cut the thread (if pushed all the way). Machines sew with no problem with their vinyl material and the leather I took with me. I got an assortment of foot's (l/r zipper, regular and pipping) and bobbins. One of the machines does not do the pneumatic backtack but the mechanic backtack works. Seems I need a switch. I shall look more into this but they all sew fine. The best part is the price of $400 for all of the above. I think that was a steal. My hopes is to get them in ebay on auction to get as much as I can then use that money to get a machine "better" than the 225. I have to set them up to work the kinks, clean them and work in the ebay ad so I figure I might get some use out of them. I have to admit it was very nice to sew with the few advantages that the Variostop offered. Thanks everyone.

Thanks for all of the suggestions!

Thanks for the reply Uwe. Wouldnt it be a good idea for a person that uses the machine very slow to on occasion just pull the thread out and run it full speed? Wouldn't that lubricate all points enough? I just thought about that.

Seen a 1445 machine and did a bit of searching here but I could not get all my questions answered so I figure I ask. I assume this machine will be similar to the 225 I have in some regards but what are the general differences? It seems foots are not compatible. Are the accessories and parts for this machine hard to find relatively to the 225? what is a decent price to pay for a well cared machine with a clutch motor? I just want to make sure I am not overpaying and the only hit I got was from ebay and I know some people just go crazy on their asking price. Any other input welcome. Thanks!

You know what, that statement pretty much cancels out the reason I bought the new feet dog, the old one looks worn but maybe it was just polished... Oh well, i will probably keep the new one for canvas work unless I see some real slipping on the leather...... Thanks!

Was it something I said?!?!?! lol!

Got a new feed dog for the machine as the old one looked a bit worn: However, the new one is not an exact match, it is a bit taller. while the old one was about the same at the top and bottom max (8.6mm/.034") the new one is 1.75mm/.069" high at the highest and pretty much flush with the plate on the bottom max. Is my understanding that the appropriate height for the feed dog is 1 mm, if that is correct, is this the screw that I need to loosen up for the feed dog height to be adjusted? Any words of wisdom before I do this? This new feed dog is moving the work back and forth making the stitches smaller. Also, If I find my stitches size do not match the number I see inside the machine body (supposing I have the set up correctly) where is it adjusted? Thanks.

Thanks!!!!

the machine looks in real good shape outside. how Donnie look for wear? is there anything specific I should look for? I don't expect you to write a book but some pointers will be great. I do small engine mechanics so I know how to turn a wrench so I'm not totally hopeless.

I am have listed my 225 in craigslist in the search for a machine with reverse. I thought I could just manually back tack but most of the times I can't line up the stitches. Maybe is just that I need to practice a bit more... Anyway, someone had a Chikon Supreme CK-563 locally for close to $500. I have look it up and found little info. Seems to be chinese and I simply dont have idea on the quality of those machines. I also have been offer a Chandler LU-563 but it is far away and more money so mostly distance then money have me on hold for that machine. Ultimately I might end up keeping my consew 225, the machine does great, just dont have reverse... Thanks!

Thanks!!!!

I think I found the answer of why I was having so much troubles keeping the bag from "sliding" under the feet while I was doing the top stitch. Seems this is a welt feet and while I sew and the outside feet covers the entire piece there is no problem but once I am working an edge, specially very close to edge, that edge will tend to try to move to the groove. That seems to be the problem.... Im considering another machine so I am not sure I want to put money on this one, we shall see...

Chief, nice work, I can only hope to achieve your skill. Can you tell me about your seal, how did you went around to build it? If you rather pm about it so we dont dilute your original post that would be fine.... I have tags for my fabric works but leather is new to me.

I have to admit that for exception of one dealer, every other dealer in the household sewing machines industries seemed to be a little too full of themselves and treated me as if I was wasting their time. That is one reason I have bought my machines online. I went yesterday to the only industrial dealer I am aware off in charlotte.These people were way different, willing and helpful, with a big smile in their face, EVERYONE of them, even knowing from start that this was a little guy, a hobbyinst, just starting. I had a question about the bobbins for this machine and the sales lady could not answer it so she walked me to their mechanic for him to figure out. Not only he was willing to help, he spent so much time looking for the answer that I felt a bit guilty of using this guys time but he would not let me out of the shop until he was able to answer my question. It was just a few minutes but he did not gave up on me. At the end, the "checking out the place" trip turned out in a purchase trip. Got a few needles I wanted and once I have some other stuff lined up will probably go back for more. I love supporting local business, specially the small business owner as long as it is economically possible for me, Online buying is still another option whatever is a supporter of this forum or a faceless ebay seller.

Any fellow Charlotteans in here? I have found Tandy Leather and BG lieberman. I can of course hit google but I rather start with locations that members of the forum already frequent. Thanks!

Well, I wanted to show it off but also welcomed any criticism. I will do that in the future.

I think we should all agree to disagree on the view of where to get your supplies. Everyone has their own opinion of what is better, lets respect those, share ours and move along. Having said that, thanks everyone for your participation on this thread. This is a great community!

Yup, it dont look useful. I rather just keep looking for an used machine with the larger bobbin. Not that I must get that now, but who knows... Thanks!

I appreciate any input on how to make my projects better And I realize I'm surrounded by experts that do this in a daily basis so it was a bit intimidating posting this BUT how else can I shorten the learning curve other than taking advice from such people? that 225 is a compound walking foot machine.

is a 225 Consew. yes, that one side was off a little and I thought about cutting it but let it go since I was sure I would be revisiting this. Wife already asked for a few enhancements. In my head this would be a bag for just taking the pad with her on those few occasions that she does but she wants something more of full time use. Thanks for your input!

Seems it is possible but what parts are need to be replaced? Thanks.

I got a few remnants of what seems to be 3 oz leather from Hobby Lobby, I only have the needle that came with the machine when it was sold (don’t look too great) and to my surprise the Bobbins from my Riccar 555 works fine in this machine (I ordered some Friday). I used 138 dababond bonded. I just wanted to do something to keep me awake as I had to stay up all night due to work. I had no patterns and just eyeballed the purse. Cut the parts, glue them with contact cement, let them dry for 30 min or so then take them to the machine. I had a couple of instances that he purse sorta slipped out of alignment. Also, I ran out of thread on the shoulder strap (man, that 138 really goes quick) but was able to get it all lined up and stitch over the last few stitches so it is not too bad. At the end I was surprised it came out decent for an on the fly project, with no real planning and it being my first try. Here are some photos, the wife already emptied her other bag and took possession of this bag. I noticed that the bottom side stiches are not as good as the one on top but then, I am not using a leather needle so who knows. Thanks for watching

Thanks for the links!!!! I did not had the part list. Very useful.