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I posted this on an old thread but for people that might be looking for maintenance and timing info for a Consew 206RB-5. This will be a super deep dive, and I mean DEEP! I found this video on YT.. Consew 206RB 5 Maintenance Video Part 1 and that means there is also a Part 2 Consew 206RB 5 Maintenance Video Part 2

Not trying to beat a dead horse here but many of you folks have seen and commented on this video from you tube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9y2Aapk7X8E&t=3s . The author makes claims and shows proof of concept for changing the pulley on the servo motor to a 50mm smaller one and instead of a standard speed reducer, he proposes changing the hand pull on the actual head to a larger one. He is using a consew 205RB-5 machine and after he changes out the pulleys, it does show a significant change in slowing down the system in a similar way that the generally accept method achieves. I recently purchased this machine and saw the video and it has been on my mind ever since. I have changed out the hand pull for a 6" one and will be changing the servo one later tonight before adding the correct belt. He makes the claim that no one is talking about this. He sort of infers that that is because all of the people he has spoken to that are in the business do not want to lose business if everyone starts doing this. Some of you have mentioned that the cost of the larger pulley for the head has gained because of the video and I myself have verified that the costs are certainly higher than is quoted in the video. I have also spoken to two people in the business representing consew and also an industrial sewing machine company doing business for 50+ years and both of them said " the machine was not designed to use a larger and heavier hand pull. Why don't you just do it the way that is widely used, proven, and readily available? " but they were either unwilling or unable to provide what I would deem a logical and acceptable explanation as to just HOW it would damage the machine. I personally am not a technician. I have spent maybe 5 solid hours watching "consew 206rb-5 maintenance video #1, and #2 while I had my thinking cap on and tools in hand under the proverbial "hood" of my machine. This qualifies me to be classified as a "caveman holding a rock but still having to wait for lightning before I get to use fire" compared to some of you cherished lifers. I can make no claims based on knowledge, experience, and understanding. that is why I am offering this subject up to public forum hoping some real technicians will respond and we all will learn and grow. inside the machine there are several places that are two moving parts each with a mark someone has made that should line up when the needle is in a certain a deliberate position. is it possible that a larger wheel mean less or more revolutions so these marks will no longer line up. ergo a timing or maintenance issue reason for not using a larger pulley? obviously showing my lack of experience not knowing if that would cause more or less RPM, but im trying to understand why??? Thank you all for your time and help. I need it.

So, I bought a Consew 206RB-5, and I'm excited to get started. Table showed up preassembled, servo motor looks cool, whole thing seems neat...but, hey, anyone know how to set this thing up? I've read a ton of posts here, and elsewhere, watched near endless videos on Youtube, so, of course, now I know how to assemble the table that came preassembled, and how to thread the machine 80 different ways. Thing is, none of that is how to take the machine from cool parts in a box to actual, working machine. How do I install the bobbin winder? I need to drill new holes? There's a sheet metal housing that, I think, covers the belt, is that so? What are these curved springs with copper wire in them for? Or this wee metal piece lined with cork? Generally, what is all this unexplained crap, and what do I do with it all? And, of course, why is the instruction manual slightly less useful than a screen door on a submarine? I'll take my answers off the air, thank you!

I just ran across new Consew machine p1206RB it seams to have the same capability as 206RB-5 with the same type of feet but for $950 vs. $1250 for 206RB-5 with the table and servo motor, I like that it has built in bobbin winder. Anybody tried them? Are they OK to work with leather? I found in my area they are sold by Vasey upholstery: http://vupholstery.com/wa/p1206rb.asp , anybody have experience with this guys? Is there anybody else selling these machines in Seattle area? Thanks.

I’m in the market for a flatbed industrial sewing machine. I want to make things such as belts, rifle slings, wallets, EMT bags, police duty belts, saddle bags, patrol bags, and patrol rifle bags. I want to stitch both leather and heavy duty nylon. I’ve been looking online at the Cobra Class 17 and 18 machines and they look pretty tough. Do any of you have experience with these machines? I’ve also looked into the Chandler 406RB-1 and Consew 206RB-5. I’ve used both the Consew 206RB-5 and Chandler 406RB-1 machines before to reupholster car seats. They did great on thick cloth and vinyl, but I’ve never sewn leather with them. Could they manage to sew something like a rifle sling or police duty belt leather? Most duty belts I’ve measured are two 1/8 in. leather pieces, sewn together. Could the Consew or Chandler hack that? Any information is always appreciated. Have a nice day, Andrew