Consew 230R-1 setting it up for leather

[Wizcrafts]

10 minutes ago, lilbax said:

Previous advice was to get size v69 thread with a size 16 or 17. (What does the 16/17 refer to?) What size of needle so I need? 

I use a #18 (Metric 110) needle when sewing with #69 (T70) thread. This diameter is perfect for punching a large enough hole to bring the lockstitch knots up in the material, or leather, with #69 bonded thread. The 16/17 you asked about looks like part of a needle "system." e.g, 135x16 leather point of some shape, or 135x17 round point for cloth and synthetics.

[lilbax]

42 minutes ago, Wizcrafts said:

I use a #18 (Metric 110) needle when sewing with #69 (T70) thread. This diameter is perfect for punching a large enough hole to bring the lockstitch knots up in the material, or leather, with #69 bonded thread. The 16/17 you asked about looks like part of a needle "system." e.g, 135x16 leather point of some shape, or 135x17 round point for cloth and synthetics.

would this be the right one and fit my machine? 135x16 metric size 110. 

Edited January 29, 2024 by lilbax
Wrong image

[Wizcrafts]

11 hours ago, lilbax said:

would this be the right one and fit my machine? 135x16 metric size 110. 

Yes, those are the correct specs for a System 135x16 needle, size 18, to sew with #69 bonded thread, top and bottom. The only unasked question is whether or not your machine uses that needle System.. I brought this up because when I searched for needles for a Consew 230, I found System 16X257 listed, not 135x16. Did your machine come with a pack of needles that have the designation on a label? 

[Silkcut]

This is an example/size 18 needle for your machine.

I do not remotely pretend to be an expert on needles, but these are in use on my 230. I'm sure there are folks here that are much more experienced than I, that can translate all of  the  packaging info for you ,to lead you to what you need.

 This is not a package of obscure, 30 year old needles, they are currently available.  As you can see, I might have broken a few repairing horse blankets.

Edited January 29, 2024 by Silkcut

[Wizcrafts]

6 hours ago, Silkcut said:

This is an example/size 18 needle for your machine.

As I suspected. The Consew 230 must be a tailoring class machine that uses System 16x257, aka DBx1, aka 1738. The shank on these needles is thinner than the walking foot needles being mentioned earlier. Machines using this needle system are meant to sew cloth. I use this system in my ancient Singer 31-15 tailoring machine and in a Pfaff serger.

[lilbax]

On 1/29/2024 at 10:46 AM, Wizcrafts said:

Yes, those are the correct specs for a System 135x16 needle, size 18, to sew with #69 bonded thread, top and bottom. The only unasked question is whether or not your machine uses that needle System.. I brought this up because when I searched for needles for a Consew 230, I found System 16X257 listed, not 135x16. Did your machine come with a pack of needles that have the designation on a label? 

The size 69 thread works great with the needles it came with. Now just trying to find the best needle. The size 18 won’t fit in. 
The needle they fits is 1.63 mm in diameter at the tip where the eye is is .91 mm. The length is 38 mm. 

Any recommendations?

[Quade]

Quote

My very first industrial sewing machine was a Singer 96k40 tailoring machine that was sold to me by a dealer who swore it could sew leather. 

This is a weirdly common experience. My first machine was also a garment machine....  I struggled to make it sew thicker material with thicker thread till I finally learned it was simply the wrong machine for the job.  I still have the machine. It's perfect for light duty work.  Better than any home machine for straight stitching.  I ended up with a Juki 1541 for the heavier work. 

[Wizcrafts]

On 1/31/2024 at 5:15 PM, lilbax said:

The size 69 thread works great with the needles it came with. Now just trying to find the best needle. The size 18 won’t fit in.

Your machine needs "System" 1738/16x257/DBx1 needles. That is the correct length and top width. The "size" is the diameter of the shaft below where it mounts. You want "size" 18 needles for #69 (T70) thread. So, buy a pack or two of "System" 1738 (DBx1/16x257, etc) needles in "sizer" 18 from whomever sells them online. Here's a link: DBx1 needles size 18 (round point for cloth). Leather point size 18 (16x257LR, 1738LR).