Consew 230R-1 setting it up for leather

[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).