How much should I pay for a Consew 255?

[Floydco]

Is $1100 a good deal for this walking foot machine? I found this one for sale at a sewing machine shop in my area. It’s been serviced recently, has reverse, a servo motor, new table, and new stand. I’m also considering a saltire fabricator.

[kgg]

4 hours ago, Floydco said:

Is $1100 a good deal for this walking foot machine?

Maybe. It depends on what you want to sew and the condition of the machine. I'm assuming the model is a Consew 255RB-3.

1) A new Consew 255RB-3 is about $2700 USD so getting one for $1100 would be about 60 percent saving over the cost of a new one. But it may have been rode hard, put away wet and be not worth $500. A couple of photo's would be helpful.

Reference ( https://www.jacksew.com/consew-255rb-3-single-needle-compound-walking-foot-sewing-machine-with-table-and-servo-motor/ ).

2) A new Sailrite Fabricator $1800 USD. Reference ( https://www.sailrite.com/Sailrite-Fabricator-Sewing-Machine-in-Power-Stand-with-Workhorse-Servo-Motor-Kit ).

3) The Consew 255RB-3 can handle up to V346 thread. Reference #8 Thread page 4 ( https://www.consew.com/Files/112347/InstructionManuals/255RB-3.pdf ).

4) The Sailrite Fabricator can handle up to V138. Reference Specifications ( https://www.sailrite.com/Sailrite-Fabricator-Sewing-Machine-in-Power-Stand-with-Workhorse-Servo-Motor-Kit )

Depending on what you want to sew the Consew maybe to much machine or the Sailrite maybe to little.

What do you want to sew???

kgg

 

[Floydco]

12 minutes ago, kgg said:

Maybe. It depends on what you want to sew and the condition of the machine. 

 

Thanks for the info! I plan to make card holders, wallets, laptop sleeves, totes, and handbags for now. I like the customer service and how to options with the sailrite but the local guy is  just a phone call away. I’ll attach a photo. 
 

12 minutes ago, kgg said:

Maybe. It depends on what you want to sew and the condition of the machine. I'm assuming the model is a Consew 255RB-3.

1) A new Consew 255RB-3 is about $2700 USD so getting one for $1100 would be about 60 percent saving over the cost of a new one. But it may have been rode hard, put away wet and be not worth $500. A couple of photo's would be helpful.

 

Edited June 21 by Floydco

[kgg]

1 hour ago, Floydco said:

I plan to make card holders, wallets, laptop sleeves, totes, and handbags for now.

From the photo of the machine it is a not a Consew 255RB-3 as the stitch length dial is not on the front alongside the reverse lever but appears to be adjusted by moving the dial on the handwheel, the Consew name tag is the older style, and it does not have a built in safety clutch. Safety clutch basically disengages when you jam the machine up and prevents damage to the bottom end components of the machine. You should check and see what model this is.

Personally for doing the items you listed the Sailrite Fabricator in my opinion would be a better bet for flat items and cylinder arm machine would be probably better for bag type items. I would suggest you consider a cylinder arm machine rather then a flatbed like a Juki LS-341/1341 or clone and install a flatbed attachment. You can turn a cylinder arm machine into sorta a flatbed. When it comes to the Juki LS-341/1341 clones there are many available like Cowboy CB341, Kobe LS-1341, Techsew 2750, Cobra Class 26 to name a few.

kgg

 

[Atitter]

On 6/21/2024 at 5:12 AM, Floydco said:

Thanks for the info! I plan to make card holders, wallets, laptop sleeves, totes, and handbags for now. I like the customer service and how to options with the sailrite but the local guy is  just a phone call away. I’ll attach a photo. 
 

 

If you're comparing it to other options like the Sailrite Fabricator, it depends on your specific needs and budget. It is also important to use reliable payment methods here; I searched for reliable resources and found https://playsafecasino.ca/newfoundland-and-labrador/ which looks quite convenient. It's nice to have reliable resources when planning a purchase. Let us know what you choose about the car!

Sounds like a great plan! Local support can be super helpful. Excited to see your creations. I would love to see more photos!

Edited yesterday at 03:34 PM by Atitter

[shoepatcher]

Not a Sailright fan.  I think they are overpriced for what they offer.  I have always bought name brand machines like Juki, Adler, Pfaff, Consew, Singer.  Those are not clones.  Sailright are clones.  You get what you pay for. I have sewn on and repaired sewing machines for about 50 years.   I rarely have problems with name brand machines.  Yes, they are more expensive.  However, their performance speaks for themselves.  Just my 2 cents. I have bought both used and new.  Buy once, cry once.

glenn

[kgg]

58 minutes ago, shoepatcher said:

Not a Sailright fan.  I think they are overpriced for what they offer. 

I do think from what I have seen and heard Sailrite provides good service, good manuals and lots of video's. I just recently sold both a Sailrite LSZ-1 portable walking foot with their new servo motor and a Chinese Clone LSZ-1 portable walking foot with just a 90 watt domestic motor. The Chinese Clone costs about $500 CAD whereas the Sailrite costs about $2500 CAD when you take into account shipping from the USA / duty /exchange rate /etc. The quality of parts appeared to be better but $2000 CAD better??? Based on my own experience if I ever need another portable walking foot for whatever reason I would not bother with another Sailrite.

kgg

[shoepatcher]

Like I said, way overrated for a sewing machine the Sailrite is.  

glenn