Pfaff 145-H4 6/1c LMNP or Consew 206RB

[shinny]

Hello, I am looking at buying one of these m.  Trying to determine which would be best.  I will be sewing mostly marine vinyl for upholstery but occasionally leather for wallets/purses.

The Consew is the first gen 206RB.  Any thoughts on which you would buy?  Pfaff 145-H4 6/1c LMNP or Consew 206RB.  Both sellers are asking $900 and both come with a table and clutch motor.

Thank you

[Southerngunner]

I have no experience with the Pfaff but I do have  a Consew 206 rb-2  that is a fantastic machine. I set mine up with a servo motor and different pulleys to slow it down it is capable of sewing 3/8" veg tan with no issues. 

The Pfaff has a great reputation and  either machine would be a good choice. I would suggest that you take some leather and test them both if possible, then choose the one that impress's you most. Good luck

[kgg]

5 hours ago, shinny said:

Any thoughts on which you would buy?

My take:

i) Both machines are older, look well used and probably used in a commercial environment.

ii) Both machines are compound feed machines where the feed dog/needle/presser foot move the material along.

iii) If I'm not mistaken the Consew is a clone of the Juki 563 made in Japan.

iv) PFAFF replacement parts / accessories are typically expensive with some being more difficult to get.

v) PFAFF is a brand name machine.

vi) Both machines have a clutch motors which for most inexperienced users has a very high / hard sewing control learning curve. A replacement motor, servo motor, that would give you the sewing control needed will cost approximately $200.

vii) By the time you get either the PFAFF or the Consew in a usable controllable sewing condition you would be up to approximately $1100 barring no needed repairs.

viii) The cost of a new Consew 206RB-5 which I think are now made in China will cost about $1450 plus maybe shipping costs.

I have owned both PFAFF and Consew machines over the years and was never pleased with either brand. The last one being a Consew 206RB-5 with the intention of replacing a plain jane Juki 1181N walking foot. Kept the Juki 1181N. You did mention wanting to do purses which I think would be better / easier done on a cylinder arm machine like a Juki 1341 or clone rather the flatbed machines you are looking at so you may eventually wind up getting a cylinder arm. Personally I would not consider either for a number of reasons but particularly for the age, condition and price being asked.

Just my thoughts,

kgg

Edited yesterday at 03:58 AM by kgg

[nejcek74]

I will just give a few comments on Pfaff 145-H4 6/1c LMNP (as I only know Pfaffs)

It's a compound feed, high throw H4 machine, i.e. 14mm under the foot at maximum lift. C is for medium to heavy material (C and D have the same hook). It has a safety clutch. The down size of 145 are small bobbins, the same size as those used in domestic sewing machines. This is not a problem when working on small jobs, but it becomes annoying when working on larger runs or with thicker threads.

From the pictures I can see that someone has put some effort into the machine, it has a new upper tension piece and new cover plates around the seam length lever. But looking at the table and the pedal, it looks like it has been sitting in storage for a long time after leaving the factory where it was used hard for many years. But this is just my guessing :)))

I have a few old Pfaffs and I service them myself. They usually run incredibly well for 50 or more old machines. The main problems I have are those that have been serviced incorrectly, mainly screws that have been over tightened. Some parts are hard or impossible to find, especially inside the machine. Feet, feeders, tensioners, bobbins, hooks and bobbin cases are still available, and you can get them either as original Pfaff parts, which are very expensive, or from China, which is much cheaper but of varying quality.

To my European eyes, where Pfaffs are more common, $900 is a steep price for such a machine. I think the reason is that the H4 version is somehow very famous and sought after. As Kgg said, buying a servo motor would be a good idea and it will add to the final cost. Btw. if you are mainly doing marine vinyl, especially for the larger pieces, I think the flat bed is a good choice.

 

[fibersport]

I've had a Pfaff 145 and now have a 545.  I like the bigger bobbin on the 545.  The Consew you show looks to have less miles on it but it is a side load bobbin which you may or may not like, the Pfaff has a top load bobbin which I find just a little nicer than a side load.  KGG brings up a very valid point, you're knocking on the door of a new machine with a warranty if the $900 prices are firm.  Just for comparison, my 545 was listed at around $900-1000, I was able to pick it up for $400 I think.  I would not have paid the original asking price.  Parts for the Pfaff are expensive and some of the off brand items like presser feet are of questionable quality, don't know about the Consew parts.  If I were to buy another machine, I think it would be a Pfaff 1245 or a comparable Juki or maybe even a Thor.  I work on my own auto and marine upholstery only and am not in business.  Just my $0.02 - good luck.