Consew 289rb-1

[Appalachiancowboy38]

I came across a Consew 289rb-1 locally and I’m not really finding much about these machines anywhere. I sew mostly tack so 10oz+ Vegtan, bridle, and harness, and Ive currently got a Cowboy Outlaw and a Sailrite but I really need to upgrade. Will this handle what I need and is $1k a good deal? Thanks in advance!

[Wizcrafts]

35 minutes ago, Appalachiancowboy38 said:

I came across a Consew 289rb-1 locally and I’m not really finding much about these machines anywhere.

Did you try searching our forum? I did and got this first hit: 

 

[Appalachiancowboy38]

3 minutes ago, Wizcrafts said:

Did you try searching our forum? I did and got this first hit: 

 

I did but that one didn’t really answer my question as far as the capabilities of it with heavy leather.

[Wizcrafts]

30 minutes ago, Appalachiancowboy38 said:

I did but that one didn’t really answer my question as far as the capabilities of it with heavy leather.

The 289 is still an upholstery class machine. As such, it can handle #138 thread with a #23 needle, or possibly #207 thread with a #24 needle. The maximum thickness would be the same 3/8 of an inch of soft to medium temper leather. I might be able to sew two 8 ounce pieces of bridle leather, but not hard veg-tan or latigo.

I own a similar machine made by Singer. I use it to sew patches onto vests and hats. When I first got it I tried running #207 thread in it. The machine struggled and tended to jam up. It has no trouble with #138 thread. But, it didn't like hard veg.

[Appalachiancowboy38]

19 minutes ago, Wizcrafts said:

The 289 is still an upholstery class machine. As such, it can handle #138 thread with a #23 needle, or possibly #207 thread with a #24 needle. The maximum thickness would be the same 3/8 of an inch of soft to medium temper leather. I might be able to sew two 8 ounce pieces of bridle leather, but not hard veg-tan or latigo.

I own a similar machine made by Singer. I use it to sew patches onto vests and hats. When I first got it I tried running #207 thread in it. The machine struggled and tended to jam up. It has no trouble with #138 thread. But, it didn't like hard veg.

That’s all I needed to know! Thank you! I’m gonna keep hunting for a Class 4 or a CB4500 then.

[AlZilla]

Wiz beat me to the punch here, but I found specs on a 289rb-hlp-1 that says 5/8" max lift under the presser foot and it uses 135x17 needles. That should give the next person looking a little more info to make a decision. 

A grand seems a little steep to me anyway. Maybe.

[Wizcrafts]

4 hours ago, AlZilla said:

I found specs on a 289rb-hlp-1 that says 5/8" max lift under the presser foot and it uses 135x17 needles.

The 5/8" is when the feet are lifted up by the foot lift pedal or knee lever. The needle must be fully up at TDC in order to lift that high. This high lift is so that thick seams and fur linings can clear the feet and needle when you position the work on the machine. Once the foot pedal/knee lever is lowered, the feet will alternate about 3/16ths of an inch up and down as you sew. The alternating action maxes out at about 3/8 inch with System 135x16/17 needles. Trying to sew thicker stacks may cause the bottom of the needle bar to hit the top of the inside foot, or even the outside foot if they are a narrow set. This limits the useful sewing height despite the specs referring to a higher lift number. I experimented and found this to be the case.