The Type Of Sewing Machine You Need To Sew Leather

[Oz Hunter]

G'day all, I'm fairly new to sewin, and have only just found this brilliant wealth of knowledge, so firstly a big thanks to all contributors! I have a question regarding the Consew 206RB that is mentioned regularly in this thread. I have started manufacturing protective collars for hunting dogs using an old Singer 15-91 (which is clearly not designed for that task). The materials I use range from four layers of seatbelt up to 3 layers of rubber-backed canvas firehose. On my seatbelt plates I often include a 3mm thick leather patch on the front for increased puncture resistance. I have been given the opportunity to purchase a 206RB-2 for $300 - my question for the experts here pretty much comes down to this - is this machine suitable for the thicknesses/densities I plan on sewing, giving consideration to the multiple different types of materials being sewn at once? Cheers for any advice. Mark.

[Wizcrafts]

Mark;

A Consew 206RB-2 sews up to 3/8 inch (10mm) of material, with at least #138 and possibly up to #207 thread and has triple feed. I think this will suffice for your webbing and fire-hose projects.

Edited March 13, 2012 by Wizcrafts

[Iron Spade Cycles]

Hello my name is Travis and I'm a complete newby to the website and I only really joined to find out more information about working with leather for tooling and upholstery processes. I own a small custom motorcycle company here in TX. I specialize in restorations of vintage Japanese, British and early American motorcycles as well as hand build cafe racers. I fabricate most all of the custom parts such as the fuel tanks, the seat base in both metal and fiberglass and up to now some limited custom leather seat covers. I started leather tooling a few years ago when I hand made a chopper seat for a friends cruiser bicycle. It turned out very nice and have done another 10 seats since then for other friends who saw my work. Each of those seats were hand stitched which I might add took hours to learn and accomplish for each seat. If I calculate the time involved to fabricate and tool the seats I made, I gave them away for about $4/hr. But they were all valuable lessons learned.

I made the mistake of believing the internet hype and buying a "special" offer Singer model HD110 last year for $300. I must admit that if all I was making was garments from light weight materials, this would be a very nice machine. But what sold me on it was the endless sales pitches and claims that it was leather and canvas capable. I guess it is leather capable, if the only material you are sewing is two layers of 1-2oz garment leather. I made 2 simple seat covers before giving up entirely.

So about a month after taking the hard road, I began to search out and learn all I could about the "Industrial" walking foot machines on the market. I knew that no matter what I just couldn't justify spending any thing more than about $1000 for a tool that might get very limited use in my shop. I am a one man operation and most of my time is spent with the TIG welder running or spending countless hours on the English wheel making the alloy bodywork. I can see where a good machine will allow me to take on more specific work but I doubt I'm do more than 10 seats a month, possibly ever.

I called around to all of the upholstery shops within a 100 mile radius just to see if they had any suggestions or recommendations. It seamed like every shop I called just happened to have a good "used" machine sitting in the corner collecting dust as they only used it for the big jobs that required a tougher machine. The prices ran the gamut from as cheap as $300 to $3000 and most of them looked like I'd be spending some time with a degreaser and a tooth brush. I passed on all of them but I kept hearing brand names like Juki and Consew. Well this last week I picked up two new clients who both have complete ground-up builds and both will need custom seats and I just knew my little Singer wasn't going to cut it. I started really searching Craigslist for the entire state of TX and picking were slim. I needed to make the 3 hour drive to Austin to pick up a motorcycle anyway so I searched Austin CL and found 2 Consew machines for sale. One by a private owner and the other by a very reputable upholstery shop. I called both listing and left my contact info and hopped in the truck and started driving.

About an hour later the first contact called me back. He was selling a 225 model that he had bought from a qualified and well known repair shop in the Austin area called City Sewing Supply just over 12 years ago. He told me he had taken an upholstery course in college, bought the machine used for $900 12 years ago and then only used it on 3 or 4 projects. When I asked if I could come by to look at it, he said I'd have to go to City Sewing Supply, ask for the owner and if I was going to purchase it, I'd have to pay the owner a fee for his last tune up so he'd release the machine and then he'd meet me with the rest of the machine. (the table and motor was at his home while the head unit was being serviced) All this sounded a little too fishy seeing as his asking price was $700 + whatever I was expected to pay his service guy to release it to me.

The second listing was from a reputable upholstery shop in the Austin area who was selling a model 226r-1 that from the pictures looked brand spanking new. When I asked Rebecka why they were selling it, her response was that they had upgraded to newer machines last year and this particular machine was kept around for when they would be sewing heavier materials. But she admitted that it hadn't been used in the year since it had been serviced by the same guy at City Sewing Supply and who they purchased the new machines. The asking price was $700, I offered $600 and gave her the story that I drove 3 hours to get there, and she said what the hell, and gave it to me.

So now I'm the proud owner of a very well maintained Consew 226r-1 and I can find only limited information on this machine so far. I did find a PDF of the operators manual and found the oiling points and all the suggestions for speed reduction pulleys and the servo motors and the like. What I really need to know is this machine capable of what I want to do with it? My primary use will be leather seat covers made from 2-4 layers of 1-2oz and 3-4oz material. I seriously doubt I will do anything with the heavier tooled leather I previously mentioned but if the machine is capable it would be nice to know. I think I will try to either get used to the clutch motor or some time down the road replace it with your suggested servo motor. I just can't justify the expense and the down time waiting for it to ship and get setup right now.

Any suggestions for needles, thread to use, or any good needed accessories would be greatly appreciated. Also anyone need a Singer HD110? I'll sell it cheap!

Thanks for your time and expertise. Look forward to hearing from you. Travis

[robertmeco]

Hello Travis and welcome I am a holster maker in San Antonio. If you are ever around look me up I will buy lunch. I am not familar with your mach I use a Cobra 4 and really like the machine, I use it everyday .

Take care

Robert

www.mecopocketholsters.com

[Iron Spade Cycles]

Thank you Robert for the kind offer. I live down South East of you in Port Lavaca right on the bay. Its nice and peaceful here, just like I like it but a little tough to do business when most all my clients are in the Houston and Austin areas. I find myself traveling a bunch. Sometimes on the bikes I build. I do have perks in my job.

Thanks again. Chat soon, Travis

[Wizcrafts]

So now I'm the proud owner of a very well maintained Consew 226r-1 and I can find only limited information on this machine so far.

Any suggestions for needles, thread to use, or any good needed accessories would be greatly appreciated. Also anyone need a Singer HD110? I'll sell it cheap!

Thanks for your time and expertise. Look forward to hearing from you. Travis

It uses system 135x16 leather point and 135x17 regular point needles, available wherever industrial sewing machines are sold. There have been plenty of posts on this forum showing needle vs thread sizes. Or, you can consult the needle and thread chart on Toledo Industrial Sewing Machines.

This is a light duty walking foot machine and is suitable for the soft leather you will be sewing. The bobbins are standard industrial G size, best suited to thin thread. Your machine can handle up to #138 bonded nylon or bonded polyester thread. If the bobbins run out too soon, try using #92 in the bobbin and #138 on top. Or just #92 top and bottom.

The 226r-1 only yields 5 stitches per inch, which is fine for seat covers. If you can't afford a servo motor and the machine runs too fast for you, buy a smaller motor pulley and a shorter v-belt to match.

Keep the machine oiled between uses.

Don't try to use thread heavier than #138, nor work thicker than 3/8 inch.

Here is a topic about the same machine, from Feb 2012

Edited April 4, 2012 by Wizcrafts

[Iron Spade Cycles]

It uses system 135x16 leather point and 135x17 regular point needles, available wherever industrial sewing machines are sold. There have been plenty of posts on this forum showing needle vs thread sizes. Or, you can consult the needle and thread chart on Toledo Industrial Sewing Machines.

This is a light duty walking foot machine and is suitable for the soft leather you will be sewing. The bobbins are standard industrial G size, best suited to thin thread. Your machine can handle up to #138 bonded nylon or bonded polyester thread. If the bobbins run out too soon, try using #92 in the bobbin and #138 on top. Or just #92 top and bottom.

The 226r-1 only yields 5 stitches per inch, which is fine for seat covers. If you can't afford a servo motor and the machine runs too fast for you, buy a smaller motor pulley and a shorter v-belt to match.

Keep the machine oiled between uses.

Don't try to use thread heavier than #138, nor work thicker than 3/8 inch.

Here is a topic about the same machine, from Feb 2012

Thank you very much, that is exactly what I was hoping for. Talk soon Travis.

[Wizcrafts]

Thank you very much, that is exactly what I was hoping for. Talk soon Travis.

May I suggest that you open a new topic for your future questions, rather than using this pinned topic?

[oldsboot12]

How much is retail price for the rapid E machine?wich model brands is cheaper. many thanks in advance.

http://www.panhandleleather.com/images/13004665692221190320830.jpeg..What is the real deal about this machine ,got 16 kind/type of stitching ?are this machine go for rapid E.

Edited April 16, 2012 by oldsboot12

[Wizcrafts]

I was going to ask WTF is a Rapid E machine, but I saw the photo you posted. It is some kind of sole stitcher. I dunno, $500? Maybe this is better asked in a shoe repair forum. We mostly deal with belts, harness and holsters.

Still, it sews leather soles. Offer $500. If they want to sell it they'll take your offer.