Consew Cp205C ?

[BearG]

Hey All, I'm still learning this craft (obsession). I have Carpal Tunnel and takes me awile to sew anything due to that. I am mainly making possible bags, archery hip style quivers and other small projects. I use up to 6 oz. veg. tan for quivers and chap leather or oil leather ( I think thats what the girl ar Tandy's called it) for the bags.

Will the Consew CP206R portable handle this work. Right now I'm not into production work so cant handle a $1000.00+ machine for what I still consider a hobby.

Thanks in advance for your help.

BearG.

[Wizcrafts]

The Consew CP206R should be able to sew up to 3/16" to 1/4" of soft leather, if equipped with a leather point needle that is just the right size for the thread. Don't waste time trying to get it to sew with anything heavier than #138 thread in a #22 LR needle. They use the standard industrial needle system used in full size walking foot machines (135x16 LR and 135x17 Round)

The portable walking foot machines can be modified to sew thicker/denser material, driving up their cost, but they still have the same interior and often inferior moving parts and bearings. Sometimes they are damaged beyond repair if the box they are shipped in is dropped on the front or back end. Shafts jam and bend from the shock and plastic covers snap off. This happened to one I bought and I went through Hell trying to get a refund, after paying to ship it back. If you buy a portable w.f. machine, of any brand, make sure there is a full refund offered if it doesn't turn over smoothly and sew when you unpack it.

If you do get one and it arrives in good working condition, search for threads on this forum where owners of them discussed how to modify them to do a bit more serious work.

Bob Kovar, at Toledo Industrial Sewing Machines, sells portable walking foot machines and sets them up and repackages them to survive shipping. He is a member here. His number is 866-362-7397

Edited December 15, 2010 by Wizcrafts

[BearG]

The Consew CP206R should be able to sew up to 3/16" to 1/4" of soft leather, if equipped with a leather point needle that is just the right size for the thread. Don't waste time trying to get it to sew with anything heavier than #138 thread in a #22 LR needle. They use the standard industrial needle system used in full size walking foot machines (135x16 LR and 135x17 Round)

The portable walking foot machines can be modified to sew thicker/denser material, driving up their cost, but they still have the same interior and often inferior moving parts and bearings. Sometimes they are damaged beyond repair if the box they are shipped in is dropped on the front or back end. Shafts jam and bend from the shock and plastic covers snap off. This happened to one I bought and I went through Hell trying to get a refund, after paying to ship it back. If you buy a portable w.f. machine, of any brand, make sure there is a full refund offered if it doesn't turn over smoothly and sew when you unpack it.

If you do get one and it arrives in good working condition, search for threads on this forum where owners of them discussed how to modify them to do a bit more serious work.

Thank you for your reply. Now I'm going to have to think about this one. I don't want something thats going to break easy. Is there a more hardy machine I could get in the $300.00 - $500.00 range that you might be able to steer me to?

[Wizcrafts]

Thank you for your reply. Now I'm going to have to think about this one. I don't want something thats going to break easy. Is there a more hardy machine I could get in the $300.00 - $500.00 range that you might be able to steer me to?

In portable walking foot machines, all I can do is suggest you call Bob Kovar, at 866-362-7397. As I said in my previous comments, he repackages them to survive what actually happens to boxes shipped by UPS. He can setup a machine with the needle system needed for the thread you intend to use and send extra stuff you will need.

When working, they are good little machines. Most of them are produced in the same place, but with different name tags and sometimes different colors. The accessories make a difference in what they can sew. As is, they don't have a lot of punching power at slow speeds, so you may have to help one get going in veg-tan belt leather. Once it starts it will keep on going to the end. The thinner the thread and needle, the less this is a problem. If you stick with #69 thread and a #18 needle, or #92 thread in a #20 needle, it should start up on its own at slow speed.

Basically, portable walking foot machines were designed for use on boats, to repair vinyl sails and covers. They can do light upholstery work and hem your jeans. Most ship with pressor feet that have aggressive teeth on the bottoms (to feed slippery vinyl and plastic windscreens). Other feet are available with smooth bottoms, for use on belt leather.

[Art]

With those dollar constraints, you need to hit the used market for a Singer 111, 153, Pfaff 45 series or something like that. Talk to Nick Pittman at Nick-o-Sew 1-800-526-4256/(731)-779-9963, he refurbs that kind of stuff. You will need a slow motor (with reducer if possible) for it to be usable.

Art

Thank you for your reply. Now I'm going to have to think about this one. I don't want something thats going to break easy. Is there a more hardy machine I could get in the $300.00 - $500.00 range that you might be able to steer me to?