Need Expert Advice On What Machine To Buy!

[Char]

Hi guys,

I'm looking for advice on buying a leather sewing machine.. (and where better to ask!)

I'm new to sewing leather & my ultimate goal is to make bags and possibly garments.

I bought a factory reconditioned Consew 227 cylinder front machine months ago. From the start it didn't work correctly, and having spent hundreds to get it fixed (and dismantling it & driving it 200 miles to the repair shop), I still doesn't work correctly. It's ok on thick fabrics and some leather, but it always seems to skip a stitch or the tension changes mid-line. Very frustrating, very costly, and difficult to get parts for it.

So I'm now wondering if I should just go ahead and buy myself another machine so I can start finishing products.. I'm looking at new this time (obviously with a return policy as well). Right now I'm looking at a Consew 206RB5 with a servo motor, but I've read some conflicting opinions about it. Good machine or not? I've heard the quality has declined since the factory has moved to China. Would it work for what I want to do, or am I likely to have a similar experience with it? Also, are there similar machines made by Juki or Pfaff that might be better? Is a consew 255 worth the extra $?

The reason I'm considering the 206RB5 is that it's a really common machine (so hopefully easier to have repaired) and there are a lot of presser foot and binder options that fit it, which I will definitely use for making bags. Obviously I bought the 227 because I liked the versatility of a cylinder bed. But having blown so much money on that, I can't afford another one and will settle on a flat-bed.

I'm in two minds about whether I should sell or hang onto the 227- If I sell it, I'll take a huge loss on it.. If, eventually, I can get it working, then (assuming my business takes off), it might be convenient to have a cylinder front machine as well..

Any input is appreciated!! I'm hoping to make a better purchase this time!

[CowboyBob]

It's to bad your having a problem as that should be a good machine for you as long as you thread it & put the needle in correctly.We always try to get the customer to test the machine before it leaves & the we can also watch them thread it to make sure it sewing to their satisfaction,you should take it back & tell them it isn't sewing like it should & maybe it just needs some minor adjustment.

Bob

[Gregg From Keystone Sewing]

It's to bad your having a problem as that should be a good machine for you as long as you thread it & put the needle in correctly.We always try to get the customer to test the machine before it leaves & the we can also watch them thread it to make sure it sewing to their satisfaction,you should take it back & tell them it isn't sewing like it should & maybe it just needs some minor adjustment.

Bob

Exaclty, Consew 206RB is a very common machine, but so too is a Consew 227R. Usually if you can fix one, then you can fix the other.

[KAYAK45]

Hi Char! Sorry too, that your having a problem and cannot get back to just making STUFF. Your Bio does not say in what part of the country your from. Maybe (?) we could find you some help more local.

Just a thought.

Kevin

[Art]

The 227 is a good match for you. Look under industrial sewing machines in your area and find a mechanic, unless the 227 is terribly wrong, you machine can be running after a short visit. And just take the head.

If you want to give us a try, tell us everything. What needle, what thread, what leather, what it is doing right, what it is doing wrong, what you had for dinner, etc. Kevin is right, let us know where you are and we may be able to hook you up with someone.

Read items pinned in this forum and for that matter anything that pertains to your problem.

If your machine was reconditioned, you might want to contact them first, a reconditioned machine shouldn't require "hundreds to get it fixed".

Art

Hi guys,

I'm looking for advice on buying a leather sewing machine.. (and where better to ask!)

I'm new to sewing leather & my ultimate goal is to make bags and possibly garments.

I bought a factory reconditioned Consew 227 cylinder front machine months ago. From the start it didn't work correctly, and having spent hundreds to get it fixed (and dismantling it & driving it 200 miles to the repair shop), I still doesn't work correctly. It's ok on thick fabrics and some leather, but it always seems to skip a stitch or the tension changes mid-line. Very frustrating, very costly, and difficult to get parts for it.

So I'm now wondering if I should just go ahead and buy myself another machine so I can start finishing products.. I'm looking at new this time (obviously with a return policy as well). Right now I'm looking at a Consew 206RB5 with a servo motor, but I've read some conflicting opinions about it. Good machine or not? I've heard the quality has declined since the factory has moved to China. Would it work for what I want to do, or am I likely to have a similar experience with it? Also, are there similar machines made by Juki or Pfaff that might be better? Is a consew 255 worth the extra $?

The reason I'm considering the 206RB5 is that it's a really common machine (so hopefully easier to have repaired) and there are a lot of presser foot and binder options that fit it, which I will definitely use for making bags. Obviously I bought the 227 because I liked the versatility of a cylinder bed. But having blown so much money on that, I can't afford another one and will settle on a flat-bed.

I'm in two minds about whether I should sell or hang onto the 227- If I sell it, I'll take a huge loss on it.. If, eventually, I can get it working, then (assuming my business takes off), it might be convenient to have a cylinder front machine as well..

Any input is appreciated!! I'm hoping to make a better purchase this time!

[Char]

Hi Kevin,

I'm in Midcoast Maine.. I like the repair shop I took it to, but it is like 2.5 hrs drive each way. None of my local shops will repair industrial machines!

Thanks!

Hi Char! Sorry too, that your having a problem and cannot get back to just making STUFF. Your Bio does not say in what part of the country your from. Maybe (?) we could find you some help more local.

Just a thought.

Kevin

[Char]

Hi Art,

I've been using 135X17 leather tip needles and generally sewing 2-3 pieces of 2-3oz leather. I use either polyester or nylon upholstery/heavy duty thread.. Not sure the size, I got it from the local sewing store and assumed it would work ok. (When I get past the sample stitching phase, I will buy some better thread online.) I live in Maine, which turns out to be a difficult place to get an industrial machine fixed! I do like the shop I took it to when I first bought it, it's just a little far.

The repair man seemed to feel that the machine was not properly reconditioned and would need more work in the future. Obviously if I'd known I would've just tried to return it without getting it fixed.. I just assumed I was having problems because I'm inexperienced with industrial machines. When I dropped it into the shop, it seemed that all it needed was a new needle bar. When I went to pick it up, I was told that everything needed adjusting, it had taken 10 hours, was still not quite working right. Now that I've put the money into it, I either want it to (miraculously) start working, or I'll just get a new machine.. Definitely ruling out "factory reconditioned" next time!

Right now, the issue with it is getting the tension regulated & occasional skipped stitches. It's fine on fabric, but despite hours of fiddling around with the tension & sample sewing, it just doesn't seem right. Plus I'm told it will probably need a new hook in the future.. Which is why i'm debating selling it at a loss and getting something else.

Anyway, I've been wanting to get a walking foot with an edge guide.. Can't seem to find anything specifically listed for the 227- Do you happen to know if feet that will fit a 206RB or a 277 (also cylinder front) will work for that? (are all consew walking feet the same??)

Thanks!

It's actually been a while

The 227 is a good match for you. Look under industrial sewing machines in your area and find a mechanic, unless the 227 is terribly wrong, you machine can be running after a short visit. And just take the head.

If you want to give us a try, tell us everything. What needle, what thread, what leather, what it is doing right, what it is doing wrong, what you had for dinner, etc. Kevin is right, let us know where you are and we may be able to hook you up with someone.

Read items pinned in this forum and for that matter anything that pertains to your problem.

If your machine was reconditioned, you might want to contact them first, a reconditioned machine shouldn't require "hundreds to get it fixed".

Art

[CowboyBob]

Char,

I think one of these could be torn apart,cleaned ,painted & put back together in 10hrs.

Yes,the 227 & the 206 feet interchange.

Bob

[Art]

Char,

If it took 10 hours to to replace a needle bar and adjust the needle bar, hook, and feed, then you had a somewhat raw deal. You are talking an hour or two max.

Your needle should be a 135x16 tri size 22 for leather using 138 thread top and bobbin. Get a spool of nylon left hand thread from Maine Thread, or optionally 92 or 69 thread with a 20 and 18 size needle accordingly. Get the proper thread and needles and thread it up and see if it will sew. Check Techsew's videos on YouTube on threading the machine if necessary. See what happens and get back to us, we do want to help.

Any feet that will fit a Singer 111 will fit your machine, this website is an example of what is available and his product is good.

Unfortunately, you are a strong testament to what happens when you buy your first machine from other than a brick and mortar dealer. There are three excellent dealers at the top of these pages, Ronnie at Techsew in Montreal, Canada, Bob in Toledo, Ohio, and Steve in Ontario, California. You would not have had these problems if you dealt with them, and you would have a lifeline for any of the simple to moderately complex stuff.

Art

Hi Art,

I've been using 135X17 leather tip needles and generally sewing 2-3 pieces of 2-3oz leather. I use either polyester or nylon upholstery/heavy duty thread.. Not sure the size, I got it from the local sewing store and assumed it would work ok. (When I get past the sample stitching phase, I will buy some better thread online.) I live in Maine, which turns out to be a difficult place to get an industrial machine fixed! I do like the shop I took it to when I first bought it, it's just a little far.

The repair man seemed to feel that the machine was not properly reconditioned and would need more work in the future. Obviously if I'd known I would've just tried to return it without getting it fixed.. I just assumed I was having problems because I'm inexperienced with industrial machines. When I dropped it into the shop, it seemed that all it needed was a new needle bar. When I went to pick it up, I was told that everything needed adjusting, it had taken 10 hours, was still not quite working right. Now that I've put the money into it, I either want it to (miraculously) start working, or I'll just get a new machine.. Definitely ruling out "factory reconditioned" next time!

Right now, the issue with it is getting the tension regulated & occasional skipped stitches. It's fine on fabric, but despite hours of fiddling around with the tension & sample sewing, it just doesn't seem right. Plus I'm told it will probably need a new hook in the future.. Which is why i'm debating selling it at a loss and getting something else.

Anyway, I've been wanting to get a walking foot with an edge guide.. Can't seem to find anything specifically listed for the 227- Do you happen to know if feet that will fit a 206RB or a 277 (also cylinder front) will work for that? (are all consew walking feet the same??)

Thanks!

It's actually been a while