Consew 206Rb

[CustomDoug]

I picked up a Consew 206RB about a week ago and only got the one needle in it and no user's manual. Haven't used it yet, except when testing it before buying. What needle system do they work with and what are the largest needle and tread they're comfortable consistantly running? What max leather thickness to expect it to sew? Also, are there any free or at least reasonable online manuals available? thanks.

[CustomDoug]

OK looks like the needle system 135x16 (and/or x17) I use for my Singer 29K60 will work for the 206RB, now that's convenient. Still need to figure out what the largest size would be though...I'm thinking #22 with 138 thread?

[Wizcrafts]

The needles in system 135x15 and 135x16 go up to #25, which will sew #207, top and bottom. The maximum thickness with these needles, on a stock setup, is 3/8 of an inch. You may be able to bump that up by reducing the lift of the alternating feet and possibly grinding down the top of the outside foot. This may allow you to sew 7/16 inch.

Sewing at full capacity or above will wear out the machine in a short time.

To be safe, use a #22 or #23 needle with #138 thread, top and bottom, and limit the thickness to just under 3/8 inch. The machine will last longer this way, if you keep it well oiled.

[CustomDoug]

The needles in system 135x15 and 135x16 go up to #25, ......

To be safe, use a #22 or #23 needle with #138 thread, top and bottom, and limit the thickness to just under 3/8 inch.

What factors would necessitate a choice between the 135X15 and 135x16 needles? I have plenty of the x16s in sizes below your above recommendations but none in the x15s. I will grab some of both (if need be) in the #22 & #23 sizes. Also, are there smooth needle plates and single thin feed dogs on the market for these machines (like I put on my 31-15)?

[Gregg From Keystone Sewing]

I picked up a Consew 206RB about a week ago and only got the one needle in it and no user's manual. Haven't used it yet, except when testing it before buying. What needle system do they work with and what are the largest needle and tread they're comfortable consistantly running? What max leather thickness to expect it to sew? Also, are there any free or at least reasonable online manuals available? thanks.

CustomDoug,

You didn't mention what subclass 206RB, but the newest owners book can be applied to at least 95% of all model machines.

I have avaible for download on our Consew 206RB-5 product page full parts book and owners manual, both avaible for free download;

Consew 206RB-5 product page with OWNER and PARTS books

CustomDoug,

You didn't mention what subclass 206RB, but the newest owners book can be applied to at least 95% of all model machines.

I have avaible for download on our Consew 206RB-5 product page full parts book and owners manual, both avaible for free download;

Consew 206RB-5 product page with OWNER and PARTS books

If you need another 206RB book, for 206RB, -1, -2, -3, -4, (SH or TH serial number prefix) let me know.

[CustomDoug]

Thanks Gregg, my machine has no number after the RB... so I assume it's first generation (1), say's made in Japan. I'll take a look at that download and let you know if another book would be needed, thanks again.

[Wizcrafts]

What factors would necessitate a choice between the 135X15 and 135x16 needles? I have plenty of the x16s in sizes below your above recommendations but none in the x15s. I will grab some of both (if need be) in the #22 & #23 sizes. Also, are there smooth needle plates and single thin feed dogs on the market for these machines (like I put on my 31-15)?

135x15 has a standard round sharp point that is used to sew everything made from cloth. 135x16 has a narrow twisted chisel point and is used to sew leather.

The only ways you will get a smooth cover plate is if a dealer happens to have one in a drawer of new-old parts, or if you get one machined. Ditto for the feed dog.

[CowboyBob]

Doug,

We have the slotted plate in stock that eliminates the feed dog & is great as it won't mark the bottom side.

Bob

[CustomDoug]

Are there any good videos somewhere or good explanations or attachments for these machines? I need to sew some piping but I'm confused by all the different feet - there are welting feet, double welting feet, piping, zipper feet, edge guide foot, tape binders, etc... then there are smooth feet, etc too. It's kind of dizzying . Is there one type of foot that would kill two birds, for instance maybe a zipper foot could be used to also sew cord piping? Is a left and a right usually even necessary, seems like not... but again I'm a bit confused.

Edited October 11, 2011 by CustomDoug

[Wizcrafts]

Are there any good videos somewhere or good explanations or attachments for these machines? I need to sew some piping but I'm confused by all the different feet - there are welting feet, double welting feet, piping, zipper feet, edge guide foot, tape binders, etc... then there are smooth feet, etc too. It's kind of dizzying . Is there one type of foot that would kill two birds, for instance maybe a zipper foot could be used to also sew cord piping? Is a left and a right usually even necessary, seems like not... but again I'm a bit confused.

Doug;

I'm sure there are dozens of sewing machine videos on YouTube, many of which show a welting foot in action. With the proper arch (size) welting set you can lay a stitch line right along the side of the raised portion, which contains the cord. The material is formed around the cord and flattened at the bottom, by the feet.

You can use a single toe outside foot to sew close to the round edge of piped material. But, you'll never get as close as you can with a welting foot set, of the proper width.

Upholsters usually have two or more walking foot machines. One is setup with a standard double toe foot. The other is typically setup with a 1/4" welting foot set. If they need a different size of piping, they swap out the feet for the desired size.

I have a very narrow zipper foot set, only 1/4" total width, but it has teeth on both feet. It is great for sewing in zippers!

Most walking foot feet are smooth bottomed. There are only a few types that have teeth. Those are zipper and binding feet. Edge binding, running through a 90 degree side-feed edge binder/bias tape attachment, benefits from the added traction provided by teeth on the feet.

Bob Kovar stocks most walking foot sets. Call him (866-362-7397) and tell him what size cording you need to sew and how thick the covering material is going to be. The size of the foot set is determined by the overall thickness/diameter of the covered cord/material around it.

Edited October 11, 2011 by Wizcrafts