Looking For A Little More Feedback Before Purchasing

[Prince]

For my next machine, I think I'm going for a flatbed (thanks again for the previous advice btw) and I've narrowed down my choices between the following three. (the latter two of which I can't tell apart except price.)

Cobra 18 - http://www.leathermachineco.com/catalog.php?item=5

Consew 206 RB-5 - http://www.tolindsewmach.com/consew-206rb.html

Chandler 406RB - http://www.tolindsewmach.com/chandler-406rb.html

Seems like they all have good feedback to be found and all three can get the electronic needle positioner. Consew and Chandler will cost 200 for the feature and cobra will cost 350.

The Cobra is shaping up to be the more expensive of the choices but I don't want to base my decision entirely on price. Wonder if anyone had some experience with the above machines or knew of similar machines I might be overlooking?

[busted]

If it were my money I would purchase the Consew. Pfaff and Adler both have an equal machine. The Adler is a 167 or 367 flatbed walking foot. I have the Adler 167 it is an older machine but it works great parts aren't to expensive. Consew would be less money for the parts. Pfaff is the just about the most expensive machine you can get and also the parts ridiculously high. Pfaff is a great sewing machine. The cobra is a Chinese knock off I don't know anything about it.

For my next machine, I think I'm going for a flatbed (thanks again for the previous advice btw) and I've narrowed down my choices between the following three. (the latter two of which I can't tell apart except price.)

Cobra 18 - http://www.leatherma...alog.php?item=5

Consew 206 RB-5 - http://www.tolindsew...nsew-206rb.html

Chandler 406RB - http://www.tolindsew...dler-406rb.html

Seems like they all have good feedback to be found and all three can get the electronic needle positioner. Consew and Chandler will cost 200 for the feature and cobra will cost 350.

The Cobra is shaping up to be the more expensive of the choices but I don't want to base my decision entirely on price. Wonder if anyone had some experience with the above machines or knew of similar machines I might be overlooking?

[Wizcrafts]

The Chandler 406 is a younger brother of the Consew 206 series. Both are made by the same company. The Chandler costs about $200 less than the Consew.

[jsmith]

I have never used the Chandler,the other two are great machines.Despite what the website shows the new Class 18 is the same cofiguration as the 206 Consew, I have been useing a new 18 some lately and like it alot as my Juki gets tired I'll be calling Steve to get one in my shop.

[dragoncut]

Are there any true differences between the Chandler and Consew. What does $200 more get you if anything?

[Jimbob]

For me it would be the Consew....then the Chandler.....Consew has been around for many many moons and is the upholstery machine by tops....the Chandler is as been said almost a Consew....so no big pain here...

just my 2 cents

Jimbob

[awharness]

I just got an Adler 467 with high step function, awesome machine! Glad I landed on that machine! -Andrew

[Prince]

Ok so there's another player to add to the list, the Juki 1541

And I know it seems ebay is a taboo around here but I found these two auctions

http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-CONSEW-206RB-5-Complete-w-K-D-Stand-Servo-Motor-3-4hp-With-FREE-Roller-/120878372937?pt=BI_Sewing_Machines&hash=item1c24e99849

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Juki-1541-New-Complete-K-D-Stand-3-4-hp-Servo-Motor-With-Free-Roller-/110846663210?pt=BI_Sewing_Machines&hash=item19cef9da2a

The Consew is $1170 shipped with table.

The Juki is $1365 shipped with table.

And the seller has good feedback and was quick to respond even on the weekend

he mentioned:"

We offer a free drop down roller guide with it for free ($300) value. We have a package for a set of zipper feet, set of welt feet, 10 extra bobbins and 100 extra needles for $50.

We have all in stock and can ship 24 hours after ordered and paid. Also, both machines come with the servo motor with built in reduction control, the needle position motor is a $100 upgrade, we also have that in stock, the most popular motor is the standard servo that comes with the machine

"

Seems like a good deal unless I'm missing something...

I haven't done much research on the Juki yet, anyone know if it's worth the extra few bucks?

[jsmith]

Make sure that the machines you are looking at come set up for leather work, upholstery machines are high speed for the most part. You will find that without a speed reducer most lack torque enough at low speed(which is still too fast for anything but straight runs). The machine vendors who are on this site set them up for leather work. I learned this the hard way. LOL

[mcn]

Just in case you haven't decided yet. I went through the same thing a while back and ended up getting the consew 206 RB 5. Nice machine and does what it is advertised to do, but very fast. I am thinking of trying to add a speed reducer to it. If I had it to do over would get something like the Tech-Sew 2700 and get the flat bed table with it. Or a Cobra. Having the open arm option is something we are already missing.