Thread Size Comparisons

[kpkpkp]

This was a super helpful thread. A question: Can the Consew 206RB-5 at all sew #277 thread? I know it goes to #207, but sometimes I like something chunkier like 277 that looks more decorative and polished. Says it can handle the needle, but not the thread on the site, but wondering if it is truly impossible? I hardly ever sew leather layers thicker than 0.3". Is it even smart to sew with #277 if the layers combined aren't thicker than that?

[CowboyBob]

It's already a stretch to get it to sew 207,the tension needs to be tigthed alot,so 277 won't work.It would be nice if it could but they would be prone to jamming & breaking threads.

[kpkpkp]

Thanks Bob—I'm the one that called this morning. Maybe it IS best to to have two machines then? What would you recommend for doing #277? You can view my gallery to get an idea of the type of stuff that I'm sewing. Perhaps the consew 206RB-5 is good for the thinner stuff/denim/canvas. Is the 206RB-5 too heavy duty to do just plain cotton shirts?

[Wizcrafts]

Thanks Bob—I'm the one that called this morning. Maybe it IS best to to have two machines then? What would you recommend for doing #277? You can view my gallery to get an idea of the type of stuff that I'm sewing. Perhaps the consew 206RB-5 is good for the thinner stuff/denim/canvas. Is the 206RB-5 too heavy duty to do just plain cotton shirts?

I can sew medium weight cloth shirts and pants on my walking foot machine, which is similar to your Consew. However, you'll need to back off or remove the top pressure spring and loosen both upper and bobbin tension springs and use a very small needle that best suits the thread (e.g.: a #12 round point needle with #40 or #50 cotton or poly-core thread). The bobbin spring should just exert enough tension to keep the thread from unloading by its motion (install backwards to rotation). A star shaped anti-backlash spring inside the bobbin case helps prevent unloading of the thread with rotation and with sudden stops & starts. Reduce the upper tension to place the knots inside the shirt. You should be able to sew two layers of cotton or similar cloth using this technique.

Note: if your Consew has a heavy duty upper tension beehive spring, it may not be easy to balance the top tension against a minimal tension bobbin thread. You can order a lighter beehive spring from Bob, or borrow one from an old domestic sewing machine.

FYI: I use a separate machine that is just a straight stitch, bottom feed machine, for flat cloth sewing. The springs are lighter, the feed dogs are finer and the hole in the throat plate is smaller than the big hole inside the feeder on a walking foot machine.

[Wizcrafts]

kpkpkp;

Based on what you have been describing, you'll need three machines:

1. A heavy duty stitcher, like a 441 or Adler clone, for use with #277 thread and thick materials.
   
2. A walking foot machine for jeans, canvas and upholstery.
   
3. A straight stitch, light duty, high speed, cloth sewing machine that handles thin cotton thread without breaking it.
   

[kpkpkp]

kpkpkp;

Based on what you have been describing, you'll need three machines:

1. A heavy duty stitcher, like a 441 or Adler clone, for use with #277 thread and thick materials.
   
2. A walking foot machine for jeans, canvas and upholstery.
   
3. A straight stitch, light duty, high speed, cloth sewing machine that handles thin cotton thread without breaking it.
   

1. Do you have links to those specific machines or forums about them? How much should I expect to pay?

2. I have access to buy a newer Juki DDL-8500 for about $250ish—can this handle jeans/canvas/heavy duty? If not, is there a machine you recommend for under $1000?

3. I already have a 1960s straight stitch machine in my apt, so maybe I'll just hang onto that for these kinds of things.

Thanks for your help!

[Wizcrafts]

1. Do you have links to those specific machines or forums about them? How much should I expect to pay?

2. I have access to buy a newer Juki DDL-8500 for about $250ish—can this handle jeans/canvas/heavy duty? If not, is there a machine you recommend for under $1000?

3. I already have a 1960s straight stitch machine in my apt, so maybe I'll just hang onto that for these kinds of things.

Thanks for your help!

I thought you already had a walking foot Consew 206RB-?. If not, here is a link to read its specs. That is a perfect machine for heavy cloth, canvas, webbing, denim and medium density leather (up to 3/8 inch thickness).

Your old straight stitch machine will do shirts and cloth pants. I use an old Singer 31-15 tailor's machine, or an ancient Singer 66-1 for flat work with cotton thread.

Now, here is a heavy duty leather sewing machine that can easily handle #277 (and more), into over 3/4 inch of real leather.

[Gregg From Keystone Sewing]

Wiz, putting in some overtime around here on leatherworker.net!@#. I'm sure people appreciate it, too. Very cool.

[Wizcrafts]

Wiz, putting in some overtime around here on leatherworker.net!@#. I'm sure people appreciate it, too. Very cool.

Gregg is too modest. Thanks.

FYI: Gregg sells industrial sewing machines and attachments of all kinds, including custom made edge guides. He stocks a bunch of good motors. Gregg needs to think about placing an ad banner on LWN.

[bullmoosepaddles]

I know this is an older thread. But it came up in the search I did this morning. I have a consew 206-rb. Does the bobbin accept the thicker threads without modification. I wish to sew bonded 138 top and bottom. Making small heavy duty pouches, My wish is to have the thread look identical on both sides. I have been using it with only 69 so far.  

Thank you for the time and consideration. You guys help the rest of us so much.