Have Mercey On This Girl... New Consew 206Rb...

[Danno3]

Please let me start with "Hello", and I'm sorry for the bother....

I started this journey a year ago and found leatherworker.net when first searching online for " sewing machines that sew leather"

Since then I have purchased a SINGER 212g140 ( but only set up as a single needle ) and a SINGER 29-4( an old patcher in good working condition!) ( that I cannot get to sew a straight line so I just keep because I think its awesome:)

I sold my truck to purchase supplies and leather to start a business to help support my special needs daughter ( I am still employed, my husband is employed, and we have two other vehicles)

I knew one day I would have to stay home with her, which actually happened 5 months ago when she fractured her skull.

I am very fortunate to be able to work from home now- but it is difficult at best to leave the house with her to learn anything. My biggest adventures out of the house are trips to Tandy on Saturday mornings:)

I literally knew NOTHING about sewing or leather or my chosen craft when I started this journey.. my ultimate goal was to make supplemental income to fund special schools and therapy that I knew would be needed. ( I refuse to let others pay for my responsibility when I am capable of doing so myself, ie tax payer money....)This was what made sense to me. I wasn't going to try a pyramid scheme or selling avon if you know what I mean. It had to be working from home, so forgive me if you are wondering " why the heck would she choose this without existing skill or a source of apprenticeship?"

Any who, here I am, a room full of top quality leather, much custom ordered, when I decided that if I was going to finally take the big leap I had to purchase a top quality machine made for this purpose. A walking foot with NO ISSUES OR SERVICE NEEDED. With REVERSE.

So I bit the bullet and ordered a brand new CONSEW 206rb-5. It arrived Tuesday, smelling of oil and with its test strip of fabric underneath its feet. After setting up, I began to sew( although intimidated and Leary of injuring the beast) and to my dismay a few things...

( here I finally get to the point... but please understand I am self taught, have read every manual, searched every thread, and every available youtube video.. and am still at a loss and begging for your expertise...)

In reverse it seems to twist and loop its thread?!? and barely get into the same holes? I thought this machine could accurately pierce the same holes made when sewing forward directions???? It looks like crud! And I am far to inept to correct the issue myself:(

Now I am reduced again to twisting my work backwards to back tack, which is what I purchased this machine to avoid. Further, GOOD GRIEF the amount I have had to tighten the top tension when switching to 2-3oz leather ( doubled up to make 4-6)!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

And If I backtack more than once the top thread breaks!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WHAT AM I DOING WRONG??? Tears flowing.......:*(

I just cannot see why I would have to adjust the bobbin tension, and certainly I do not know more that the dealer that set it up! I had to adjust the top because the bottom thread lies flat across the bottom on the thick leather.

Using 69 bonded nylon thread top and bottom, dpx17 needle, and tears to lubricate ...sigh...

thank you for any help you can offer. I know that no one wants to feel bad for someone with a brand new machine, more like I don't deserve it if I cannot operate it properly. I know its my error, but have no one to teach me.

[JLSleather]

Seems like the dealer should have adjusted all of that, and I'm not sure how it would move significantly. But, there's a little thing in there, simple to see if you're in the right place. Need a small but fairly long screw driver. Did you get a user guide with your machine?

Top right of your machine, next to the handwheel, is a cover plate (no?). Swing the plate out of the way, look down the top, Behind the oil 'wick', you'll see a slotted screw next to two "wheels". Actually, these are nothing more than locking sleeves on the shaft. You'll know the ones, you should see two marks beside each other. Manual calls 'em "marks", looks more like "dots".

Basically, these should be lined up across from each other. But, there is some adjustment. Loosen the screw a bit. Then move the left 'mark' - towards the back makes the reverse stitch longer, towards the front makes the reverse stitch shorter. Then tighten the screw back in.

Now, that's the theory, but there are no fine graduations on the adjustment, so its a "bout so much" adjustment.

[veedub3]

I don't have any helpful information to offer about your issues, but I just wanted you to know, that you are not alone! I started this venture less than a year ago in November 2012. I hand sewed my projects for all of two minutes before I ran out and purchased a spanking brand new industrial walking foot sewing machine. I knew how to sew on a regular machine but had know experience with industrial machines and I too found myself in tears after spending money on a machine that scared the crap out of me, and regardless of what adjustments I made, it still wasn't correct. My machine did not hit the same holes when in reverse, the thread was bird nesting in the bobbin area, I broke several needles, the presser feet were leaving marks on the leather, the bottom thread was not being pulled up into the leather, it was just laying flat on the leather, and I bent the tension adjustment spring the 2nd day I had it. A week after purchasing the machine, I was using it as a catch all. The table had so much stuff piled on it you couldn't even see the machine. I had just dropped a chunk of change on a machine that was just sitting there. I cleared everything off the machine and by testing and making adjustments, I was finally able to get the machine to do exactly what it was meant to do. It took me 3 to 4 days of making adjustments before I got it correct. It was frustrating, and I had plenty of days where I cursed the machine, and cursed myself for buying the machine. I would take a break then go back to it. I am finally confident enough to use the machine with good results. I am hesitant about changing the settings for different leather thicknesses because I don't want to go through all the adjustments again, and I still for the life of me can't get the reverse to land in the the same hole so for now I just finish by hand, but I am certain that I will get that too. (From what I have read an adjustment needs to be made to the machine) Whatever you do, keep working at it and don't give up. Take some more time to get to know your machine and play with all the settings to see what they do. I took scrap pieces and sewed a straight line, making every possible adjustment on the machine until I found the correct settings. I made notes as I did this so I now know what to do and which dial to turn to correct the problem. I have been there, so I know how it feels, but just keep working at it I am sure you will get the hang of it in no time.

Good Luck with it all!

Karina

[Danno3]

Seems like the dealer should have adjusted all of that, and I'm not sure how it would move significantly. But, there's a little thing in there, simple to see if you're in the right place. Need a small but fairly long screw driver. Did you get a user guide with your machine?

Top right of your machine, next to the handwheel, is a cover plate (no?). Swing the plate out of the way, look down the top, Behind the oil 'wick', you'll see a slotted screw next to two "wheels". Actually, these are nothing more than locking sleeves on the shaft. You'll know the ones, you should see two marks beside each other. Manual calls 'em "marks", looks more like "dots".

Basically, these should be lined up across from each other. But, there is some adjustment. Loosen the screw a bit. Then move the left 'mark' - towards the back makes the reverse stitch longer, towards the front makes the reverse stitch shorter. Then tighten the screw back in.

Now, that's the theory, but there are no fine graduations on the adjustment, so its a "bout so much" adjustment.

Thank you so much for this!!! I am thinking of venturing up to my lair to make these very adjustments...so kind of you to take your time to advise!!

After further reading, apparently the position of the needle makes a difference before hitting the reverse lever.. did not consider that. I was just randomly and gleefully depressing the lever irrespective of positioning just to watch it reverse!

[Greystone]

Just a fyi I'm in Gainsville, and even a new machine has the learning curve and requires patience,

as you also need to adjust and learn what makes the thing tick

and learn what needs fine tuning for your work ,,,

Good Grief,,, Charlie Brown,,,Lucy aghhhh,,, a new machine make me crazy,,,

talk to you seller and let him help you through the tuning and happy to offer $.02 if needed David

[Danno3]

Just a fyi I'm in Gainsville, and even a new machine has the learning curve and requires patience,

as you also need to adjust and learn what makes the thing tick

and learn what needs fine tuning for your work ,,,

Good Grief,,, Charlie Brown,,,Lucy aghhhh,,, a new machine make me crazy,,,

talk to you seller and let him help you through the tuning and happy to offer $.02 if needed David

Thank you David I am from Ocala raised on a thoroughbred farm:)

Guess I need to get up there and learn my new tool...

[The Dawg Club]

When you start off your stitch...hold both threads in the back tight for a couple of stitches.

[Danno3]

When you start off your stitch...hold both threads in the back tight for a couple of stitches.

That will fix my tension problems won't it...

Thank you, really nice of you to take your time to tell me that, nice collars!!!

[undeberg]

Keep at it, when I started working with leather I got a wild hair to build a saddle, I'd never made anything out of leather. Now I'm doing wholesale work for a local store and selling all kinds of western gear from chaps and chinks to saddles. I know how frustrating a machine can be, but don't feel bad about calling your salesperson. They should be able to help you with all the adjustments.

I'm also a special olympics ski coach, I was one of the coaches for the World Winter Games Team USA that went to South Korea last winter. Sorry to hear about the fractured skull, but I admire all the parents out there that do whatever it takes for their kids. If you ever have any questions this is a great place to get them answered.

[Red Cent]

At my age I should know better but I bought a Cobra 4 from all the kudos on machine and customer service. No one said anything about that steep a....learning curve. Test and sew. Test and sew. Test...........

Don't give up.

I was about to post your reverse is adjustable. And your machine is rather limited to "low to medium weight leather".

What are your products?