Cutsew Cs-206Rb

[Keyair]

Hello everyone!

New to this, so need some help!

Needed a machine to do some Automotive Upholstery and carpet work. There will be some leatherwork in my plan too!

Found and bought a Cutsew CS-206RB for a nice price. Looks identical to a Consew 206RB-1 in every way.

It came from a school that closed, and the seller thought was made in the 80's.

My mother, who has been a Seamstress for 65 years tested the machine. She set it up from cold in a few minutes, even though she had never seen this make before(she is a Bernina and Pfaff expert). She sewed a single, double and quad layer of leather as a test. and pronounced it very strong, and smooth, and I trust her senses and knowledge, so bought it.

Now its home, I am wondering exactly what I have... a Consew Knock-off, or just a rebadge?

Did I do ok or buy a pup?

I will post some pictures soon.

[Keyair]

So, here are the pics I took this morning...

Oh, and I just remembered the seller told me the motor was replaced...

I gather this might be a good thing... Servo Motor in place of a clutch motor?

[Greystone]

not an expert about the machine but looks good ,,

NICE buy if you are happy with your purchase price

even with the servo motor consider adding a speed reducer,

for leather and better slow speed power and control

CONGRATS David

[Keyair]

Thanks David!

I am happy with the purchase price... as it cost ME nothing more than a few gallons of gas...

My parents bought it for me as a birthday gift!

Having said that, the price was very reasonable in comparison to what similar used industrial quality walking foot machine were going for locally, and on Ebay. I had missed a nice looking Pfaff last week, which was frustrating.

The Cutsew name plate has me confused a little...

The only place I found it was here... Identical machine..

http://www.cutsewservice.com/206.htm

Please, if I bought a piece of junk, I want to know now before I start the learning process!

I was pleased to see that the motor was a servo unit, and in fact I somehow when my mother did the test, in the back of my mind, I noted that when the power button was on, it was quiet. Now I understand why!

Can I get details on this "Speed Reducer", and cost?

Assuming that it was a good buy, I need to fix some small issues...

The oil drip pan needs to be re-attached at one end... the nails are gone.

It will need a new belt too.

Seems to be a tiny bit of surface rust on the shafts under... is that a worry?

Also I want to "Touch-Up" the paint chips... what do you use for paint?

Also need to start getting some accessories...

It came with this foot assembly... what else should I get?

I got some oil droppers, but not much oil... what do I need?

Also, only 4 bobbins, one bobbin case, and 3 packs of 135/17 I think..

Can anyone suggest a basics list of things I will need?

I will be edging carpet first, then moving on to some leather basics, like a gear lever and parking brake gaiter..

Edited November 17, 2013 by Keyair

[stanly]

kind of a small motor-2nd the speed reducer

I'd at least get the std. foot w/ toe on each side- consider ordering package of assorted feet off Ebay

whatever oil u've got u need zoom spout oiler

thread? upholstery wt. at least.

[Keyair]

Been busy!

After we got it home, we gave it a thorough clean, oiling, and wipe down inside and out.

Fixed the drip tray with screws rather than the nails.

My mother dialed in the tensions, as they were way off, and showed me the basics.

I am suffering an eye condition and awaiting surgery, so cant do much more than watch and listen at the moment..

She did some test pieces. This thing can sew she says! She sewed some sticky vinyl, leather, and even some thick plastic. Didn't miss a stitch or foul up one time once she got the tension better set.

She felt that the machine was going to be a handful for me, as a novice because it is tricky to control at low speed, even with the motor speed dialed down with the dial...

Some research and reading suggested that a smaller motor pulley is a good start point. The one fitted is a 3 1/4", and so I found a 2 1/8" on Ebay.

I am thinking about adding something like this... can I gets some opinions?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/SEWING-MACHINE-SPEED-REDUCER-PULLY-WITH-2-6-PULLEY-/300720909352?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item46045cec28

[J Hayes]

The speed reducer will work, it will slow the machine and increase the torque. As to that specific reducer I don't really have an opinion, I would however urge you to check with one of the dealers that advertise here, they often answer questions and help. Toledo Industrial sewing(Bob), Leather Machine Co (Steve), Raphael Sewing (Ronnie) and Gregg from Keystone sewing. Good to help them when possible.

[Wizcrafts]

Installing a speed reducer is not trivial for a first timer. Not only will you need to position it exactly under the flywheel on the machine, you'll also need to align it with the motor pulley. Plus, you'll need to purchase two new v-belts: 1 from the motor to the large pulley and 1 to go up from the small pulley to the machine.

Once you install a reducer you will need to loosen it to remove the belt going to the head, in order to flip the head for oiling or adjustments, if any are needed.

Finally, make sure that the reducer you purchase has ball bearings.

In the meanwhile, a 2" motor pulley and 1 inch shorter belt will make a noticeable improvement in your low end controllability and torque. You may not need a reducer at all! But, if torque is still lacking, a better motor might make a world of difference.

[Keyair]

Thanks for the input Guys!

J Hayes:

New to this site, so thanks for that heads up... Always good to support the supporters!

Wizcraft:

First of all, awesome write-up you did... it was pivotal in my choice of machine!

Now I am sure I have a rebadged Consew 206RB-1... Which I read is stronger than the later versions maybe?

A little bit about me might ease your mind!

I might be new to sewing, but I am a lifelong gearhead, mechanic and tinkerer, and have a rather interesting skill set...

I have 30+ years of experience in Automotive Design, as a sculptor before my eyesight issue. Lots of years doing Clay, woodwork, metal and fiberglass.

One of the things I loved doing was "Mock Trimming" clay interiors... After we had sculpted the clay model for the Instrument panel, doors, or sometimes seats we needed to make it look realistic. We would find a leather skin with the grain we liked, then take a silicon mould off it. This mould would be sprayed with multiple layers of latex paint until it formed a skin. We would then peel this skin off the mould and apply it to the clay model to give the leather grain look. This would often involve making mock joints, with mock stitch-lines. Also color and texture changes could be done, as well as building cloth trimmed or wood grain inserts...

For those that need to get their heads around this kind of thing... I found this picture of a Mustang Clay interior that had a similar treatment to what I described... Yes, it is clay under all that trickery!

This is not one I worked on myself...

http://forums.themustangsource.com/gallery/showimage.php?i=22009

I have watched and worked with trimmers for many years, and always admired what they did, and learned a lot... time to try myself!

The reducer pulley fitment does not worry me... I do understand your cautioning me without knowing my skill set!!

I wish I had access to a big enough lathe to turn one myself!

Here are a couple of pics of what we have done so far... My mother has never done more that cushions, and leather clothing, but together we are working together!

Some practice stitches or Vinyl...

Some thick plastic...

An a test piece parking brake gaiter....

Some wavy stitches... too much speed to blame... honest!

The pins are there to mark an area that was too flat, and needs some crown or curve to cover the mechanism.

We are working on #2 today!

Edited November 22, 2013 by Keyair

[J Hayes]

Looks good to me.

I was able to find an 1 3/4 pulley for at my local hardware store, so if the 2 1/8 doesn't do you may try that too.

Nice to have somebody there to teach as well!