Worst Mistake Ever

[Dingus McGee]

I bought a consew 206rb5. Great idea huh?

No..

I make holsters mostly.

I usually use a techsew 3650 HD and hated how much it marks up the leather. And when trying to do fine work? nope...dont even try it. So the 206 came to mind!

As long as you are not trying to sew anything more than single layer 2-4oz its perfect.

Anything heavier than that you are looking for heartbreak hotel and a single room with dispaointment.

I have spent more than a month trying to get this thing to sew a halfway decent stitch in 6oz leather but its not going to happen as far as I know.

So I will see how well it works with making seat covers. Maybe if it works I will keep it.

But I am back to handsewing holsters and jacking up the price to cover the extra time I have to spend on them.

Anyone here have any tips..pointers, advice or anything that will tell me I was not a fool for buying this machine?

[Sovran81]

A 206 isnt ideal for sewing holsters but it will sew up to 3/8" What problems are you having? What setup are you using? Servo motor? Speed reducer? Thread and needle sizes?

[SLudlow]

I have no trouble having my Seiko variant of the 206rb sew two layers of 5oz leather, and even 2 layers of 9oz.

Have you had the machine looked at by a professional by chance?

[gottaknow]

Sounds to me like the machine isn't set up correctly. You didn't say where you purchased it or if you sewed on it before hand, something you should always so if you can. Your 206 should sew up to 3/8" soft to medium leather with little issue. It's sweet spot will be 1/4". Not really a holster machine, but a really decent upholstery machine. Still, if it's not set up and adjusted correctly you'll have issues with pretty much anything you sew. What was the main issue/s you were having?

Regards, Eric

[Dingus McGee]

A 206 isnt ideal for sewing holsters but it will sew up to 3/8" What problems are you having? What setup are you using? Servo motor? Speed reducer? Thread and needle sizes?

The threads tends to break. Sometimes it will bunch up on the bottom side. Sometimes it just has thread going straight across with the top thread in loops. Not always the same thing The servo is the smartservo from techsew. Works great. No speed reduced. The issue happens even if I just turn the wheel. The needle is a 27 and the thread is #69 bonded.

I have no trouble having my Seiko variant of the 206rb sew two layers of 5oz leather, and even 2 layers of 9oz.

Have you had the machine looked at by a professional by chance?

Not as of late. I am thinking of taking it back to whom I got it from and ask them to check it over. It will sew 2 layers of eld skin pretty good. Slow, fast doesnt matter. Sews great. But the heavier stuff is nogo. I was going to sell my techsew 3650HD when I got the 206 but I am having to keep it. I just need a sewing maching with a walking foot that will sew the thicker leather but cheapest I have seen is in the 2K range so thats out.

Sounds to me like the machine isn't set up correctly. You didn't say where you purchased it or if you sewed on it before hand, something you should always so if you can. Your 206 should sew up to 3/8" soft to medium leather with little issue. It's sweet spot will be 1/4". Not really a holster machine, but a really decent upholstery machine. Still, if it's not set up and adjusted correctly you'll have issues with pretty much anything you sew. What was the main issue/s you were having?

It is being relegated to a very expensive chaps and vest machine. And this week it will be doing a carseat cover. Thats all i will be able to get it to do. I just have to find a way to fir my stronegr but abusive machine into the workroom. The 3650 can sew through sheet steel but it tears up the back side since it isnt a walking foot and THAT is the main reason I got the 206

[SARK9]

>>The needle is a 27 and the thread is #69 bonded.<<

If that's not a typo, that is a needle that is way oversize for #69 thread. Its enough needle for #415 thread, and I don't believe an RB206 variant comes adjusted to use a needle that large...the manual for mine shows a size 25 as max needle size for my RB-5.

-DC

[RoosterShooter]

I'm with Sark9 on this one.

I'm no machine expert, but I use a Size #22 needle and #92 thread on my Singer 211G.

That seems like an awfully big needle for standard thread! Could your issue be this simple?

Edited March 9, 2014 by RoosterShooter

[Dingus McGee]

Ok that was way off base. I have a 140-22 in there now and that is what came with it. I tried running 289 thread through it and the issue was worse. But as previously stated I can run just about anything else through the machine and I can sew the dickins out of it. But still am stuck with using the HD machine for sewing the holsters which...in reality I wont do because it marks up the leather too much so for holsters I am back to hand sewing. Using thinner leather is not an option except in cases of making soft case carriers. The rb can sew that leather just fine.

[Sovran81]

I am not familiar with that thread size. Here is a chart that lists different needle thread combos. http://www.tolindsewmach.com/thread-chart.html If the combined thickness of your holster is 6 oz, then the 206 is cabable of that thickness, though it still isnt a holster machine. Set up or adjustment is likely your issue. It would be worth getting it a professional tune up.

[Dingus McGee]

Well I called the guys I bought it from and they were no help since the heaviest thing they deal with is double thickness fabric. I need to find a local dude that deals with at the least sail material. Prefer someone that has handled heavy leather. I am off to find the wizard!