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!

[Gregg From Keystone Sewing]

gottaknow was on point with everything he said.

Generally speaking, the largest needle you can put into a Consew 206RB style hook is a size 160/23. Any larger, and you'll have to adjust the bobbin case basket's thread guard so that you can get the needle scarf closer to the hook point, without being pushed out of the way by the thread guard 1st. A large needle like this is almost defiantly deflecting off the hook point, unless it was properly adjusted. That said, the machine does come with a size 140/22 from the factory, and a few more needles in the accessories that would have come new with the machine. These are going to be your best starting point, for sure.

Edited March 10, 2014 by Gregg From Keystone Sewing

[Wizcrafts]

Somebody ucked him fup.

[Dingus McGee]

well the machine didnt come with anything but the table, the needle in the machine and 2 spare bobins.

I just figured it was the way it came.

The techsew I got was loaded with accories and extra needles. Just figured it was one of those places that hooked ya up.

Gonna call those people and ask them where my goodies are now.

I am going to get some things online and then if the 2 people I called last night will reply tomorrow. If not then I will have to tap you fine folks for advice.

When I get it put together right and if it can handle the leather correctly then I will have to load a few photos of the projects.

I normally just do per order items but there might be some item runs in the future if i can sew them with the machine instead of all hand sewn.

Somebody ucked him fup.

Indeed

[Anne Bonnys Locker]

No mistake here.

You now have two machines that are capable of doing a wide range of leatherwork.

The 206 will sew through 1/4" of leather with #138 thread all day, every day. 207 on the top end is possible but this style of bobbin case will never be happy with anything heavier.

I have been talking to one of the best saddlers in Australia and he does most of his work on the old Singer version of the Techsew machine. Let's look at the way the machine is set up:

How high is the feed dog? Maximum of 1mm (40 thou) and if you cannot get it lower than that then remove the feed dog and grind off the bottom so it can drop further.

While the feed dog is out buff off the high points.

Is the underside of the foot clean and smooth?

These are small details and I am pretty sure Ronnie would have done these things before delvery so what I expect the real issue is is the nut holding the work

Left hand at the back and right at the front applying gentle pressure to feed the work.

If the feed dogs are really cutting up the work then it isn't feeding properly and this is a user error, not a machine problem.

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?

[Dingus McGee]

No mistake here.

You now have two machines that are capable of doing a wide range of leatherwork.

The 206 will sew through 1/4" of leather with #138 thread all day, every day. 207 on the top end is possible but this style of bobbin case will never be happy with anything heavier.

Wish it had the cylinder bobbin like the 3650

I have been talking to one of the best saddlers in Australia and he does most of his work on the old Singer version of the Techsew machine. Let's look at the way the machine is set up:

How high is the feed dog? Maximum of 1mm (40 thou) and if you cannot get it lower than that then remove the feed dog and grind off the bottom so it can drop further.

While the feed dog is out buff off the high points.

haven't measured the feed dogs. they bark too much.
I am going to be grinding them down a small bit at a time to see where the point is they will feed with out the eating part.

Is the underside of the foot clean and smooth?

Yes

These are small details and I am pretty sure Ronnie would have done these things before delvery so what I expect the real issue is is the nut holding the work

Don't know who Ronnie is...is that the guy from parkersville that is always running the towns only stop sign?

If you are talking about the 3650 it rock and rolls through anything you could ask it to sew. If you are talking about the 206 the guys name was Jason and he was really trying to get me to buy a servo machine that was NOT performing at all on the leather I brought with me.

Left hand at the back and right at the front applying gentle pressure to feed the work.

Thats what I do. I make a special type of blanket that the 206 works wonders on (Because of the flat bed and the finer needle and stitching I can do with the 206) and I couldnt be happier with it for that application.

If the feed dogs are really cutting up the work then it isn't feeding properly and this is a user error, not a machine problem.

As for the 3650 it is marking the leather up enough that the first few tries with holsters I ended up doing some tooling work to try and incorperate them into a design. Works on about 1 of 5 holsters because most people want smooth leather. no decoration.

Thanks for the help and info. I am going to break out the other machine again and try and find a home for it. I have 0 room to place it right now unless I want to sleep with it. I have a studio type place and right now i have a path to the important places and the 3650 is in the storage closet, the table is now housing my dye material and is temporarily doubling as a cutting table with my old coffee table as the work surface.

[Dingus McGee]

Ok, had to leave the leather work for a while to deal some life things. Family stuff.

But back at it again.

here is my biggest issue now. I have a factory installed needle.

The thread keeps getting shredded after about.. lets call it 5-10 stitches. It begins almost imediately.

I have spent at least a hour looking and found nothing on how to adjust anything but the upper and bobbin thread thension.

Am I screwed and have to pull this thing out of the back room and lug it to someone to adjust for me or where do I go to adjust this thing. I gave up using it for its intended purpose and am just going to hand sew the heavy stuff because I am not shelling another 1500 to 2500 for a machine with a walking foot that can handle the thicker stuff.

So now I am just going to use it for the super light and flimsy stuff because so far thats all I have been able to get it to at least give a few stitches for.

Yes, I am sitting here frustrated because thinking I was going to get a machine that can handle all my needs for the amount of money I put into it and also finding out the people I bought it from gyped me on the accories wont so much as give me the time of day now since i asked about the accories.

SO!!

Who knows how to adjust this beast? or am I stuck paying someone else to do it? Any suggestions? online pdf with pictures that actually arent black blobs? Arrows pointing? Anything?

[Sovran81]

I had that happening to me when I started the stitch. First things first, change the needle. If the thread is pulling hard enough to shred you might have bent it. I doubt this is your issue but it had me going round in circles. on the first couple stitches the thread would get wrapped around the tension disc adjust screw. The stitches would get tighter and the thread would shred in 5-10 stitches. I didnt notice it at first because I would cut the work out and the thread would fall back into the correct position as it snapped back from the tension. I dont know if its cheap thread or I'm just not holding the thread tight enough on the first couple stitches. I suspect the latter because once past the first few stitches there is no problem and it sews great. Like I said probably not your issue but it something simple to look for that causes your issue.

[Dingus McGee]

HA! I figured it out. there was a small screw that was just loose enough that it would lean over AFTER I dropped the foot down. With the foot up I would listen for metal to metal contact and hear nothing...drop it down and just as the needle would go past the table level I could hear it...tore it all apart and there it was...MOCKING me. But a few twists of a driver and some test panels and I am sewing again! Woot!

[JLSleather]

Where was the screw that 'leans'? I have one of these machines - that info might come in handy one day (?).

I was just going to reply that I use a #18 needle with #69 thread, and a 22 or 23 with #138 thread - works fine.

[Dingus McGee]

On the bobbin. tiny thing. I had to break out my tiny screw driver set to get at it. i think that when I was adjusting tensions to see if that were the issue I think I came out too far with it and it would rise up but why it would only do it on the down stroke with the foot down is beyond me. I am not a experienced guy with these machines.

[JLSleather]

Tensioner on the bobbin case? That IS weird that it flex only when moving. Must have been really "hanging" ...