Consew 255Rb-2 Vs Consew 206 Vs Chandler 406.

[dirtyrubberducky]

I am green as they come when it come to leather. I have been working with canvas and vinyl on my home machine (Pfaff 130) and that has been adequate as long as the piece isn’t too big and the thread isn’t too thick. I have been looking at getting a compound feed machine for a little while and would like to keep it with in a reasonable budget for myself, around $1000. I have come across a consew 255 RB -2 that appears to be in great condition. It comes with a table and a clutch motor for an asking price of $950. I can also get a Chandler 406 brand new, sewn off with a table and motor delivered for just under $1000.

My biggest questions are, is the 255RB-2 worth anything near $950, I cannot find much out there to compare. Also, I have read that the max stitch length is 6mm ( 4spi) and 10 mm (2.5 spi). Are there two different versions of the 255RB that would have different max stich lengths?

Is the Chander 406 any good? The Consew 206 is a few hundred more and on the outside they are the same machine. What is the advantage of the Consew? From what I understand they are both made in China now.

Any and all advise would be greatly appreciated!

Kyle

[Gregg From Keystone Sewing]

Consew 255RB, RB-1, RB-2 all have max. SPI of 4, and use a push button on the bed of the machine and a turn of the handwheel forward or backward. Same a Singer 111W, Juki LU-563, and many, many other popular models.

Consew 255RB-3 has max. SPI of 2 1/2, and is easy to differentiate from the predecessors by the stitch length dial that is on this machine to adjust the stitch length.

[dirtyrubberducky]

Funny, I have seen dealer advertisements that have shown the 225RB-3 without the stitch length dial and some with. Wonder if some were using an old stock photo.

Any opinion on the Chandler 406 vs the Consew 206?