graywolf Report post Posted June 12, 2016 I am asking if anyone here has had any experience with Sew Line Sewing Machines? I saw a couple of threads about the portable, but that is not what I am looking at. I am considering their SL-106, SL-206RB, and SL-1541S. All of those seem to be Consew Clones. With servo-motor & table they are $800. $980, and $1199 respectively. They charge $119 shipping, but are close enough to me to go pick one up, which is why I am considering them. What I know: eBay seller, Chinese clones, in boxes, they do not set them up, they seem to be the US distributor, responded to my inquiry within a couple of hours. I am actually looking for a machine for mainly tent canvas and car upholstery, with occasional mid-weight leather sewing (2 layers of 8 oz). My local choices at the moment seems to be an old black 111-155 for only $1150. Around here anything over 20 years old is an antique to fleece the tourists with. I would actually prefer a used machine in the $500 range, but kind of doubt I am going to fine one at that price delivered here in Boone Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mikesc Report post Posted June 12, 2016 Previous threads..here at leatherworker.net about sew line machineshttp://leatherworker.net/forum/topic/33496-sew-line-106-rpl-any-one-know-about-these/http://leatherworker.net/forum/topic/59066-how-do-we-like-sewline-sewing-machines/http://leatherworker.net/forum/topic/67136-sew-line-sl-29-timing/http://leatherworker.net/forum/topic/38282-sew-line-sl-5-1/ HTH ps..I would tend to agree with Wiz, Art etc in this thread,http://leatherworker.net/forum/topic/33496-sew-line-106-rpl-any-one-know-about-these/ if you are going to buy new , buy from one of the dealers who advertise / advise on Leatherworker.net..or, ask them if they have any used machines that are within your budget. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wizcrafts Report post Posted June 12, 2016 1 hour ago, graywolf said: I am asking if anyone here has had any experience with Sew Line Sewing Machines? I saw a couple of threads about the portable, but that is not what I am looking at. I am considering their SL-106, SL-206RB, and SL-1541S. All of those seem to be Consew Clones. With servo-motor & table they are $800. $980, and $1199 respectively. They charge $119 shipping, but are close enough to me to go pick one up, which is why I am considering them. What I know: eBay seller, Chinese clones, in boxes, they do not set them up, they seem to be the US distributor, responded to my inquiry within a couple of hours. I am actually looking for a machine for mainly tent canvas and car upholstery, with occasional mid-weight leather sewing (2 layers of 8 oz). My local choices at the moment seems to be an old black 111-155 for only $1150. Around here anything over 20 years old is an antique to fleece the tourists with. I would actually prefer a used machine in the $500 range, but kind of doubt I am going to fine one at that price delivered here in Boone Are you aware that at least one of our member-dealers, Toledo Industrial Sewing Machines, sells brand new Consew walking foot machines for a little as $995? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
graywolf Report post Posted June 12, 2016 Yes, I know about the P1206RB at Toledo, and that is what I am thinking of as my outside limit. I have also looked at Keystones listings. I need to check with those guys about shipping before dropping the hammer on anything. But I am still checking my options, right now; and the Sew Line guy is only two hours from me. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
graywolf Report post Posted June 12, 2016 5 hours ago, mikesc said: Previous threads..here at leatherworker.net about sew line machineshttp://leatherworker.net/forum/topic/33496-sew-line-106-rpl-any-one-know-about-these/http://leatherworker.net/forum/topic/59066-how-do-we-like-sewline-sewing-machines/http://leatherworker.net/forum/topic/67136-sew-line-sl-29-timing/http://leatherworker.net/forum/topic/38282-sew-line-sl-5-1/ HTH ps..I would tend to agree with Wiz, Art etc in this thread,http://leatherworker.net/forum/topic/33496-sew-line-106-rpl-any-one-know-about-these/ if you are going to buy new , buy from one of the dealers who advertise / advise on Leatherworker.net..or, ask them if they have any used machines that are within your budget. Humm...? the second tread is the only one that has a comment from someone who has had one of the machines, and his is favorable. The 106RPL is one of the portables, and the couple of reviews on it I have seen were favorable. Not that I am going to make a decision based on that very limited amount of info. Thank you for your help. I guess I should have added to my OP that I am a poor guy with only a hobby interest. Whatever I get is not going to pay for itself. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shoepatcher Report post Posted June 14, 2016 graywolf, I used to live in Waynesville, NC which is not to far from you. Give Jones Decker a call at Bills Sewing in Hildebrand, NC. 1-800-4455657. They are a very large Juki dealer and they were at one time one of the largest Consew and Pfaff dealers in the US. Great people to deal with. I bought machines from them and they have a lot of used and reconditioned machines. Excellent service. Not on our list of dealers on the board here but they are close to you and certainly worth a call and maybe a visit to their showroom. Tell them what you are looking for. glenn Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
graywolf Report post Posted June 14, 2016 Thanks Glenn, a local upholstery shop also recommended Bill's. I think I will have to run down there, as soon as I get my current car problem fixed, and check them out. Funny thing is, I found a reputable site selling the Consew 206RB-5 at pretty much clone prices, within $100 at my door. Of course, for most of you guys, that is not such a deal as it is not set up for leather at that price. It also, certainly, means, I would not want to pay clone prices for a used machine. Now, I have to decide if I will actually use the thing if I order it? Oh, I guess it would be polite to say why I signed up here on LW. It is because I found nowhere else on the web that offered so much useful information on heavy duty sewing machines. Much of what I know about them came from browsing here before signing up. Thanks to everyone for all that useful information, the time you spent posting all of it is appreciated. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
graywolf Report post Posted July 15, 2016 (edited) Well, I finally got the car fixed and made it down to Bill's Sewing Machines. Talked with Jones Decker as Glenn recommended. Couple of things. He recommended a Juki DU-1189N which he has for a good price. And he said he knows the guy selling the Sew Line machines and they are a decent sewing machines. The 1189N is just a walking foot machine without the needle feed. He also has the 1541S, they are a Juki Dealer, but that is a bit pricy for me. The problem now is fixing the car cost more than I anticipated, and I do not know if I can afford to send the money at this time. SIGH! Edited July 15, 2016 by graywolf Spelling Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
