Consew no longer good quality?

[robb01]

Still shopping for a machine, pretty much was set on a Consew 206rb5, contacted a dealer who mentioned that Consew is no longer as good as it used to be, and they recommended the 206 clone from Seiko. 

 

Any thoughts on Seiko, hardly see them mentioned here. 

[CowboyBob]

I've heard people say that before.All I have to say is we sell approx. 3-5 a mon & they hold up really good just like most machines will if they're oiled & taken care of.We sold 2 to NASA last year & they called a month ago & ordered 2 more!

The dealer might only had this machine in stock

[gottaknow]

1 hour ago, robb01 said:

Still shopping for a machine, pretty much was set on a Consew 206rb5, contacted a dealer who mentioned that Consew is no longer as good as it used to be, and they recommended the 206 clone from Seiko. 

 

Any thoughts on Seiko, hardly see them mentioned here. 

I've heard that about every brand out there. It all depends on who you talk to and what they want to sell. The newer Consews I've worked on at upholstery shops are fine. Seiko has even made some models of Consews in the past, not sure about now. As Bob said, if a machine is properly adjusted and maintained, just about any brand can perform well.

Regards, Eric

[Hockeymender]

Tho not the same machine as being discussed, I have a Seiko STH-8BLD-3 flatbed and it is an excellent machine. No issues and runs very smooth. I believe it to be one of my better purchases.

[robb01]

11 minutes ago, Hockeymender said:

Tho not the same machine as being discussed, I have a Seiko STH-8BLD-3 flatbed and it is an excellent machine. No issues and runs very smooth. I believe it to be one of my better purchases.

That is the one they recommended 

[Tulsaman]

Isn't the 206 a lower end model of the walking foot? The 226 is up one I believe..When I bought my first Consew 226 it had Seiko parts.. back in 1972 ish... Before the big Chinese invasion. So now even Seiko and or Consew might have Chinese parts etc. They might be the same machine... when I  bought my Juki LU1510-7 machine and I knew they were having Chinese make some copies. I insisted the machine be made in Japan or I'd return it fast. It came with the sticker out front Made in Japan. Maybe the Seiko might have some thing like that. Best thing is to try them and or a dealer that will stand behind it. I noticed parts on the Consew back in 72 weren't as nice as the 211 or 111's we used. Probably worse today. I know my 1510 has plastic stuff that I'm not thrilled at. 

Edited June 14, 2016 by Tulsaman

[Darren Brosowski]

Seiko clone Consew machines? Best laugh I have had in years!!!!!!

Originally Consew - short for Consolidated Sewing - was just a marketing arm of Seiko. The machines were built on the same production line with different badging.

I do not know what the business relationship is now but calling a machine a "clone" when it comes from the original manufacturer is pretty stupid.

 

 

 

[mikesc]

+1 Darren :)

[brmax]

I get a grin from that as still very new to the game person, It may well be true Seiko cloned "but" if true I would easily say better than original.

That's just my opinion and can be like shoes everybody has some!

Floyd

[Gregg From Keystone Sewing]

Consew 206RB series, when introduced in the 70s, was sold outside of the US as a Seiko brand, model STH-8BL, then STH-8BLD, and then as STH-8BLD-3.  When brought into the the US at time, as an exclusive dealer, Consew would have their name brand and model.

For some reason, I know a lot about that machine, and the people who put in together. They took some elements of the Adler safety clutch and forget, but a lot went into the bobbin case opening lever thingy too.