TeriYool Report post Posted August 10, 2016 Let me start by saying this group is an absolute gold mine of information! Thanks so much for being here! I have spent days reading posts and following links and sponging up so much! I make dog collars, leashes, harnesses, and simple gear like poop bag pouches, treat pouches, and the like. Leashes are pretty heavy and I sew them by hand (never knew there was such a thing as a stitch pony, that may save my life!) or magic braid with or without a rivet. Pull harnesses (freight or X-back) are seatbelt nylon or webbing for the little guys, and canvas, rip-stop, or poplin for the pouches. I make the collars from leather and have done magic braid and some rivets and hand stitching but mostly a pfaff 300 which I have worked to death. I have a nice machine for fabric and even a Husquvarna surger for special order dog clothes (eeew but people ask). I have tuition to pay so not a lot of cash (getting my master's in special education for the visually impaired) which leaves me NOT making detailed collars, buying another OLD time machine that I will burn up that doesn't produce the quality I would like, or picking up an old Juki 555-5. The ad states 'I have a industrial Juki DDL 555-5 sewing machine with table and computer controlled back tack unit. It is a 210 machine and includes phase adapter for household 210. Will also include 5'X5' fabrication table.' Will the Juki do the trick (with a rolling foot kit I found on eBay for $20) for a year or two until I can save up for a nice walking foot machine? Any tricks or suggestions for the Pfaff or Juki? Thanks tons! Also- any links for a stitch pony or horse pattern/directions? TY Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CowboyBob Report post Posted August 10, 2016 No,it won't you need a Juki 562,563,Consew206, 225,226,Singer 111w155,154,153 will all do it much better than a garment machine. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TeriYool Report post Posted August 10, 2016 (edited) Available in my area and price range are: Mitsubishi LS2-180, Consew 206 RB-4 (really pushing the $$ limit), Singer 660 A203, and a Seiko STH-8BLD-3 (out of price range but I could sell my RV). Everything else is thousands out of my range or a thousand miles away. The 206 is on the get it list, thank you Bob, but for that kind of money it would have to be fabulous for many years. Is it a 2-3 year machine or until arthritis makes leatherwork impossible machine? TY Edited August 10, 2016 by TeriYool Clarification Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AEMcClain Report post Posted August 11, 2016 A well cared for 206RB will last for decades. Keep it oiled and I doubt a small scale sewer could wear one out. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dikman Report post Posted August 11, 2016 If it were me the Seiko would be first, if I had the money, however I'd have no qualms about the 206 as long as it's in good working condition. They're based on the Singer 111 series so bits and pieces (feet, bobbins etc) shouldn't be too hard to find. And old Singers just keep going...and going...and going... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Colt W Knight Report post Posted August 12, 2016 The 206 is mean, lean sewing machine. Love mine. It's 3-4 decades old now and still sewing like a champ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TeriYool Report post Posted August 12, 2016 Thanks for the input!!!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TeriYool Report post Posted September 2, 2016 206 rb1 is available for $1200. I missed out on the rb4 trying to come up with the cash. Opinions? Suggestions? What questions should I be asking? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AEMcClain Report post Posted September 2, 2016 I personally would pass for 1200. For a couple hundred more you can get a brand new one. 600-800 max is what I would pay. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MADMAX22 Report post Posted September 2, 2016 Unfortunately craigslisters now seem to use ebay as a pricing structure then wonder why there machines dont move. In my area the 206s,1245s,145s all go for around $1000-1500 and most of the time they sit there for a long time as well or they finally take a offer. Ive only scene a couple of these machines I would pay that money for but they were nice looking machines and not used in industrial environment. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MADMAX22 Report post Posted September 2, 2016 Forgot to add, took a look at your CL area and saw a singer 111w152 for 500 and a juki 241 for 1000, both looked pretty good but others would have to chime in on if they would suit your needs or not. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wizcrafts Report post Posted September 2, 2016 1 hour ago, TeriYool said: 206 rb1 is available for $1200. I missed out on the rb4 trying to come up with the cash. Opinions? Suggestions? What questions should I be asking? For the same money you can order a brand new Consew P1206RB, shipped. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dikman Report post Posted September 2, 2016 The Singer 111W152 is obviously an older machine, it has 3/8" clearance under the foot, 5 spi and no reverse (no big deal). It should handle up to #138 thread. Parts should be fairly easy to find. Couple it with a servo and speed reducer and it will have plenty of grunt. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mikesc Report post Posted September 2, 2016 (edited) Just to add..If you go for the Consew that Wiz posted..you'll see at the right hand side of the web page ( or in the pale blue box, as Wiz made the page "responsive" so if you are on a tablet or a phone, look for the pale blue box, it may be lower down the page ) that it comes with either a 2" or a 3" pulley..get the 2"..It will make the machine turn over just that little bit more slowly than the 3" ( easier to control ) and it will give it just a little bit more torque, so it will sew through thicker work just a little more easily..every bit of "slowness" and torque helps Edited September 2, 2016 by mikesc Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TeriYool Report post Posted September 2, 2016 Awesome! Thanks, guys. Is that with table and all, Wiz? I'm still a few weeks from $1200 in savings. TY Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mikesc Report post Posted September 2, 2016 (edited) I can't speak for Wiz, or for Bob at Toledo, but that appears to be ( from the description ) the price including table, motor machine, light etc..in other words "ready to sew"and, I would imagine "sewn off" ..meaning tested on a piece of leather ( or pieces of the total weight /thickness that you sew ( the US dealers will let you send them samples of what you are going to sew, then they'll make sure that the machine that they sell to you is set up to sew it )..Bob or Wiz will probably be along to explain.. Edited September 2, 2016 by mikesc Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TeriYool Report post Posted September 2, 2016 I'm using a phone to read up today and cannot find a pale blue box or any place to buy. Will study up when I get to a desktop so I can see what you see. Again gentlemen, thank you! TY Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wizcrafts Report post Posted September 2, 2016 15 minutes ago, TeriYool said: I'm using a phone to read up today and cannot find a pale blue box or any place to buy. Will study up when I get to a desktop so I can see what you see. Again gentlemen, thank you! TY CowboyBob prefers to take care of business over the phone, rather than by an online shopping cart. Give him a call at 866-362-7397. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
