Is the Consew 255b the right machine?

[arich]

My dad is pretty handy with a welder. Is adding a speed reducer to the clutch motor an option?

[MADMAX22]

If its anything like my 211g155 which they look to be it will be pretty fast. With a cheapo servo motor I was able to easily control it for making my motorcycle seats. That being said its torque is not great when slowed way down for stitching vegtan or thicker leather. It did fine for the upholstery leather I used on the seats so no speed reducer needed. The machine pulley as you can see in the pics is pretty small. 

The 211 is a good machine once it is running good. If these are in good shape which they look to be they should serve you well as long as you can work around no reverse and not having a cylinder arm machine. 

[dikman]

Arich, that was where I started my "journey" into the wonderful and arcane world of industrial sewing machines! I made and fitted a speed reducer to my first machine, and then fitted a larger pulley to the handwheel. I still couldn't control it to suit my needs. I now have three servos plus speed reducers on two of them and a very large (8") pulley replacing the handwheel on the third machine (the Pfaff 335). As MM said the speed reducer coupled with the servo is the way to go, as it will give very slow speed and more torque, although with what you want to sew I'm sure a servo alone will be adequate.

[Wishful]

I contacted this guy and he has some with reverse and servo's. In fact you can see the center one has a servo. The one with reverse will cost a bit more but See if you can make a deal.

[arich]

Super helpful Wishful!

I'm going to take a look at it tomorrow.

I'm going to bring some scraps to try it out. Is there anything specific I should keep an eye out for while giving it a test drive?

[brmax]

Yes the option machine with reverse will make your days much better, and your thread choice now may be hand thread so with machines of that style the largest thread testing will prove best at this time, that size will be 138-and ?maybe 207 on top.

Sometimes the issues are going from one level to another in the fabrication, like a seam and that bump can be the adjustment needed, most are setup for one layer jump/bump with heavier jean, leather, canvas so overcoming this seam may well need more "step adjustment" proper.

If it is tested with the largest thread you will use as above and "would" be best as this may require a hook/needle adjustment and the best time for it.

I think your Dad would be happier installing a pre made option, or a smaller pulley at first if by choice btdt

very best of luck to you all

good Friday

Floyd

 

[arich]

Thanks for all your help everyone, I brought home the machine yesterday! Excited to get going on it. What size thread do I need? I will be sewing 1/4 tooling leather. The manual says up to a #8 and a left twist thread. I like the look of a thicker thread. 

[dikman]

Well done. Did you get the one with reverse and a servo?

[arich]

Servo but no reverse -not sure I like the look of reverse on leather

[dikman]

I think getting the servo is more important than reverse. Depending on the size of the project I've found it no big deal to turn the material to sew the first couple of stitches and then turn it back the right way.