Help me get the right machine, my budget is $1,700

[Darren Brosowski]

8 hours ago, EdwinKnight said:

Interesting I like the history, and I have a ton of questions about where the different designs came from such as with the MITSUBISHI LU2-410, does anyone know if this is a good design and the history of it? Looks like this design is being copied by Yamata FY5618 and Reliable 4000.

I just worry a bit about these knock off machines using poorly hardened screws, poor quality bearings and shafts. So I got some money to spend but I want to research it all and make a good choice.

The bigger importers spend more time sourcing to get the right product.

Tracing design histories is interesting but most Japanese machines have a touch of Singer in them from when Singer started having machines built in Japan

 

[Techsew Ron]

On 5/6/2017 at 4:48 PM, EdwinKnight said:

So lets say 3 layers of 8-9oz leather is what I sew on the most, in this case what Techsew machine can you recommend? Could a motor upgrade and a reducer pulley added to say that Consew 206 head only purchase then make this job doable?  

 

For sewing 3 layers of 8-9oz leather I'd say you'd be looking at the Techsew 3850 or Techsew 5100. Even with a 1HP motor and speed reducer you would have trouble sewing that thickness on a Consew 206.

[Wizcrafts]

On 5/6/2017 at 4:48 PM, EdwinKnight said:

So lets say 3 layers of 8-9oz leather is what I sew on the most, in this case what Techsew machine can you recommend? Could a motor upgrade and a reducer pulley added to say that Consew 206 head only purchase then make this job doable?  

 

The best way to explain the limitations of the 206RB and similar compound feed walking foot machines is that the way they are built, the inside and outside feet are linked together to alternate up and down, with a maximum height that is reached when the descending needlebar's bottom thread guide hits the top of one or both feet, or when the inside crankshafts hit the presser bars and stop moving. Further, walking foot machines require at least 1/8 inch clearance on top of the material to allow them to alternate and do their thing. This usually happens at a maximum material thickness of 3/8 inch, but can occur at a lesser height. An eighth of an inch is equal to 8 ounce thickness leather. This works out to a maximum sewing thickness of three layers of 7-8 ounce leather, not 8-9 ounces. IOW: 24 ounces would be the usual maximum sewing thickness on a Consew 206RB or equivalent.

If you need to machine sew 27 ounces of veg-tan leather, the Consew 206RB is not the machine for that job. Not only will it be trying to climb higher than its mechanical limitations, but the maximum thread size it's meant to handle is too light for such a thick stack. You will need a stronger machine that is built to sew thicker leather with thicker thread and bigger needles than the 206 and similar machines.

[Don Ayres]

I have a chance to buy a 7 year old Seiko refurbished machine that looks in very good condition for $1,150 with a table and servo motor, a speed reducer is $100 extra, Is this a fair price?