Machine for mostly canvas, some heavier stuff

[Wizcrafts]

1 hour ago, mwpdx86 said:

The p1206rb is another one I was looking at.  I wasn't sure about the safety clutch.  I don't know how likely it is that I'll throw out the timing (or trip the safety clutch on a machine that has one) with what I'm doing.  Does that normally just happen when you try to sew something too heavy or when the needle flexes and hits the plate (that's been happening a lot on my home machine)??  Are there other important differences between the 206rb5 and the p1206rb?  The price difference doesn't seem too important if the 206rb is significantly better for some reason. 

FWIIW:

I have a room full of industrial sewing machines and at this moment, not one has a safety clutch. The only time I jam the top thread in the bobbin case or shuttle race is when I don't hold back the starting threads with enough tension. This usually only happens when I am starting to sew a large patch onto the back of a vest and can't quite get enough thread out of the armhole or bottom when I start. But, the jam is obvious and I stop very quickly and clear it with snippers and/or tweezers, then move along. I have never thrown out my timing from a thread jam and I have two old Singer walking foot machines that are still sewing every day.

[dikman]

I've snapped more than a couple of needles through deflecting and hitting the needle plate, and a couple because the timing was out and they caught down in the bobbin/shuttle area (), haven't tripped a safety clutch yet.

Looks like the 1206 can handle slightly heavier thread. One advantage of buying the 1206 is that you'll be getting a new machine, set up properly to start with.

[Colt W Knight]

• I used the Safety Clutch on my Consew 206 once ( stupid mistake on my part right after I bought the machine). My consew 206 is a beast, and it is a canvas sewing machine. Plus you have readily available attachments like binders that would come in handy on a bag machine.
•  

[Red Cent]

http://www.sailrite.com/Sewing-Machines/Portable-Heavy-Duty-Sewing-Machines/Ultrafeed-LSZ-1-Sewing-Machine

 

and it will do the zig zag

[mwpdx86]

Done! Pulled the trigger on a Consew P1206rb that should be arriving today.  It's both a huge relief (I've been agonizing over this decision for a number of months now) and a bit terrifying as I'm not sure what to expect from a machine like this.  At least they seem to have pretty good resale value on craigslist, I guess. 

[dikman]

I reckon you've made the right decision, as I said it looks like a nice machine. Let us know how you go with it as it will be useful info for anyone else considering buying one.

[Wizcrafts]

13 hours ago, mwpdx86 said:

Done! Pulled the trigger on a Consew P1206rb that should be arriving today.  It's both a huge relief (I've been agonizing over this decision for a number of months now) and a bit terrifying as I'm not sure what to expect from a machine like this.  At least they seem to have pretty good resale value on craigslist, I guess. 

Good choice. Now remember to always pull back the starting threads for a few stitches as you begin a stitch line. If you start by reversing, hold the starting threads until you cross back over them in forward.

[mwpdx86]

This thing is a monster! Finally got it set up and sewing and the claims of "sews anything it can fit under the foot" are pretty accurate, as far as I can tell.  It definitely takes a bit of getting used to but I love the way it just chomps right through stuff that would throw my other machine into a panic attack.  I'm still fine tuning (maybe?) the oil output to the hook, I think.  It keeps getting oil on/around the needle holes, especially noticeable on leather/etc.  I can't really find any detailed information about this, just briefly mentioned in some videos an the manual.  

I'm also using the needles it came with which are way too large for the thread I was able to find locally.  It came with 160 size needles, and the only thread I could find locally in small/test amounts was 69/70.  It works *ok* but the stitches seem a bit loose.  I think I'm going to get some 138 or 207 thread in the large spools tomorrow, assuming anywhere is open on labor day.  I'd prefer to get the 207 but it sounds like maybe 207 only works with this machine if you use 138 in the bobbin?  Can't find too much information about this either but hopefully I can get it to work ok with 207 in both the bobbin and the top thread.  We'll see, I guess.  

[Wizcrafts]

You would use #18 needles with #69 thread. Move up to #19 or 20 needles with #92 thread. #23 (160) is for #138 and possibly #207 on top. Your machine is not meant to sew with #207 thread in the bobbin. It is beyond the tensioners design specs and will probably leave the knots laying on the bottom of the leather, if it sews at all with that size thread. It could possibly void the warranty on the machine. Always use System 135x16 leather point needles with leather, or 135x17 round point with vinyl, webbing or cloth.