Decision time for me.

[Don Ayres]

I make wallets and once the layers are stacked they add up to about 1/4", I have my eye on two machines, The Sailrite Fabricator and the Consew 206RB-5, Both are about the same price, I see advantages and disadvantages with both, Sailrite seems to have excellent customer service and lots of accessories and videos a decent 2 year limited warranty but a low resale value, the Consew seems to have less customer service and a higher resale value, and a shorter limited warranty, and believe it or not the two industrial sewing machine stores near me aren't  willing to open on a saturday so i can actually sit down and try the Consew and make a sale. They both seem to be very capable machines for my application but i honestly just dont know, any advise or help is greatly appreciated

[JLSleather]

DOE NO NUTHING bout a sailrite, but I had that Consew .. should STILL have it actually.  Good little machine, easy to use, reliable.  Since i don't have it any more, if I were to get something in that range again, I'd likely do the Cowboy 227, which is 'basically' the cylinder model of that same thing.

[trash treasure]

Buy the Consew - The Consew is a compound feed walking foot machine, and the sailrite has what's called a "jump foot" - Very different machines.

The low re-sale value on the Sailrite should tell you something ...........

[kgg]

I guess business must be good for your sewing machine stores. If you want/need/like a new machine, at least has a walking foot mechanism, something that will hold it's resale value and a good workhorse then I would strongly suggest looking at the Juki machines. That is not to say the Consew 206RB-5  (~1400US) or the Sailrite Fabricator (~1500US) are not good machines each have their pros, cons and limitations like every machine but the cost difference to that of a Juki and the availability of parts/accessories for me it would be the Juki. The Juki DU-1181n (walking foot ~$1400US) or even better the Juki DNU-1541s (compound feed ~$1800US). Buy once, cry once.

kgg

[Don Ayres]

Thanks kgg

[mikesc]

Sailright..the Trabant or Reliant Robin of industrial sewing machines..rattly, clanky, inaccurate, finished like a Chinese patcher...waaaay over priced.

Aimed squarely at the "yachty market " those with more money than sense.

Edited May 3, 2019 by mikesc

[Don Ayres]

9 minutes ago, mikesc said:

Sailright..the Trabant or Reliant Robin of industrial sewing machines..rattly, clanky, inaccurate, finished like a Chinese patcher...waaaay over priced.

Aimed squarely at the "yachty market " those with more money than sense.

Thanks

[LeatherLegion]

The Sailrite will stitch closer to edge without worrying about the leather dropping  in the feed dogs slot every time the feed dogs are going down. 

[mikesc]

Never had that happen on any machine, and I use some very thin, soft kid "glove" leather ( 0.3mm to 0.5mm ) sometimes, and close to the edges.

[Gavinmnt]

Hey. As someone who loves making wallets, I totally get the importance of finding the right sewing machine. So, let's talk about the Sailrite Fabricator and the Consew 206RB-5. Sailrite is pretty cool because they have awesome customer service and offer cool accessories and helpful videos. Plus, they have a decent 2-year warranty. The only downside is that their resale value isn't as high. On the other hand, Consew has a higher resale value, but their customer service might not be as great, and their warranty is shorter. If you're willing to take a chance online, you could check out some reviews and comparisons to get a better idea. Someimes, an online toss may help. Anyway, I'm a newbie on this forum, too, so I just wanted to know what decision you made eventually.

Edited July 24, 2023 by Gavinmnt

[Ferg]

I own the Consew 206RB-5.

Great machine, have owned it about six or more years I think. Never have had a problem with it. Never needed manufacturer help.

Uses popular needles and will sew forever.

Ferg

[Gump]

Sailrite is a wanne-be machine. I have a 205RB3 and the folks at Consew are good to work with, even with 40 year old machines like my 227r. The 205 is a rugged machine and simple to time and maintain [OIL]. Bobbins, needles and feet are easy to find. It takes singer 111w type feet.

 

[shoepatcher]

Buy the Consew.  Better machine.  Never been impressed with Sailrite machines.  I think they are overpriced.   I have been sewing and working on machines for over 40 years.  Consew the better machine.  Better built.  

glenn

[fredk]

I guess that 4 years ago the OP decided on which machine to buy,