Brother LS2-F52A versus Singer 211-G165 The hunt continues!

[SilverForgeStudio]

First off thanks for reading- I apologize for taking up all the bandwidth with my questions-!  My original deal on the 20U and 29K patcher fell through- bummer deal!  I really was hoping to be posting pictures of some first stitches in my own space on this rainy Saturday night! 

But now I am looking again- and have 2 potentials for pickup next week:

1. BROTHER LS2-F52A- its old, looks worn- but the price is right... Has a K-table, Clutch motor, reverse
2. SINGER 211-G165- This unit is lightly used- has been sitting for 3 years- current owner bought it from dealer local to me. Clutch motor, It has H-style table, Thread stand and light- NO REVERSE

I have searched the forums for this Brother- only got one hit- most other interweb hits are hot rodders using it for upholstery. Looks like a "Little Brother" to the B837 and seems comparable to the Consew 206 in model style/body.

I am looking for a machine that will sew projects LESS THAN 0.5 inch- so both machines meet that.

Thread weights for the BROTHER I am not sure of- Anyone have a thought or a  hint? Im not one to assume but I imagine it will go to the 207 level as well- seems like many of the lighter industrials and lower commercial models do 69-207 weights.

The Singer 211G will handle 69-207 "top thread" according to many postings- but the bobbin maxes out at 138 in several upholstery forums.

I am leaning for the Brother- but without knowing anything about the machine (manual not avail from Brother, couldnt find anything online and its general condition...) I am leery.

Anyone use this model Brother?

Pros and Cons are welcome- I am doing my part but finding gaps in the literature on the Brother... The Singer outside of no reverse is the better "deal" but the no reverse may be a deal killer for me (larger projects I can't turn under the arm)

HELP! Im in analysis paralysis! HA! 

 

 

 

[Constabulary]

The brother seems to be similar to the Consew 206RB. The Singer has no reverse - if it had reverse I would choose the Singer.

Do not expect that upholstery type machines can all handle 207 thread - some (not all or rather a few) may handle 207 thread but most likely they have been tweaked in one or the other way once in their life. 138 is what most upholstery type machines can handle w/o problems.

Edited August 25, 2019 by Constabulary

[Wizcrafts]

Do not assume that either of those machines will allow #207 thread to go around the bobbin case without hanging up or snagging. It will probable result in a birds nest within a few stitches. The shuttles were not designed to clear that size of top thread. However, if you spend enough time customizing the hook, it may work out.

[Kohlrausch]

4 hours ago, SilverForgeStudio said:

First off thanks for reading- I apologize for taking up all the bandwidth with my questions-!  My original deal on the 20U and 29K patcher fell through- bummer deal!  I really was hoping to be posting pictures of some first stitches in my own space on this rainy Saturday night! 

But now I am looking again- and have 2 potentials for pickup next week:

1. BROTHER LS2-F52A- its old, looks worn- but the price is right... Has a K-table, Clutch motor, reverse
2. SINGER 211-G165- This unit is lightly used- has been sitting for 3 years- current owner bought it from dealer local to me. Clutch motor, It has H-style table, Thread stand and light- NO REVERSE

 

Hi, the Brother seems to miss the slider left of the stitching plate.

Greets

Ralf C.

[Wizcrafts]

9 hours ago, Kohlrausch said:

Hi, the Brother seems to miss the slider left of the stitching plate.

Greets

Ralf C.

It most certainly is missing in the photo. It may or may not use a commonly available replacement plate. If not, a piece of thick cardboard can be used to keep material from falling into the cutout. From the looks of that Brother machine, it was rode hard and put up wet! It also has a small flywheel pulley indicating that it is geared for high speed upholstery sewing.

[SilverForgeStudio]

 @Uwe

Well- looks like you can't delete a @ link after it's in on the phone! Sorry UWE...

For thread weights I understand that upholstery machines may not handle 207. Thanks for that and the flywheel tip! @Wizcrafts and @Constabulary!

Thanks @Kohlrausch... The missing plate is one reason the price is low... 

Still can't find if this brother uses "M" bobbins... Any thoughts?

The reverse isn't a deal killer but for either one I am looking at adding a servo... For the price I'm leaning on the Brother... For getting straight to work I'm on the Singer... 

Edited August 25, 2019 by SilverForgeStudio

[Wizcrafts]

3 hours ago, SilverForgeStudio said:

Still can't find if this brother uses "M" bobbins... Any thoughts?

 

According to this video, it has a large bobbin, meaning an M bobbin. Also, according the Brother, it had a large bobbin.

 

[Wizcrafts]

Here is an online manual for the Brother LS2-F52A

[SilverForgeStudio]

Thanks again Wiz- That is a video in my que to watch! Normally the promos are just sewing thicknesses- this is great info and I appreciate it. 

The download manual is awesome as well- I see that link in my google search and as I dont download things thanks to a previous virus (unless its from a dropbox I trust or google drive). 

I appreciate it.

[SARK9]

If you will compare the casting of your machine to a Consew 206RB-4, I think you will see some some pretty unique similarities. 

https://www.ebay.com/p/Consew-206rb-4-Walking-Foot-Big-Bobbin-110v-Leather-Industrial-Sewing-Machine/1458135144

I bet the slide plate for almost any of the later 206* models will fit it: (#18032)

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Slide-Plate-Complete-for-Seiko-Consew-Walking-Foot-Sewing-Machine-206RB/123780802949?hash=item1cd1e92985:g:2XQAAOSw64Nck86C

 

-DC