Maxing out Consew 225

[MarlinDave]

I have a Consew 225 that I use for 8-9 oz leather. The needles I have are 135 x 16 and 135 x 17. I  am sure these are not leather needles. I use 138 thread on top and 92 on the bottom. What is the largest thread I can  run on this machine? With which needles? I am assuming I would get better performance with leather needles. Some of these needles came with the machine, some I bought from  Thread Exchange. Last time I tried the 136x 16 the 138 thread would not work. Please advise. 

[JJN]

The 135x16 and 135x17 are needle systems. These numbers refer to the length and other dimensions of the needle, not the thread size. Every machine is designed to use one needle system. The 135x17 is a round tip needle made for sewing fabric. The 135x16 is a blade tip needle made for sewing leather. Leather needle tips come in several styles like diamond point or triangle point, slant or straight.  In a needle designation the style comes first like 135x16 and the size comes after it like 135x16 size 22. the size refers to the diameter of the needle and the size of the hole. For 138 thread you will want to try a size 22 or 23 needle. It will depend on the type and thickness of the leather you are sewing.

 

[MarlinDave]

Looks like I have 18, 21, 22 and 23. The leather is double shoulder veg tanned. Can I exceed 138 thread on this machine? 

[Uwe]

My Consew 225 managed size 207 thread reasonably well, even with a less than ideal needle. You may have to tweak some adjustments a little, but the hardware itself can handle it.

I made this video a few years ago:

 

[Pintodeluxe]

Uwe,

That's a thing of beauty.  I had no idea a 225 could sew 207 thread.  What modifications did you make? 

Thanks

[MarlinDave]

Thanks. What needle are you using Ewe?

[Uwe]

@327fedThe needle in the video was a size 22 regular point - all the details are in the video subtitles.

@Pintodeluxe No modifications, just everything adjusted to spec.

Edited February 8, 2021 by Uwe

[Pintodeluxe]

Wow, that's surprising.  My 226 didn't even like 138 thread too well.  

[MarlinDave]

Thanks. All the stars have to line up for me to see a  U tube video at my place. 

Edited February 8, 2021 by 327fed

[MarlinDave]

So if 207 on top, have to be 138 on bottom, or 207 on bobbin too?