What is the difference between 3bl and 8bl?

[pekingtailor]

Hi all, I recently wanted to buy a leather sewing machine, there is a store near me that is selling seiko sth 3bl, I want to buy it, but I can only find information on seiko sth 8bl online.

Does anyone know seiko sth 3bl?

thanks

[DrmCa]

It's too high speed. Can be used for upholstery leather but anything heavier may be pushing it.

[pekingtailor]

1 hour ago, DrmCa said:

这速度太快了。可用于装饰皮革，但更重的东西可能会推动它。

Hi, sorry, but I didn't understand what you meant

[Wizcrafts]

16 minutes ago, pekingtailor said:

Hi, sorry, but I didn't understand what you meant

He means that due to the small pulley on the back, unless you have a speed reducer between the motor and machine, it will operate too fast for hard veg-tan leather. This could cause the needle to burn the leather and thread and will cause skipped stitches. However, if you only plan to sew soft chrome tan leather, like is used on seat covers and couches, it should be fine. This type of leather can be sewn faster than the vegetable tanned type which is usually tooled.

[Constabulary]

I don´t know the answer but I can guess. Knowing similar machines have a bobbin case opener on the hook - maybe the 3bl has no bobbin case opener. You will notice when you look on the underside of the machine. This is just a wild guess!!!
 

[pekingtailor]

I'm really sorry, maybe I didn't express it clearly. I want to ask what is the difference between 3BL and 8BL? Any details? I want to sew thick leather or canvas.

Edited February 19, 2022 by Wizcrafts
Fixed text formatting to eliminate the scrollbar for PRE text.

[64poncho]

Quote

On 2/18/2022 at 9:56 AM, pekingtailor said:

Does anyone know seiko sth 3bl?

Looks to be the same as the Consew 206RB-1, which was made by SEIKO and rebadged for sales in the USA. 
 

There is plenty of information about this machine on this site.