Know anything about Consew?

[lendube]

I know I've brought it up in the past but it's always in the back of my mind to get an industrial machine. I've wanted to get one that does the job but isn't on some ugly table/base taking up a lot of space in my sewing room where space is at a premium. (Isn't that the way with all sewing rooms?) This is a dealer that's about an hour away. They recently tripled their store space and when I noticed the Grand re-Opening banner I got online and checked them out. They've got a great website, classes and lots and lots of stuff. I'll stop there next Friday maybe on my way back from visiting my mom if it isn't too late.

Anyway, I found this machine on their site. The price is really good (after looking around online) and if they don't have it in stock then the shipping is free. Sounds like just what I need. Does anyone have an opinion?

http://www.sewingmachinesplus.com/consew-CP206R.php

[Debby215]

Wow Lennie, I will be honest when you said an Industrial machine I expected a much larger price. It seems like a great price to me. Did you say you could actually see one in person? I would want to if I were you, to make sure you aren't getting something that isn't sturdy. Good luck and keep us posted!!

[MartySews2]

Consew is a well known sewing machine manufacturer. I think that this is a great deal. It weighs 41 pounds so hope you have a heavy enough table to sustain the weight. 800 stitches a minute is very fast. Just watch your fingers on this one.
Marty

[sewingmom]

That sounds like a wonderful machine. You should be able to sew just about any fabric or other sewable material.
I have also read that attachments for industrial machines are very reasonable price. Sewinglady has industrial machines and has posted aabout them . Hopefully she ewill have a minut to comment here.

[Upholsteress]

Lennie,

Go here... http://www.get-up-and-go.com/upholstery-forum/index.php and send "Gregg @ Keystone Sewing" and IM asking about his take on it. I would suggest you post there but... frankly.. so many are newbies and really don't know their butts from a -- well... you get the idea... I don't want you to get erroneous information.

Consew is a great machine. i will warn you though... Something like this is strictly for the heavy duty stuff... you can't sew lightweight garment fabric... your feed dogs will chew it up... plus... the smallest needle for mine are 18's.

[lendube]

Thanks everyone. Yes, I've heard of Consew over the years and assumed it was a good machine. Marty, I've got three tables. Two are of the folded leg, long, partical board (weigh half a ton) varieties and one is butcher block on steel legs. I think I can safely say any two of us could stand on any one of them and dance the polka if we wanted. Yes, they're all definitely sturdy. But I'd hardly call 41 pounds "portable". It's just the style I guess.

Cheryl, thanks, I'll check out the board. I'm not ready to buy just yet. That's exactly why I need a machine like this. Dh is constantly bringing home this and that from the fire department that needs fixing or making. It's invariably heavy duty canvas, strapping or similar types of material. I've also been asked to sew leather. We try not to use my embroidery machine. Too expensive to mess it up. My old, old Singer won't put up with much more either.

It'll be couple of months, I'd guess, before I actually buy one but this might be just what I need. A zig zag stitch would have been nice though. This one only has straight and backwards.

I'd love to see it in person before buying though. We'll have to see.

[LeapFrog Libby]

Yes, you will have to have acccess to another machine besides that one.. Can you imaging trying to sew chiffon or lace or batiste with a machine that only uses size 18 throught size 23 needles ?? My jeans needles are only size 16 , at that..

[Sew-Classic]

I owned a portable walking foot machine like this. Here is my take on this type of machine.

First of all it is NOT a true industrial machine. It would be better described as a beefied up domestic machine.

Really, 800 SPM isn't fast at all. This machine isn't targeted at high speed sewing (a high speed machine would be more like 5000 or so SPM). It is intended for ocassional use on difficult to penetrate materials that can easily compress to 1/4 inch or less. If what you want to sew is more than 1/4 inch- it will NOT fit under the presser foot.

These machines are capable at sewing the heavy stuff (less than 1/4"), but they are very unrefined. Since the parts don't have a very high quality fit and finish, these machines don't oeprate smoothly at all. So, there is a great deal of friction at start up for the motor to overcome to get the machine going. This results in difficulty in getting them to start up and sew smoothly without "taking off" at full speed from the start.

The main reason I had the machine was for my DH to make some "guy things" (motorcycle seats for example). I was able to get it to not start off like a race horse, but for DH, the machine had two speeds. - dead stop and full speed. Needless to say, stitch control was an issue for him. This machine was an an older Thompson mini walking foot machine which is on par, quality-wise, with the Sailrite machines (This is back when the Thompsons were NOT made in China and were still checked over and tweaked in Texas before they were sold to customers). IMHO, this Consew would be of a lesser quality and such issues would be magnified.

DH did make his motorcycle seat, but he didn't use the Thompson walking foot machine. He used a Kenmore 158.1753. I used the Thompson for a few projects and then promptly sold it. I still have and use the classic Kenmore 158.1753.

Everyone is 100% about this Consew machne not being suitable for sewing any material that isn't heavy.

For further reading, you may find this helpful:

Industrial, Commercial Grade, Professional, Industrial Strength & More- Sewing Machine Buying Guide

excerpt from that page:

Industrial, Commercial, Professional, Domestic Sewing Machines- Confused???

Should you get an industrial machine? How about one that is “commercial grade” or “professional”. What about an “industrial strength" sewing machine? What do all these terms really mean and, what's the difference between them? It’s all so confusing!!

[lendube]

First of all it is NOT a true industrial machine. It would be better described as a beefied up domestic machine.

Really, 800 SPM isn't fast at all. This machine isn't targeted at high speed sewing (a high speed machine would be more like 5000 or so SPM). It is intended for ocassional use on difficult to penetrate materials that can easily compress to 1/4 inch or less. If what you want to sew is more than 1/4 inch- it will NOT fit under the presser foot.

Thanks for that info. Very informative. I value your opinion. You know, it still sounds like it might work just fine for my needs. I can't justify spending at least three times that amount to get one of much higher quality although I do understand the advantages. I'll read over the page you suggest and consider the other options.

I love this board!

[sewingmom]

Linnie, I considered a Consew, thanks for posting.