[Bad Rat]

I have been looking for a machine for a while now,,, and just found this on Craigs list,, http://people.oregonstate.edu/~buil/sewingb/sewingb.htm

[lamx]

You just found it? the page was last updated 9/11/07.

ed

[DanTwoLakes]

In any case, most of the machines in question are single needle, needle feed, lockstitch machines. These are intended for garment work, not auto upholstery. For auto upholstery, you need a compound feed walking foot machine.

[Bad Rat]

Originally Posted by lamx

You just found it? the page was last updated 9/11/07.

ed

That must have been a old ad or a misprint, it is a current listing on Craigs list,, I called just prior to making my post, this is a current sale,, besides like Dan mentioned,, they wont work for upholstery,,

[lamx]

Most appear to be for lighter materials than those used in autos, but I would like to get a closer look at #9, #21, and #36 to be sure.

Ed

[nobug]

This is all new to me and always wanted to give upholstery a try. I decided I wanted to do the upholstery on a pair of Recaro seats for a project I am working on.
This way I can do the seats the way I want. I have had upholstery done before locally and wasn't pleased with they way they turned out.
I didn't do enough research and bought a Reliable 2000U-33.
http://www.reliablecorporation.com/P...G-ZAG/2000U-33
I thought the machine would do the job I wanted. It works fine on vinyl and material. I was getting familiar and comfortable with the sections I was making.
I was pleased with the way they were turning out. So I decided that if I can do the seats and be pleased with the way they turn out. I would do them with leather,
this is were the problems starts. It can sew the 2 layers of leather no problem, but topstitching is nearly impossible. So much so that I am scared to keep trying
as I don't want to keep wasting the leather. I took the machine in and had it adjusted, changed needle to something more suitable for leather. When I get back home
and try it, it still can't handle it. I am thinking on trading it in and going for the consew 226R, would this be a wise move?
a few pics of some practice pieces.

[DanTwoLakes]

I'm surprised you have gotten as far as you have. The machine you bought will never do what you want it to do. In order to sew heavier fabric like leather, or anything sewed to sew foam, you need an industrial sewing machine with a compound walking foot. The Consew 226 will do everything you are trying to do easily. That's what I do the majority of my sewing with.

[nobug]

That is where I went wrong, the Reliable is a portable industrial with a walking foot, but not compound feed. When working with heavier material, the stitch length becomes erratic, along with other problems.
Thanks for your input Dan
much appreciated.

[DanTwoLakes]

You have to be careful when buying an "industrial" sewing machine. You bought a heavier duty machine intended for garment use, not auto upholstery.

[nobug]

Have been trying to figure out what a good machine would be, I think the dealer I bought my machine from has a used Consew 226R but haven't talked to him yet, I have been looking at other
machines checking out alternatives, he also has a Singer 111W but it has no reverse.
Looks like Seiko makes some nice machines but are expensive, Reliable lists a number of compound feed machines also. From reading the posts I should be looking for a compound feed machine, the height of the pressure foot is also important, is there other important details that have to be considered also ?
Looking at the Consew 226R there is a number of different models of the same machine? Are they all basically the same just with different options?

[DanTwoLakes]

Seiko has been building Consew machines for years. The 226 is the same head with different options and improvements added over the years. It is basically a copy of the Singer 111W, which is also a good machine. Pfaff makes a good machine, as does Juki. Pfaff would be a Cadillac, Juki is a Buick, and Singer, Seiko, and Consew are Chevies.

[nobug]

I was talking to the shop owner he is going to take mine back and give me full credit towards another machine.
He has a Juki LU-563 and the Consew 226R which would be the better of the two machines?

[DanTwoLakes]

Now that is a smart businessman. Both machines will work fine for you. The Juki LU 563 is another clone of the Singer 111W, just like the Consew 226. I would pick the Juki if it was me buying it. It's just a little better made, and it uses the same feet as the Consew 226. That would be a big deal for me. I have a lot of money tied up in feet, so I wouldn't buy a machine that didn't use the same feet as what I have now.

[nobug]

Consew would be even trade for the Reliable I purchased, the Juki would be 500 more and he will put a sewquiet 4000 on either one for 150.
I am wondering if the Juki is worth the extra money? Juki is probably 20 years old and Consew is closer to 30 years old. Which doesn't really matter both are fully reconditioned and have a full years warranty.
Consew has the smaller bobbin, is there any disadvantage besides the obvious?

[DanTwoLakes]

If you can get the Consew even up for the one you had, jump on it. The Juki isn't worth $500 more. Get the SewQuiet 4000, it will be the smartest thing you ever did. My Consew has a small "G" bobbin, and it is not a problem.