Heavy Duty Sewing Machine
Make: Consew
Model: 206RB
Serial Number:
Ace: Dan Schutter (text him at 503-317-5614) ().
Location: The Hub
Safety First
Here are some safety instructions for the Heavy Duty Sewing Machine. Remember... SAFETY FIRST!!!
- Sharp Hazard – needles are very sharp and can pierce your skin. Turn off the sewing machine when inserting/removing needles to avoid bumping the foot pedal and moving the needle assembly. Never place your fingers directly underneath the needle.
- Crush Hazard – be aware of all moving parts and keep your fingers away from any pinch points.
- Entanglement – ensure that loose clothing, long hair, or any other dangling/loose items do not become entangled in the machine. Hair that extends below the collar should be tied up.
- Eye Injury – needles can break if they hit a solid object while sewing. The broken tip can fly off and become lodged in your eye. Wear safety glasses when using the sewing machines.
- Do not sew over pins. This can break or bend the needle.
- Ensure the needle you are using is undamaged.
- Make sure the needle is installed correctly.
- Verify that you are using the correct presser foot. When changing out the presser foot, manually check that the needle’s travel will clear the foot before using the foot pedal.
- Do not run thick fabrics or many layers of fabric through a standard sewing machine. Use the industrial sewing machine for these applications.
- When you finish using the sewing machine, disconnect the power cable from both the machine and the wall outlet/power strip. Coil the power cable neatly on the table.
Description
Things to know in order to succeed on the Consew should include:
Familiarity with the contents of the manual located in the top drawer of the storage unit under the serger/sewing machine table will promote your success on the Consew. It's full of misspellings and grammatical errors for now, nevertheless, it's helpful. Where it ceases to be helpful is in the description of the clutch motor which our Consew no longer possesses; our Consew has a servo motor. To understand why you should be happy about this, please view the first 5'44" of this video:
(Nick, Summer is working on preparing the manual for upload.)
Please refer to the manual to learn the anatomy of the machine. You will need to know how to replace a broken or damaged needle. The needle must be seated with the scarf to the right. See this article regarding a needle's structure: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sewing_machine_needle
On the Consew you must use z- or left twist thread for upper/needle thread, but you can use either s-/right or z-/left twisted thread for lower/bobbin thread. If you're interested in knowing more, see this explanation.
· Question proving they know the difference between S- and Z-twist in thread and how that relates to proper threading of the machine. Attach the diagram, or insert a link to the diagram. (Because if they use thread with the wrong twist for the needle, the machine will jam up.)
· Question regarding the stitching speed range: 350 sts/min. to 3450 sts/min.
· Question regarding the thread controller spring, because they’ll need to make that adjustment themselves and should know what it is, where it is, and how to do that.
RE: Safety protocol
· Eye protection
· Removing and replacing the needle. Needs to be part of the training/demo.
· Every time you change the needle make sure it is still aligned over the needle hole by turning the flywheel one complete rotation toward you. If the needle does not pass cleanly through the needle hole, tell Justin. Do not sew!
· If the machine is skipping stitches it needs a timing adjustment; don’t sew—tell Justin.
· Irregular stitch length or overheating; don’t sew—tell Justin.
· Make sure the bobbin case is empty before trying to fill another bobbin. If there is a bobbin left in the bobbin case when winding a new bobbin a thread jam will occur in the bobbin case. Congratulations! You just broke it!
RE: Changing the needle
It’s easy to do, but will you want the students to seek the help of the ace or a tech?
I verified a screwdriver key, such as the ones purchased for the Janomes, will work for loosening the screw holding the needle in place. One has been added to the notions drawer in the worktable for the Consew.
RE: Demo and instructions for it, (These things need to included.)
· Following the safety protocol.
· Threading the machine
· Filling the bobbin, because people are going to need thread to match their project.
· We need a demo project or projects to choose from. Leather or upholstery?
· They should have to prove they can remove and replace the needle. This is where they need to know what the scarf is and which direction it should face.
· Double checking the stitch speed and stitch length, and that they know how to change those settings.
· Adjusting thread controller spring is simple and should be known and demonstrated since its function is dependent on the materials being used.
· In the instruction for the demo students should be encouraged to do test samples before stitching on their actual project.
· I think for the most inexperienced it would be helpful to remind them ‘righty-tight/lefty-loosey re: the tension knob.
· Stitch length dial works differently than the instruction book says; there is no stopper.
· Part of reformatting the uploaded/downloaded instruction manual should be marking which adjustments listed in the contents should only be performed by the tech. (Or maybe those parts of the manual shouldn’t be on the WIKI at all, in order to avoid confusion.)
General remarks:
Do we need a toolkit especially for the Consew? Something like the sewing kits that we have for the Janomes. One that has upholstery sewing needles, etc. . . . We don’t really have any instructions for how to sew with an industrial, not even in the manual. Things like checking for your thread tails to make sure they're behind the work and won't become entangled in the stitching. Or where your hands should be while stitching. Or what landmarks on the machine to use to find and guide your stitch path. Where you should be sitting The end result of following the instructions on the WIKI will be the ability to operate the machine safely, not the ability to succeed at making anything on it.
The Videos:
https://makernexuswiki.com/wiki/Consew_206RB-4_Walking_Foot_Industrial_Sewing_Machine This is the wiki for some folks who have a very similar machine. Most of their links look good, but should be viewed before being adopted--just to be sure they're relevant. The text is very good--terms and directions are clear and correct; I'd imitate that as much as possible.
https://www.superiorthreads.com/education/thread-twist-explained--'S' and 'Z' twists are very clearly explained. On the Consew you must use 'left twisted thread for upper/needle thread, but you can use either right or left twisted thread for lower/bobbin thread.' According to the folks at Superior the terms left and right twist are not correct terminology. They have a video embedded in the article that explains everything. The Consew needs Z-twist for the needle; Z-twist is the same as left twist. It might be nice to have a loupe among our tools, so students can check this before they thread the machine.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lavkvsU5ltk (Helps explain the difference between the machine as it was originally powered--by a clutch motor, and as it is powered now--with a servo motor. Should offer some reassurance to newbies that they will be able to operate the Consew safely. Also, helps explain why parts of our manual aren't relevant.)
Let me know if you'd like me to find any other instructional materials.
The wiki page for the heavy duty sewing machine is coming soon. This is a place holder for the future.
Here is an example of this piece of equipment being used.
Here is an example of this piece of equipment being used.
Documentation
Terminology
- Bobbin: The metal drum that holds the lower thread.
- Foot:
User Manual
Training
Operation
Make sure the dots on the handwheel and frame are aligned before removing or inserting a bobbin.
Demonstration
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General Procedure
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Safety
Make sure the power switch is off before threading the machine or doing anything other than sewing. Leave any other maintenance to the ACE or technician. Keep fingers out of the needle path. This machine can sew though thick material at a rapid pace. Always remove the bobbin from the machine before using the winding mechanism.
Certification
Complete The Hub - Heavy Duty Sewing Machine Module at the link below to gain access to the Heavy Duty Sewing Machine. The Maker Hub Canvas course pertains to all facilities and equipment contained in the Maker Hub; simply complete the quizzes for the facilities/equipment you wish to use in the Maker Hub. Please email makerhub@georgefox.edu if you have any questions.
Troubleshooting
Maintenance
General maintenance
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Specific Maintenance Tasks
| Maintenance Procedure | Frequency | Done By |
|---|---|---|
| Oil Machine Locations | As Needed | Tech |