Threading Consew 206rb-5 Quick Guide + avoid a common mistake with this industrial sewing machine

[@jonasbrown7619]

I threaded over that pin and struggled with tension issues for about 2 years. Now I see this. Thank you!

[@TheThoughtfulWoodworker]

Good, glad we got you fixed up!

[@kevinkeeling1]

Simple to the point. Excellent instructional video. Thanks so much

[@TheThoughtfulWoodworker]

Thanks!

[@klogjo]

This is the way I was taught. Good video.

[@TheThoughtfulWoodworker]

Thanks!

[@Cazador42265]

Great information- Just got my custom table made and these vids are a perfect refresher course in maintaining this machine. Thanks

[@TheThoughtfulWoodworker]

Of course, thanks for the nice comment!

[@BrendaK9697]

My thread does not "click" when going through the tension disk. Then I constantly have the thread jump out of the tension disk. Any help would be so appreciated!

[@TheThoughtfulWoodworker]

I assume you're holding the upper thread back with your other hand, as you attempt to click it in place. There is a little triangular tab on the tension assembly. You can bend that toward you slightly with a flat screwdriver covered in masking tape (to prevent scratching your machine). Bend it just enough to help the size thread you're using click in place. Otherwise, the tension assembly can be replaced. Maybe someone modified the machine for use with extra heavy thread? Thread from 69 weight through 138 weight should click in just fine on a stock 206rb-5. Good luck!

[@BrendaK9697]

Thank you so much for helping me!! I bought the machine new a little less than a year ago from a shop that was going out of business. I do hold the top thread and pull up as far as I can multiple times trying to get that click. It just doesn't happen. Here are a couple pics and a video.

[@BrendaK9697]

I can't get them uploaded. Can I email you please?

[@TheThoughtfulWoodworker]

@@BrendaK9697 Hi Brenda, if you go to my channel TheThoughtfulWoodworker on KZbin and click "more" then click the tab "View email address" you can send me a message. Sorry for the extra steps, I don't like leaving my email in the comments due to spammers. Hopefully you can bend the little tab to catch the thread and get it to click in.

[@19charged77]

Thank you so much for this video! I can’t find enough on this machine

[@TheThoughtfulWoodworker]

Cool! Thanks for checking out the video. Hope something was helpful. Best

[@mtodd101]

Hello. Great video. Just bought a Consew 206rb-5 and just tried my first re-thread. My problem I'm having is keeping the thread on the thread control disks. I'm not getting that "click" I hear on yours when you bring the thread up against the spring. Any idea why that would be? Thanks

[@TheThoughtfulWoodworker]

Be sure to hold the thread back somewhere above the machine. That will give you the tension required to snap past the little tab on the tension controller discs. I suppose the part could be broken, in which case you'd have to replace the whole tension assembly. Good luck with it!

[@mtodd101]

@@TheThoughtfulWoodworker Hi. Thanks for the reply. The machine was working great doing some pactice stuff and the bobbin ran out of thread. So I re-threaded the bobbin and installed. The person I got the machine from said to tie the two ends together after doing the bobbin, one that is threaded and the one from the spool. It worked that way a couple of times but this last time it broke and now I can't get that click. Is there a way to manually feed it through that spring. Hard to see in there. Thanks again, Matt

[@mtodd101]

I think I got it to hook behind the spring. Still no "click" but it's working correctly with tight stitches again so I'm calling it fixed. Thanks for replying and I'll follow you for more great content. Matt

[@TheThoughtfulWoodworker]

@@mtodd101 Hi Matt, I don't recommend threading the machine by tying thread together and pulling through. It's better just to thread it step by step. Go around the tension discs, and head through the controller discs. Hold the thread back from above with your right hand, and lift the thread past the tab with your left hand. Then the check spring will act on the thread as intended. Don't forget the take-up arm. Also, make sure your needle and thread size are a good match. Keep after it, you'll get it.

[@allentate3760]

Great video! I’m having trouble with the top thread fraying just above the needle eye

[@TheThoughtfulWoodworker]

Thanks. For upper thread shredding and fraying, I make sure the thread is going through the needle bar thread guide. Sometimes this part is missing. Second thing to do is change the needle to a new 135x17 needle and #92 weight thread. Finally, look and feel for metal burs or rough spots anywhere along the thread path. (You are using industrial thread spools and not domestic sewing machine thread right?). I sure hope you get it sorted, because this problem can be frustrating.

[@allentate3760]

@@TheThoughtfulWoodworker thanks so much! I’ll give this a try

[@ramloganfracic5761]

Very informative video. Thank you for sharing your knowledge to the world. I sew as well and I have two Consew .Very good pointing out the error with the PIN. You mentioned Blessings and keep up the good work. Viewing from the French island St Martin in the Caribbean.

[@TheThoughtfulWoodworker]

Thank you! I appreciate your comment. Best

[@ACDCRD]

Do you know the reason why when I lift my presser foot, I get no relief in tension? Pulling the work out literally flexes the needle. Got any fixes?

[@TheThoughtfulWoodworker]

There are a few possible causes. Needle too small for the thread you're using, upper tension set too tight, incorrect thread path, or broken upper tension mechanism. Worst case you have to replace the upper tension mechanism which is cheap and easy to install. Thanks.

[@ACDCRD]

@@TheThoughtfulWoodworker thank you for the quick response. I believe the needle was too small for the thread that I got with the machine. I am purchasing new needles and thread tomorrow.

[@billybruchu6298]

Hello there, I’m having problems with my Machine skipping a stitches. The needle will puncture, but the thread wont hook. Sometimes it will catch it on the next stitch, otherwise it will skip quite a few. Do you have any suggestions on why this would be. Thanks for all the great videos you make!

[@TheThoughtfulWoodworker]

The best place to start is the simple things. Replace the needle with a new one, in the correct needle system and size. Then rethread the machine from top to bottom. A simple bent needle will give you the symptoms your machine displays. Also a needle that's too small for the thread you're using will cause problems. Could be hook timing, but I'd start with the simple fix first. Best

[@billybruchu6298]

I will give that a try. Thank you so much!

[@straycat62]

Also consider thread age. I had a spool of thread was given with a machine I purchased and i finally tracked it to the reason I was getting all kinds of intermittent problems. The "coil" had set in the threat and would get caught around tension assembly and other issues. Just another idea

[@luceafarul579]

Can this machine work with a T135 size thread?

[@TheThoughtfulWoodworker]

Technically the 206rb can sew 135 on the needle side, but functionally it feels like it's pushing it too far. You need a very big #22 needle or even #23 when sewing leather. I like how it sews with 92 weight (Tex 90) thread much better. Best to you.

[@adrianrace8704]

Any ideas on why my machine won’t pick up the bobbin thread?

[@TheThoughtfulWoodworker]

Either a bent needle or the wrong needle will cause that. Worst case, the timing is a little off. Good luck with it.

[@tektoneng]

Hi Willie, I"m setting up a Chandler 406 (Consew 206) for leather upholstery and am shredding T90 thread when I go to back sew. It has been recommended that I use a better brand of thread than the cheap stuff I sourced on ebay. Do you have a recommendation for bonded nylon thread brand, or supplier?

[@TheThoughtfulWoodworker]

Cowboy thread from Toledo sewing is pretty good, but honestly I just buy thread off eBay. As long as it's bonded and new thread, you should be good. Is the needle bar thread guide in good working order on your machine? Using the correct needle system 135x17 for cloth or vinyl (135x16 for leather)? I usually like a #19 or #20 size needle for 90 weight thread. If you accidentally grab a smaller needle it can cause occasional shredding. Good luck with it.

[@tektoneng]

@@TheThoughtfulWoodworker Thanks for the reply Willie.... I had some sharp edges on the needle bar v-groove and dusted them with a grinding stone on a Dremel tool. I also had a sharp edge on the slot in the needle bar guide, and while attempting to address that, I broke it. So I have another on order. Do you prefer bonded Nylon or bonded Polyester?

[@TheThoughtfulWoodworker]

@@tektoneng sounds like you may have found the issue. I generally prefer bonded nylon thread, unless it's outdoor use. Outdoor cushions use bonded poly.

[@koky7288]

Thanks.

[@anniegavin90]

My machine motor stops running when I depress the pedal

[@TheThoughtfulWoodworker]

I would remove the drive belt that connects the motor to the handwheel. Then do some testing. Make sure the machine turns freely. See if the motor works ok when disconnected from the belt. If it's a clutch style motor, it's not worth fixing. May be a great time to upgrade to a servo motor! Here's one I like... amzn.to/48OB0Cl And here's how to install it... kzbin.info/www/bejne/eqnCo4Zve9-pnNE Best of luck!

[@anniegavin90]

I'll check that. I don't want another motor as I am getting ready to retire. Just want this one to work. Thanks for the reply.

[@danburz]

you ever have a problem with the thread jumping out from between the tension disks? Thats what the PIN you said to avoid is for !

[@TheThoughtfulWoodworker]

Well thanks for chiming in with your opinion. Technically though, that's not the correct way to thread a Consew / Juki / Singer. Check the manual if you have any doubt. Best.

[@dennislocke4961]

I agree. That pin is only there to keep the tension discs from spinning. Has nothing to do with thread routing. Eventually, it will wear a groove in the pin. If your thread is jumping out of the tensions discs, you have problems elsewhere. Such as grooves worn in the discs, or poorly adjusted/defective check spring.