Walking foot sewing machine -- Reliant Barracuda

[wellcraft-classic210]

Thanks!!!

 

[wellcraft-classic210]

Just curious -- Whats the limitation far material thickness on the Consew 226R

-- For example do you think it could it do 12 layers of Sumbrella without problems ? Or have you seen other limitations ?

 

[bruceb58]

Double fold binding is 4 layers. I often have an intersection that has 2 of those plus a layer of Sunbrella binding that is very thick along with one or two layers of Sunbrella and it doesn't hardly slow down.

 

[wellcraft-classic210]

WOW --- Awsome

 

[wellcraft-classic210]

I had a few places in the canvas that leaked in heavy rains -- especially if the wind was blowing

 

[wellcraft-classic210]

I added some Dog Ears and may install a few snaps when I see how they lay in the spring -- That's May up here in Vermont --

Getting near the end of then sewing projects on the old tub.

 

[wellcraft-classic210]

I you look closely at the underside you can tell I installed the binding without the aid of a binding foot. My machine struggled at low speed in the 6 layers of Sumbrella with lots of seam tape which added to my getting SUI charges. (Sewing Under the Influence-- I am innocent I tell you - )

 

[bruceb58]

You need to buy a binder. Makes life easy.

I use the Sailrite 1" swing away binder that use you Sunbrella double fold binding with. I can't even imaging how hard it is to do without it. I have purchased 3 different binders and it is the best one I have.
http://www.sailrite.com/Binder-1-Swing-Bracket

 

[Woodonglass]

The REX walking foot struggled with 6 layers of Sunbrella???

 

[wellcraft-classic210]

A little -- yes ( some of the issue was operator error as well ).

It does not like to go real slow -- and as you get into more layers that seems to aggrivate the issue. Aligning the binding without the guide left more material overhang on one side than the other. And so what looked OK on one side looked like crap on the other.

The clutch will start slip sometimes if the sumbrella material with "a wad" of seam tape is too thick at real slow speeds -- ( but never had an issue stuffing the max limit under the feet in vinyl ) .

I guess that's a Good argument for a Sailrite posi pin clutch-- --
And even then -- without a servo motor -- slow speed control is lacking. Its looks like the monster balance wheel may have a gear reduction that might help some.


But then it seems it could overwork other parts of the machine. Not sure if its worth the investment vs looking for a heavier machine.

 

[Woodonglass]

Yeah, well Like I said other than the length of stitch issue my little Ole 15-91 doesn't seem to have that problem. Well I guess it did kinda need some help getting started but once it did it would go without hesitation. I had to learn the right tensioning on the thread and the presser foot. Once I figured that out it all worked pretty well. The guys on the Sewing Forum told me to tape some wax paper on machine bed to make things slide a bit better and to lube the needle. That really helped too!!! I use Chapstick to lube my needles a lot. When I did the sunbrella Awning for my Son's VW Bus All the Seams were thru 6 layers. Never had an issue. The Speed control is very easy too. I DO like my REX 11-155r for Large items but I don't get that much Large work so the 15-91 get's used a lot. Also the 11-155R is HUGE and HEAVY so I keep it out in my unheated shop soooo I don't go out there and fire up the heater unless I absolutely have to. I know I sound like a broken record with the 15-91 but everyone has their favorite and it's based on what they learned on I guess. Until you've used each machine you really can't understand just how well each one works on upholstery. A friend of mine has a New Consew 206 RB5 with a servo motor Man that's a dream Machine but...He paid $1,300 for it. I almost bought a Reliant Walking foot which is basically the same thing as your REX. Hearing you describe your issues, I'm glad I didn't. Have you considered changing the foot control on the REX? It might help slow it down but I'm not sure.

 

[wellcraft-classic210]

What I am learning is that my Rex607-z came with the smaller power wheel (Per the links below ) and also slip clutch that protects the machine but also limits its capability---

If I go with a sailrite power wheel or the power wheel plus it will offer a gear reduction more power & less speed --

http://www.sailrite.com/Power-Plus-Flywheel-Only

If I go with a posi pin that will stop the clutch from slipping

http://www.sailrite.com/Small-Diameter-Red-Balance-Wheel-for-Ultrafeed-LS-1


I think those 2 combined may help a lot -- looks like about $100 to upgrade

The power wheel and Posipin are standard features on the LS1's & LSZ-1's ( but they do sell for $400 more than the Rex 607-z )



-- I do not know if a foot pedal would help -- I had heard that it will never match a servo motor -- but again not sure.


It would seem I can do vinyl & some cover work for now -- But before I take on any big cover jobs I should get a binding foot & upgrade the wheel & clutch. Or perhaps I will win the powerball & upgrade to a better machine with a built in seamstress.


My older home machine did not have a clutch and I could hand wheel through just about anything. The stitch length was less and the material did not feed as well. I like the Rex better -- Except on thick canvas.

 

[bruceb58]

But before I take on any big cover jobs I should get a binding foot & upgrade the wheel & clutch.

Don't even bother with a binding foot unless you get a binder.

As far as binding goes, I use binding on pontoon covers, biminis and snap in cockpit covers. I usually do not use them on regular boat covers unless I am addign a removable flap.

Here is what my binder feet look like.

 

[bruceb58]

Yeah, well Like I said other than the length of stitch issue my little Ole 15-91 doesn't seem to have that problem.

Do you use Sunbrella double fold binding with that machine? Are you using a binder? Can you even get binding feet for it?

 

[wellcraft-classic210]

I was used scraps of binding that came off my window repairs -- They are double fold & I assume sunbrella as the fabric is definitely sumbrella.

I would most likely buy the 1 inch swing away binder you recommended earlier & I have 2 threaded holes for that.

Sailrite videos are using stock feet -- Same as mine

 

[Woodonglass]

Do you use Sunbrella double fold binding with that machine? Are you using a binder? Can you even get binding feet for it?

Yes but, never really tried it. I do all That kind of stuff on the REX 11 155R. I have the Same binding foot you have. Works Great.

The 15-91 does have a binding foot that attaches to the shank but I think it's only good for up to 1/2" and not sure if it will work with the double fold sailrite binding material. Not quite big enough for Upholstery I don't think

It has the mounting holes for other attachments but I don't think the Sailrite binder would work on it. HMMMM I'll have to check that out. Might be kinda kool if it did. I now the machine will stitch it just not sure if I can get it set up correctly.

 

[bruceb58]

Yes but, never really tried it. I do all That kind of stuff on the REX 11 155R. I have the Same binding foot you have. Works Great.

The two binders that I used before were fixed and didn't swing away. Makes life hard when you want to back stitch at the beginning and end of the run. With the swing away it starts to swing when you reverse which is perfect.

Another thing I learned is when I want binding on an edge and I also want webbing in there as well(edge of a snap on cover), I pretty much have to sew the webbing on first so it doesn't pull away from the Sunbrella edge when I am putting on the binding. Too many things going on at once when you do that.

I also used to use binding smaller than 1". Doesn't give you much margin for error though so the stitch might miss the edge of the fabric you are trying to attach the binding to.

 

[wellcraft-classic210]

In found a problem in the clutch mechanism of my Rex 607z when i took it apart. Metal chips were present but no spring washer as shown in the posipin upgrade video on Sailrite. Sot when the clutch is tightened it was not compressing the power wheel and of course it slipped

http://www.sailrite.com/Posi-Pin-System-for-Sewing-Machines-Installation-Video

I did make a temporary rubber shim washed and it went through 12 layers of Sumbrella without slipping.

I don't want to throw bad money after good for the Posi pin & power wheel upgrade

But
--Given that the rest of then machine seems to work OK ( so Far ) .
--I know someone with a similar machine which does have the power wheel. Heo has put it to a lot of use on canvas and vinyl and likes it a lot.
-- Its really not all that much money and at least I will know I tried

washer is missing & this part was coated with metal chips



Other Parts

 

[Woodonglass]

If that rubber washer keeps it it from slipping then I'd say keep on trucking. You can spend that money on "Mo' betta" Stuff!!!!

 

[wellcraft-classic210]

WOG--Your point is well taken -- And I am not in rush as I just finished all the major jobs at hand.

-- If I do much more canvas work -- I will probably spring the upgrade so I can get better control needed for exposed stitching and I think the added torque would be best with a posi pin // total cost is about $130.00 But that's another day.