Pfaff or Consew?

Hi guys and gals. So I have always used a pfaff 145 and also the newer Pfaff1245.

Since relocating to a new area, I am planning to start my own shop and am looking to buy my own machine scince the others were owned by the shop I was at.

I have found a rebuilt Pfaff 145 with table and stand and etc. What scares me is that I do not know the seller, and all I can do is go off of his word because he is few states away from me. He is a sewing machine store, so I would assume he is legit.

I also found a brand new Consew206RB-5. It is a brand new unit with the table, light and etc. for only 200 dollars more total.


So I guess my question is which way would you guys go? By the way, I think both have a 3 month warrantee or something like that

They're both good machines.

I have 2 Consew 226-R's.

I picked one up from a guy that rebuilds them, sight unseen.
It's been good to me for about 4 years now.

The other, I got from an estate sale, virtually unused.

Next for me is a double needle machine, a servo motor for one of the Consews and a serger...

If I had the money, I'd go with the new one...

I have run a Consew 206-RB4 every day for the last six and a half years. It's never missed a beat (has been cleaned a couple times after some really gritty junk going through it).

A couple years ago when I opened a second shop, I was planning on outfitting it with a Consew. I checked into the RB-5. As I was talking to the supplier about it, he talked me out of going with the newer Consew. Said that after the RB-4, the construction had been moved to China instead of Japan and the interior pieces were weaker and cheaper. Instead, he referred me to the Seiko, which was the same quality as the RB-4. So I gave it a whirl, and I LOVE that machine. It is smooth, balanced and will sew anything. Even with a clutch motor, I have almost complete needle control (except when my foot goes spastic and I punch it).

The price for the Seiko over the RB-5 was only a bit more. I think I got the whole thing -- head, table with light, and clutch motor, for under $1,700 or so, including shipping.

I'm also planning an upgrade to the Servo motors. my Consew drives me nuts with the motor on it now. I've gotten used to it over the years and have it pretty well under control, but it is still very touchy. I like the reports I've been hearing on the servo motors, and am planning on putting one on each of the machines.

My consews are touchy too..


If your toenail grows a fraction it will take off like crazy......

Well there is 2 for consew,, so have either of you used a pfaff and jsut prefer the consew? I have only used the pfaff and like it.. that being said, I am one of those loyal guys that it is hard to persuede me to use another brand on whatever it is. But I may just try the consew for the simple reason that it is new and complete with all the manuals, and etc. The pfaff I have a lead on just worries me because I don't know the guy selling it and who knows how well it was actually refurbished you know what I mean? The last thing I want is to dump a load of money on a machine that will require more in a very short time.

Hey guys, In addition to the above question, the consew has the option of a DC motor OR a clutch motor. What is the differance and which would you guys recomend if I go that route. I am kinda looking to buy one or the other this week.

Mine have clutch motors, I'm not sure what a DC motor is....

When you say DC motor you mean the servo's, right? What I have gathered through checking into them and on my other posting room is that the servo motor is more like the motors on home machines, only much much bigger and stronger. It only activates when the peddle is pushed. It's not on all the time like a clutch motor.

What it offers over the clutch motor is more precise needle control. Some of the motors have various speed settings over and above the peddle. You can set it slow and get down to where you can count your stitches without worry of blasting off without notice. Or it will get down and boogie if you're doing a long run. Also, one of the options most people recommend is the needle positioning, where it will always be ready to go down when you start the next run, helping to avoid the thread being yanked out.

Well, I researched the pfaff guy's buisness through the Better Business Bureau and he has been in buisness for several years now and has zero complaints with the BBB. Also he was registered with them, so that made me feel alot better about the whole thing. So I went ahead and bit the bullit and ordered the Pfaff today. He said I should see it next week around Wed. It is comming in on a freight truck and I will pick it up at the terminal to save a few deleivery charges. Thanks for you guy's imput. It basically came down to money that I could spend elsewhere and still have a very good machine.

Let us know how it works out for you......