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HELP! Consew Rotary vinage machine in cabinet

10 years ago

I have the opportunity to purchase a Consew Rotary machine in a BEAUTIFUL hand carved cabinet. I was unable to find any information about them so I called the company in NJ and spoke to a guy there that said yes they are still in business but only for industrial work and have not sold home machines in over 75 years. Due to space & storage shortage, the company got rid of or destroyed all info concerning them and in their opinion - the home machines have no value.

Does anyone have one of these? or know anything about them? The lady has agreed to sell it to me for what she paid and I think it is a great deal but I would really like to know more about it.
Thanks in advance!
Marie

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Comments (13)

sunnycentralfl
10 years ago
I searched the images for the machine. It looks like a good sturdy machine. The fact that the company is still in business shows the commitment to quality. Bonnie Hunter on Quilville has many vintage machines she adopts and uses, but I have never heard the Consew mentioned. Also, the lady who is the original owner and sewer willing to part with it after all this time is interesting. If you have the room for it, go for it...after testing it and looking it over carefully. The cabinet sounds beautiful.
Let us know what you decide.
Gwen

Here is a link that might be useful: Consew Rotary sewing machine
geezerfolks_SharonG_FL
10 years ago
Is it a sewing machine or a rotary cutting machine? I'm confused......

SharonG/FL
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Hi, I just found this thread. GW...I have just had exactly the same experience as you. I bought a Singer 15K80 in a cabinet. It has an old black motor at the back. No smoke came out of it, but the machine as a whole did smell when I used it. I'm assuming it's just grubby anyway. I cleaned the machine and oiled it...and it ran beautifully. The timing's still bang on and the stitches are great. Also, the motor is far more quiet than I was expecting. However, I did notice small white sparks in exactly the same place as you when looking from exactly the same angle. My first thought was...never use it again and find a crank, as the machine is so good. I've since found posts on a few forums where owners of similar machines as these say a few sparks are normal. I'm still not sure what to do, so if you found a solution to your problem or know any more about these sparking motors, please let me know. Also, if anyone else is watching the thread and can give me any reassurance, that'd be great too. I already have two Pinnocks and they both have Sew-Tric motors, which also spark as the pedal is first depressed, but do not spark while the machine is running. Any advice on that would also be great. Thanks all...and that's a lovely machine, by the way. Lots jealous. H
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tuppermom
10 years ago
There is a Vintage Sewing Machine group on facebook that is very active and helpful and a few of the members are in the business of servicing and selling vintage machines....a wealth of information. There are also lots of other forums dedicated to vintage machines.

Maryv
calliope
10 years ago
Rotary refers to the bobbin action on sewing machines. Some of my antique machines have oscillating or vibrating shuttles, rotary shuttles are your round bobbin machines.
wynative
Original Author
10 years ago
Thanks for the info ladies : ) I will be checking out the Vintage Sewing Machine group for sure.

SharonG - I believe it is a sewing machine but it does have rotary written on the name plaque.

I will post pictures after I pick it up : )
Marie
mary_c_gw
10 years ago
Oh, I wish I'd seen this a few days ago!

I have a Consew industrial machine, and it is a fabulous workhorse!

I haven't ever seen one of the home machines, but I'd snatch one up in an instant. Being a completely mechanical machine, it shouldn't be impossible to find replacement parts that will work, if necessary.

Gwen's site shows only the industrial models.
mary_c_gw
10 years ago
Oops, I deleted part of my own message, LOL!

I was going to say, I can probably figure out threading paths and such by comparing your vintage machine to mine. Consew is pretty consistent in their manufacturing and design.
wynative
Original Author
10 years ago
Mary - thanks for replying : ) I plan to pick up my new machine on Friday and will post pics then. Thanks for the offer to help.
Yes - the site Gwen posted is for the industrial models but maybe I will be able to get some things for it, if they are interchangeable. If not, maybe my singer stuff will work as I have 3 more of those. These older machines are becoming an obsession LOL
Marie
wynative
Original Author
10 years ago
My new Consew : )
wynative
Original Author
10 years ago
Here is a close up of the machine.
magothyrivergirl
10 years ago
She is beautiful!!
Yahoo groups have a vintage group - lots of help & knowledgeable people. Once there, search for a Consew group.
Search for the right products to clean her before you touch her with anything stronger then a damp soft cloth. Her decals look great and you can damage them easily if you use our modern day products on them.
Have fun and get this baby sewing!
sunnycentralfl
10 years ago
What a beauty! May you enjoy many special sewing times together!

Gwen
wynative
Original Author
10 years ago
Magothyrivergirl - thanks! I have never used Yahoo groups - but I am game to try and find it : ) Thanks for the cleaning tips also - she is pretty dusty and it looks like someone oiled her at one time and was quite generous with it...

Gwen - I haven't sewed on one like this since I was a child - my Grandmothers. I will need to get needles, the strap and figure out how to thread it after cleaning before I even attempt but I am pretty excited about it : )

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