Pulling The Trigger On A Walking Foot... Need Just A Little Reassurance

[msdeluca]

Hello all,

I've been reading this forum for over a year now and feel like I know so many. I've read the Wiz's entire thread on machines and so many others. I need a little reassurance on my decision to go with the Cowboy CB3200.

What I'm doing now:

I've been doing mostly handbags and have been getting by on a Bernina 1130 and vintage Singer 15-91. I use mainly upholstery fabrics and have difficulty when getting over 6 thicknesses (1/4" or so).

What I want to get into:

Leather belts, holsters, scabbards, sheaths, handbags, webbing slings, etc.

What I'll never get into:

Saddles

After reading the wealth of info here on leatherworker, I finalized on the TechSew 2800, Cowboy 227r, but after determining that the desired thread size for holsters is 277, the 4500 began to emerge as a better choice but is beyond my budget.

After talking with Ryan at Cowboy, he thought the CB3200 might be the best value for me. I have set a limit of around $2,000 for the machine, feet, freight, etc. This is still an experiment after all.

The working range of the 3200 is 1/8" - 1/2" thicknesses and 138 to 415 thread. Workable meaning not having to mess with tensions and springs. So I figure when I get into fabric thicknesses over 1/4" I can go to the Cowboy and it should be perfect for most of the leather work I'll be doing.

The trepidation is that doing any kind of leather handbags is not going to fly on the Cowboy. This is where the 227r or 2800 would have worked perfectly. There is no machine that will do both so I have decided that the holster/belt/webbing work is where I'll go first. If things work out, I can add the 227r or 2800 later.

I've reserved a CB3200 with the 4500 stand, the four various feet, and the roller edge guide (over budget... so what's new). The sewing room I'm working on in the basement should be finished in a month and I should be set to go.

So, my question for you good folks is: Does this sound reasonable, am I missing anything?

Thanks in advance for your thoughts.

Michael

ps... this all started about a year and a half ago when I bought a rifle and decided I could make my own sling. Bought a couple vintage residential machines and learned how to rewire and refurbish them. Thought I needed to sew a little to make sure the machines were working properly.... got hooked. Learned the meaning of "industrial". Began to buy and sell machines. Made enough to buy walking foot machine. Still haven't made sling...

[BDAZ]

I received my 3200 a few weeks ago and I am about to go into full production. The machine works like a champ. It is my first serious sewing machine and so far have used up to 346 thread.

Bob at Toledo is great to deal with and a couple of minor glitched were dealt with immediately. I am making instrument cases and banjo straps. Here is my first custom strap guitar made on the 3200 a few days ago. The customer was thrilled!

I also bought it with the 4500 stand. All arrived in perfect condition and I was sewing within an hour of getting the boxes open.

Cya!

Bob

Edited February 28, 2014 by BDAZ

[msdeluca]

Thanks BDAZ. I'm just getting started with leather after sewing mostly upholstery fabric.