new Tippman Boss

[Cowboy316]

howdy Guys and Gals been thinkin pretty hard bout trying to find a new boss that the gears have broken like ive heard they have been doing and seeing if i could pick one up cheap and the go and use my dads milling maching to mill new steel gears and the reassemble it any thought on this

thanks and maybe an idea where i could pick one up cheap

Cowboy316

[oldtimer]

howdy Guys and Gals been thinkin pretty hard bout trying to find a new boss that the gears have broken like ive heard they have been doing and seeing if i could pick one up cheap and the go and use my dads milling maching to mill new steel gears and the reassemble it any thought on this

thanks and maybe an idea where i could pick one up cheap

Cowboy316

Howdy!

My suggestion is that you´ll instead try to find an old model ( cast iron ) Boss. I have had two alu frame machines and I was never satisfied with them, gears and needle feet broke etc etc , so I ordered parts, repaired them and sold them cheap, just to get rid of them. Then I found a used cast iron Boss and it works all day long without problems. Also I don´t think steel parts in an aluminium frame is wise. The frame will take all wear.

/ Knut

Edited November 12, 2009 by oldtimer

[Buttons]

howdy Guys and Gals been thinkin pretty hard bout trying to find a new boss that the gears have broken like ive heard they have been doing and seeing if i could pick one up cheap and the go and use my dads milling maching to mill new steel gears and the reassemble it any thought on this

thanks and maybe an idea where i could pick one up cheap

Cowboy316

Cowboy

I just bought a used Boss. I called Tippman to order some things and spoke to Jim Miller. He was very helpful. One thing he said is that the two gears, on the handle and the verticle one that it drives are designed to break. That protects the more expensive parts down the line. If gears are breaking, somethjng else must be wrong. I suggest calling Jim Miller. The number is on the website. There is a great video showing all the steps of using the machine.

Buttons

[Bat]

Thinking about getting a Boss as well. New to the mechanical sewing machine deal. Used hand stitching up to this point.

First I've heard about gears breaking on the "new" aluminum frame machines. Should I look around for a cast iron machine or is there more I need to know about the aluminum machine? Not real happy with the "they (gears) were made to break answer" mentioned above. Looking to buy in the next few weeks. Better to go with an alternative machine that won't spit gears, or???

Thanks

Bat

[teamroperdad]

This is just my opinion but if I was you I'd go ahead and spend a little more and get a motor driven machine.

The reasons for this is;

1 tippmans go for around 1400.00 new artisan 3000 (the one I own) 1800.00 plus shipping.

2 why pull a handle when you can push a peddle with your foot and free up your hands to guide your leather

3 I personally am pleased with my machine, haven't had any trouble with breaking and also the folks at artisan were helpful when I got it.

There are other machines out there but I haven't used them, I'm sure they will also work, if its gonna break I dont want it even if they fix it for free.

They need to make it so it doesn't break in my opinion.

I think you'll be a lot happier in the long run, the only thing I would change on mine is throat depth.

Just my opinion

G.Robbins

[darhal66]

I totally agree with teamroperdad on this one.

I'm new on here, but been doin leather awhile.

My boss broke the gears. I am in a machine shop and custom made the gears from 4140 steel. I flame hardened them also.

The boss case started cracking after that because, as button says, the frame will be taking the load.

I only did this after unsatisfactory service through the boss folks. I will not own another one.

I bought an old used machine (different brand), beefed it up, and now my hands are free and I cut down my time by leaps and bounds on repair work.

Different strokes for different folks.

Do what works best for YOU.

[Denster]

I am at a loss to understand all of the alleged problems with breaking parts in the Boss. I have two. An early aluminum frame with steel gears and parts and a newer aluminum frame machine with the supposed break in a minute parts. Together they have sewen through several one pound spools of thread over several years and the only thing that has broken was one needle and that was my own fault Currently Tippmann has them on sale for $1195. I have a Aerostitch also that I prefer for belts and other long runs of stitches but for holsters and sheaths it's the Boss every time. Not to take anything away from Artisan and Cobra those machines are a bargain right now and if I didn't have the aerostitch I would buy a Cobra. I have nothing but good to say about Tippmann's service Dept. When I bought the aerostitch used it had a couple of small problems and they walked me through correcting them even though I didn't buy it from them nor did I have to order any parts. Also both machines are simple enough that if something did break you can fix it yourself or at least most people can.

[TwinOaks]

Another thing for the Boss is size.  I don't have room for a full sized industrial machine, and I kinda wonder if my floor would even support it.  I suppose I could always put it in "the shop", but the only power run out there is an extension cord.  I like the idea that I can take it off of the table by myself, or put it in the truck without busting a gut. If space is at a premium, it's hard to argue with a portable tabletop model.

[ashlyngr]

Hello, I'm new to the forum. I'm troubled to hear about the problems with the Tippman Boss. As a first machine used for Cowboy Holsters and Goods, I would want a mechanical stitcher. If not the Boss, what else is there?

Thanks,

ashlyngr

[TwinOaks]

Luberto's Cub series. They are manual models with a rotary crank.

[Ken Nelson]

Luberto's Cub series. They are manual models with a rotary crank.

AS I have posted earlier, I have a luberto's classic. Outstanding machine, easy to use. If the cub is made as well, it would be really good for a portable hand run machine. Personally, I wouldn't take a hand run machine if you gave it to me. I also have a cobra series 4, Super good machine. For the money the Series 3 cannot be beat in my opinion. Hope this helps. Ken