COWBOY SEWING MACHINES -- THINGS TO CONSIDER

[neelsaddlery]

Hello again all:

It seems my post about our new pricing structure as well as improvements to our CB-4500 machines have sparked interest and attention from quite a few people. I am am grateful for all of your support and inquires, and for this I thank you. Steve brought up some very good points in his posting about the different levels of machine quality in the overseas factories. It is true that the quality can very quite widely. Steve made some comments indicating the possibility that competitors may have switched manufacturing facilities in attempt to buy lesser grade machines for lower prices and hence sell them for lower pricing points in the market. While I cannot speak for "the others," Cowboy Sewing Machines has always made a steadfast committment to uphold the highest standards of quality in the business. THERE HAVE BEEN NO CHANGES IN OUR FACTORY OF ORIGIN, AND ALL COWBOY SEWING MACHINES ARE MANUFACTURED IN OUR OWN FACTORIES WHICH ANSWER DIRECTLY AND ONLY TO US. That I am aware of, we are the only company in the USA which owns a direct stake in the manufacturing facilites which build our machines. I am deeply and directly involved in all stages of the production process.

If you will take the time to visit our website, you will see that Cowboy Sewing Machines is registered as a joint-venture enterprise between Neel's Saddlery and Harness (my company) and our overseas partner. I am listed as the head engineer and technical designer for the company. I oversee all aspects of quality control. design, and production. You can be rest assured that when you buy a Cowboy from me, you will receive the best machine that your money can buy. The best quality parts, the best machining, the best casting, the best painting, and the best final assembly and sew off in the business.

We also have made many technological improvements to our machines which we feel make it the best choice for the buy looking to get not only an affordable machine, but the what we feel is the best machine that is available in the market today.

Many of you may know Ed Santoro, who posts quite frequently here on the leatherworker.net and also is the founder of Walden Bags. Ed manufactures some of the finest bags and briefcases in the business. Ed chose Cowboy Sewing Machines and Neel's Saddlery for most of the sewing machines that he runs in his shop. Ed has been very impressed with our level of customer service, and Ed and I have become close friends over our years of doing business together.

Let's face it, in today's economy and in today's highly competitive market, you need to make certain that you not only are getting the best price, but also the best service possible. From those of you that have bought from me in the past, you know that my level of customer service is among the best in the industry. I also strive to be as available to my customers as I possibly can. If you need assistance after 5:00 pm, you can call me. If you need help on weekends and holidays, you can call me. Most folks that have bought machines from me know that I am there for their questions most any time, day and night -- even when I am on vacation, you know you can reach me!!!!

Bad news travels fast, especially in the this small niche market. If I didn't do my level best and be as honest with my customers as possible with regard to what our machines will do and what they won't do, then my name would be mud!!!!

In any event, I just wanted to provide some clarification as to where Cowboy was in all this, and I hope this was of some use to you. If you have any additional questions, please feel free to call or e-mail me any time. I can be reached toll free at 1-866-507-8926, or by e-mail at neelre@comcast.net

Thank you

[esantoro]

Due to being busy, I haven't been able to post much lately. The current price wars have caught my attention, and I think the least I can do is repay in some small part all the the hours Ryan Neel has spent with me on the phone every time I think I've rediscovered or attempted to rediscover the wheel with these cylinder arm machines. No matter what the thing is, I want it to run according to the plans I have in my head, and Ryan has always been extremely helpful whenever I've had a question. I'm not sure, though, whether his wife appreciates all my calls, especially the ones after hours.

I haven't been very partisan in the past regarding manufacturers and distributors of these machines because many vendors have been very good to me with a variety of supplies and parts, and I haven't wanted to slight any one unintentionally. Ferdco has been very helpful with thread and lube pot attachments. Artisan has been a great help with thread and needles. On several occasions Artisan went above all expectations. They've sent me free of charge very difficult-to-find screws for my 441 machine that I was unable to find anywhere else, even knowing that the screws were not for one of their cylinder arm machines. On another occasion, without my requesting it, they responded to information in one of my posts by sending me replacement parts for a snake-arm lamp. Campbell Bosworth has also been great for thread,needles, edge finishes, etc. Zack White has been good for leather, adhesives and many other things. The list goes on. I've needed all their help at various times, and they've all been great. I wish I had unlimited funds and space to support all these companies more.

Other people have posted here about their experiences with various machine vendors. Ryan Neel and Cowboy machines do seem to be a little underrepresented. I'm very grateful to Ryan for all the hours he has spent with me before and after the sale. It's been a couple of years since my last machine purchase, and he's still always willing to spend hours with me obsessing over .02 millimeters here and there. We also have many pleasurable discussions on things unrelated to these machines. For that alone I am grateful.

Ed

[jimsaddler]

Hello again all:

It seems my post about our new pricing structure as well as improvements to our CB-4500 machines have sparked interest and attention from quite a few people. I am am grateful for all of your support and inquires, and for this I thank you. Steve brought up some very good points in his posting about the different levels of machine quality in the overseas factories. It is true that the quality can very quite widely. Steve made some comments indicating the possibility that competitors may have switched manufacturing facilities in attempt to buy lesser grade machines for lower prices and hence sell them for lower pricing points in the market. While I cannot speak for "the others," Cowboy Sewing Machines has always made a steadfast committment to uphold the highest standards of quality in the business. THERE HAVE BEEN NO CHANGES IN OUR FACTORY OF ORIGIN, AND ALL COWBOY SEWING MACHINES ARE MANUFACTURED IN OUR OWN FACTORIES WHICH ANSWER DIRECTLY AND ONLY TO US. That I am aware of, we are the only company in the USA which owns a direct stake in the manufacturing facilites which build our machines. I am deeply and directly involved in all stages of the production process.

If you will take the time to visit our website, you will see that Cowboy Sewing Machines is registered as a joint-venture enterprise between Neel's Saddlery and Harness (my company) and our overseas partner. I am listed as the head engineer and technical designer for the company. I oversee all aspects of quality control. design, and production. You can be rest assured that when you buy a Cowboy from me, you will receive the best machine that your money can buy. The best quality parts, the best machining, the best casting, the best painting, and the best final assembly and sew off in the business.

We also have made many technological improvements to our machines which we feel make it the best choice for the buy looking to get not only an affordable machine, but the what we feel is the best machine that is available in the market today.

Many of you may know Ed Santoro, who posts quite frequently here on the leatherworker.net and also is the founder of Walden Bags. Ed manufactures some of the finest bags and briefcases in the business. Ed chose Cowboy Sewing Machines and Neel's Saddlery for most of the sewing machines that he runs in his shop. Ed has been very impressed with our level of customer service, and Ed and I have become close friends over our years of doing business together.

Let's face it, in today's economy and in today's highly competitive market, you need to make certain that you not only are getting the best price, but also the best service possible. From those of you that have bought from me in the past, you know that my level of customer service is among the best in the industry. I also strive to be as available to my customers as I possibly can. If you need assistance after 5:00 pm, you can call me. If you need help on weekends and holidays, you can call me. Most folks that have bought machines from me know that I am there for their questions most any time, day and night -- even when I am on vacation, you know you can reach me!!!!

Bad news travels fast, especially in the this small niche market. If I didn't do my level best and be as honest with my customers as possible with regard to what our machines will do and what they won't do, then my name would be mud!!!!

In any event, I just wanted to provide some clarification as to where Cowboy was in all this, and I hope this was of some use to you. If you have any additional questions, please feel free to call or e-mail me any time. I can be reached toll free at 1-866-507-8926, or by e-mail at neelre@comcast.net

Thank you

Hi to all

I've laid back and watched the battle go on about who has the best Machines.

I've never met any of the Battlers as I live down-under, but I do know Ryan Neel as I sell his Cowboy Sewing Machines here in Australia. About 3 or 4 years ago I got a message from our Friend Bill. He asked me to sell his Machines here as they wanted Tradesmen who could give them Feedback on their Machines so that they could improve them to be the Worlds Best!

Well for a start I asked for a couple of samples to knock around to see if they were any good. Soon 2 x 441's arrived and were assembled. One I sent to an old Mate of mine, Archie, with instructions to give it the works. I kept the other and fiddled with it. Sewed from Chaps to Heavy Harness on it and tried to break it.

Well after a month or two we found a few small adjustments to be made and suggested that a bigger Hand Wheel would improve the Torque. The Feet were made from Steel and a bit of a problem to make I was told. So I suggested to Bill that Stainless Steel be used and also how to make them ( my Dad was a Moulder and passed on a bit to me). The advantage being that alterations to them could be made and polished and no Ferric (Metal) Stain be left on Damp Leather. Typically I alter Feet to suit special Jobs like Raised work or into corners. This makes it so easy being able to grind then polish and use the Feet.

Well in quick order a Shipment arrived here with the Big Hand Wheels and the tweaking as suggested. From the start it was realized that, what was a good Machine to use had now become a Dream Machine to use! Suddenly there was a good sized grip to wind the Hand Wheel with if required. Slow speed torque was improved Dramatically, now real slow speed was an option.

Well the Stainless Steel Feet and Needle Plates have been added, Servo Motors have been added ( the latest is fantastic), the Pedestal Bench also Sealed Bearing Speed reducer, Flat bench attachment and Roller Guide. Along with a host of unseen improvements and Tweaking undergone and now as a result we have the 441 changing to the CB4500. In Australia we call it the Master, as it is the Master of the Saddler & Harness Makers Shop. The one Machine that is needed to do most every task in Leather, Canvas, Webbing or Synthetics. Sewing from 1/16" to 3/4" easily and a bit more if you're careful.

Funny thing is that although all of these improvements have been made and the Extra's added into the Deal, the price has been kept down. Instead of being inflated Cowboy has always directed that Quality and Customer Satisfaction is the important Target of the Company.

Why was I asked to advise Cowboy? I guess it is my History and Experience as a Master Saddler & Harness Maker in the Bush and Islands. No Mechanics on call so I had to learn to do it myself. Later when I moved to Tonga and had a fair sized Work Shop (60 workers), this proved invaluable. I actually was able to help the other Manufacturers keep their Sewing Machines going as well as my own considerable numbers of Machines.

Well you ask why the history Lesson? It is to show that there is something going on quietly that has done more than a little bit in the past few years to improve the Workhorses of the Trade, by the Trade, For the Trade, by Cowboy, Ryan Neel and a team of Advisers.

I'm Semi Retired now and so can devote a bit of time to giving back to the Leather Trades a bit of what I have gained over the past nearly 50 years. Sure I make an odd Saddle or Set of Harness, also sell a few Machines for Cowboy. Why not? How many Young People have I been able to get started with a Top Shelf Machine at such an affordable Price and with all the Extra’s given in as part of the Deal. As well as Old Timers now happy they can afford such a Good Quality Machine.

But I'll say this, I wish our Leather Crafts and Trades had these Machines 40 years ago(when they were $A12.000 & up), at the Prices they are now, with the same High Quality.

Sewing out of the Box! Unheard of! Usually a few days to a week to Sew a Machine in was the norm. Doesn’t break Needles was the only complaint (Tongue in Cheek) I’ve ever had from a buyer, from amongst the large number of machines I’ve sold ( the customer was serious, he had an expensive opposition supplied Machine that went through several packets per week, It now gathers dust in the corner).

Now that’s my two Bobs worth.

In the US See Ryan Neel or Bob Kovar, In Australia or NZ contact Me (if I’m not Fishing) gsaddler@bigpond.com for what I call the “The Best Quality for Less”, backed up by Highly Experienced Tradesmen who love the Trade and love to help and share their wealth of Knowledge with you".

You don't have to buy to get advice, it's there for the asking"!

Kindest regards.

Jim Saddler.

[TwinOaks]

While I still don't have my sewing machine (%^%$^%!!! honey-do projects!) I wanted to add a small comment on the customer service side of the conversation. While I was researching which type of machine I want, I placed a call to Ryan one Friday afternoon. I ended up talking to Ryan for about 20 minutes, just picking his brain about machine capabilities....which I've done with Steve as well. We had to cut the call short because he was losing cell signal. So what does all this have to do with anything? He was losing cell signal because his charter fishing boat was getting out of range! Yes, I'd managed to call him as he was headed out on a vacation and he still took the time to chat with me. I was (and am still) very impressed at the efforts made to help out customers, or even potential customers like me.