SethJ

Thanks for all the replies! Ok this morning I'm back trying again. I have re threaded the machine and changed the needle to a #26. Oh The flywheel issue- Bob had sent a new bobbin race and since installing it,..I dont seem to have that issue anymore(YES THE FLYWHEEL WAS TIGHT) that was the first thing I thought too. But the shaft would turn,..just nothing would move. Ok I rethreaded with #346 on top with a 26 needle,..and 277 on the bobbin. I also threaded like someone said going thru the eyelet over the tensioner twice(in and out)...... I HAVE NO DOUBT ITS USER ERROR LOL....the machine runs too well when it does run,...so its something going on ... does anybody know about WET leather? It seems to affect the sewing. Ok I just put two perfectly flat pieces of 10 ounce in the machine. It sewed it perfectly for about 20 stitches then I stopped,..no issue,..stitches look good,..tension looks good,..knot is hidden,..no pucker. The issue comes when I have a good prepared piece of work!!!AAARRGGGHHH!!! Like the edge of a holster.....I THINK I AM DEFINATELY GETTING SOME NEEDLE DEFLECTION AS SOMEONE MENTIONED.....AND YES IT SHREDS ON A MISSED STITCH only,..NO OTHER TIME...... getting closer!! I think the WET leather is a big issue,.....something happening there....

I'm uploading a video of the thread breaking and fraying. I've adjusted tension great,..and less,..and everywhere in between with no sucess. I should say,..with the 277 thread.//I HAVE been able to sew up to 10 ounce thick. Whether its two thin pieces,..or a single ply of 8-10 ounce,....the problems really appear when going to thicker materials..... ah after a search,..you guys call it thread shredding,....thats what my machine does on anything over 10 ounce. I have 277 thread with a 25 needle,...it does fine on thinner leather thats untreated in any way( not dyed or cased). HAS to be something out of adjustment,...I just stitched a single ply good heavy 10 oz,..and it performed flawlessly,..why cant I sew thicker?!?!?!?!!? I have to sew welts and such that are nearly 1/2" thick! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eLj_06dZlzk&feature=youtu.be

Something else,..I just tried again,..adjusted tension for a heavy welt I was trying to sew. The thread will BREAK after a few stitches,..its like it gets hung somewhere and it gets cut at the needle and frayed,...when going into the leather,...it rubs the side of the little guide hole.....I posted a video here,.....this is the jamming problem,... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DyknrGtA_JQ&feature=youtu.be

Well, after debating between the cobra and the cowboy,..I guess I really screwed up. I went with the Cowboy from toledo and Bob. Nothing but trouble since I got it. To start some parts were missing. Waited and got those in. But the machine simply WILL NOT PERFORM. It ran ok for the first oh,..30 minutes,..then that was it. Nothing but problems. I've damaged so much product I'm sick to my stomach. The service is ok I suppose,...I keep speaking with Bob Jr. ...but anyhow,..he's sent me several parts,..trying this and that ,..and nothing's working. I can sew a single thickness of oh say 10 ounce,..DRY! not dyed,..or even slightly damp is a problem. When trying to sew,..it will make 3 or 4 stitches,...the the thread gets frayed and mangled on the needle. It randomly skips stitches,....it makes a grinding noise when the needle goes into the leather. Sometimes,...the machine locks up! I mean something gets stuck,..and the belt turns,...but nothing moves,..its a bobbin problem supposedly,.....(we changed the bobbin race already).... I switched from 346 thread,..to 277....that helped some,...now I can make oh 10 stitches before it malfunctions,..... Does it matter if the leather is damp? Seems like it really goes to hell when I try and sew even slightly damp leather. I'm still talking to Bob Jr,..but it doesn't seem to be getting anywhere,.....its been 3 weeks,..and I cannot complete a single project. I'm completely frustrated and pretty disgusted after spending $3000....it looks like a TOTAL Waste of money. Are these machines supposed to be this troublesome???????? I'm at my absolute wits end and I'm fixing to take drastic measures.....any advice???

Nevermind,..I just called Bob and ordered a cb4500.

Ok I have another question, would the 3200 be ok for saddle work? Is the extra arm length absolutely needed?

Ok, so I did talk to Steve yesterday and he answered all of my questions concerning the cobra class 4 machine ,...but I forgot to ask him this one...Why won't the machine sew anything lighter than 6oz? So am I to understand it will sew together 2 thicknesses of 3oz totaling 6oZ? I don't exactly understand why the machine wouldn't handle lighter leathers?

I've got a ton of imitation alligator,..brown............well its suede backed with an alligator print on front,..the front (gator) side is really shiny....would make a nice inlay. It's light,...maybe 3-4 ounce and very flexible/pliable,..not stiff. i'd be willing to barter a piece,...or maybe just give ya a piece to tinker with.....drop me a pm if interested. -Louisiana

Arrrgh,.....I hate backgrounding,.....mine always looks bumpy and crappy. Everyone elses seems to lay nice and even. I think the tool is a big part of it. -oh,...and I agree with the other posster,,.....the guy could have been bigger,...but I salute you for attempting that much background...lol

howdy,....thanks

Louisiana country boy here,.......hello all.....