philippe

Its Identical to Artisan and the others, very high quality if you like I can post some pics a little later. Nick at nick-o-sew says he gets his machines from the same place as Artisan, highly inspected quality control factories. It does look to be top notch but I honestly haven't seen any others in person to be able to tell the difference I am just comparing overall quality to my cowboy sewing machines from Ryan Neel.

Should I send this unit back and get a bottom only skiver?

Thanks Art. I got the machine from him because it was 1450.00 versus the others at about 2000. I did intend to do alot of thinner chrome tan and soft leathers maybe I should have got the bottom feed only. It was delivered fully set up and assembled with a sample. But call it what you may I have turned lots of knobs pretty much as soon as I got it. I am getting slightly better results but maybe I need some different attachments to do the type of leathers I want to skive. As for veg-tan I will be skiving that alot, but at the moment I have projects this would be perfect for If I could use it properly, any idea where to get different attachments for this if there are any? Thanks

Thanks for the advice trial and error usually the fix for most things, I will be messing with alot more just got a little frustrated. But thanks.

Sorry I should have been more clear, I am trying to adjust the actual thickness of the leather, say skiving 4 oz down to 1 oz. I do understand the edge guide although that gives a little trouble sometimes also, finding the initial reference point. And I do get that this isn't rocket science once I figure it out but its getting the point of figuring out that I am sure we all struggle once in a while with. But I really appreciate the quick replies and I am hoping for a few more if you all continue to be patient with me. Thanks again.

I have a Nick-o-sew 801-st skiving machine with top and bottom feed, I have read the instruction book and it is about as helpful as ____________ fill in the blank. I watched the shoe school video on you tube but that doesn't help a whole lot either other than just a main coverage on skiving machines. The machine I have is pretty much identical to the other skiving machines with top and bottom feed. But what I can't seem to figure out is adjusting the depth of cut. I know what all the knobs do but which one actually increases and decreases the depth of cut, i.e. the feed wheel knob (angle or height) , the presser foot adjuster, or perhaps the knife adjustment(the one that moves it in and out or rather closer to the feed wheel or farther away). I was very happy to get the machine now I am very frustrated on how to use it. I will be posting a video on a comprehensive use of the machine once I have it down to show others. So any help is greatly appreciated, if anyone has a number I can call for someone to talk to let me know. I would call one of the main dealers but I didn't buy the machine from them and don't want to disrespect anyone. Nick at nick-o-sew doesn't have alot of experience with the machine so he can't help me with my questions. Thanks in advance.

Sorry been out for a while. I have the brown you see and a darker brown.

Its called Bontex and Springfield sells it.

The thread exchange was mentioned, but they have a very limited color selection. Mostly earth tones. I had the same problem finding colored 277 thread in bonded Nylon a while ago. As Linhanyl is now not available (although I contacted their Brazil office and it can be imported privately by the half ton) I went throught many suppliers and the only one I could find with the color and composition I wanted was Weaver. Their thread is just as good as the Linhanyl I use (in white) and they had the widest color selection available. The Weaver thread is slightly "stiffer" though so that may lead to earlier sun degradation than it will with the Linhanyl (in the application of outdoor products such as motorcycle seats.) but I don't know yet as I have had no complaints from customers. Hope this helps.

I have more Lizards if anyone is interested. 40.00 each

I have a new Cowboy cb4500 (441 clone) and a cowboy 797 (chandler 797 , etc. clone) both of which have the new servo motors. I too thought you had to be running the machine to adjust the speed ( they both have digital button controls), but after speaking to Ryan Neel he was very insistent at how dangerous this was, and he told me the proper method.: with the motor on but NOT running, hold the down arrow until S.0 appears, then push the up arrow (button) until S.3 appears, then down or up to adjust your speed, the 441 motor displays in 100's while the 797 displays in ten's, i.e. 3800 or 38 rpm. Hope this helps.

unfortunately I have no more skins to offer, thanks everyone that purchased them. If I have anymore in the future I will post them.

Thanks Winterbear I would like to see some finished products also. here's a pic of a sheath I made for my shears. Its very easy to work with.

I still have a few left if anyone else wants any of these skins

perhaps i can lower the price a bit any suggestions?

I have alot of Lizard skins and I am willing to part with a few. I think they are monitor lizard but I am not 100% on that. They are very large as far as lizard goes. asking $40.00 each but depending on how many you want I can work with you a bit. Still pretty cheap though.

I have seen many discussions on needles and machines, and thread, but so far I haven't found much on the proper applications of the presser feet and needle plates. I just bought and set up a cowboy 441 (cb4500). It came with all kinds of wonderful and exciting attachments like a holster plate, slotted plate, stirrup plate, left and right feet, blanket feet and feed dogs, portable snow blower attachment, chainsaw...etc. you get the idea. Well the instructions I am sure as everyone knows are a little less than helpful in identifying the purpose associated with these. Would anyone be able to point me in the direction of what I am seeking or perhaps explain and possibly illustrate specifics. I am a newbie to the big saddle stitchers so any info is helpful. And if I can help clear up any questions I have asked just let me know. Also I apologize ahead of time if this is a repost I know the most of you like to keep a clean non redundant forum. Thanks -Philippe

Got my cowboy yesterday and set it all up!! Can't post pictures yet (camera problems) but wow what a machine, And Ryan Neel really knows his stuff, I always have a certain respect for people that can walk me through such complicated machines from memory alone. Thought I had a tension problem turns out my threading sequence was incorrect. And so quiet the digital servo motor is really something. I am just impressed by the size and solid feel of this machine, I'll post some pics when I can and after I complete my first project.

The wife found out how much I spent on the cb4500 she aint to happy but at least when my machine gets here I get to sleep downstairs with it for a while lol

holland freight says it will be here Monday can't wait to set it up and get started

Thanks for the advice and that page about thread history is exactly what I was looking for thanks again

From everything I read and what Ryan told me I won't really need to get anything other than thread and needles, (which he included 2lbs. of and ten needles) in the future, it comes with all sorts of feet and attachments including a flat table, the only thing I can't seem to find is a detailed explanation of needles and thread sizes that would explain generally what each size is used for. It would be nice if someone would explain all the sizes of thread and needles, it would sure be a nice reference chart to compare experimentation with.

Just ordered my Cowboy cb4500 with complete package upgrades and extra "stuff" from Ryan Neel he is working on it now and says it will be here by the end of next week. Can't wait to make beautiful bags straps and case goods that will rival Dunhill, (at least in my mind and my 5 y. o.'s mind) lol. Looking forward to it very much I just wish there were more pictures and videos available of these machines.