LeatherWerks

I don't suppose you missed the take up lever when you threaded the machine did you.

Eric, thanks for posting the pictures. There are noticeable differences between the two plates. The one from China has the serial number printed, the one from Japan stamped. Sounds like I should just buy a new one from Gregg at Keystone Sewing. Couldn't cost a lot to ship it to St. Louis. I see $1610.00 on their web site. Steve

Thanks, I'll look for it. Steve

Try this site: http://www.ohiotravelbag.com/FlipBook/P212_BOOK_1.indb/index.html#/150/zoomed Steve

Eric, how would I know for sure the Juki I spoke of is in fact made in Japan? I've heard that Juki has outsourced some of it's manufacturing to China. Can I trust the label on the machine? Steve

Eric, you are right about new, my Cobra 4 came from Steve at the Leather Machine Company and the support has been great. I know Steve sells a Cobra 18 that would be like the Juki, maybe not as high quality, I'm not sure. Do you know anything about the Cobra 18 and how that might compare with the Juki 1541S? Thanks, Steve

Thanks Eric, I take a look and see what condition it's in. I guessing you'd say, spring for the extra 300.00 and buy a new one? Steve

I finally found a machine that I think I'll make my second machine. I've got a 441 clone and now need something for lighter work. I know a Juki 1541S is a great lighter weight machine, but what do the experts think about the price of 1400.00 for a 5 year old machine. It comes with a few different feet, several spools of thread and of course the table and light. Does the price sound right? Person was asking 1500.00 at first. Steve

My book says that it is the S1 and S2 positions that control motor direction. I just can't get the motor to display the S1 S2 options. It will display the L0 thru l9 which is the motor speed, and the 5.0 thru 5.4 option which I don't even know what that means, but no S options. Steve

I just replaced the servo motor on my Cobra 4 machine and at first, everything was fine, sewing great, just too fast for me. I adjusted the speed down from L1 to L9. I must have done something during that change that caused the motor to go into reverse mode. The manual shows how to set the motor back the other (forward) mode but for the life of me, I can't get it to reset. Anyone with a Cobra machine know the trick? Thanks, Steve Nelson

Art, thanks for your reply. How does this machine sew? Will it run really slow? I know it's a servo and should run slow or really fast but slow is really important to me. I have a large box of leather stuff I've ruined with machines that go from 0 to 10,000 with just the touch of your toe on the peddle. I don't need another machine like that. When I look at the pictures or this machine it appears to be similiar to a consew 206RB-5 though, it's probably one level up from that considering it can sew 207 thread. Steve

The last week of February I have a trip scheduled to California. While I'm there, I am meeting with Steve from the Leather Machine Company. In addition to discussing my current Cobra class 4 machine, I am planning on doing a extensive demo on Steve's Class 18 Machine. Art mentioned that he has a Cobra class 18 and love's it. Art, what can you tell me about this machine? Would it be good for upholstery work? Can you get welt feet for this machine? Would you say this is as good or better than a Juki 1541S machine that I am also considering? If you have time, I would appreciate your insight on this machine. Thanks, Steve Nelson

Heavy Leather, I to am looking for a deal on a Consew 206RB-5. On Ebay, I saw this one. I know nothing about the company and I'm not in any way suggesting you buy from them. Going back and looking at the deal you posted, the roller guide is a nice addition to the deal, not a $300.00 deal, maybe like 89.00, but a nice accessory to have. Welt feet would be good as well if you are doing upholstery work. Let me add just one note here. I have a Cobra 4 that I purchased from Steve at the Leather Machine Company. Customer service there is over the top, it doesn't get any better than what you'll get from them or any other company that shows their products on this forum. There is some real value to that type of service...you'll have to place your own $ figure on how important that is to you. When something is not working correctly as mechanical items often do, it good to know Steve or Ron or others are a phone call away and can get you and your business up and running again. http://www.ebay.com/...=item19d4427f8c Steve NelsonLeatherWorks

I did a little research after I posted this....probably not what I need. It looks like it a light duty machine not designed for leather or heavy work. Steve

I've been looking for a new flatbed machine and came upon this one for sale at a good price. I have no experience with flatbed machines so hopefully one of the experts will give me some advice. I am planning, unless I but this one, to purchase either the Consew 206RB-5 or the Juki 1541S. How does the Artisan 196R-5 compare? My use will be light to medium upholstery and light leather using 69 through 138 thread. Thanks, Steve Nelson

I'm making a dog leash, I've glued two layers of Latigo together so I have a nice finished surface on both sides of the leash. I machine stitched it on both sides for strength. Of course, I had to sand the edges to get them smooth, and now am wondering what is normally done to get the sanded edge looking better, I guess it should be burnished, but what else should I do. Should I apply dye to the edge or something? Thanks, Steve

Lucus for me, using #69 thread is not so much a problem, the Cobra 4 will do it, but I have always found it difficult to get the bobbin tension tight enough. It can be done, but then if you need to go back to #277, it's a process to get the tension correct again. So, the Cobra 4 will sew using all the thread sizes you mentioned, I'm just not a fan of making adjustments everytime I change projects, i'e., holsters to billfolds. Steve

Okay, I guess I should have given more info than I did. I have a Cobra class 4 that I bought from Steve T. That's what I use to sew belts, holsters and thick stuff. The problem I have is that I'm trying to do some upholstery work and other items that use less than #207 thread. Getting the tension right on a Cobra 4 using 69 or 138 thread is a feat that Art and the Wiz should only undertake. Hence the need for a new machine, or at least the justification for that need to my wife. The Juki sounds like a small step up from the Consew 206RB-5 but it's also $600.00 more. The prices I'm quoting here are from a dealer in my state. I'm trying to avoid $300 in shipping charges. When I bought the Cobra 4, I purchased it at the Wikenburg, AZ trade show and brought it home in, believe it or not, the back of a Toyota Prius, fully assembled. I don't feel like I made a bad decision on the Cobra 4, and that decision was based on recomendations here on this forum. Since this is a new machine type for me, I was hoping to rely on the expertise again. Thanks, Steve

I'm getting ready to pull the trigger on a new machine, one I'm going to use mostly for leather upholstry work. I was hoping one of the experts might let me know what machine they thought was the best for my work. The Consew I can get new for 1250.00 or so, the Juki for around 1850.00. Thanks, Steve

Thanks Wiz. I know I can always count on your wise insight when it comes to sewing machines. I plan on dabbling a bit in upholstery as well. Would I be able to find a welting foot for a Consew machine? Steve

I have a Cobra 4 machine now and to date, it has done everything I've wanted to do. I would like to add another machine to the shop (used if I can find the right one) which will alow me to do more projects. I sew mostly belts and holsters with the Cobra machine, but would like to do smaller stuff like wallets and purses. Do I need another machine or am I just not utilizing the abilities of the machine I have? If you believe I need another machine, what would it be? Consew, Singer? Thanks, Steve

Thanks to everyone who replied. While the concept of making the collar it clear now, the sewing part has me a bit baffled. I see these collars in pet stores all the time at prices that would suggest there was little hand work involved. Of course, the product source is a country in the far east, maybe there are thousands of cheap workers hand-sewing these collars. Steve

I looked around the site and didn't see anything written on the procedures to make round dog collars. Do anyone have any information about the procedure? If so, I'd appreciate it. Steve

Okay, I'll look for some leather like it. I guess it's probably chrome tanned upholstery leather of some kind. Thanks for your help, Steve

Okay Art and JJ. I now know how to lock my stitches with the Cobra 4. It's works just like you said it would. Thanks for the help. Steve