Ran

Having recently gotten my CB4500 stitcher, I'm finding myself wondering about maintenance. I wish this thing had a stitch counter or hour meter (or something similar). Since some of the part being lubed are not visible be the naked eye, I'm wondering what advice some of you pros might give up.. Dang...I love this thing! I've already sewn several holsters in the time it would have taken me to make it around a single loop when hand-stitching.. Learning all the little quirks and ways to 'finesse' the machine is a blast. Very happy I am..

Thanks Benlilly. I built the shop myself two year ago and made sure to install ample lighting. My assembly table is one of my most used tools and many of my woodworking tools are used in leatherworking. Heck, I even set up my lathe as a burnisher...

Here's the rest of the shop. I have a bunch of favorite quotes on my shop walls. This one among them

Thanks Bob.. I'll post some other pics of my shop one of these days. You guys aren't seeing the best part of it in these pics. As I've mentioned, I'm a long time woodworker/cabinet maker/furniture builder and the shop is pretty much set up for those activities. My poor 400# cabinet tablesaw is now sitting under sheets of leather!..

My wife tells me that her Viking embroidery machine has some sort of alarm letting her know when the bobbin is nearing empty. But I suppose when embroidering its a bigger problem to have a bobbin go empty in the middle of a project than when stitching.. It would be cool to be able to inspect the bobbin without having to pop it out, but I suppose I'll get a feel for it (as per Wiz's suggestion) much like being able to guess how much thread to cut for a saddle stitch loop.. Ha!..

Can someone tell me how I'll know when the bobbin is getting low on thread? (without inspecting, that is??)

Sorry Blues.. When I asked my wife what she thought about me buying a leather stitcher, I was pleasantly surprised when she encouraged me to go for it.. It just 'might' have something to do with her and our daughters heading to Cancun this winter without me.. Honestly, I would MUCH rather have the stitcher than go to Cancun anyways..

Mike...thank you. The '0.5' stitch is exactly what I do too when I'm hand-stitching....and for the same reason. I don't mind the extra time it takes either. ESPECIALLY in light of the fact that I can now get around a holster lickity-split..

Kevin...I definitely have a 'squeeze' issue...ha! Honestly...my shop (IMO) is a mess! Its common for friends to comment on my cleanliness. I hate a messy shop and I 'almost' always clean up after each day spent in it.. Its primarily a woodworking shop, but there are more and more leatherworking tools showing up all of the time...

Mike....let me see if I understand what you're saying. So you will machine sew close to the end (say 3 or 4 stitches shy?), stop, pull some thread off the bobbin and spool, thread up a couple of hand-stitch needles and wrap things up with a saddle stitch? Is that right?

While I'm fairly confident this new Cowboy CB4500 won't replace my beloved Harley-Davidson as my favorite toy, I hope the scooter doesn't find out that I'm having an affair with a leather stitcher that's built like a roller derby queen! Afterall, the bike is hybernating for the Wisconsin Northwoods winter anyways... This thing is a beast! I picked it up last night at my buddy's motorcycle shop (saved me sixty bucks in shipping to have it delivered to a business that has a forklift), and by the time I got it home and off my pick-up truck, it was getting time for dinner. Believe it or not, I somehow found the patience to wait until this morning to finish assembly, thread this behemoth and do a few practice runs. I'm a happy guy! Tip of the hat to Bob at Toledo Sewing Machines for taking care of me, and to Wiz for some advice and tips.. As a guy who's been saddle stitching for a while, I DO have a question about terminating a stitch run when making a loop wherein you end back where you started. Do I back-stitch? Or can I do like I did when hand-stitching and over-stitch 3 or 4 stitches and call it a day?? Here she is.. Bob's Youtube video was a great help for loading the thread

I agree with you, Big O. As a daily CC guy, this is definitely not the way I'd want to carry a pistol. I was only accommodating the customer's request. Honestly, even though I own a fullsize 1911, I wouldn't consider carrying it on a daily basis. Just too big and heavy for me..

Maybe? Or...you could tell her your fellow 'cheesehead' leatherwork enthusiast got a '2 fer one' deal..

Thanks again, folks!

I like that plan, Bluesman!

Thanks folks. I'm gonna start making some phone calls on Monday..

Thanks Greystone. Yep...read the pinned post (a couple of times, actually). Service after the sale is at or near the top of my list, no doubt. If I buy new (which is likely) it will be from one of the forum sponsors, for sure..

I've been leatherworking for only a relatively short time, but I'm already getting interested in doing more than just holsters. I don't really mind hand-stitching holsters because there's usually not THAT much stitching. But I can't imagine doing some larger projects without a machine. Now I just need to decide which one. No real budget to speak of, but I guess I'm hoping to spend not more than a couple grand?? I've read quite a few threads on here regarding the pros and cons of the various options, but I guess I'm still looking for more guidance. I own quite a few quality woodworking machines and I've never regretted spending the money on the most often used tools. Any advice will be appreciated.. Randy

Thanks Folks!

Shipping this one out tomorrow to a customer with special needs. This gentleman had been looking for a holster maker who would/could accommodate his need for an 'open palm' draw grip IWB holster that he could wear at roughly the 5 o'clock position (or near 'Small Of Back'...SOB). He has an old shoulder injury that makes it difficult for him to draw from the conventional 3 or 4 o'clock, 15-20 degree cant position. He also wanted a thumb break because he (like me) prefers the added security of a strap blocking the hammer on his fullsize 1911. This was a challenge to design and build because one must reach a compromise between achieving a comfortable cant while at the same time allowing enough room for his fingers without either pinching them between the holster and grip, or ending up with the pistol's grip below the belt line. It was especially fun working with this gentleman in designing the piece, and it was rewarding to hear him say, "I think I found the right guy."... I only just started leatherworking a few weeks ago, so I'm sure I'll get better as time goes on and I learn from experience. I'm a LONG time woodworker/cabinet maker/furniture builder, and I have found some similarities in the leatherwork world.. Fun stuff!

Thanks Zach. I've got some Herman Oak on its way and will be giving it a whirl. I agree that sometimes 8-10oz seems a little thick. I thinking it depends on how and where you're using it.

Nice job, Cogs! I recently got into making holsters too. Its addicting! I too have always thought The Judge would be a good home defense pistol....especially in .410. Never fired one, but sure would like to give it a whirl..

Thanks Bronco..

Mike...is this an 'inline' filter that goes between the airbrush and the compressor?

Thanks Mike. I've been eye-balling airbrush kits. I've got a couple of compressors, so I think I'm good there..