DFWLeather

I wanted to add that the Cowboy has stainless steel feet, which I really like. I'm not sure if the Cobra does or not, but I would certainly get them if it didn't.

Winder will get another spool ready for you while you work on other items. It's a very nice thing to have. Foot lifter? Are you talking about the pedal or on foot where the needle operates. Pedal, no need. Foot, as need for different materials and uses.

What he said.

The CNC is incredibly fun to use. However, mastering the various software packages to get the brainless machine to work is a big curve. I have to admit, once the software has been done, it initiates code like a loyal soldier. When I don't use it anymore, adios. Fun for now, though.

Finally, someone as bad as me. Love the Cowboy and Bob, too. I see the Lathe, nice. I have Tormach CNC, and a newly overhauled Atlas lathe. I had a SouthBend but it was too big and heavy for me to move around when needed, and it wasn't up to the shape I desired. I don't have time to overhaul a lathe. Fun times ahead for sure...

That's funny. I'm not far behind...

I believe they are very similar with a few very small exceptions. There are others better qualified to answer this question than I, since I have not seen or used the other machines. I am very happy with the machine and support.

I know it's hard to swing a purchase like this, but when you see what the machine can do, and how simple the design is, you realize it's a bargain. I only wish I bought it sooner. I am the worst "buyers remorse" person in the world, so I often delay purchases for fear of regretting a purchase. Well, I thought about this one a good long time, and read a lot, and received great feedback from many on this forum and others. This is one purchase I really enjoy and know I'll use a long time. Also, it has been my experience that good tools are more liquid than a rolex watch. Most of my "good" tools sell in a day or two. It's simple for me really; if I don't use a tool for six months to a year, it's gone. Time to move on to new projects and adventures.

You all are want-to-be Cowboys. You see, you have to live in Texas to be a real Cowboy. Congratulations to all of you. My machine is turning out stuff so fast I don't even know what some of it is. As far as why Cowboy or another? Just research, references and preferences.

Here ya' go... Send me an email if you're interested in buckles, sleeves and posts. China has some nice pieces, but it takes a long time to get them...

Thanks for your comments. When I was looking for a leather sewing machine, my wife's clothing company's sewing room suggested a Juki 563. It was completely rebuilt and looked and operated like new--And it did a good job at thin leather. But as I began to expand into thicker, denser leather, and my projects grew, the machine struggled, and understandably so. It was not designed for the tasks I put it through. Needless to say, I wish they had simply referred me to a heavier, stronger machine like Cowboy. Yes the price was a stretch, and more than I would care to spend on a machine. However, now that I have experienced its abilities, I wish I had known about it sooner and acquired it years ago. Oh, the years of hand stitching and using the awl will not be missed by me. I am really impressed with the quality and strength of the machine. And I would like to add my CNC machine was also manufactured in China. And like Cowboy, American consumers need an intermediary like Bob Kovar to bring in the machine, adjust it, adapt it, and run it through its paces before it reaches you or me. I now realize the machine is a bargain given its capabilities. An industrial, beastly machine that you or I can own. Incredible.

I am grateful to Wiz and others that provided insight and information regarding the various machines. I spent a long time researching the machines, and the people that service them as that is the most important factor regarinding this purchase given the origin of these machines. That said, my machine was delivered mostly assembled from Bob Kovar at Toledo last night. And I can tell you I had it running on leather within an hour. Bob called to follow-up on a couple of questions very quickly. In addition, he labeled all the baggies with the parts and even provided several samples of different thickness of leather he knew I would be sewing to show me the machine was indeed ready. Well let me tell you about this machine, it's a darn beast. Despite its massive heft, I was able to lift it to the table, but don't suggest you do it as it's like lifting the anchor from an aircraft carrier. Here's a link to my youtube account showing the unit in delivery form, and my comments etc.

I have both, so I'll give it a try.

Exacto is useless. I've been making watchbands for ten years. You need to see and feel the leather before you buy it. Tandy or other store will meet your needs fine, as long as you can hold it in your hands. Also, be wary of realy oily hides, they'll mess-up a cuffed shirt real fast, this also applies to wax hides. You'll have to double or triple layer your leather if you want something hefty. Also, hand stitching is hard, and time consuming for a beginner, but that's where you learn a lot. try the fold method, it's fast and effective. Fold the leather in half with adhesive in the middle, cut in 23-24 widths, cut off the tail with the shape you prefer (you'll need a tool--tandy has several), and then stitch. Also, the other side requires skiving and layering with adhesive then glue. It's a lot to consume, but it takes a long time to get it right. I began using a Juki to stitch the thread, and it did a fine job. I sold many, and kept many. Selling is tough as people sometimes have too many demands regarding length, tail, width, buckles etc. Tough deal and low margin when you consider your time.

Seems like an awful lot of machine for a small stamp. I suppose if you have the room and want to save some money...

If it's a hot press, you could use foile for it, I suppose. Which one, and are you happy with it? thx

I am stamping initials and logos into leather of fairly thick composition; 7-10oz. While I have been primrily pounding the impressions in with fairly good results, I am interested in using gold, silver or color in the impressions (letter or logo). I would appreciate some advice in this area as I believe it could add depth to my work. Your comments appreciated.

I ordered from Calvin at lwleathers and will let you know how they look when I get them. I did request a custom alphabet so I know they had to make some adjustments due to some letter being too long etc. Keep you posted...

If I can give you my tool per month promotion, you can have it. I don't use many of their tools anymore.

Mr. Tandy Member, it does not have to be intentional to be gouging, it can also be negligent. And as I stated earlier, the good leather is usually pretty good and meets my needs well. And I am working on growing out of them (hence the comment I made about sourcing leather elsewhere) so thanks for your MBA advice. I have noticed inconsistent pricing when going store to store. So there is apparently human input on their so-called automated system, otherwise it would be the same pricing wherever you go. Know the pricing, if you can ahead of your visit. Just an observation but I have also experienced different pricing on hides "often" when shopping at a store as opposed to their warehouse stores, for the exact product. For example, I bought 5 buffalo hides from the warehouse and needed two more, so headed to a local store (about ten minutes closer but with limited stock), the price was $3 more per sqft. When I asked why, he had no clue why they were selling it so cheap. So much for the system, eh? He had to call them to confirm, then changed the price for "me" on the two hides. So, caveat emptor. So, my thoughts and advice is simple; be sure prices are marked, be certain you get the appropriate pricing for everything you buy, and also be certain you are not charged tax (if appropriate--half the time they try to charge me tax), and be sure discounts are availble for what you are buying. Finding a place where you can see and feel the leather is important to me, at least until I'm satisfied with the quality. Then I don't mind ordering online. The problem I'm finding is that online pricing is every bit as high, or higher, than Tandy's best product, though more limited now I as I mentioned before. So finding quality whisky or distressed brown in 8-9oz for less than $7 a sqft is a challenge. That's why I think visiting market center would be so useful. I wonder what they have available now in terms of quality etc. I'll try to get up there in the next couple of weeks and share.

I would post the receipts, to show that the system is not automated. However, I'm glad you don't have problems. Where I live, I've seen four teams of people come and go over the years, manager and all. Turnover is a problem for Tandy, always has been. They always seem to hire very nice folks though. Business licensing may save you up to $2-3 a foot off of leather, and a percent of other products--not all, like you say. Please list your five other sources, I'm sure we'd all like to know about them. Tandy is a "good" source for just about everything you would need to work with leather. Grow out of them if you can.

I'll put it this way, I've never been "undercharged", but have been overcharged 2 out of 3 visits. Last time, I bought two hides and received the approrpriate discount, but then they overcharged me on everything else. I was in a hurry as my wife was waiting on me and I was watching the pricier items. Well, my bad. They gouged me on the less expensive pieces. I just hate to feel like I always have to check on them. Why can't they just charge you the right price instead of some creative formula that has nothing marked. It's like going on a car lot and there are no prices. They adjust them as they see fit. Very frustrating. From the moment you walk in, be on guard.

Great comments. I, too, have noticed the quality of Tandy's leather coming down. I find it harder to secure nice hides for reasonable prices. Now let's consider the environment; since 2008's liquidity crisis and market turbulence, their sales have struggled because their customers have less disposable income. They are carrying more lower quality {priced} hides, and fewer high quality hides. This is where the small shops that carry great hides providing more high end options for the picky hide buyer can make hay. I would rather have two awesome hides than five thin upholstery looking hides. I can buy overseas, but I don't need 25 hides mininum order per color or style. So, I am pressed into Tandy, or wherever I can find them. That said, if you can go to Market as a buyer, go "AFTER" and buy the samples, one or two hides is easy to get, no problem for incredible prices. Another issue I have with Tandy, you really don't get wholesale pricing--you get "elite". And that price isn't that great. So it's frustrating. I need to go to Spain, and when I do, I will find a leather supplier that will sell me a few here or there. Spanish leather is incredible, as is Italian. Another thing, I remember when Tandy's best leather was $6 sqft, not it's up to $10 sqft. Let me just tell you, that is obscene. Even with my supposed discount, It's still $7-8 a sqft. And you better make sure you get your discount, they are pretty good at forgetting about it.

For small, thin leather projects perhaps.

I agree on the poor tools, but disagree on the leather. You see, there aren't 500 suppliers of leather in the US. There are only a few that control a large part of the market with regard to wholesaling it to retailers. And as you can imagine, the larger buyers get the better prices on much of the quality hides (post process). So unless you are telling me you're getting leather from Spain or Italy through an interemediary, the quality that you are referring is a mystery to me. Retailers "go to market" once or twice a year to buy product, including leather. These Market Centers are located in major cities in the US and carry a variety of hides from suppliers. These suppliers push their product to every Market Center in the US they can to reduce the cost of shipping and containering and increase margin. So the product is pretty much the same everywhere you go in the US (Market Centers). This is where retailers buy their leather to sell you. The less you buy, the more it cost. So it is logical to assume the larger buyers will get a better deal and be able to sell it pretty competitively, relatively speaking of course. And if you're buying a large order, you're not going to want to junk. That said, if a retailer can establish a connection in South America, Spain or Italy and cut out the intermediary, they can pass along a unique and generally high quality product to the consumer. But this is rare as it requires the retailer to travel to a foreign country and source the hides themselves (and get them containerized to get home $$). And this can be done with the help of an envoy which are generally supplied by the US Embassy or country of origin's embassy for free. But then you end up driving around touring facilities all over the worst places on the planet. So not to burst anyone's bubble, but the market in general has become globalized in the trade of hides and just about every other consumer product to reduce cost, increase distribution and maintain margin. I'll provide some nice pics for you in the coming weeks as I go to market.