Squilchuck

Thanks for all the good feedback. You all confirmed my suspicion that the Cobra 4 is not designed to sew such lighter leather, which I rarely do anyway. I definitely don't want to have to fiddle excessively with tensions etc., not to mention deal with broken needles, then try to get back to my normal working settings. I'll work on a different solution - machine etc.

I assume I can sew #69 thread on my Cobra 4, but I am not sure of the correct needle - something like 110/18 or 120/19? I usually use 794S or LL points with larger thread and needles, but I cannot seem to find a source for this needle system and smaller size. Any suggestions on size and supplier?

Thanks for all the advice.

Instructions came w my Cobra 4. Maybe that doc is online at their Leather Machine website?

Thanks for the help. I'll keep working at it with your suggestions.

Does the height of the center pressed foot or the tension on the outside foot need to be adjusted? I have just experimented with plates that require feed dog to removed and have hard time keeping stitch length even because leather feeds poorly. Any tips?

Thanks. I am very careful to keep the blade cool. I use a light pressure and quick even pass of the blade across the belt, then touch for heat. I am using up to 1200 grit belts from Lee Valley.

I thought I found a perfect solution for fast and efficient knife sharpening in an older thread with links that described the use a 1x30 belt sander with various grit and leather belts. I bought a Harbor Freight 1x30 belt sander and the prescribed belts. I can get a nice polished edge, but nothing as sharp as with my diamond hones and hand strop. Certainly not razor sharp. Sometimes the edge is downright dull! The process does not seem like rocket science, so I am puzzled about what I am doing wrong? Several things occur to me. Maybe the belt is too slack and my edge is too round? I sharpen just below the top wheel, and have tried other positions too. Maybe I keep pushing the wire edge back and forth and break it off? I tried grinding at less than a 20 degree angle too. The other thing is the belt on the HF sander is a bit concave from side to side (not flat) because of the concave wheels spinning the belt. Basically, the middle half of the belt gets used, and I have to be careful a the tip of the blade to not round it back when I hit that concavity. Please help! I am about the chuck the thing and go back to the diamond hones.