Ken B

Does anyone know if Cobra, Techsew, or if Juki or Adler make a similar machine to the Cowboy CB-243? It is a flat bed machine based on the 441. The CD-243 is priced too highly in my opinion, at $2900. Looking for an alternative. Thanks for the input!

Thanks, I will look for a speed reducer. I knew there had to be a practical solution.

Is it possible to swap the handwheel out for one with a larger diameter, and a smaller pulley? I've tried searching for such an item with no luck, which really surprises me. I have upgraded to the Enduro Pro with a 50mm pulley, but it's still pretty fast for the small webbing items that I sew.

Thanks guys, I will try the bottom tension again ... yep, that did fix it! I didn't think it could possibly be the bobbin tension because it was only 1/4th the tension of the top thread, but I loosened it to where it basically has zero tension on it and now it stitches fine. I'd even swapped the hook assembly / bobbin to one from Juki that supports up to #208 thread, and I'm using Tex 60 with a size 19 needle. Hopefully this thread can help out other newbies into looking at the bobbin tension. Thanks so much for all of the feedback, I really appreciate it! You guys are awesome.

The loop forms, picks up the bottom thread fine, but the stitch does not lock like it should (I apologize if that isn't the correct terminology), it just has the bottom thread pressed up against the material with the top thread looped around it. If I pull the bottom thread it will pull right out and unlock the stitch.

Thanks for the thought Tom! But, unfortunately the bottom tension is good. I even swapped the hook assembly to see if it was somehow binding on the old basket. I've watched from up above and from underneath the machine and everything seems to be functioning normally, except that my stitch isn't locking. It's driving me mad! From what I can tell the top and bottom tension are good, and my problem is from some component being out of time, or adjustment, but I can't figure out which. Tomorrow I will take a detailed video, perhaps something obvious will pop out to one of you experienced people that is eluding me; I'm new to these industrial machines.

Hi Bob, thanks for the reply. The thread is between the tension disks. The tension is working because I can turn the tension to half way and it's nearly impossible to get the thread through, but as I back the tension off it starts to slide easier. I've tried with multiple threads and needle combinations as well with the same results.

Thank you for any ideas, I am not sure what to try next. I was having a "rats nest" on the bottom side, but I've gone through all of the timing points in the Navy manual, and now I have the topside looking great, and the bottom side with the bobbin thread just running in a straight line and the spool thread pulled up against it. I have increased the tension to a ridiculous amount and it didn't make any difference. The tension assembly is not disengaging, I adjusted it temporarily so that it doesn't open the tension discs even when the presser feet are raised. The tensions discs are not bad either, there is definitely no lack of tension on the spool thread. I read in the Navy manual that this problem happens when the eccentric is out of timing, and when the bobbin case opener isn't adjusted correctly and doing its job. I've adjusted both. Any ideas are appreciated! Thank you.

Yep, I did finally figure it out, and it was super simple. Sometimes I think things are more complicated than they are, and that's exactly what they become!

Thank you again. I read that thread yesterday, but I re-read it today and also re-read the manual for the consew. It does explain how one should adjust the presser feet, I guess the problem is that I don't understand what it is saying. I wish someone had a video on this, I know it's not difficult I'm just not understanding it for some reason. I'll keep at it, I'm sure it will eventually dawn on me. I really appreciate the help Tejas, thanks for taking the time to reply.

Thanks for the reply and posting those pages. Unfortunately, they do not describe how to properly time the presser feet and set their lift height.

Can someone PLEASE help me understand the relationship between these two screws (see picture). I bought this machine and followed the instructions in the Navy handbook, but the presser feet are not raising to the appropriate height, and the amount of lift is not equal. Please help me understand how to adjust these screws in conjunction with the presser feet, so that I can get this machine running as intended. I am new to all of this, so detailed explanations are much appreciated. Thank you very much.