dikman

I've received a couple of quotes via alibaba but I'm still hoping more will come in. So far it looks to be under $2,000 for a complete unit and $1600 for the head only. I was advised to talk to a customs broker and get them to handle it at this end and one thing I was told is if there's any wood inside the crate, like a table, then it will be quarantined and will have a significant extra cost added on! If I bring in just the head it's not a problem, and as a bonus there's no customs duty on sewing machines, only GST.

tt, that would be the Australian retail price. Granted, our $ isn't as good as it could be for buying overseas but we have a history of being ripped off in this country. China is in our backyard geographically so shipping costs should be cheaper than sending to the US or UK. Unfortunately, for items like this it's a relatively small market so not much competition so they can charge what they like. There is an industrial sewing machine dealer here in Adelaide and his 441 equivalent is about $5,000!

At 5 you've got it coming off the check spring, through the guide and up to the arm - try going from the check spring directly up to the arm then back down through the guide.

Nice clean lines, simple and elegant.

I've used KungPeng and found them very good to deal with.

Went to the Adelaide Custom Knife Show today, and while talking to a couple of knifemakers there (I know many of them from previous shows) one mentioned that a vendor there imports leather sewing machines, among their many other products. So off I trot to have a word with him and yes, they sell Cowboy machines. He said to call their head office tomorrow and talk to Bob, who handles the leather side of things. I left feeling optimistic. When I got home I thought I'd check their website and the only machine they list is the CB3200, which is fine, unfortunately the price of $3700 is not so fine! Nor is $2900 for a hand crank head-only. Looks like I'm back to figuring out the practicalities of importing a 441 clone (probably head only).

PLA is surprisingly tough. It's when you have file/cut pieces that you realise just how tough. Pretty simple - and cheap - when you need to make replacement pattern pieces.

Well, the figures I got, in $AU, came out at close to new price for a Cowboy 441 bought here - and that doesn't include the 10% GST and who knows what other little charges the government could find to apply! I think you may be right about the 3200 as it doesn't show up much when I started searching various factories' websites. Unlike the 441, which is pretty common. It was just a thought that I had, which I will now consign to the wastebasket. If I do anything at all it will be a 441 clone.

I've been browsing the various manufacturers on alibaba for a 441 clone. The problem is how to determine which ones are good to deal with?

You're right, for some reason this didn't show up when I searched yesterday. My google-fu must have been having a day off!! Notice the shipping charge? Be cheaper to buy one here!! Far better value getting a 441 via alibaba. I still can't find an equivalent for the 3200 on there.

Ah, of course, CB=CowBoy, me dumb! No wonder I couldn't find it. Thanks Wiz, I'll search a bit more.

Matt, I realise it would actually be made in China and my wording is poor. CB3200 doesn't come up on either alibaba or Aliexpress. I was hoping to avoid having to go through every listed manufacturers' website trying to match specifications.

Thanks Constabulary. Neither of them show up on Alibaba, Chikon is in Taiwan which probably explains why they're not there, Hiled is Chinese but doesn't show up.

Does anyone know if there is a Chinese equivalent to the CB3200? I've been searching alibaba but so far had no luck.

I've been looking at 441's on ali-baba and there's certainly a multitude of manufacturers on there (their manufacturing plants are in different provinces). The difficulty is knowing who to deal with. With smaller items it's not so much of an issue but with something like this it's a problem. The length of time they've been trading on ali-baba might be an indicator, but it's quite possible that a relative newcomer could be trying to establish their reputation so have a quality product. The question is - how do you know?

Short answer, for what you want to do - yes.

When I started out it was commonly said that a heated bed wasn't necessary for PLA so I didn't bother with it, just glass and a glue stick. Worked fine most of the time but depending on the shape I would occasionally get curling or the item coming loose part way through (that was annoying). I finally decided to use the heated bed (60*C) and no more problems. I still use a glue stick on small items, just in case. I too am curious to see what you come up with for your edge guide.

Can you post a photo of the control box front and back?

Clever idea. I haven't got any paracord but do have some venetian blind cord that I'll try.

That actually looks pretty good now. Definitely black on the top plate as it's next to the black handwheel (and probably the front plate too). I hope it works after all this effort.

Brian, I'm gobsmacked! You never cease to amaze me.

As you add other bits (with different colours) it's starting to tone down the gold colour. Not quite as much in-your-face effect. Looking better.

You need to be more specific as Singer made a huge number of different machines, both domestic and industrial. Some will do what you want, many probably won't.

I'm not sure if I like the colour or not, but you did a great job on the painting.

That top Mexican Loop is pretty high, I'm impressed that you managed to poke that pouch down through it!