l2bravo

Tinker, that is interesting. Mine are labeled Organ, and I bought a couple of extra packages as well. Art, what/when do you use the different points? What do you get in the final product, that is different when you do? Where do you get them at? Thanks guys! I am having a great time learning this all, and just want to learn more. Josh

So I have had a Cowboy 3200 for not quite a month now. I have Organ needles, in 24, 25, and 26. I am not even sure which ones I got with the machine (maybe you guys would have an idea). I have bought some 207, 277, and 346 thread. I have experiemented quite a bit, and sewn quite a bit of stuff with it. I have learned quite a bit about tensions and thread sizes, just want to experiement some with needles. Which brings me to the subject. What needles do you guys like, and where do you get them? What brands/ which tips? Does anybody ever use the 7x3 plain point needles for medium stuff? What thread brands do you guys like? Is polyester any better than bonded nylon? If you care to elaborate, do you have a preference, for any certain material/needle/thread sizes?

Chapel, quit being afraid! I am 3 weeks into a Cowboy 3200, and have messed with presser foot tension, 3 sizes of needles, 3 sizes of threads, and a couple of more combos of the threads. I guess what I am saying, is I feel it is better to learn all there is about your machine, and how to run it well, rather than being afraid of something being knocked slightly off balance, and not being able to manage. What I have not done, is messed with the bobbin tension. Red cent is doing exactly what I am. Which is; once the bobbin tension is "right", you can dial with the upper tensions. Knots high - loosen tension. Knots low - tighten. Good luck man!

Nopleather, yes you can mix smaller thread sizes on the bobbin. The other day I got a bunch of new thread in. Stupid me, I ordered 346, but forgot 277 in the same color, but did get 205. I run a Cowboy 3200. So I ran 205/346, on a 15-18 oz. oil tanned bag. It laid beautifully, and knots were perfect. Glad to hear you narrowed your problem.

Bush, VERY NICE WORK! What do they fit? I am always a sucker for some nice basket weave. Josh

So I am about 2 weeks deep in my Cowboy 3200. I've sewn a lot, and learned a ton so far. I am not neccesarily having any issues, but how often do you guys change needles? I just didn't want it to be a case of I think it's okay, until I put in a new needle and everything gets better. Thanks for the help guys, Josh

That is amazing! The fine detail on the small parts is mind blowing. Alway something to shoot for.

So if I wanted to wait a bit, and get a "better" machine, would a Consew 206 RB5 be a decent machine? It looks that it will sew light to medium stuff, although I really know just what I have read. How dependable or heavy built are these? Thanks again for the input guys.

I want to use some #8 canvas for some projects. What would be a decent machine, not costing an arm and a leg? I would like to use some #69 thread, and sew mostly 2 layers, but possibly 3. Any ideas? Thanks guys, Josh

Very nice!!!

Wiz, that is a machine I am not familiar with. I am only about 4 months deep in this all, and just trying to learn. Thanks for the insight, both of you guys.

Maybe I am not seeing the possibility here..... I am not sure how to hand sew this. You would need 4' long arms, the size of pencils. Look at this link, and see what this guy says. http://queencitydrygoods.blogspot.com/2013/12/leg-o-mutton-rifle-case.html I know nothing of this machine, so therein, may lie the answer.

Tinker, this isn't my case, It was just a pic I got off the net. It's called a "leg O' Muton" case, and they are for high end shotguns. I am thinking this isn't handsewn, as I am pretty sure they are wet formed, on a wooden form. What kind of arm would sew around 35''? This really has me stumped.

How was this seam sewn? The long one, that is running the length of this case? I really have no clue, and am stumped. Thanks guys, have a good weekend. Josh

How, when using a twisted thread, do you guys keep it from constantly coming loose from the needle? On a braid, obviosly you can pierce the thread, and make your loop, but what about a twisted thread? The best I can do, is wax the crap out of it, and twist it, but that only lasts so long. Any ideas? Thanks guys for the help, have a great Thanksgiving, Josh

Palermo, what have you ordered from them?

Is the Hide House good to go? Good quality, decent people?

So this is my first machine. I appreciate the opinions, and all the wisdom. Art, so if I set up my machine for say 277, I can also use some 207, with out much detriment or hassle, if I want to use it for some projects? I can see the problem with trying to sew 277, and then turning around to use 69. Not having used one of these yet, I am familiar with all types of machinery, and do get the idea of never finding the "groove". Thank you guys again, Josh

That is what I was thinking. Here is a question though. If I have say 2 pieces of 2-3 oz. Will a 3200 go that light? Using some lighter thread of course.

I think the Cobra can take 207. This is a special built machine, that has an arm on it, rather than a flatbed. Looking more like a 3200, if that makes any sense. What I want to do: I use mostly oil tanned, and 3-7 oz. in the weight range. I need this to sew 2-3 layers of this material mostly. So call it 20 oz. of oil tanned. 207 should work for me, but would rather the 277 option, though not a deal breaker. Am I barking up the wrong tree? Bite the bullet and buy the 3200? Thank you very much guys, for the help.

Guys, I am looking at a lightly used machine. it is the Cobra 22618-8B, but built with an arm, rather than a table model. It seems it is a pretty nice machine, but I am not sure of what it lacks compared to a Cowboy 3200. It seems to be there is about a $500 difference, in this vs. a new Cowboy. Any wisdom here? Thanks in advance, Josh

Yeah, I bought it. Boy am I sorry I dealt with this guy too. Too bad you didn't beat me to it.

Actually talked to Ryan Neal, later on. VERY helpful, and knowledgeable. I will end up buying a machine from him.

Biglew, He's the reason I am looking at other than a 3200.

Well, I have had just a wonderful day. I bought a used Tippmann from a member here, who put it in a single ply box, with a couple of pieces of paper on top, and nothing else. As anybody with a single digit IQ would guess, It was broken in several places, along with the spools of thread, box, back cover, knobs, and God knows what else. In a class move, the guy, (member here), refused to answer emails, and when I started a claim with PP, escalated it to a full dispute. Lovely. I then made a call today, to ask about a power machine, and talked to a guy that acted as if he was entirely too busy to talk to me. He was listening to pretty well nothing I was saying, and was pretty well rude. Other than a Cowboy 3200, what machines are in the same class, and price? I am needing a machine that will sew 2- layers of 6-7 oz. oil tanned. Thanks for the help guys. Josh