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Rubicon04

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Posts posted by Rubicon04

  5. Posted · Report reply

    I charge $150 for a typical bifold wallet with no carving done. I've never messed with carving. My thoughts are the average buyer is going to be blown away by the prices we charge for a wallet and in reality they are not your audience. The person who you are trying to sell to typical knows what they want already and knows what to expect for a handmade item when it comes to cost. 

    Wallet 6 (Medium).jpg

    Wallet 8 (Medium).jpg

  6. Posted · Report reply

    12 minutes ago, kgg said:

     

    I eventually decided on a 16 1/2 inch cylinder arm class 441 machine with a 1hp servo motor, 3:1 speed reducer and a non-pedestal stand. The machine will arrive shortly.

    kgg

    Which company did you choose to supply your 441? I just placed an order for a CB4500 from Bob over the weekend. Pumped to learn how to use it and hopefully pick up some efficiencies with bag making. I also picked up the HE Precision Xtreme Narrow Needle Plate and Feed Dog setup and Narrow presser foot setup. Bob is going to be installing these and setting the machine up with 138 thread before shipping out. 

  9. Posted · Report reply

    So just wanted to update this thread with where I'm headed. 

    Pretty set on a Cowboy CB4500, more than likely from Bob @CowboyBob. I need to find some time to call him. 

    I was not planning to get the accessory package with it and instead purchase the following:

    • HE Precision #25 Xtreme Narrow Needle Plate & Feed Dog
    • HE Narrow Presser Foot Set
    • HE Left Presser Foot
    • HE Lift Handle Extension
    • Drop down roller edge guide - have not decided which one yet
    • Needles - Schmetz 794 S NM 160 #23 & 24
    • Needles - Schmetz 794 LR NM 160 #23 & 24
    • Thread - Amann Serafil in Tex 135 & 210
    • Extra Bobbins
    • Flattop conversion from Toledo

    Is there anything else I should look at ordering so I'm ready to get sewing right away? 

     

    As for the other machines, I am pretty certain a Juki 1541S and a bell skiver will be my next in line. Probably a bell skiver first but it may be awhile since i am interested in the FAV AV2.  

  12. Posted · Report reply

    5 hours ago, Wizcrafts said:

    I do not recommend buying the cb4500 strictly for sewing webbing, unless it is going to be your only compound feed machine and you intend to sew dense leather goods too. The machine comes with a 3:1 reducer. The motor pulley is 2 inches and the machine pulley is 6 inches. It has 9:1 total reduction. The 3600 rpm motor will max out at 6.67 stitches per second, which is 1/2 of the machine's rated top speed. If you remove the reducer, or even get one with 2:1 reduction, the machine will shake a lot at top speed. 441 machines are not made to be run at high speed. Most of us who use them are sewing thick stacks of dense leather at a few stitches per second.

    The narrow throat plate and feed dog from @RockyAussie works great when I have to sew thin or soft material or leather and use small needles and thread. The standard feed dog hole and throat plate slot are much too large and soft stuff gets pushed down inside them. Again, the cb4500 and all clones of the Juki TSC-441 are heavy leather stitchers for halters, harness, holsters, gun belts, and thick pouches and cases. They aren't spec'd for sewing under 6 ounces (3/32") thickness of firm leather. But, by all means buy one if you plan to sew any of these leather items! Just be prepared to deal with the very slow top speed.

    I'd still go with the cb1541s if it was me, for sewing webbing, vinyl, banners or Sunbrella.

    Thanks for the information on the 4500. The primary use for the 4500 is going to be for leather bag making with 138/207 thread. Probably average 2 to 3 layers of 5-6oz leather, sometimes thinner sometimes thicker. Would probably get used for belts as well. The nylon webbing talk is further ideas I have floating around in my head currently. 

  13. Posted · Report reply

    6 hours ago, kgg said:

    I have both the Juki DNU-1541 "S" and the Juki DU-1181N. First off if you are looking at a 1541 pay the $100 difference and get the 1541 "S" as it has a safety clutch. The main difference is the 1541 is rated for V138 on top and in the bobbin while the 1181N is rated for V92 but I have on occasion used V138 and both use the same size "M" bobbin but with different bobbin cases. The 1181N does not have a safety clutch and is a walking foot machine while the 1541 is a triple feed machine. The 1541 is a physically heavier machine and can handle heavier materials. The Juki DU-1181N costs about $1400 US and the Juki DNU-1541S costs about $1800 US. I have found that the 1541S doesn't like thinner stuff and those items are best left to the 1181N.

    You may want to check these video's on how the 1181N and the 1541S handle light, medium and heavy fabric.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IKJuKTrjsbw

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4JES-2I7h3o

    This video will show the difference of the presser foot action on materials.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Elo3MeoOi5M

     

    kgg

    Thanks for links to those videos. I will definitely be watching them shortly. What are you thoughts on the 1541S and sewing nylon webbing for items like dog leashes and collars? 

    Part of me is wondering how the cb4500 with the narrow plate setup and 138 thread would do with with the same nylon webbing for dog leashes and collars. 

  14. Posted · Report reply

    Been saving for years to buy a sewing machine to mainly help with bag making. Have done so much research that making a decision now has become tough. Originally I was trying to purchase one machine to do it all, which I know is a tough order. Lately I have been contemplating getting 2 machines.

     

    I had been set on getting a Cowboy CB4500 and fit it with @RockyAussie narrow needle plate set and run 138 thread through it for bag making.

     

    The second machine I’ve recently started looking into it would be for lighter work, I am thinking canvas, 1000D cordura, and thinner leather / leather canvas combo products. This is where I am running into what machine would be good for this. Through my research I’ve come to the Juki 1541 & 1181N and the Consew 206RB 5. From what I’ve read all these machines should hand the thinner leather or canvas fine, but I was unsure about the 1000D cordura material.

     

    Any guidance is appreciated. I will also be getting a bell skiver but haven’t decided on which company to purchase from yet.

  17. Posted · Edited by Rubicon04 · Report reply

    15 hours ago, Dwight said:

    Jennifer . . . check this thread

     

    So the adjustments and how to properly setup this splitter in my thread worked great for me. And someone even gave a tip to use a Landis Model 30  guide for additional help if needed (practically the same machine). Your adjustment lever at the top being completely broken makes your machine almost useless I would think though. You've lost all adjustment on splitting thinner. How much did you pay for that splitter? I would definitely be looking for my money back, if it was advertised as in working order and no photos of the damage were provided.  

  18. Posted · Report reply

    For the price of the boots you listed, you are getting what you pay for, $50 boots are for the most part going to be trash and not made from leather. You can either by a new pair of boots every 3-6 months or buy an actual pair of boots and have them for years. I typically buy boots for $200-400.00 and they will all last me years and when the soles wear out you have them resoled.  

  19. Posted · Report reply

    15 hours ago, TheDavidLeathermanShow said:

    Hey rubicon , how was your interaction with Ryan Neel???

    He emailed me back last night with some pricing and quick information. Told me to give him a call and we could really discuss everything. I plan on giving him call soon. If the call goes well, i think i may try to visit his shop to get some hands on knowledge from him. 

  23. Posted · Report reply

    I've been doing leatherwork for 7 years now and have never bought from Tandy. I don't know what you are paying for leather and materials, but you are normally better off buying direct from tanneries. There are other leather supply stores for trying out new leather like RMleathersupply.com or districtleathersupply.com but they can get pricey if buying in small quantities. Wickett & Craig tannery is easy to purchase direct from. Again I don't know where Tandys prices fall but i would assume the quality of their leather is not as good as what you can get elsewhere. 

  24. Posted · Report reply

    I am currently in the same boat. Started out my research thinking I wanted a class 4 or cb4500 and then after more reading changed to a class 26 / 1341 style machine. Lately with seeing @RockyAussie narrow needle plate and feed dog set, I've been leaning towards the Class 4 / CB4500 again. I figure the majority of my stitching would be in the 8-12oz range, sometimes more, sometimes less. I plan on using 138 thread and would primarily be using the machine to aid in bag making. It seems the narrow needle plate and feed dog set turn these machines into a more versatile option for someone like me that only has the money for one machine. I still plan to handstitch all my small goods and wallets. 

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