RonDrake
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Posts posted by RonDrake
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i was wondering if anyone has ever thought about multiple uses for a 441 clone besides sewing or has something like this already been invented and i haven't found it yet.
doing a border stamp on a 48" belt by hand takes forever and if there was a way to install a stamp in place of the needle that could really speed up the process.
i was thinking that the 441 would have everything needed such as power, speed, pressure and stitch length adjustment .
granted the cost of the making the parts may be expensive and it would take someone who knew what they were doing to get it off the ground and working properly.
ron
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hi duke,
i did purchase the cobra class 4 and it does work but.............
if you want to send a private message to me i would be willing to discuss my experience with it but will not do it on this website for the world to see.
ron
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What is the smallest peice of scrap leather you keep. What do you do with them? Do you just throw away your small peices?
i make hand tooled 1-1/2" leather concho's from my scraps and use them on various projects. ( the smallest i have used is 3/4" )
take a hole saw and grind the teeth off them' sharpen with a file and chuck it in the drill press and cut the leather circles and tool however you wish.
scraps that are smaller than that , i run through the sewing machine as a test strip to check my sewing and to make sure everything is ok before sewing my next project.
the sharpened hole saws also work well for making patches from cotton or other materials if you shoot blackpowder.
waste not ------ want not
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i wish i was younger, had a motorcycle and lived in arizona where it is supposed to be legal
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Dear particle,
My name is Tom. I work for Leather Machine Co. The motor is able to run at maximum speed (setting of 40), but for the COBRA Class 4, it should not be used above a setting of 10. The greater the maximum speed is set to, the faster it goes within that short distance that the actuating lever travels. E.g., If top speed=40, then 50% of max. foot pressure will still drive the machine at twice the max. recommended speed. Please fre-adjust the motor's max speed to a setting of 10 or less.
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hi cheryl,
sounds like you have a handle on everything.
have fun.
ron
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i did not receive a servo manual with mine either.
called david spiegel at cobra and mine is supposed to be in the mail.
ron
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hi,
i used a $50.00 singer 15-91 for the last 6 years to make deerskin , elkhide , buffalo hide and up to 20 uunces of veg. tanned leather items and it can be done.
if you want to email me at goofy1@msn.com i can send you some pics of what i have made and how i did it without spending a lot of time on this forum and it would easier for me to do this by email
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i took some of my profits and bought a new cobra 4 about 3 months ago if that perks your interest.
ron
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my local tandy shop said they were trying a new leather supplier.
i tried it and managed to get a refund and will not use it again.
it will flake off and crack on the flesh side.
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everyone here has given you the right information, it is best to start with the correct equiptment to make quality products.
but i used a 1949 singer 15-91 for many years and sewed deer ,buffalo, elkhide and up to 20 ounces veg. tanned cowhide for holsters with problems? yes but i did it.
i actually sold things for several years and had numerous return buyers.
did i do it the right way. nnnnnnnnnoooooooooo
had to fix the timing several times and replaced the motor once and hand wheeled the machine more times than i want to remember but i only paid $49.95 for the machine, but it worked.and got me started as i had never used a sewing machine before.
i have had a new cobra 4 for about a month now and i can finally be somewhat proud of my stitching and the items i make and have not come close to learning how to use the machine correctly or efficiently.
if it will get you started, buy a $50.00 machine and make something before you spend $1000.00 or more and decide working with leather is something you do not want to do.
baby steps first?????????
or jump in with both feet but you will have fun either way .
i did
ron
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unless you can look at the hides in person, i would not purchase from moscow hide and fur.
i bought a buffalo hide from them 2 years ago and it was full of holes , extremely dirty and the grain side was crap.
it cost me return shipping and a restocking fee but i did get some of my money back and a learning experience.
buyer beware
ron
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I'm in the same boat... bought a Class 4 from Steve and he has been super helpful. Unfortunately, I'm more of a "visual" learner with ZERO experience on a sewing machine. I really with there was a good video out there to help ease the learning curve.
I'm still sewing everything by hand
call steve,
he has a free video that he sent me that really helped me on the cobra 4 i got last week. just watch it closely and then watch it again
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i cut a lot of round cloth patches for use in black powder shooting and cleaning firearms and also use about 2000 a year of 1-1/2" 8 ounce leather buttons and hand tool them for various projects that i make and sell.
i go to the hardware store and buy the size of hole saw i need and grind the teeth off.
then i chuck it in my drill press and and use a file to put a knife ege on it.
put a wood block on the drill press table and lay your leather on it and begin making your washers or buttons . watch out for your fingers or you may lose a few.
you will have to experiment with what speed to use depending on what diameter washers or buttons you want.
too fast and the leather will burn.
most hole saws are designed to use a drill bit which would also give you the center hole for your washer but i just install a bolt and nut there to chuck in the drill press for the buttons i make.
i can make about 200 or more 1-1/2" leather buttons an hour this way and use up my leftover scraps that i accumulate from my other projects.
i have never used a hole saw bigger than 2-1/2" but i am sure they make larger ones for dryer vents , etc.
hope this helps,
ron
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ryan,
a couple of things to think about,
the longer the name, the more it will cost for a makers stamp as you may want to have a logo on your items in the future.
writing a long name on letters, tax forms ,etc. will become very tiring in time
i make some very small leather items and a 1-1/2" logo stamp would be as large as the item itself. when i throw away leather scraps they really are scraps.
if you make the name too long , how do your buyers write it on a check or money order.
ron
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i like to keep things simple but still get my name out there and it's easy to remember.
DRAKE'S CREATION'S
my interests tend to vary a lot and i never know what i will decide to make tomorrow.
this covers everything and does not lock you into any specific category.
ron
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Thanks, I called both Bob and Greg. Bob has one just like the one pictured. Greg says he can make me one (of course it will be more expensive). Bob mentioned that the roller guide is only attached to the swing arm by one screw so if the screw is not tightened enough, the roller can move out of position while sewing. The one Greg can make won't do that (but of course is more expensive). I'm considering the options right now. Either way I go though will require that I drill and tap a hole for the mounting screw. The Cobra Class 17 type machines don't have a mounting hole where you mount your swing arm, only the two holes much closer to the feed dogs.
Andrew
this may help you if you look at the picture of an item i made from plexiglass.
not very fancy, but is adjustable and if you remove one of the thumbscrews it will swing away.
took about ten minutes to make and around a nickel's worth of plexiglass.
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Having read some of the items in the leatherwork history section, I found an article about someone receiving starter sets from his grandmother, that were purchased and used by his grandfather. Indeed a very fortunate person and especially nice that he was considering taking up the craft.
This brought many thoughts to mind as I often wonder what will become of my many items so dearly treasured. Am at stage of life that has me thinking about the crossing over and I now ponder so many things that I never thought would be of concern in my lifetime. Especially, will my beloved be okay and able to carry on, seems to be my greatest fear.My number one "treasure".
As for my craft items and other collections, I find myself wondering if they will find homes that will treat them with high regard, as I do now, and if will they make someone happy and creative in their lifetime. Seems as though these are questions that will never be answered for me as there are no "heirs", in our families and I am the last of the line, so to speak.
It was wonderful to read how much these things were appreciated by the those receiving the items, and enjoyed the comment by one member something like this; me, me, me, or peeing myself when he stumbled into his good fortune. lol. Good chuckle from that one.
Also somewhat difficult to grasp, due to age and passage of time I suppose, but I have attempted to give some of my different collections to an individual or a group that could utilize the items I wanted to give, and no takers. Called several charities providing education for youngsters and all said they would be happy to get the material and would call in couple of days to make arrangements to pick up the items. Lo and behold, none ever returned a call or came for the freebies.
Had I been offered these treasures, or similar items when I was coming up, I would have run to the location and made sure I got there ahead of anyone else. Times have certainly changed, Not like the days of 2 cent candy. lol.
Thanks to all who shared their moments of good fortune. Very heartwarming to learn that some families and other interested folks have the opportunity to receive wonderful treasures to use and enjoy for years to come.
Up late with spasms and as often happens, I find myself drawn to this site, reading about the leathercrafters world and all the great folks that make this such a great place. Between this site and the leatherworkers guild, I feel that anyone interested in the craft could learn everything there is to know. Tons of experienced tutors at both sites.
hi helmut,
i understand your frustration as i am also a member of the over the hill gang. it's unfortunate that there is no way to pass on item's that we consider to be specific treasures or equiptment to someone who will actually put them to good use without doing a major inventory and listing each and every item to go to a certain person and paying the outlandish prices for a lawyer to write it down .
i have a new cobra coming and it is sad that when i leave, it will probably be sold to someone for a penny a pound.
possibly someone on the leather working sites has found a solution without giving them away right now as i want to keep what i have right now to keep my mind and hands busy for the time i have left.
ron
if only there was a way to tap the leather experience people have and place it into our heads without having to use books and video's
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Here is a link to a page trom the Tippmann Boss site. The information on needles and thread sizes is the same for all machines as far as I know. As for stitches per inch use the same as you would for a manual sewing job. If you do a holster at 6 ips then use that number for the machine. How close is too close? when you start leaving bumps on the edge of the leather from the needle pushing the leather out you are too close. THe closest I have sewn is 1/8th inch. Closer than than and the needle was leaving bumps on the edge.
Hope this helps.
Michael
with the information provided in both of the replies, i can run with it now.
i have been using the edge of the foot on the machine i am using as a gauge for how close to the edge i can get and am not creating any problems so i am good there.
thanks for the tippmann info as i can use it also.
thanks everybody for the replies.
ron
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A rule of thumb for gauging distance is the same distance from the edge as the total thickness of the leathers to be sewn.
This may help ...
thanks for the reply.
that gives me a starting point to work from.
appreciate your help.
ron
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my new cobra class 4 is on order and cobra steve may include info on sizes of needles , thread , stitchs per inch and how close to the edge is too close.
i am hoping someone has a chart, guide or where i can access one for different types and kinds of leather.
i use 3 to10 oz. veg. tanned leather
3 to 5 oz oil tanned cowhide
elkhide, deerskin, and buffalo hide
i know that when i receive the machine there is going to be a learning curve but i am trying to think ahead.
members on this forum tend to be a little conservative on their praise for cobra steve and toledo bob.
if you order a new machine, check your invoice carefully as you will get more goodies than you asked for.
thanks
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ok, thanks guys for all of the replys
even with the bad shoulder, a new tippmann boss should arrive on monday and hopefully i will be able to use it while i am in the boondocks , mountains or wherever i happen to be when electricity is not available.
also talked to steve at cobra today ( a very busy and informative guy and found out i have to learn how to talk faster and quciker as he can talk circles around me) and a new cobra class 4 will arrive in a week or so.
hoping that i can count on your support with whatever issues i may have with getting the two different machines up and working correctly as i am sure the learning curve will be a little more difficult and harder than the issues i had with the singer 15-91 (that was my first machine.and i had sewn a button on my shirt previously and drew blood with a needle and thread the first time i used tthem.)
1949 model versus 2012. my head already ,hurts and i don't even have the machines in my hands yet.
thanks,
ron
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Even Bob Kovar needs a vacation once in a while, but I'm sure he'll be back soon, and either of them may at some point be at the trade shows. You don't have your location listed, so you'll need to decide which is closer to you, but it sounds like you're in the market for a Cobra class 3, Cowboy 3500, or an Artisan Toro 3000 (emphasis on the first two, due to their pretty frequent activity here....it means they're available most of the time)....unless you just need 16" under the arm.
The machines will sew up to 3/4 or even 7/8 inch, are motorized, and will usually ship 'pre-set' to what you tell them you'll be doing.
The machine heads are all very similar, with the package differences in the motors and accessories that come with it.
Bob Kovar's shop is in Ohio, Cobra Steve (Tayrien) is in California; You could pick whichever is closest to you and be very well off based on that alone. If I recall, Cobras come with a few more goodies, Cowboy's save a few bucks. Both Steve and Bob offer tremendous customer support.
Really, the best suggestion I can offer is to give them time to get back from the Christmas and New Year holidays and talk to both to see what they can do. I know that Bob does have some used equipment, and I believe I read on here that a member picked up a used Toro 3k from Steve. Either way you go, you won't likely go wrong.
hi,
sounds like cobra is the way to go as i live just outside of deer park, wa. about 20 miles north of spokane, wa. and the freight from california has to be cheaper than ohio.
i did talk to bob's son and he said bob would be back around the 4th and they might have a used cowboy 2800 coming in soon.
i don't need to have the 16" but it sure would be nice to have.
i will take another look at the cobra's as i like extra goodies whether i use them or not.
my son will get enough of my money in a few years so i will let him worry about what to do with the machine at that time.
thanks for your insight and i will call steve in a week or so after he has had a chance to slow down from the holidays.
thanks for your reply,
ron
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Cobra Class 3 is what you want, although I paid the extra and got the Class 4. Cowboy makes something similar.
Call Steve anytime, he is always in for phone calls, even when he is on the road.
Where are you located.
Art
i was thinking about the cobra class 4 but was not sure if the extra dollars are worth the expense over the class 3.but it is going to be one time purchase so i may as well get what i want as it has to be better than my singer 15-91
. i am 20 miles north of spokane, wa. about 4 miles east of a little town called deer park, wa.
the small sewing shop in deer park thinks a juki is what i need but it only has 3/8" clearance and i would probably need some expensive options added to slow it down
we had one gas station when i moved here 40 years ago and now we are up to 6.and thats a lot for 2000 people
sounds as if i should wait until the second week of january until everybody has recovered from the holidays.
thanks for the reply,
ron
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probably put this in the wrong topic heading, please bear with me and move to where it works best. thanks
my first post although i have been lurking for several years. hope this works. i am retired, old, and slow but like to keep my hands busy and do what i want where and when i want to.
been making leather items , holsters, possible bags and anything else i can make and think of to make a few extra coins for several years and have been doing quite well using an old singer 15-91 but it is time to upgrade to a bigger and better machine.
note *** that i do not want to make saddles or other high end gear as i will probably never live to complete the project.
i have been looking at the techsew, cobra and cowboy machines for around $2000.00 and may want to sew up to 40 ounces of veg. tanned leather at one time making whatever and whenever the inclination may arise , but i really do want to get the biggest and best bang for my dollars. i want a machine that will work right out of the box but i do not want to go to school to learn how to use it.
bursitis in my shoulder so the tippman boss is out of the question.
toledo bob is in hawaii or someplace right now as i tried him once already but i have not called steve at cobra as yet.
i live in a small town that has a little sewing machine shop for sewing clothes but he has very little knowledge about leather so i am more or less on my own.
any ideas or thoughts are more than welcome. help help help
thanks,
ron
441 Clone And Leather Border Stamping
in Leather Sewing Machines
Posted
thanks for the replies.
i don't do a whole lot of sewing and was just trying to think of other possible uses for the machine other than collecting dust.
ron