maggielj

@KYCat and @Chux I learned from youtube! I'm sorry I do not have any specific videos or books to recommend, but @Dwight has some very good suggestions! I get most of my supplies from beadededge.com or firemountaingems.com . Both have better prices than hobby lobby, but larger quantities. Hobby lobby will run them on sale a few times a month if your not looking for a whole hank. I use precosia cezch 11/0 seed beads, size 11 john james beading needles, and size D nymo that I wax as I use. I made my own loom as did Dwight, and there are some good designs for them floating around the internet- however you can pick one up on amazon for about $10. Thank you guys for the complements, and please shoot me a DM if you need! maggielj

@Dwight That looks amazing for a first piece! My first piece was no where close to looking that good! For this piece I used size D nymo which is made from nylon. Here is a photo of it laid out, sorry it is not the best picture. Thank you, maggielj

@CowboyBob Thank you! that helps me out a ton in putting together an offer! maggielj

Just finished this up and its going to its new home this weekend! I posted it to another thread also I will remove if that is not allowed. Its for a woman named Suzanne who was looking for something to go with her dads belt buckle. She is my greatest supporter! She was the first to buy a custom hat band from me a few years ago and now the first to buy a belt! Thank you for checking it out! I am open for constructive criticism, always looking to improve! maggielj

Thank you for that tip! Ill most likely pinch it between the seats with some extra support where I can. I do have an additional question though, and it is a hard one to answer, but in your opinion what would be a fair price to offer for this machine? I see the 4500s vary from $1500-$2500 (USD), but was wondering if the paint makes it worth more. Thank you, maggielj

Thank you @Wizcrafts, I have read a lot of your post and thank you for all of the information you share, and they have influenced me to look at this machine. I do however have an additional question, this machine is listed as having low run time on it, but without accessories what do you think would be a fair offer on this machine? I've seen these 4500s vary a lot in pricing, usually $1,500- $2,500 (USD) but I would assume that the paint makes it worth more. Thank you, maggielj

Thank you for the response, but I have a few additional questions now. It is my understanding that as long as the head is upright it is safe to lay the table in the bed? And it looks like the machine is help on using socket head cap screws, so along with Allen wrenches is there any other specific tools I should bring? Thank you, maggielj

Hi all, I am embarking on that big journey of finding myself a machine to be used for sewing leather. I have been stalking the local facebook marketplace and have found a cowboy 4500 for sale about an hour and a half from me. This is an beautiful machine, one that I would be proud to have. Painted a glossy black with red and gold pinstripes all the way down to the foot pedals. I believe that this was a special edition machine sold by Cowboy but have not found much info other than that. The seller list it as having little run time, and being a few hours from Toledo I would like to think it came from Cowboy Bob. I am going to go look at this machine in the near future, and am wondering what all I should be keeping an eye out for, or what may stand out as a red flag when buying a used machine. As of now I plan on bringing a flashlight and checking the components for cracks or wear, and also plan on freeing it from the servo to ensure that the head runs smoothly. Is there anything else I should be on the lookout for? Is it polite to bring scrap to run the machine? I have owned large industrial machines before, made for fabric but never a walking foot machine. If I decide that this machine is a safe purchase, what is the best way to transport this beauty? The machine is on casters, I have a truck and a flatbed trailer with a smooth ramp, but would it be to top heavy to transport like this? Would laying it down on blankets be a safe way? Or should I be looking to find a box trailer where it can be strapped to the walls. In the past, I have taken the head off from the machine, put that in the truck cab and put the table in the bed on blankets. Can this even be done with this type of machine? What can I expect for this machine to weigh? Thank you, maggielj

Hi yall! I am currently working on an inlay belt with a large piece of loomed beadwork, and naturally I want this to be a quality piece that will not break. This is the second time I have made a belt of this style, and I have learned a lot the second time around but I need some advice from someone whos more experienced than I am. This belt is going to have the beading glued to a liner and the liner machine sewed to a tooled front, but my question is is should I use a stitch groover on either sides of the belt? I'm concerned that removing leather with a groover will weaken the piece, but on the same hand I'm worried that the thread will eventually wear down if it doesn't have a groove. Thank you in advanced