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I'm trying to make a final decision on one of these three machines. My primary use will be stitching saddle skirts, bridles, belts, chaps, spur straps, and other horse-related gear, mostly for my use, gifts, and occasionally to sell. I sometimes refurbish older saddles, as well. My main reason for looking for a stitcher is that, while I enjoy hand stitching, it takes me around 8 hours of hand stitching to complete a pair of saddle skirts. That would come down to a matter of 30 minutes with a stitching machine, and I just have too many projects to spend that much time on saddle skirts. I have searched the forum and not yet found anything comparing the first two machines to the Cub. If this machine ever "pays for itself" I will be very happy, but I'm not in this for the money. This is not a business decision. I want a manual stitcher that is easy to use, gives me the least amount of trouble over the long haul, and can sit quietly in a back corner of my workbench until needed. I am quite mechanically inclined and have refurbished a Singer 111W155, so the mechanics, threading, adjustment will not be a problem unless the machine itself has problems. I have long wished for a Tipmann Boss, but I have read many posts and threads about problems with them, although I have seen pretty good reviews about their customer service. One thing I really like about the Boss is the new kit to give it a reverse stitch, which neither of the other two machines has. That is the one thing I wish my Singer had, but as far as saddle skirts, it really doesn't make a difference. The current price of a Tipmann Boss is $1000, but that doesn't include a guide or some other accessories I will likely need. The kit for most of that runs $280, so I'm still coming in around $1,500 with shipping, etc. I don't know what the reverse kit costs. The Cowboy Outlaw seems to be a very similar machine, with a little longer throat. I like that the body is made of cast iron, as opposed to the case aluminum of the Boss, but frankly, with the pressures involved, cast aluminum is fully adequate to the task. Cowboy is well know for quality machines, so no worry there. Base price is $1500, another $105 for the material guide. No mention about shipping on their website, so I expect that with shipping, I'm edging closer to the price of the Weaver Cub. The Weaver Cub uses a flywheel crank for operation, rather than a pull crank. From what I have read, while not quite as easy to locate that first stitch as the other two machines, the smooth operation of the flywheel does, in fact, make the stitches a little more even and fair. Not a big deal on saddle skirts, but on bridles and belts, might make a difference. Operation can also be a little faster, which will make a difference on saddle skirts. The Cub basic price is $2000, but that includes the material guide and shipping is free. Weaver is known for excellent customer service and I have read, seen, nothing but good reviews on them. Seems all three use the same kind of needles and their thread size and material thickness on all three are adequate to my needs, although the Cub advertises it will handle 3/4", while the Outlaw will handle 5/8" and the Boss 7/16". I would really like to hear from folks who have used these three machines extensively and have a good feel for them. Thanks.
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- leather stitching machines
- cowboy outlaw
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