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Got back from my honeymoon to find my new Cowboy 4500 delivered and waiting at Central Supply on campus. Got the machine assembled and started sewing yesterday. I manage the Grazing Behavior Lab at the University of Maine, and build GPS tracking collars for livestock. Up to this point, I have been struggling and powering through with hand tools and my Consew 206RB1. Not anymore. I have a my Weaver Rivet press and Cowboy 4500 to do the heavy lifting. This machine effortlessly sews up these heavy duty collars. The next machines on my wish list are a clicker press and the Weaver rotary punch for punching buckle holes in the GPS collars. Big props to Bob Kovar at Toledo for working with the University purchasing depart (very convoluted process). This winter, I am collaborating with researchers in Australia to develop a youth program for teenagers in rural communities to improve digital literacy and promote technology in agriculture. Essentially, we want to introduce students to modern precision agricultural tools and software to give them a jump start to either their career or college studies. They will learn about GPS, GPS research in livestock, building tracking collars, and competing in a poster competition by presenting research performed with the GPS collars they made. Quick question - My hand wheel is pretty hard to turn by hand, so I have to give it a little gas on the pedal to turn it. How hard/easy should it be to turn this hand wheel? I can adjust the pulleys and belt, but I don't want to go adjusting things before I know what its supposed to be like.