picked up my Cowboy 4500

[bladegrinder]

1 hour ago, Tequila said:

@bladegrinder congrats on your new machine.  I think you dun did good and you’ll wonder how you ever lived without it!

Thanks, yea I'm liking it alot. one issue I had - I assume cause I don't know anything about sewing...is when I would reverse, sometimes I would get a jam in the bobbin area. then after running in slow motion I noticed what happens is when the needle comes all the way up and rests the lever continues to pull the thread up, once it appears taught I then switch to reverse and never had that problem again.

it is fun just practicing on scrap and I think I'm ready to do a couple sheaths next week. I'm thinking of going with a right paddle foot in the future so I don't leave any marks on any border stamping, or possibly an inline foot.

One other thing, I noticed in some videos the operator can hand turn the wheel relatively easy. mine is tight and really hard to turn, looking under the table the speed reducer is adjusted to the far end for loosening the belt, I'm thinking of a longer belt and then adjust the reducer so I can turn the wheel easier to sight the needle right where I want it. am I on track with that idea? the belt now is really tight.

Rocky, the sliding adjuster came with my machine and it seems like it should work me.

Handstitched, I have an adjustable stool and it seems to be working for me pretty good, I just have to be careful where I put my big feet around those pedals.

[dikman]

Rocky, it sounds like you're running a bit of a sideline, going into the accessory manufacturing business for 441 clones.

[Handstitched]

On 7/15/2022 at 7:41 AM, RockyAussie said:

already has a good adjustable light

Its ' camouflaged'  in with the black fabric   . Should have gone to ' spec savers'   

HS

[RockyAussie]

On 7/15/2022 at 12:59 PM, dikman said:

Rocky, it sounds like you're running a bit of a sideline, going into the accessory manufacturing business for 441 clones.

Yeah it does a bit. When I see that I need something better and I work out a solution I figga a few other could use the same thing also so I just share it around.

 

3 hours ago, Handstitched said:

Its ' camouflaged'  in with the black fabric   . Should have gone to ' spec savers'   

HS

That's alright mate. Friend of mine awhile back ran his Harley into the side of a bus. His missus said "How did you do that?" he replied he didn't see it. Quick as a wit she holds one hand in front of her eyes and moves her other arm around and said "BUS... WHAT BUS" Twas a bit hard not to laugh at him lying down in that hospital bed all wrapped up an all. 

[Tequila]

On 7/14/2022 at 8:24 PM, bladegrinder said:

 

One other thing, I noticed in some videos the operator can hand turn the wheel relatively easy. mine is tight and really hard to turn, looking under the table the speed reducer is adjusted to the far end for loosening the belt, I'm thinking of a longer belt and then adjust the reducer so I can turn the wheel easier to sight the needle right where I want it. am I on track with that idea? the belt now is really tight.

.

I think I’d try taking the belt off and try turning the wheel by hand and make sure that it’s the belt.  If you do find that the belt is the problem call TechSew they should be able to set you up with a better fitting belt. 

4 hours ago, RockyAussie said:

That's alright mate. Friend of mine awhile back ran his Harley into the side of a bus. His missus said "How did you do that?" he replied he didn't see it. Quick as a wit she holds one hand in front of her eyes and moves her other arm around and said "BUS... WHAT BUS" Twas a bit hard not to laugh at him lying down in that hospital bed all wrapped up an all. 

Now that’s funny!  Gotta love a woman with a sense of humor 

[Northmount]

On 7/14/2022 at 7:24 PM, bladegrinder said:

the operator can hand turn the wheel relatively easy

Some servo motors have a brake.  It may release if you press down on the pedal a bit.  Some fellows have disconnected the brake.  If you do a search here, you may find those posts with more info.

[bladegrinder]

I found the brake, it's right behind the cover. looks like a smart car brake pad. so it's directly connected to the go peddle lever, to disengage it regardless if the motor is powered up or not just takes about

a 1/2" press of the peddle and the wheel turns easily. I left it in place now that I know that's all it takes to operate the wheel by hand.

I'm still practicing on scrap and will probably do some sheaths next week. since I'm starting to feel comfortable with it now I ran this thru it and the machine acted like it was just stitching a couple layers,

I was impressed...this is seven layers of seven ounce. I goofed in a couple spots but hey, practice. practice, practice.

 

[dikman]

Yep, it's very impressive when you sew through the max that you can squeeze under the feet, it treats it the same as the minimum thickness - no effort!

[bladegrinder]

I know one thing...you'd never hand stitch this

I'm really liking this machine!

[Handstitched]

11 hours ago, bladegrinder said:

I was impressed...this is seven layers of seven ounce

I couldn't help myself but see how thick it can sew  when I first got mine . I just wanted to see if the ad in the magazine matched the performance....and the chunk of leather under the foot when it arrived ..Yup  around the 21-22mm . Ye Gods !!! ....  it blew me away . I went slow . 

I've never had a job that needed that thickness, but nice to know it can do it. 

On 7/15/2022 at 9:24 AM, bladegrinder said:

One other thing, I noticed in some videos the operator can hand turn the wheel relatively easy.

Although I don't have a servo, I have found that it will turn better after use ( warmed up perhaps? ) but harder to turn  when cold. Strange. 

Have fun  

HS