new Stitch Master??

[skipj]

I Just received my Tandy November sale flier. They have the Stitch Master on the back page. I looks a lot like a Boss to me. I has a 9" throat; is that bigger than the Tippman? It says "Engineered in the USA", nothing about where it is manufactured.

I hoped for something different.

SkipJ

[Russ]

I drove down to my local Tandy to ask about it. It's a jointly manufactured between Tandy and Weaver. It's supposed to be in stores "before Christmas." The manager said it was very much like the Boss but easier to make adjustments, keep in sync, whatever.

I've heard some rumblings (on the internet, so take it for what it's worth) that Tippman is unhappy with how close the design is to their Boss.

[robert]

I've heard some rumblings (on the internet, so take it for what it's worth) that Tippman is unhappy with how close the design is to their Boss.

the Nov/Dec LC&SJ has the new tandy machine on the back cover, and the boss on the last page.. the two look identical other than the throat depth and cosmetic differences.

The Boss has a 6" throat, the Stitch Master is 9".

[Art]

The price is also higher than the Boss. I had heard rumors that is was going to be waaaaay less.

Tandy $1595/1495/1395 Retail/Club/Reseller

Tippmann $1295 direct

Can't say which is better, they LOOK darned similar. Tandy has been doing some strange things of late and this one has me scratching my fanny. I know Tandy and Weaver do some cooperative things because I have received Tandy branded and bagged stuff in Weaver orders, maybe they are testing the water on a cooperative machinery thing with Weaver. That might be a good move for both; Weaver has ventured into Chinese clones with their new stitcher so why not? Then again, maybe Paul wants to get out and TLF does have a bag of cash, anything is possible.

All this is just me thinking from a business standpoint and is pure forward looking speculation, interesting thought though.

Art

the Nov/Dec LC&SJ has the new tandy machine on the back cover, and the boss on the last page.. the two look identical other than the throat depth and cosmetic differences.

The Boss has a 6" throat, the Stitch Master is 9".

[Jordan]

Tandy has also gone with a different belt embosser and they discontinued the square looking aluminum one. I bought one of the older style, they said "last one in Utah" for 150 I think the retail price was 300 or so. I also got some discontinue dies for it, haven't tried it out much, I did have to do some file work to make everything fit better without binding.

[AKRob]

Except for the body of the machine and the longer bars the parts look like they come from the same source or are cloned.

[skipj]

I'm wondering if there is room in the market for two machines so similar. Especially with the Artisan 3000 so close in price. Are the Tippmann machines made in the USA?

SkipJ

Edited November 12, 2007 by skipj

[Russ]

I was at Tandy on Friday, hoping they had a machine in so I could try it out. During this, the manager there told me that Tandy was buying Weaver. Has anyone else heard this?

Russ

[Luke Hatley]

IF THEY DO ANOTHER GOOD COMPANY WILL GO BY THE WAYSIDE.

AND MORE ITEMS WILL BE MANUFACTURED IN CHINA.....

[Art]

Hi Russ,

As I said before, I have been suspecting something like this. Twice in the last year they have been to showcase seminars where they pitch the company to investors. I teleconed in on both and it was the same Ron and Shannon show both times. However they have just had two bad quarters due to expenses, a lot of it in the legal area and other places that wouldn't make sense if they weren't contemplating something like this. I would say they are looking to spend some money and looking for some additional financing or other ways to capitalize it. The two bad Qs might make them look a little less attractive right now. If a store manager blabbed that to you it could open them up to some insider trading allegations. Not a very brainy move there. Someone dumped a load of stock a couple of weeks ago and dropped the price $2, that's 30%, I don't know if it was an insider. I can see where Weaver and Tandy might fit, or might not; there are things they could teach each other.

Art

I was at Tandy on Friday, hoping they had a machine in so I could try it out. During this, the manager there told me that Tandy was buying Weaver. Has anyone else heard this?

Russ

[Russ]

Hi Art;

I keep going down to the Tandy shop to see if the stitch master is available to try....but I'm pretty sure I'm going to go with an Artisan 3000. I've heard nothing but good stuff about it.

I believe competition is a good thing, and it seems like there's a need for it in the leather/leather tool business, so I hope any talk of a Tandy/Weaver merger is premature.

Russ

Edited November 13, 2007 by Russ

[Art]

Russ,

Unless you need to be mobile or are a glutton for punishment, pass on the manual machines. The Artisan 3000 has been around for four or more years now with not even a whisper of a complaint. Any newly developed piece of machinery is bound to have a few problems, why be a beta tester when you have work to do, if you absolutely have to go manual, get the Boss or wait for the Stitchmasher to get some mileage on it.

Which Tandy do you go to, one of the Big ones?

Art

Hi Art;

I keep going down to the Tandy shop to see if the stitch master is available to try....but I'm pretty sure I'm going to go with an Artisan 3000. I've heard nothing but good stuff about it.

I believe competition is a good thing, and it seems like there's a need for it in the leather/leather tool business, so I hope any talk of a Tandy/Weaver merger is premature.

Russ

[Leather Bum]

I'm wondering if there is room in the market for two machines so similar. Especially with the Artisan 3000 so close in price. Are the Tippmann machines made in the USA?

SkipJ

On the front page of the Tippmann website, it says, "All of our machines are made in the factory in Fort Wayne, Indiana." So I think we can safely say that the Boss is indeed made in the USA. Thankfully, not everyone has fallen to the level of those who outsource their product manufacturing to China; yet more and more companies seem to be heading in this direction. . .

Edited November 13, 2007 by Leather Bum

[Russ]

Art;

I agree with you completely about being a tester for new machinery. I've avoided new products like that for years (new truck engines, etc). I guess I'm just nervous about owning a machine, since I've never owned one....maintenance, fixing it, thread tension....it's all going to be brand new to me.

Does Artisan sell direct, or do I need a dealer? I've seen several ads and they are all the same price, $1950. I'd love to find a deal close to me (Dayton/Cincinnati, OH area) so I can go there if I have problems or questions.

Tandy just opened a Cincinnati store this summer. It's got everything except for a big selection of heavier leather. If I need saddle skirting, I'll probably have to have them order it in or go back to the one in Columbus, which always had a pretty good selection. I asked the Cinti store to have 4 good sides for me next Fri (black Friday sale), so we'll see how they do. It's a 20 minute drive versus 80 minutes.

Russ

Russ,

Unless you need to be mobile or are a glutton for punishment, pass on the manual machines. The Artisan 3000 has been around for four or more years now with not even a whisper of a complaint. Any newly developed piece of machinery is bound to have a few problems, why be a beta tester when you have work to do, if you absolutely have to go manual, get the Boss or wait for the Stitchmasher to get some mileage on it.

Which Tandy do you go to, one of the Big ones?

Art

Edited November 14, 2007 by Russ

[Art]

Hi Russ,

Call Steve at Artisan and ask him about dealers in your area although they deal direct for big stitchers. Even major sewing outlets don't see stitchers that often if ever, some places never sell an industrial machine. The folks I know sell about three or four industrial machines a year at the most, almost never a big machine. Steve at Artisan will take whatever time needed to get you going and keep you going, and we are always here, even on weekends. Read back through the forum and you will get more info than you ever could get in the manual. Also, when you order your machine, have them set it up to sew whatever you will be doing. Once you get it unpacked it won't take more than a half hour or so before you are sewing, they set it up and test run it so all you have to do is unpack, put head on stand, put belt on, thread it and you are off. Please oil often.

Art

Art;

I agree with you completely about being a tester for new machinery. I've avoided new products like that for years (new truck engines, etc). I guess I'm just nervous about owning a machine, since I've never owned one....maintenance, fixing it, thread tension....it's all going to be brand new to me.

Does Artisan sell direct, or do I need a dealer? I've seen several ads and they are all the same price, $1950. I'd love to find a deal close to me (Dayton/Cincinnati, OH area) so I can go there if I have problems or questions.

Tandy just opened a Cincinnati store this summer. It's got everything except for a big selection of heavier leather. If I need saddle skirting, I'll probably have to have them order it in or go back to the one in Columbus, which always had a pretty good selection. I asked the Cinti store to have 4 good sides for me next Fri (black Friday sale), so we'll see how they do. It's a 20 minute drive versus 80 minutes.

Russ

[ryan]

I haven't heard that rumor about Weaver and Tandy and I really hope it isn't true!! I was just at the Weaver factor last year and got to run the new "Chinese Clone" as well as the Adler 205. I opted to go with the Adler just because it seemed fail safe and it's been around longer. I believe the new machine is a Juki with a fancy paint job. (If I want something that tastes like chicken; I'll order chicken right?) Can't say much about the Toro 3000 but if price is a big concern; which it always is, I would go with that over any of the manual machines. On a side note, if you plan to be in leatherwork for a while, I would try to find a way to purchase a machine like the Adler or Juki they are worth their weight in gold (literally lol) I am somewhat disappointed with the appearance of this "Stitchmaster" as Weaver informed me that they were coming out with thier own manual but I too was told that it was going to be cheaper and bette.r than the Boss. I would strongly recommend a visit to E-bay and searching the Boss there; it's usually flooded with them. Not a good sign!

[Art]

Hi Ryan,

If you are talking about their new powered stitcher, the bottom end looks a lot like the Juki and the head looks a lot like an Adler. Not a bad combination if you need the inch or so extra room. Looks like a little Yankee ingenuity has gotten into the Chinese factories (the Yankee ingenuity being combining the best of German and Japanese designs).

Art

I haven't heard that rumor about Weaver and Tandy and I really hope it isn't true!! I was just at the Weaver factor last year and got to run the new "Chinese Clone" as well as the Adler 205. I opted to go with the Adler just because it seemed fail safe and it's been around longer. I believe the new machine is a Juki with a fancy paint job. (If I want something that tastes like chicken; I'll order chicken right?) Can't say much about the Toro 3000 but if price is a big concern; which it always is, I would go with that over any of the manual machines. On a side note, if you plan to be in leatherwork for a while, I would try to find a way to purchase a machine like the Adler or Juki they are worth their weight in gold (literally lol) I am somewhat disappointed with the appearance of this "Stitchmaster" as Weaver informed me that they were coming out with thier own manual but I too was told that it was going to be cheaper and bette.r than the Boss. I would strongly recommend a visit to E-bay and searching the Boss there; it's usually flooded with them. Not a good sign!

[pella]

i was sure it was the boss witha new name!!!!!

i hope tandy will not buy weaver...burk!

[Luke Hatley]

the machines look very similar..........AND I HOPE WEAVER WILL NOT SELL TO TANDAY.