Cobra class 4 reverse issues

[Constabulary]

lowering the needle bar just a tiny bit sometimes helps

EDIT:

BTW maybe this video by LW member UWE helps to figure issues with reverse:

 

Edited October 11, 2022 by Constabulary

[StoneBuiltKnives]

5 hours ago, Burkhardt said:

Another thing I noticed is get rid of the death grip on the thread and let the material feed naturally. You don't to pull the thread just hold in place for the first couple stitches then let it go. How tight are the stitches (tension) and where is the knot placement, is it evenly centered? Re watched and found another problem, when you start regardless of direction the thread should be held out in front of arm and slightly to the right. The way you're holding it is maybe the reason it's breaking because no matter the direction of sewing the hook spins in the same direction and it's probably catching the tail and winding it around the hook till it breaks.

Thank you. The knot seems to be centered in the material and tension seems to be about right to my untrained eye. I appreciate the feedback about the way I'm gripping the thread!

[StoneBuiltKnives]

2 hours ago, Constabulary said:

lowering the needle bar just a tiny bit sometimes helps

EDIT:

BTW maybe this video by LW member UWE helps to figure issues with reverse:

 

Thank you. I'll try lowering the needle bar a millimeter or so. That video is illuminating!

[cashmanleather]

I have a Cobra 4 and I've had to shim the selector plate to get the needle to hit the same holes in reverse on mine. 

[StoneBuiltKnives]

1 hour ago, cashmanleather said:

I have a Cobra 4 and I've had to shim the selector plate to get the needle to hit the same holes in reverse on mine. 

My machine seems to hit the same stitching holes fairly consistently from forward to reverse. At the this point I'm waiting on 26 needles to try. If that doesn't solve the problem I'll try lowering the needle bar a smidge. I don't want to make multiple changes at once.

[Burkhardt]

4 hours ago, StoneBuiltKnives said:

My machine seems to hit the same stitching holes fairly consistently from forward to reverse. At the this point I'm waiting on 26 needles to try. If that doesn't solve the problem I'll try lowering the needle bar a smidge. I don't want to make multiple changes at once.

Did holding the thread forward and to the right when starting help? I mean putting your arm through the arm gap and hold the thread forward and to the right.

 

[StoneBuiltKnives]

It helped enough for me to believe it was part of the problem. Specifically with missing stitches. I'm still getting some thread fraying, though no full breakages yet.  Thank you.

[Burkhardt]

2 hours ago, StoneBuiltKnives said:

It helped enough for me to believe it was part of the problem. Specifically with missing stitches. I'm still getting some thread fraying, though no full breakages yet.  Thank you.

Another thing is to who suggested going to a bigger needle is right and whether true or not I've read on a lot of forums and everyone points the finger at black thread that because it is is dyed so long to get the full color that it makes it a PITA to sew and everyone says go with a bigger needle. A video is worth a thousand words that every time I watch it I find something else. Just got a roll of black thread so I know what to watch for.

[StoneBuiltKnives]

I'm inclined to believe a bigger needle is needed as well. The problem gets worse the thicker the leather I sew. When I get to my three layers of 8 oz glued is when I have the worst problems.

[CowboyBob]

15 hours ago, StoneBuiltKnives said:

I'm inclined to believe a bigger needle is needed as well. The problem gets worse the thicker the leather I sew. When I get to my three layers of 8 oz glued is when I have the worst problems.

Have you tried increasing the foot pressure?