Cowboy CB4500 premium w/eps vs Techsew 5100 se w/eps

[DieselTech]

New member here, looking to purchase a leather sewing machine. Looking to sew, wallets, rifle slings, sheaths, holsters, among other things. 

Is both these machines equal in say performance, & usability & serviceability? 

Does 1 machine over the other offer better support in the U.S? Wheres the best place to purchase something like this?

Also would like to be able to sew lighter materials with additional accessories or modifications or adjustments if possible. 

I've read articles about dumming down a 441,  I have read about narrow throat plate & presser foots, possibly available. 

Can some professionals give me some insight or advice? 

Thanks & appreciate everything.

[MtlBiker]

8 hours ago, DieselTech said:

New member here, looking to purchase a leather sewing machine. Looking to sew, wallets, rifle slings, sheaths, holsters, among other things. 

Is both these machines equal in say performance, & usability & serviceability? 

Does 1 machine over the other offer better support in the U.S? Wheres the best place to purchase something like this?

Also would like to be able to sew lighter materials with additional accessories or modifications or adjustments if possible. 

I've read articles about dumming down a 441,  I have read about narrow throat plate & presser foots, possibly available. 

Can some professionals give me some insight or advice? 

Thanks & appreciate everything.

As a Techsew 2750 Pro owner in Canada and a regular user here, my suggestion to you is that the Cowboy is a better choice for you.  Cowboy has an excellent quality reputation and the service/support is outstanding.

Yes you can dumb down those machines but remember there is no one machine that will do everything, which is why many of us have more than one.

[DieselTech]

1 hour ago, MtlBiker said:

As a Techsew 2750 Pro owner in Canada and a regular user here, my suggestion to you is that the Cowboy is a better choice for you.  Cowboy has an excellent quality reputation and the service/support is outstanding.

Yes you can dumb down those machines but remember there is no one machine that will do everything, which is why many of us have more than one.

Thanks I appreciate your input. I kind of knew I would need more than 1 sewing machine.

I was hoping I could get by with a larger machine till I can afford a smaller machine for the smaller leather projects. 

I would like to purchase a sewing machine that is setup & ready to go, with some required assembly. Basically a tested & setup sewing machine if possible. 

I'm not sure where to purchase a sewing machine with support if something wears out or I break something as a newbie trying to learn the machine. 

Thanks again. Any & all help is appreciated. 

Edited November 24, 2023 by DieselTech

[jrdunn]

I bought my CB 4500 from Bob at Toledo Industrial Sewing Machine.  I highly recommend him.  Call him and visit with him.  He was very helpful to  me.  He advertises on this forum.  JM2C.  Jim

https://tolindsewmach.com/

[DieselTech]

23 minutes ago, jrdunn said:

I bought my CB 4500 from Bob at Toledo Industrial Sewing Machine.  I highly recommend him.  Call him and visit with him.  He was very helpful to  me.  He advertises on this forum.  JM2C.  Jim

https://tolindsewmach.com/

Thank you I shall call them & discuss my options. Thanks.

[Wizcrafts]

11 hours ago, DieselTech said:

Also would like to be able to sew lighter materials with additional accessories or modifications or adjustments if possible. 

I've read articles about dumming down a 441,  I have read about narrow throat plate & presser foots, possibly available. 

Can some professionals give me some insight or advice?

@DieselTech

I have a Cowboy CB4500, along with every accessory they offer. I also have the narrow feeder and throat plate from @RockyAussie (link) and one from @Patrick1 (video link). With these narrow sets installed, my Cowboy is able to sew even soft leather and blue jeans cuffs with thin needles and thread that suit these projects. The bonus is that at least with RockyAussie's set, I don't need to change them to sew a holster of sheath with #277 thread. Before getting these sets, I had to remove the feed dog and install my narrow slotted flat throat plate when sewing thin or soft materials. That's what I did when I wrote about dumbing down a Cowboy, Cobra or other 441 machine. Now, all I have to do to dumb it down is increase the bobbin tension and decrease the top tension, plus change to a smaller needle.

[DieselTech]

3 hours ago, Wizcrafts said:

@DieselTech

I have a Cowboy CB4500, along with every accessory they offer. I also have the narrow feeder and throat plate from @RockyAussie (link) and one from @Patrick1 (video link). With these narrow sets installed, my Cowboy is able to sew even soft leather and blue jeans cuffs with thin needles and thread that suit these projects. The bonus is that at least with RockyAussie's set, I don't need to change them to sew a holster of sheath with #277 thread. Before getting these sets, I had to remove the feed dog and install my narrow slotted flat throat plate when sewing thin or soft materials. That's what I did when I wrote about dumbing down a Cowboy, Cobra or other 441 machine. Now, all I have to do to dumb it down is increase the bobbin tension and decrease the top tension, plus change to a smaller needle.

Thanks you very much. Do you reccomend just buying a cb4500 from 1 of the sponsored vendors on this site. Also where can the feed dog & narrow throat plate be bought?  Or anything else a person might need? 

I would like to get my sewing machine & whatever might be needed at 1 or couple vendors for the machine. 

My biggest scare is I guess, is something wearing out prematurely or something breaks on the machine & then getting parts. 

As you can probably tell by my handle, I turn wrenches, so I'm mechanically inclined that if I need to make a repair I can. 

I was looking at the King Cobra too, but after seeing the price, I dont think I can afford it. I'm hoping I can get a nice machine w/eps for around $4500. That's my budget as of now. 

Thanks for your input & I'm up to hear anything else you or anybody else what's to add. 

[DieselTech]

I guess I should have mentioned I mainly use 277 or 346 thread on my heavy projects, when I saddle stitch. I'm hoping a 346 thread will feed thru whatever machine I buy easily. 

I think the lightest thread I have used is 138, i personally think the heavier thread looks better on certain leather projects. 

[dikman]

If a Cowboy 4500 is working ok when you get it then the chances of something going wrong or breaking is minimal - unless the operator (you) does something stupid. These machines are built pretty tough! As for wearing out it's going to be a long time before that is likely to be an issue, you're worrying unnecessarily. 

Get the modified foot plate and feed dog, a necessity in my opinion, then you can comfortably sew with #346 down to #138 thread.

Edited November 24, 2023 by dikman

[DieselTech]

10 minutes ago, dikman said:

If a Cowboy 4500 is working ok when you get it then the chances of something going wrong or breaking is minimal - unless the operator (you) does something stupid. These machines are built pretty tough! As for wearing out it's going to be a long time before that is likely to be an issue, you're worrying unnecessarily. 

Get the modified foot plate and feed dog, a necessity in my opinion, then you can comfortably sew with #346 down to #138 thread.

Thanks I appreciate it. So where does a person purchase these modified presser feet & throat plates. 

I think the cb4500 w/eps premium package, might come with some different feet & throat plates. As well as a flat table attachment, but I'm not 100% sure.