decided to purchase a Boss sewing machine

[Daniel]

Blessings,

I have decided to purchase a Boss sewing maching. I have never sewed leather with any type of machine, all of my sewing work so far has been by hand. My hand sewing is too slow so I have decieded to purchase the Boss sewing machine. I like the control of each stitch on this machine vise the motor driven sewing machine, at least for now. What I would like to ask is what accessories would be needed other than what comes with the machine in regrads to the presser foot attachments (or anything else you might think I would need). I know somewhere along the road I am going to need some attachment at that moment and not 5 days later for a rush project, so I am trying to plan ahead. Most of my work will be with: belts, holsters, bags, purses, wallets, binders, portfolios, briefcases (soft cases)and some seats. I will not be doing any horse tack items or saddles. I did get a chance to play with the Boss machines at the Tandy Leather Factory some time ago, so I have the general feel of it. Any suggestions would be helpful. Thanks.

Daniel

[Randy Cornelius]

I would suggest a center pressue foot. If you are going to be sewing cases where you need to sew up against the pocket you will need it. If you are doing several different thread sizes make sure you get an assortment of needles and several extra bobbins. Might get some extra patients as you will have to tinker with the boss. Sometimes it gets frustrating. I have had one for several years and have not used it much since getting my Artisen machine. I have a table top that I would sell as I bought it and never have used it. I have kept mine around only because I have been thinking of going to some show and thought it would be easy to bring the Boss along.

Randy

[Daniel]

Thanks Randy,

I will order the center presser foot. The extra bobbins and needles I have aready decided on getting. The Artisen looks like a good machine but I don't think I am ready to go that route just yet. I am getting a real good deal on the Boss, I know that it could be very difficult to deal with but I am very confident that I can deal with the issues that will come up with it. Thanks again for your help.

Daniel

[Luke Hatley]

congraluations on your decision. There are other machines to get,

But the items that you will be making, the Boss will serve you well.

What are you going to mount the machine on ?

Mine is mounted on a singer 29-4 sewing machine stand,it is at a

very comfortable working height.

Remember small thin items, small thread and small needles.

[Luke Hatley]

congraluations on your decision. There are other machines to get,

But the items that you will be making, the Boss will serve you well.

What are you going to mount the machine on ?

Mine is mounted on a singer 29-4 sewing machine stand,it is at a

very comfortable working height.

Remember small thin items, small thread and small needles.

[Daniel]

Hello Luke,

I am not sure how I will mount the machine. I have a stitching horse made by Ken Allen. It's a very well made stitching horse with an English head for sewing large items. The head is adjustable and easy to remove. If Tippman will sell me only the extention attachment to their bench I might do that. If not I can attach it to my work bench. Randy mentioned the Artisen in his reply and I did some additional research on that machine. It is very nice indeed. It will do almost everything the Boss will do and faster, but also more money to boot. The Boss will use a wider range of thread sizes and needles, plus a wider range of stitch lengths. With the work I will be doing in the future this might be an advantage. With the work I will be doing now it is not an issue. I still don't know these machines that well and getting the Boss is a good starter machine. I am looking at about another $1000 more if I buy the Artisen without any accessories. Looking at all the information so far Boss is the way to go so far money wise. Thanks for asking. I am always open to more information. I cannot order the machine until Monday. So I can still change my mind if I get a better deal or more information.

Daniel

[Randy Cornelius]

. I am looking at about another $1000 more if I buy the Artisen without any accessories.

It will be the best 1000.00 you will spend, take it from someone that has been there.

Randy

[skipj]

What kind of holsters are you making Danial? Western style holsters can get pretty thick and Luke talked about small thin items.

Does anyone have an idea what the resale price is for a Boss.

I used a Artisan in the holster class in Wickenburg last year and it worked great. And our instructors said that weren't set up for the kind of work we were doing yet.

SkipJ

Edited November 25, 2007 by skipj

[bruce johnson]

Daniel,

I had a Boss. I bought one of the early ones (cast iron) and have no regrets about that machine. In the same situation I would do it again in a heartbeat. It was also my first machine. I was doing a lot of what you are anticipating running under it, and found no downfalls with the machine other than you power it. At the time I bought it, the Boss was $1600 with no accessories. The equivalent in a powered machine was $5000. Mine would sew anything I could cram under the foot, and feed it. I sewed 10 oz tooled wear leathers on 1" felt saddle pads. I sewed wallet interiors. A ton of belts, checkbooks, and planners went through it. A bunch of saddle skirts (two layers of skirting plus the woolskin). I did some pad things for a guy's carriage out of 3 layers of heavy harness. You can sew holsters.

I just mounted mine on a little benchtop tool stand from Harbor Freight, like you mount a little table saw or belt sander on. I wouldn't butcher a Ken Allen stitching horse to mount a Boss. You will still find use for the horse. I have three machines and still use my stitching horse. As far as accessories, they didn't make the center presser foot then that I knew of. I had a regular foot, right and left toe foot for sewing around spots and inlays, and a stirrup plate. The stirrup plate raises the work and shortens the turn radius of the cylinder arm. For sewing 90 degree corners like bags and shaving kits - very handy. I didn't have the edge guide, but that would have been nice for the unpaid help.

My Boss required little attention other than oiling. Once I got the bottom tension where I liked it (first day), I really didn't have to mess with anything other than stitch length, and a tweak or two on the top tensions depending on thread size and material. I ran a little tighter tensions than some people do, but it worked well. I run a little tighter tensions on my powered machines too. I taught two wives and my son how to sew on it. Learning curve of about 5 minutes. I was doing a lot of wholesale work and award orders then. I could sit them down with a stack of belts or whatever, and not have to worry about them running off an edge while I was doing something else.

Skip asked about the resale value. Looks like on ebay the ones from private sellers bring a fair to pretty good return. Some bring more than some of the sale prices the sellers probably paid for them. I don't know how many of the dealer machines sell. I sold mine outright on another list for about half what I paid for it, probably for less than I could have got on ebay. It had already paid for itself in about the first few months, so the rest was gravy. Tippmann seems to stand behind them. On the few parts that I broke, they were happy to overnight them on their nickle. They were parts that were beefed up as time went on, an arm lifter, and the block that the handle attaches to. The original capscrew size was too small and the handle could fatigue it and shear it off.

They were rebuilding anybody's Boss (not just the original owner) for something like $100, and warranteeing them like new. If you are buying used, check with Tippmanns about that. I was going to send mine for rebuild, and then have them ship it on to whoever bought it. Jim at Tippmann figured everyone was further ahead to ask $100 less, let the new buyer use it. If it ever needed work, then they would get even more time out of it. One thing nice too. It is a heck of a lot easier to ship a Boss than any other stitcher. There are very few guys who have the luxury of a local mechanic qualified to work on any stitcher.

[robert]

I have a boss and like it. I use the flatbed attachement for anything flat - notebooks, checkbook covers, etc, - you may want to consider that. i have the center presser foot but rarely use it. i agree with getting a number of extra bobbins and needles.

I mounted mine with lag screws on a 2X8 board, about 18 inches long. Then is use c-clamps to clamp it to my workbench. I have limted space, so when I need to, i remove the boss for more room. Works fine.

[Daniel]

Thanks folks for the replies,

Randy, I have heard the line many times from other Artisen buyers. I will call Artisen before I order the Boss and have a talk with them, I believe Dave (Artisen Dave) is a member of this fourm. I will support our members and ask for him when I call. Money is one of the major factors but not the only one. Thanks

Skipj, I am making only concealed carrry holsters and sholder holsters of various types. I have no plans on making any western style holsters at this time. I know that the Artisen 3000 will do everything I need at this time and more later, but I am making a major career change within about a month. I will be quiting my current job and run my own small business that I have had for 2 years full time. My business is not just selling leathercraft items but various items on ebay. I just love working with leather. Thanks.

bruce johnson, I have heard what you have said many times also about the Boss, which is one of the reasons for deciding to purchase one. That stirrup plate sounds like another good attachment to get. I had no intention of butchering my Ken Allen stitching horse I can promise you that, I will still need it for lacing and some hand stitching. I was just going to use clamps with padding to hold it down. I will not part with that stitiching horse, it's too well made. Thanks again for alll the information bruce.

Blessings to all,

Daniel

Edited November 26, 2007 by Daniel