Cobra class 26 forward and reverse stitch lengths adjustment questions

[sojourner999]

Hi everyone,

I am looking at purchasing a cobra class 26 cylinder arm.  There are no engineers manuals I can find for the 26.  I did find the engineers manual for the Juki ls-341 N here on the forum.  And page 14 has the adjustment to match stitch lengths.

this topic, 3rd post down, @kgg shared the manuals

 

before I drop my hard earned $$$, I want to ensure that there is an adjustment I can make to have the forward stitch lengths matching the reverse stitch lengths on the 26.

I joined the fb group and did not see anything there saying an adjustment is possible, except one commentator mentioning the reverse stitches will not necessarily land in the same holes as fwd.

Anyone with a relatively recent cobra class 26 can confirm or deny that there is an adjustment that one can make to match the forward stitches with the reverse stitches?  And if so, what would that adjustment be?  (My fingers are crossed that it would be the same adjustment as in the Juki la-341n engineers manual p. 14 referenced above).

 

Thanks!

 

 

[kgg]

34 minutes ago, sojourner999 said:

I am looking at purchasing a cobra class 26 cylinder arm.  There are no engineers manuals I can find for the 26.  

Since this is a machine that you are seriously considering to purchase I would call the Leather Machine Company and ask them i) do they have a engineering manual or can they direct you to one and ii) is the class 26 a clone of the Juki or a hybrid.

kgg

Edited July 4 by kgg

[sojourner999]

8 minutes ago, kgg said:

Since this is a machine that you are seriously considering to purchase I would call the Leather Machine Company and ask them i) do they have a engineering manual or can they direct you to one and ii) is the class 26 a clone of the Juki or a hybrid.

kgg

I did call and asked that specifically, with me saying it looked like a juki ls-341 n clone and could the juki engineers manual procedure be used to match fwd/rev stitches.   Was told the 26 is a hybrid of juki and Pfaff.  Was also told if I had issue, to call and the guy would walk me through matching stitches.   On the other hand, my opinion, it appears the FB group, there is mention of not necessarily matching and people seem to be OK with that.  
 

It just doesn’t make sense to me to not have an engineers manual available to people who can maintain their own machines.  In their defense, I will say there are nice videos available on basic timing, like needle bar height and hook timing.  And that there are a few people who are helpful.  And that they go above and beyond with after sale support.   Maybe the reluctance is because they offer great support and sharing an engineers manual may be opening a can of worms for them.

i am really hoping that someone here has the machine and can verify the ability to match stitches and how.

Much thanks for your reply.

 

 

 

[kgg]

2 hours ago, sojourner999 said:

Was told the 26 is a hybrid of juki and Pfaff.

I thought it was a hybrid but I thought it was an Alder hybrid so that clears that up. Since you are in the US another popular machine in this class is the Cowboy CB-341 as well as a multitude of other less known clones.

kgg

[sojourner999]

1 minute ago, kgg said:

I thought it was a hybrid but I thought it was an Alder hybrid so that clears that up. Since you are in the US another popular machine in this class is the Cowboy CB-341 as well as a multitude of other less known 

Thanks for the recommendation for the CB-341.   I will have to look further if the cobra does not pan out for me.
 

What is compelling for me about the Cobra is that the hook is vertical axis and uses U bobbins (similar to my Juki 563) and that it has lifetime support (sans wear and tear parts). And I can get it with both a speed reducer AND a needle positioner.    
 

The cowboy is still in the running for me.  I just want to ensure I can adjust for fwd/rev.  
 

Thanks for your reply and input.

[bruce johnson]

To go along with our other machines, my wife decided last winter she wanted a 26. She had used one in a few classes and it could do more than the 1245 flat bed, not as intimidating as the Ferdco 2000, more robust than the Singer 17.  We picked it up in February at the Prescott show. Every time she uses it she tells me how much she loves it. Forward and reverse match.  I have dealt with machine help from Weaver (Vernon Weaver) and Ferdco (Ron and his brother) in the past and they were dead on great guys, Vince and the guys at Leather Machine Co are the same caliber and more. I am all in the world for manuals but if I have a problem with a Cobra rather than look it up, I'd have tools in hand and Vince on speaker on my phone. I found in the past that saved me more time and less frustration with other machines. I screwed around with reverse on an Adler I used to have for an hour and had the book. Called Ferdco and 4 minutes later I was thanking them. 

As an aside and unsolicited testimonial -  Everybody talks about the service and that's true. Additionally I can't think of another company as dedicated to helping the leather business as Leather Machine Co. It started with Steve Tayrien and carries on with David Spiegel, Vince Alvarado, and the rest of them. They are set up at every show. I don't think there is a show that they are not a major sponsor of something. They quietly sponsor other things related to leather too (check out Steven Van Plew's video podcasts on YouTube). They provide the appropriate sewing machines and skivers if needed for all the classes at the shows. They have a huge trailer to bring presold and available machines. If you are considering buying ahead of time they will tag a machine, bring it to shows to save shipping costs, set up and running to learn on there, then they break them down and load them for you. This isn't their first rodeo doing that. They fit three machines and stands in the back seat of my truck with no rattling on the drive home.

[Wizcrafts]

I've never seen a Cobra 26 up close. But, I'm confident that there is some eccentric adjustment to match the forward and reverse stitches. However, if it is anything like my Singer 211G156, matching the holes may reduce the maximum stitch length. In my case, my Singer could sew almost 4 to the inch if I unbalance the reverse stitches. With them balanced, I get 5 to the inch.

If you plan on ordering this machine, or a Cowboy CB341 (from Toledo Industrial Sewing Machines), ask them to match the stitch length in the thickness you expect to sew most frequently. That way the machine will arrive pre-adjusted in both directions. The maximum stitch length will be what it is.

[sojourner999]

46 minutes ago, bruce johnson said:

To go along with our other machines, my wife decided last winter she wanted a 26. She had used one in a few classes and it could do more than the 1245 flat bed, not as intimidating as the Ferdco 2000, more robust than the Singer 17.  We picked it up in February at the Prescott show. Every time she uses it she tells me how much she loves it. Forward and reverse match.  I have dealt with machine help from Weaver (Vernon Weaver) and Ferdco (Ron and his brother) in the past and they were dead on great guys, Vince and the guys at Leather Machine Co are the same caliber and more. I am all in the world for manuals but if I have a problem with a Cobra rather than look it up, I'd have tools in hand and Vince on speaker on my phone. I found in the past that saved me more time and less frustration with other machines. I screwed around with reverse on an Adler I used to have for an hour and had the book. Called Ferdco and 4 minutes later I was thanking them. 

As an aside and unsolicited testimonial -  Everybody talks about the service and that's true. Additionally I can't think of another company as dedicated to helping the leather business as Leather Machine Co. It started with Steve Tayrien and carries on with David Spiegel, Vince Alvarado, and the rest of them. They are set up at every show. I don't think there is a show that they are not a major sponsor of something. They quietly sponsor other things related to leather too (check out Steven Van Plew's video podcasts on YouTube). They provide the appropriate sewing machines and skivers if needed for all the classes at the shows. They have a huge trailer to bring presold and available machines. If you are considering buying ahead of time they will tag a machine, bring it to shows to save shipping costs, set up and running to learn on there, then they break them down and load them for you. This isn't their first rodeo doing that. They fit three machines and stands in the back seat of my truck with no rattling on the drive home.

 Thanks Bruce.  To me, I see that there is support.  And your post confirms that, and more.  And great to hear that your wife’s machine the fwd and rev holes match.  
 

The real disconnect, and uncertainty, I am seeing is the Facebook presence where an authority mentions that the 26 fwd and rev holes do not necessarily match.  And some people are turning their material around 180 degrees to have the holes match.  And others are manually moving their material to match holes.  
 

To me, it is unacceptable for a current production industrial class sewing machine costing over $2K to not have a mechanical adjustment for fwd/rev stitch lengths.  I understand that matching may be off if reverse is not started at consistent needle position.  And I believe it is up to the operator to be consistent to get consistent stitch lengths.

From my call with Dave (I think it was Dave), there is a way to adjust, but I should call him for the first time if/when I need to do that.  That’s fine by me.  In addition, I really would like to have a manual for reference and to know I can repeat the adjustment.  Having that information before plunking down the $$ would alleviate any reluctance on my part.

Not trying to be difficult, but I had a bad experience with a consew 206rb-4, which lacked the parts to match stitch lengths.  And a juki 563 where I had to knock out a pin that disallowed adjustment.  With the juki I can now match stitch lengths, so that is good.

Anyway, everyone reading this post probably realizes I ovethink things sometimes.

 

again, thanks for your reply and info.

[sojourner999]

14 minutes ago, Wizcrafts said:

I've never seen a Cobra 26 up close. But, I'm confident that there is some eccentric adjustment to match the forward and reverse stitches. However, if it is anything like my Singer 211G156, matching the holes may reduce the maximum stitch length. In my case, my Singer could sew almost 4 to the inch if I unbalance the reverse stitches. With them balanced, I get 5 to the inch.

If you plan on ordering this machine, or a Cowboy CB341 (from Toledo Industrial Sewing Machines), ask them to match the stitch length in the thickness you expect to sew most frequently. That way the machine will arrive pre-adjusted in both directions. The maximum stitch length will be what it is.

Thanks @Wizcrafts

I see making forward longer makes rev shorter.  I guess it similar to matching inside and outside presser foot lift.  Increase one and the other decreases.  
 

Thanks for the recommendation on having them adjust for the thickness I would use most often.  Makes sense to me. 

Thanks. 

[sojourner999]

@bruce johnson @Wizcrafts is there someplace I can go to or some Google search term to find leather workers shows?

[bruce johnson]

6 hours ago, sojourner999 said:

@bruce johnson @Wizcrafts is there someplace I can go to or some Google search term to find leather workers shows?

Yes, there is! On the forum here in the right sidebar just under recent topics is the calendar of upcoming events. 

In addition, the major leather magazines Leather Crafters Journal and Illume (used to be ShopTalk) sponsor the shows and have information in their magazines, on their websites, and Face book/Instagram  pages. 

[sojourner999]

10 hours ago, bruce johnson said:

Yes, there is! On the forum here in the right sidebar just under recent topics is the calendar of upcoming events. 

In addition, the major leather magazines Leather Crafters Journal and Illume (used to be ShopTalk) sponsor the shows and have information in their magazines, on their websites, and Face book/Instagram  pages. 

Thank you.

[TomE]

I purchased a (barely) used Class 26 several years ago and have had no problems.  I am impressed with how handy it is, its ability to feed fairly thick material, and ease of setup for thick(er) and thin projects.  No problems with matching stitch length in F and R although I mainly use the range of 6-9 SPI..  It's been a good addition and complements the Class 4 that I started with.  I think many of the problems you see in the FB group are due to operator error/inexperience.  Because the Class 26 is a popular machine for beginners you might find a used machine in your area.

[sojourner999]

On 7/5/2024 at 7:44 AM, TomE said:

I purchased a (barely) used Class 26 several years ago and have had no problems.  I am impressed with how handy it is, its ability to feed fairly thick material, and ease of setup for thick(er) and thin projects.  No problems with matching stitch length in F and R although I mainly use the range of 6-9 SPI..  It's been a good addition and complements the Class 4 that I started with.  I think many of the problems you see in the FB group are due to operator error/inexperience.  Because the Class 26 is a popular machine for beginners you might find a used machine in your area.

Thanks for sharing your experience.

[shoepatcher]

26 Cobra us a clone of a Juki 341.  The mechanics manual for the 341 will work on the 26.  No problem.  Order  the machine.  The 26 is not a hybrid.  It is a clone of the 341.  Parts are interchangeable. 

glenn

[sojourner999]

21 hours ago, shoepatcher said:

26 Cobra us a clone of a Juki 341.  The mechanics manual for the 341 will work on the 26.  No problem.  Order  the machine.  The 26 is not a hybrid.  It is a clone of the 341.  Parts are interchangeable. 

glenn

Thx for reply.

[kgg]

23 hours ago, shoepatcher said:

26 Cobra us a clone of a Juki 341.

The Juki LS-341 takes a "M" style bobbin and the Cobra takes a "U" style bobbin. To that end there are differences which maybe minor but the OP did mention that he was told by LMC it was a hybrid of Juki and PFAFF. I don't know of any PFAFF's that take a "U" Style Bobbin while the Juki LS-341 and 1341 take the "M" style bobbins.

On 7/4/2024 at 12:01 PM, sojourner999 said:

Was told the 26 is a hybrid of juki and Pfaff.

kgg

[sojourner999]

4 hours ago, kgg said:

The Juki LS-341 takes a "M" style bobbin and the Cobra takes a "U" style bobbin. To that end there are differences which maybe minor but the OP did mention that he was told by LMC it was a hybrid of Juki and PFAFF. I don't know of any PFAFF's that take a "U" Style Bobbin while the Juki LS-341 and 1341 take the "M" style bobbins.

kgg

It does appear 26 is not a complete clone and a hybrid of some sort.  Thx @kgg

hybrid of what, who knows.  I guess I’ll have to buy one and find out.