Cobra class 26 owners.

[DieselTech]

Guys & gals I'm looking to add another sewing machine to my arsenal of tools. 

I got a Cobra class 4 & while I can "dumb it down" for 138 thread & lighter materials. I would like to add another machine that can be setup for the lighter thread & materials. 

What's your thoughts on the Cobra class 26? Will the machine be happy for 138 thread? 

Is there other machines I should take a look at buying instead? 

I will be using this machine mostly for wallets & card holders, belts & such with the flatbed table top. 

Thanks. Any & all help greatly appreciated.

[bruce johnson]

I've got a Ferdco 2000 so essentially similar in many respects to a Cobra class 4. Also have a 1245 flat bed machine for strap work and small projects. Between those I could do anything I needed from interiors and card wallets to saddles. When I moved away from leatherwork to leather tools and my wife retired she took up leatherwork for fun and makes a few things to sell. She was intimidated by the 2000 and loves the 1245.  She used a 26 in some classes she took at the shows the last few years. In January she decided she wanted a 26 and we ordered ahead to pick one up at the Prescott show in February. She loves it, and the side benefit is that it got her over the fear of the 2000 also. Bigger thread and more layers she might go to the 2000 now, but most of her bag and wallet work is done on the 26. She's using 138 top and bottom last time I checked. 

[DieselTech]

7 minutes ago, bruce johnson said:

I've got a Ferdco 2000 so essentially similar in many respects to a Cobra class 4. Also have a 1245 flat bed machine for strap work and small projects. Between those I could do anything I needed from interiors and card wallets to saddles. When I moved away from leatherwork to leather tools and my wife retired she took up leatherwork for fun and makes a few things to sell. She was intimidated by the 2000 and loves the 1245.  She used a 26 in some classes she took at the shows the last few years. In January she decided she wanted a 26 and we ordered ahead to pick one up at the Prescott show in February. She loves it, and the side benefit is that it got her over the fear of the 2000 also. Bigger thread and more layers she might go to the 2000 now, but most of her bag and wallet work is done on the 26. She's using 138 top and bottom last time I checked. 

Thanks. Bruce I appreciate your feedback. Yeah my cobra class 4 intimidate's me a bit. But I'm slowly getting over it. 

Have you had any timing issues with the cobra class 26? I'm just curious, as I've read a few things & watched a few videos with people having timing issues. I figured maybe it was operator error. 

Thanks. 

[kgg]

10 hours ago, DieselTech said:

Is there other machines I should take a look at buying instead?

The Cobra 26 is essentially a hybrid clone that has the same specs as most of the other Juki LS-341 clones except it appears to be using a Alder bobbin assembly rather then your typical Juki style assembly. In this class there a lot of capable clones of the Juki LS-341 to add to your list like the Cowboy CB341, Thor GC-1341, Techsew 2750, Kobe LS-1341 to name a few.

Basically it comes down to who you feel will give you the best service, access to replacement parts and of course dollars.

kgg

[Landcruzer94]

 I enjoy my class 26.  While I use mainly 92 and 69 thread, I have no doubt it'll do 138 nicely (EDIT - I forgot that the machine I bough came loaded with a bobbin and spool of 138, so that's actually what they set them up for out the door).  I also have a class 4 set up for 138 and 207, and I appreciate the ability of the 26 to do thinner leathers.  The class 4 (CB3200) I have really benefitted from a custom narrow feed dog I got from @RockyAussie, it was significantly easier to work with both thinner leathers and closer to the edge of my projects.  If 138 is your go-to, you could maybe look into that option as well.

As far as timing goes on the class 26 I recently posted a thread about the machine that I have, you've likely already seen it a few subject lines below.  I do have to say though it's a lot easier to time than the CB3200 FWIW.

Edited September 5 by Landcruzer94

[DieselTech]

16 minutes ago, Landcruzer94 said:

 I enjoy my class 26.  While I use mainly 92 and 69 thread, I have no doubt it'll do 138 nicely (EDIT - I forgot that the machine I bough came loaded with a bobbin and spool of 138, so that's actually what they set them up for out the door).  I also have a class 4 set up for 138 and 207, and I appreciate the ability of the 26 to do thinner leathers.  The class 4 (CB3200) I have really benefitted from a custom narrow feed dog I got from @RockyAussie, it was significantly easier to work with both thinner leathers and closer to the edge of my projects.  If 138 is your go-to, you could maybe look into that option as well.

As far as timing goes on the class 26 I recently posted a thread about the machine that I have, you've likely already seen it a few subject lines below.  I do have to say though it's a lot easier to time than the CB3200 FWIW.

Thanks Landcruzer for your feedback. Yeah I got a Cobra class 4 & purchased all of @Patrick1 narrow feed dogs & plates.

While they work great & his work is top notch, I wanted a dedicated machine for lighter materials & jobs.

I got tired of swapping everything, lol or i guess you could say lazy. 

So I thought the Cobra class 26 would fit the bill best for me. 

Thanks. 

[AlZilla]

For me, a 441 clone set up with 277 and a 111W set up with 138 give me plenty of range. And a host of domestic machines.

Just what works for me.

[TomE]

The Class 26 is a workhorse. I’ve been impressed with how well it navigates varying thickness, such as sewing hardware on a strap, and tight spots where there’s little room for the outside foot. I keep it loaded with #138 thread and use it more frequently for items that I used to sew by hand. Great complement to a 441 type machine. 

[DieselTech]

15 minutes ago, TomE said:

The Class 26 is a workhorse. I’ve been impressed with how well it navigates varying thickness, such as sewing hardware on a strap, and tight spots where there’s little room for the outside foot. I keep it loaded with #138 thread and use it more frequently for items that I used to sew by hand. Great complement to a 441 type machine. 

Thanks TomE I appreciate your feedback. Basically you are saying the foot of the Cobra 26 has no problem navigating multiple layers/steps of the leather when sewing. 

Tom what is the cylinder arm diameter of the cobra 26 compared to a Class 441 cylinder arm?

 

Thanks. Much appreciated.