Tippmann "BOSS" Hand-stitcher for Belts?

[LMullins]

25 minutes ago, DieselTech said:

I can post a pic of a short belt end, that is machine sewn with 346 thread if you want idea what it will look like. 

That stitching does look pretty nice. That is 346? I may have to try it out and see how it goes with my Tippmann. maybe a slight bit thicker.

 

where do you get your thread from? I was thinking of running to Tandy today and just getting some test thread 

[DieselTech]

2 minutes ago, LMullins said:

That stitching does look pretty nice. That is 346? I may have to try it out and see how it goes with my Tippmann. maybe a slight bit thicker.

 

where do you get your thread from? I was thinking of running to Tandy today and just getting some test thread 

That is the Tandy 346 bonded polyester thread. It is supposedly pre-lubricated. 

I am using a #25 schmetz round point leather needle. A lot of people say I should be using a size #26 needle but I was getting by just fine with the #25 needle. 

[WendlingKnives]

id buy it and then sell it to fund a class 26 or similar. My boss was great for sheaths and holsters. I despised doing belts and am fairly certain it was the cause of my tendonitis ha.

[AlZilla]

1 hour ago, LMullins said:

Would love to see while I attempt to tension this machine correctly.

I guess this means congratulations are in order. I'd love a Cowboy one armed bandit or a Tipmann. I can't remotely justify it, but I have this vision of a small mobile leather shop built into a little cargo trailer. No idea why, really. I guess the open road is beckoning ...

[DieselTech]

8 minutes ago, AlZilla said:

I guess this means congratulations are in order. I'd love a Cowboy one armed bandit or a Tipmann. I can't remotely justify it, but I have this vision of a small mobile leather shop built into a little cargo trailer. No idea why, really. I guess the open road is beckoning ...

I hear guys that travel to rodeos & such do pretty good repairing & selling stuff, as you have mentioned. 

Edited November 11, 2024 by DieselTech

[LMullins]

6 hours ago, DieselTech said:

I think the 346 thread would give you the look you are going for in your belts. 

Just picked it up and yep! This is perfect.

 

thank you for your suggestion. Now to just figure out how to get the tension correct for the backside..

[dikman]

Congratulations! I reckon you got a bargain, well done.

[DieselTech]

1 hour ago, LMullins said:

Just picked it up and yep! This is perfect.

 

thank you for your suggestion. Now to just figure out how to get the tension correct for the backside..

Did you pick some 346 thread up? Are you having tension problems with the 277 or 346 thread? 

Is your bottom stitch knots showing on the top? Or is your top stitch knot showing on the bottom? 

Congrats on the new piece of machinery!

[Hildebrand]

Major factor with the Boss is to make sure you mount it securely.  I fought mine for several months thinking I could just clamp it down and it would be fine.  It wasn't but once I mounted it solid I was able to get everything dialed in.

Todd

[Dwight]

On 11/9/2024 at 11:22 AM, LMullins said:

Hey folks, I'm new to the machinery side of leatherwork (as well as to this forum) and I'm looking for advice on a purchase. 
 

Nearby, someone is selling a complete, working used Tippmann Boss machine for $350. My main market is work belts and gunbelts in the 12-16oz range. I'm wondering if this would be a good purchase.

 

I've been hand-stitching for years now and wondering if this may be a good decision to make a leap into the machine stitch side of leather. I'm not incredibly knowledgeable, so please inform me. Thanks 

I did not read all the other posts . . . but I'll comment my thoughts.

#1 . . . I made and sold belts . . . holsters . . . western gun rigs . . . knife sheaths . . . billfolds . . . and whatever with a Boss for 18 years . . . using 346 thread almost exclusively.

Never had any problem except that at 6 stitches per inch . . . they way I make a 40 inch belt . . . puts me at just about 600 stitches total.  600 pulls on the handle . . . and 600 pushes up on the handle.  Generally that was about a 20 minute endeavor.

#2 . . . I would still be using it had not a good samaritan not reached out and helped me buy my 4500 electric.  

#3 . . . I would not sell you my Boss (its 24 yrs old) . . . for anything less than 750 dollars.

Go from there my friend.

May God bless,

Dwight