Tippmann "BOSS" Hand-stitcher for Belts?

[LMullins]

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 

[kgg]

52 minutes ago, LMullins said:

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.

It should definitely cut down on your stitching time and should be able to sew up to 3/4" thick leather. The downside is the thread size is probably going to be smaller then what you are use to. It will take up to V415 thread which is about .7 mm thick thread. The price is about 1/3 that of the cheapest new Boss at $999USD so if it sews I think it would be a decent purchase. If it doesn't fit your needs you could easily get your money back.

kgg

[fredk]

That is a real bargain. If you can afford taking a chance buy it. 

But be aware that it is manual. You have to pull a lever with your right hand. It can be tiresome at first then it becomes tedious. Your right arm muscle will get stronger. Its good exercise!

But it has the advantage of not needing any power, so it can go anywhere. Tippmann is a good company and can supply accessories and spare parts

Edited November 9, 2024 by fredk

[DieselTech]

I agree with kgg. If you can string it up with 277 or 346 thread & can physically go sew something with it. I would jump all over that deal. 

Also it sure will give your hands a break from saddle stitching belts. Increase your production too. 

[LMullins]

26 minutes ago, kgg said:

 The downside is the thread size is probably going to be smaller then what you are use to. It will take up to V415 thread which is about .7 mm thick thread.

This is my biggest concern. I'm usually doing my belts in 1mm thread but I will occasionally dip to 0.8mm. My usual belt style, so I'd have to see how the smaller thread would translate.

I do appreciate the information. Although it does seem like a lot of people either really like them or

completely disregard them. 

[bruce johnson]

I sewed several hundred belts and at least the first 20 saddles on one, plus a ton of smaller projects and was great for repair work. Buy it at that price for sure! I sewed up to 415 thread in mine but realistically over 345 is overkill for most stuff. "Leather does the work, thread just holds the leather together".  

[AlZilla]

2 hours ago, LMullins said:

earby, someone is selling a complete, working used Tippmann Boss machine for $350

Stop reading, go buy it.

You'll always get your money back if you decide you don't like it.

[dikman]

Even though I don't need one I'd grab it at that price!  Can't go wrong. If you still want to use your heavier thread you could just use the machine without thread to pre-punch your stitching holes, it's a good way of getting nice straight evenly spaced holes for hand-stitching.

[LMullins]

On 11/9/2024 at 1:25 PM, bruce johnson said:

I sewed several hundred belts and at least the first 20 saddles on one, plus a ton of smaller projects and was great for repair work. Buy it at that price for sure! I sewed up to 415 thread in mine but realistically over 345 is overkill for most stuff. "Leather does the work, thread just holds the leather together".  

Any examples of those belts? Would love to see while I attempt to tension this machine correctly.

it's an older cast model. Came with everything. Metal plate, 3 bobbins, VHS, Manual, all the different feet, needles, even a full spool of 277 thread. Pretty neat.

 

I think I may want to go up in thread size though.

Edited November 11, 2024 by LMullins

[DieselTech]

16 minutes ago, LMullins said:

Any examples of those belts? Would love to see while I attempt to tension this machine correctly.

it's an older cast model. Came with everything. Metal plate, 3 bobbins, VHS, Manual, all the different feet, needles, even a full spool of 277 thread. Pretty neat.

 

I think I may want to go up in thread size though.

That's is a good price for that machine. Especially if it is the older cast iron model.

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

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. 

Edited November 11, 2024 by DieselTech

[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

[bruce johnson]

14 hours ago, LMullins said:

Any examples of those belts? Would love to see while I attempt to tension this machine correctly.

it's an older cast model. Came with everything. Metal plate, 3 bobbins, VHS, Manual, all the different feet, needles, even a full spool of 277 thread. Pretty neat.

 

I think I may want to go up in thread size though.

 Mine was cast too. I bought it at the time that ANY powered machine was $5000 or more. (yes, powered machines have gotten more affordable since the year 2000) I paid $1600 for the Boss. That was the price with the basic package - maybe two or three feet, tools, small spool of thread, and 3 bobbins. Mine sewed better with poly thread than nylon. I started sewing with coarser thread (346/277) thinking it looked "sturdy and cool" like my previously handsewns. As I got more production orders they wanted smaller thread and shorter stitch lengths for a cleaner look. The tighter ones are probably 207/138 and eventually 138/138). I did a couple hundred of the hide inlay, edge spotted belts for production orders. They put conchos on them to customize them for the customer. One of them ended up in  Wrangler jeans ad that run for about 5 years. The edge spotted belts were spotted first, then lined so no prongs showed on the back. They were sewn with an outside toe foot. The Boss let me sew really close to the spot without running off the edge or leaving much if any wave around the spots. 

[bruce johnson]

LOL, within a few minutes of posting I have had two phone calls. Yes the kind that ring...at 9:30 at night....

I got past the round needles pretty fast. I used LR needles and that gives the mild slanted appearance and cleaner look to the stitching. That is all I used in the Ferdco 2000 and 1245 too. As soon as my wife runs out of needles for the 26,  she will have her straight needles quietly replaced with LRs as well. 

[c2369zulu]

As others have said, for that price you can't really go wrong. I got mine used for $300 as well. It is a cast model too and came with the old Tippmann stand and accessories. I have had a time getting it to stitch right, but I'll hold onto it regardless. Pic below from when I got it. Good luck! ....Rory

Edited November 12, 2024 by c2369zulu

[FrankHester]

8 hours ago, bruce johnson said:

I used LR needles and that gives the mild slanted appearance and cleaner look to the stitching.

I was going to ask what these are but then I found the answer.

 

I found the answer at the "Thread Exchange" website. 

Edited November 12, 2024 by Herbie
found answer

[LMullins]

On 11/11/2024 at 5:39 PM, DieselTech said:

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!

I picked up 346 thread and I am having problems with it. 
 

Both have been trouble but once I dial it in, the knot shows visibly in the middle in an ugly fashion. Tension on the top stitch  doesn't seem too great, so I assume it's the bottom?