Tippmann "BOSS" Hand-stitcher for Belts?

[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?

[fredk]

On 11/12/2024 at 5:42 AM, bruce johnson said:

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

I'm a total numpty when it comes to thing like this

What size needles would I buy for my Boss?

[kgg]

21 hours ago, LMullins said:

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?

What size of needle are you using with the V346 thread.

Here is a good reference chart for needle size versus thread size. ( https://www.tolindsewmach.com/thread-chart.html )

As a note you may have to go up a size depending on how thick and tough the leather is.

[kgg]

1 hour ago, fredk said:

I'm a total numpty when it comes to thing like this

What size needles would I buy for my Boss?

First question is what size of thread you want to use, then what do you want you stitch to look like and availability.

1) Thread sizing chart from Toledo Industrial Sewing Machines ( https://www.tolindsewmach.com/thread-chart.html )

2) Here is a quick look at the appearance of what the needle point will give. I grabbed these from the Techsew website ( https://www.techsew.com/en/blog/needle-buying-guide.html )

i) LR Point --- appears to be the more common point

ii) R Point

 

iii) S Point

 

kgg

Edited November 14, 2024 by kgg