Almost new tippmann boss versus a probably well used Juki LS 341

[Nanamagic]

Hello all!! 
I know I’ve been on here with a lot of questions about machines. I’m just trying to find the best bang for my buck. And I really appreciate everybody’s opinions and input. I now have a way to fund a machine and I have found two in the last three weeks available and within my price range I mainly make leather totes and purses accessories, but I also would like to get into doing sheaths hats and holsters. 
 

The first machine is a tippmann boss that I was told has only been used for a few months before the woman hurt her shoulder and can’t use it anymore. She is asking 850 for that. It’s 100 miles round trip from my home  

 

The second machine is a Juki LS341.  It is being sold by a liquidator and many of their machines do come from manufacturing and over supplies, etc.  A man said they are a sewing machine repair and refurbishing company. He said that all of the machines are completely looked over any parts that need to be replaced are replaced. This machine was hooked up to a pneumatic system, and he said that he would either give me the parts free to change it or he would do the work plus put on a new servo motor  for  $150 extra, making the cost $1350 +10 hour round-trip to get it (or another 150 for him to send it).
Neither have a warranty’s.    I just want a machine that’s going to work and help me with the hand sewing.  Space is always an issue, but I’ll figure that out.  
Can you give me recommendations as far as which one I should do ?  unless something else comes along this weekend….

I appreciate your input and time and reading this and responding. 
Anne

https://share.icloud.com/photos/0a5n-38-8GFGiniBSVJn0GoeA

 

https://share.icloud.com/photos/0f2OLhJTQEe3RuATnKECyUsYA

[kgg]

28 minutes ago, Nanamagic said:

The first machine is a tippmann boss that I was told has only been used for a few months before the woman hurt her shoulder and can’t use it anymore. She is asking 850 for that. It’s 100 miles round trip from my home

28 minutes ago, Nanamagic said:

The second machine is a Juki LS341.  It is being sold by a liquidator and many of their machines do come from manufacturing and over supplies, etc.  A man said they are a sewing machine repair and refurbishing company.

A new Boss is $999 USD plus shipping plus any accessories. Does the machine come with anything extras?

The 341 has probably been used and abused in a factory setting and is old. There are no photo's showing the drive belt or the internal head parts or what parts were replaced. Also there has been a lot of machines imported from overseas.

IMO I would stay away from the 341 and would consider the Boss but that may not be the machine for your purses as the hole the needle will make is going to be very large. Think of the size a 2 1/2" finishing nail will make. I would take a sample of your stuff and test out the Boss. Keep in mind the Boss will be better suited more for doing sheaths and holsters then purses.  

kgg 

[Nanamagic]

Thank you!  I also worry about the 341 being well abused. Currently I am hand, sewing everything and my hands and arthritis so it’s very slow and very painful after awhile. I really wanted a cobra class 26 however that’s out of my league right now and I was looking at the cowboy outlaw however they are now over $1500. I think I will follow your advice and take some work over there and see how the boss works and holes it leaves. I know one machine can’t do all however I need to be able to produce more than I am. I find handstitching peaceful, and will continue to do detail work that way.  I mainly want a long or multiple seams and zippers done with a machine. 

[Nanamagic]

No extras with the boss

[kgg]

1 hour ago, Nanamagic said:

No extras with the boss

It would be if nothing else the little road trip to see if the machine would work for your needs and the owner my drop her price once you arrive. I still would wonder whether the cost saving of $150 USD would be worth the no warranty and no extras versus a new machine with warranty????

kgg

[Nanamagic]

Thank you again that’s something I am looking into. Actually, I’ve already got it to the checkout point with the boss and the starter accessories that include the plate.  Total would be 1306. With accessories which I could get in a month or so the total would be probably under 1100 for sure. I had thought about the #Warranty also.  Bad storms here and my electric’s been on and off to catch messages and posts. Tippmann also has a new easy pull handle kit that may be handy in the near future.

Again, I appreciate your input and your help! It’s good to have people too talk to and get other perspectives and information about things!!!  Thank you!

[Nanamagic]

I forgot to add that I also found a “Tandy “ cowboy outlaw with all of the attachments and goodies for 1250 that is about three hours from here. But again, I’m looking at driving gas time which is all fine and again #Warranty issues.  
 

Do the boss and the outlaw have about the same needle size they use and the two and a half inch finishing nail lol hole?  I loved that analogy.  

[kgg]

9 hours ago, Nanamagic said:

But again, I’m looking at driving gas time which is all fine and again #Warranty issues.  

9 hours ago, Nanamagic said:

Do the boss and the outlaw have about the same needle size they use and the two and a half inch finishing nail lol hole?  I loved that analogy.  

The problem with buying used is like buying a used car, you have to be careful. My rules of thumb when buying a used machine for myself: 

i) is it has to be in impeccable condition or as close to new condition, 

ii) not have been used in an industrial setting 

iii) the price is 70 percent, max. of what a new one lists for.

Example: The Boss you mentioned for $850. A new Boss is $999 x .70% = $699.30. The max price I would pay would be $700.

Yes those machines use the 794 needles. A typical 135 x16 needle used in the Juki LS-341 has a shank diameter of 2.0 mm while the 794 has a diameter of 2.5 mm. As a note a 2 1/2 " finishing nail has a shank diameter of 0.099" or 2.51 mm.

kgg

[Nanamagic]

Thank you again!  Learning all kinds of new things!  

[fredk]

I would suggest the Tippmann Boss is not the machine for you with your arthritis. Being a totally manual machine I think it will aggravate you arthritis

[kgg]

On 5/2/2025 at 9:36 PM, Nanamagic said:

Currently I am hand, sewing everything and my hands and arthritis so it’s very slow and very painful after awhile.

 

10 hours ago, fredk said:

Being a totally manual machine I think it will aggravate you arthritis

I missed or skipped over that point and I do agree with @fredk. If you want to almost eliminate aggravating your arthritis you are going to need a motorized machine. The Juki LS-1341 and older LS-341 as well as their clones will handle up to 7/16" of material with V138 thread and if you need / want to sew thicker or use heavier thread close to what is normally used when hand stitching then you are into a Class 441 machine. A couple of 441 clone machines that you might want to consider would be similar to the Cowboy CB 3200, CB 3500. 

It really comes down to what you normally sew, what thread thickness you want to use and how thick your pocket book is.

kgg

 

 

[Nanamagic]

Thank you… I will be patient and wait for the right machine to be available.  I so appreciate the input I have received. Thanks again