Cowboy cb3200

[Carriesleatherworks]

Opinions on the Cowboy cb3200 sewing machines? I found one for sale fairly close to me. I make quite a variety of things and realize one machine won't do everything but if I could mostly use it for sewing tack and heavy stuff and sew everything else by hand. Thanks 

[kgg]

13 hours ago, Carriesleatherworks said:

Opinions on the Cowboy cb3200 sewing machines?

My two cents worth:

i) it is a class 441 machine just based on the needle system it uses.

ii) the size of the hole it will punch is equal to basically a 2 1/2" finishing nail.

iii) the max size thread it can handle is V346 minimum size is V69

iv) the max thickness the machine will sew is rated for 1/2". 

v) the cost for a new machine is about $2200 USD

The questions:

i) What is the asking price which will depend on the condition? Any photo's?

ii) What size of thread do you what to use?

iii) How thick is the thickest leather you will need / want to sew.

iv) How often you will use the machine? If it is infrequently maybe consider a Cowboy Outlaw( new ~ $1400) or Tippman Boss (new ~$1000)

kgg

 

[Hildebrand]

@kgg hit it on the head on all points, nice assessment Kgg.

 

Todd

[Dwight]

I have the 4500 . . . which will sew a bit thicker and use some heavier thread . . . but from my perspective . . . the 3200 would very probably do what you need with no trouble.

I have nothing but good words to say for the Cowboy sewing machine I own . . . was worried to spend as much as I did for it . . . but am certainly glad I did . . . 

May God bless,

Dwight

[Double Daddy]

I bought my CB3200 new from Cowboy Bob (Toledo Sewing Machine) back in late 2013 (great folks to deal with...VERY knowledgeable)...absolutely zero regrets as far as function and easy of use. If anything and I could do over, I would have gotten the "big brother" 4500 but that's another machine for another day, i reckon...if I can spare the room (I also have an antique industrial I use for light leather, canvas and cloth). 

That said, if you've found a good deal on a 3200 in decent working condition...close by your abode (yay, no shipping costs!!!)...I'd jump on that train car. As the experts herein will tell you (paging Wiz and Mr. Bob especially), it and its larger contemporaries have plenty of feet/accessory options and will sew a broad range of thread sizes, albeit with some setup required.

Toledo Sewing Machine has the spec's on it...Google them. (for some reason my computer won't let me link it)

Hope this helps!

Chris

[Wizcrafts]

On 10/28/2025 at 8:33 PM, Carriesleatherworks said:

Opinions on the Cowboy cb3200 sewing machines? I found one for sale fairly close to me. I make quite a variety of things and realize one machine won't do everything but if I could mostly use it for sewing tack and heavy stuff and sew everything else by hand. Thanks 

The cb3200 is one of the 441 class sewing machines, but, at 1/2 inch, it has less thickness capacity than the cb4500 and similar large models. The arm is shorter too, measuring in at 10.5 inches. Other than that, it uses the same needles, bobbins and thread. However, the Cowboy raised holster and stirrup plates are too tall for the 3200 due to its lower thickness capacity. Further, the optional drop-down edge guide doesn't fit on the 3200.

If most of your projects will be between 1/8th and 1/2 inch thickness, this machine will serve you very well.

[Carriesleatherworks]

On 10/29/2025 at 7:53 AM, kgg said:

My two cents worth:

i) it is a class 441 machine just based on the needle system it uses.

ii) the size of the hole it will punch is equal to basically a 2 1/2" finishing nail.

iii) the max size thread it can handle is V346 minimum size is V69

iv) the max thickness the machine will sew is rated for 1/2". 

v) the cost for a new machine is about $2200 USD

The questions:

i) What is the asking price which will depend on the condition? Any photo's?

ii) What size of thread do you what to use?

iii) How thick is the thickest leather you will need / want to sew.

iv) How often you will use the machine? If it is infrequently maybe consider a Cowboy Outlaw( new ~ $1400) or Tippman Boss (new ~$1000)

kgg

 

Thanks,  It is about 50 miles from me and priced at $1,500 not much info in the ad just says ("Very few hours, comes with extras"),most of my projects ( except a few harness repairs that are closer to an 1" thick) are just under 1/2" thick and I usually do a saddle stitch with the Ritza 25 Tiger Thread, 1.0 mm 

On 10/29/2025 at 7:10 PM, Dwight said:

I have the 4500 . . . which will sew a bit thicker and use some heavier thread . . . but from my perspective . . . the 3200 would very probably do what you need with no trouble.

I have nothing but good words to say for the Cowboy sewing machine I own . . . was worried to spend as much as I did for it . . . but am certainly glad I did . . . 

May God bless,

Dwight

Ok thanks 

[FrankHester]

On 10/29/2025 at 7:53 AM, kgg said:

ii) the size of the hole it will punch is equal to basically a 2 1/2" finishing nail.

@kgg How big of hole will the Class 26 Cobra punch into the leather? Will it be a 2 1/2" finishing nail also? Is the 26 too large for wallets and dress belts?

Thanks in advance!

[Wizcrafts]

5 hours ago, FrankHester said:

@kgg How big of hole will the Class 26 Cobra punch into the leather? Will it be a 2 1/2" finishing nail also? Is the 26 too large for wallets and dress belts?

Thanks in advance!

The Class 26 is not a 441 clone. Its maximum needle size is probably a #24 or #25, but a 25 might be aweful close to the feed dog hole diameter. Ask the dealer.

The Class 26 is not too heavy duty for wallets and belts as long as you use #92 thread with a #19 needle or larger. I don't know how well it nandles #69 thread and #18 needles.

[kgg]

6 hours ago, FrankHester said:

How big of hole will the Class 26 Cobra punch into the leather?

The Cobra Class 26 uses the system 135 x 16 or 135 x 17 needles which have a size diameter of about 1.0 mm (0.0394 inches) while the needles for a Class 441 machine the 794 needles are 2.5 mm (0.0984 inches). 

The Cobra Class 26, is the model number not the class of the machine and is a hybrid clone similar to the Juki LS-341 a Class 341 machine. The Cobra Class 26 like the Techsew 2750 and others model designations can be confusing but all are Class 341 machines. I agree with @Wizcrafts and as a note I don't use anything smaller then V92 in any of my machines.

kgg