CB341 having issues with sewing near edge of leather

[Chapelworx]

I can’t figure out why I’m having problems with this new machine. Any time I try to sew near the edge of leather, I either bend a needle or the bottom of it looks awful. It wanders badly and just doesn’t like it. In a lot of cases, it will bend the needle. Even being a new needle. Yet, if I move the leather to about 1/2 in towards the throat, it works fine. So, is it the pressor foot? Or what’s going on? I have a consew 206 that I’ve been using when it’s near the edge but I’ve purchased this machine to take care of my leather work.

[Wizcrafts]

@Chapelworx

The weight of the leather at the edge must be the problem. To control any misalignment from the weight over the edge, try increasing the foot pressure via the large threaded pressure adjuster on the top of the head (over the presser foot). If there is also an inner foot adjuster screw, turn it down too. Are you using the stock feet? Does the outer foot have left and right toes, or just a left toe? You might need to use a double toe foot to keep pressure on the right edge to keep the leather from lifting at the inside edge.

Are you using the needle and thread that shipped with the machine? What are their sizes?

Check the edge of the throat plate to see if it is tapered at the left edge. 

Finally, using your left hand, slightly raise the left side of the belt a little higher than the right as you sew. Push the belt towards the right as you sew.

Can you take a picture of the left nose end of the machine from the front view and post it here? Keep the resolution to the smallest allowed by your phone or camera. If you have the option, use .jpg format as it is usually a smaller file size.

[kgg]

3 hours ago, Chapelworx said:

Any time I try to sew near the edge of leather, I either bend a needle or the bottom of it looks awful. It wanders badly and just doesn’t like it.

I agree with @Wizcrafts. I do have a couple of questions:

i) are you using a edge guide or free handing?

ii) are you using a table top attachment? A lot of machines have a natural pull to the left which can cause wandering which seems to be worse on cylinder arm as the contact surface is very small along with fighting gravity. 

iii) what size of thread are you using?

iv) what size of needle? Here is a link to a good needle size to thread size chart ( https://www.tolindsewmach.com/thread-chart.html )

v) what system of needle are you using? (135 x 16 x needle size) is used for leather while the (135 x 17 x needle size) is used for fabric. I do see blowout on the underside which could indicate you are using a fabric needle.

kgg

 

[Chapelworx]

Needle was a 135 x 16 tri x 20 with T90 thread. I went through t he machine and checked the timing and pressor feet tensions. Made a few adjustments and it seems to be working okay now. It does seem to have a slight angle toward the end of the cylinder as mentioned and I was using an edge guide. 
 

I have a comprehensive maintenance video of my 206RB-5 that goes through every timing and adjustment. It’s is awesome and I’ve needed it twice now in about 7-8 years of working. 
 

is there or does anybody have a link to a tuning and maintenance video of a cowboy cb-341? 

this is the video(s)  I’m referring to with my consew 206. It’s incredible. https://youtu.be/y4ACNMX65zE?si=H4kH0VbSNbj8hhbl

 

[kgg]

2 hours ago, Chapelworx said:

is there or does anybody have a link to a tuning and maintenance video of a cowboy cb-341? 

The Cowboy CB341 is basically a clone of the Juki LS-341. The difference between The Juki LS-341 and the Juki LS-1341 in a nutshell is a larger needlebar stroke, presser foot lift, and a double-tension system.

So look for video's related to Juki LS-341 and the Juki LS-1341. 

kgg