Tippman Boss

[AndyL1]

Regarding this machine. I've never bought a machine before so I'm not quite sure which one or style would suit me best.

I've used the Boss before, years ago my friend had one. I like the low-tech hand crank aspect of it, but at the same time I wonder if an electric machine would be better/just as good or what. Do you find it slow to use as it's a hand crank? Do you often need 3 hands to stitch, like 2 to hold your project and one to pull the handle?

Thanks for any info you guys may have.

-Andy

[Randy Cornelius]

The Boss is a good starter machine, it was one of the first machines that I bought. But like most who have a Boss you have to become a "TINKER" as the Boss is inconsistant. You will sew a long with it for seveal minutes, leave and come back and it will start missing stitches. It has to be constantly adjusted for some reason that I was never able to fully figure out. Something as sinple as changing a bobbin would make it mess up. I never really understood the machine. Parts break and are costly to buy and make repairs.

I know there are some used ones out there that you can save money on but I am afraid you will not be satisfied with one, don't get me wrong I used one for 2-3 years with sucess but I also got very frustrated at times. I would suggest that if you have the money to upgrade right now to an Artisen or simular machine. At the time my Boss cost 1250.00 and I could have bought an Artisen for 1695.00 not that much difference from hand crank to electric.

But the Boss is 100% American Made, unlike the china knockoffs but they are good machines.

I would not trade my Artisen for anything, but these days I am looking at American Made anything to try to spend my money at home, (opps got off topic, sorry)

Randy

Edited June 18, 2009 by Randy Cornelius

[bruce johnson]

Andy,

I had one and suspect it was an earlier model than Randy's. Mine cost more and didn't break, other than the pusher for the take-up they had upgraded. They sent me the part with no issues. I never really had problems with inconsistant stitching, or having things just change for no reason. Others have had that besides Randy. I sheared off a few screws where the handle screws into the block, just a metal fatigue deal. Easy enough to fish out and replace. I ran a ton through it, and you have hit on the big ones - Tiring to use and for bulky work you need three hands or a holder you can get a little testy with. On the upside, short learning curve. I taught two wives and a 14 year old to sew on it in about 5 minutes each.

When I got mine the next choice for a machine with that capacity was about $4500 for the Adlers. The short arm motor machines have kind of set the new market now. It depends on how much you are going to use it. If you can get a Boss cheap, my experience was good. They will rebuild them and warrant them like new for not a lot of money. Seems like the ones selling on Ebay go a little high relative to their purchase price. Then again, the good used motor stitchers hold their value too.

[oldtimer]

I have had two Boss machines, one aluminium frame Boss and one cast iron frame Boss. I got rid of the "upgraded" version, aluminium Boss because it was too inconsistant in funktion and parts broke without reason, and in my humble opinion it was a piece of junk right out of the shipping box. Then I bought a used cast iron Boss from a California leathercrafter , and it has never failed. The difference between these two models: Alum frame Boss has all inner parts made of cast zink, and the cast iron ( old model) has all parts made of machined steel, and that´s a big difference!

Also I modified the cast iron Boss by installing a spring (Boss spare part # AR-49) on the take up arm pin, which keeps the top thread in tension during the whole sewing cycle.

My advice is : go for a used , cast iron Boss if you plan to buy one.

To make life more easy I built a big wooden, flat bed attachment for sewing bigger projects

/ Knut

Edited June 18, 2009 by oldtimer

[RMB Custom Leather]

I was in your shoes a few months ago and after all my research of the Boss verses all the electric machines out there hands down it became clear I needed to get an electric one. Most of the china made electric ones are basically the same because they are made in the same two factories in china so you’re really shopping for customer service. I went with a new company called http://www.leathermachineco.com/index.htm and the reason was the good reputation of the owner as far as customer service. I haven’t regretted going with Steve yet because if I need something he gets it done as fast as possible. The only advantage to the Boss is its size because if you plan on going to shows where electricity is an issue then it can be useful and for that reason I have pondered getting one anyway as a second machine. Here is Steve’s number 1-866-962-9880 give him a call and at least check him out!

[Denster]

I have two of the aluminum frame Boss stitchers and I don't think they can be beat for the work I do. (Mostly holsters & a few belts). I have never had any of the problems mentioned by other posters. Keep them clean and oiled and check the handle bolt every once in awhile as it tends to work loose or blue locktite it. They run better with poly than nylon. Adjust your bobbin tension to about one pound with 277 and heavier, less with smaller diameter thread and adjust your top thread for a nice stitch. Only have to mess with the tension when making a major thread change. If I were doing a lot of belts or other things that had long stitch runs I would get a Cobra or Adler but for short runs with lots of curves and turns the Boss wins.

Tippmann has them on eBay and their website right now for $1,195 and used ones sell on eBay for $800 to $1000 depending on the accessories so they hold their value. Oh yeah and you won't herniate yourself moving a Boss.

[rustyriggin]

I have one of the old cast iron Boss' and it works just great for me, it took some getting used to on the stitches and tention. I've used Adlers and a Toro 3000, but I'm not good enough to work that fast, so 1 stitch at a time is perfect for me. I paid $800 for mine just last year, and all it came with was the video, and book on how to use it, and the accessories box that come with it new. Over all I am very happy with it. Someday I'll upgrade to electric, til then it's the one arm bandit.

Edited June 18, 2009 by rustyriggin

[sfcdan]

Andy, to add to the confusion, I've had two boss's and I only had problems in the beginning before I truly learned how to use it. Since then, I haven't had any problems. I recently got rid of one but it was not because I didn't like it or it had problems. I upgraded to a 441 clone and found myself with a collection. Over all I still like the work the boss makes n I can use it for small projects where I need more attention to detail. The boss is a great starter machine, but it will frustate you in the beginning untill u learn how to tinker with it. I keep mine well oiled and I haven't had to adjust the settings in over a year. I wouldn't recommend the boss for webbing, it works Well with leather but sucks for webbing. I have both types because I use them for different projects.

Daniel

I have one of the old cast iron Boss' and it works just great for me, it took some getting used to on the stitches and tention. I've used Adlers and a Toro 3000, but I'm not good enough to work that fast, so 1 stitch at a time is perfect for me. I paid $800 for mine just last year, and all it came with was the video, and book on how to use it, and the accessories box that come with it new. Over all I am very happy with it. Someday I'll upgrade to electric, til then it's the one arm bandit.

[rickybobby]

I have one of the alum. frame Boss'. It was not smooth right out of the box but after using some grease on large moving parts and oil on some smaller ones it started working very smooth. Learn how to adjust upper and lower tension, Tippmans book is very clear on what to look for, and run a bunch of test pieces!!!! Over tighten one, under tighten the other and learn what to look for!

I really like mine and have had good service when buying accessories/parts (I broke a cable) I was able to install it myself just looking at the parts diagram! It has been a great starter machine and I still use it most every day, I even stitch heavy canvas tent material with it. I have not tried webbing, someone said they were not good for that but you must switch needles (round point) for webbing or you will just cut the material with a chisel point (used for leather).

Rick J.

Edited June 24, 2009 by rickybobby

[AndyL1]

Thanks everyone for chiming in on this. After much deliberation (and also finding a sweet deal on an electric!) I decided to go another route for my first machine. Please feel free to posting to this thread, maybe it will give anyone else looking at that stitcher some good info.

Cheers,

Andy

[yotebuster1200]

This is one topic that always gets my head spinning.

I have considered several times buying a Boss but you have one group of people who love there machines and have few problems and then the other that can never keep them adjusted and stitching properly.

[rustyriggin]

This is one topic that always gets my head spinning.

I have considered several times buying a Boss but you have one group of people who love there machines and have few problems and then the other that can never keep them adjusted and stitching properly.

It really don't matter if you buy a Boss or an electric machine to avoid problems, cause either way, you have to learn how to use the machine. Like anything you have to have a working knowledge of the tool your using.

[Luke Hatley]

It really don't matter if you buy a Boss or an electric machine to avoid problems, cause either way, you have to learn how to use the machine. Like anything you have to have a working knowledge of the tool your using.

THIS IS THE MAIN THING TO UNDERSTAND ABOUT SEWING MACHINES................

[King's X]

Thanks everyone for chiming in on this. After much deliberation (and also finding a sweet deal on an electric!) I decided to go another route for my first machine. Please feel free to posting to this thread, maybe it will give anyone else looking at that stitcher some good info.

Cheers,

Andy

Pictures, pictures...please

[yotebuster1200]

It really don't matter if you buy a Boss or an electric machine to avoid problems, cause either way, you have to learn how to use the machine. Like anything you have to have a working knowledge of the tool your using.

THIS IS THE MAIN THING TO UNDERSTAND ABOUT SEWING MACHINES................

I kind of figured this was the case. The better you understand the tool the better it will perform for you. It is the same for just about any tool

[AndyL1]

Pictures, pictures...please

I should get it by the 29th via UPS. I'll take some and give some info on it by then.

-Andy

[neelsaddlery]

What was the new electric machine that you bought?

[XDholster]

Is the BOSS the only hand operated machine?

[rustyriggin]

Is the BOSS the only hand operated machine?

I could be wrong(and probable am) but I think it is, at one time Tandy was offering a different one in their catalog, but they put the cart before the horse, and the deal never went through. It was called a Stitchmaster, but other than that I've never heard the name, or seen one in use, now that I think about it, there probably are some in use somewhere, cause there was a picture.

[TwinOaks]

The Boss is no longer the only manually operated leather sewing machine. Luberto's has expanded their line to include the "Cub" series, which has a full rotary crank and is available in two arm sizes. Leatherstitchers.com is their website, but I don't think they've upgraded the website to include the Cub yet.

[sfcdan]

I've been wanting to start a topic on this question, Tandy had the stitchmaster, but tipmman prevented the larger copy from being sold (at least in the US). I have a good feeling the Chinese company making the knock-offs continued to make them. For any leatherworkers outside the US, any info on the stitchmaster would be greatly appreciated.

I could be wrong(and probable am) but I think it is, at one time Tandy was offering a different one in their catalog, but they put the cart before the horse, and the deal never went through. It was called a Stitchmaster, but other than that I've never heard the name, or seen one in use, now that I think about it, there probably are some in use somewhere, cause there was a picture.

[AndyL1]

What was the new electric machine that you bought?

I found an older Juki LS-321 on eBay. It's sitting on my work bench taunting me as I have not set it up yet. i am going to hire Steve (from Cobra) to help me get it going with a custom table and a motor. I picked up the Juki for $650, so after the table and motor setup I end up spending pretty much what a new Boss would cost. And I can save my arm and fingers! I also found a website that I was able to download the owner's manual from for this machine so I think I'm all set.

-Andy

[shovelhead]

i had a cast iron one about ten years ago before i got an aerostitch and thaught it was a good machine a little fidgety until dialed in but very durable and responds well to a careful lube job and a few hundred or so brak in stitches.customer serv is top notch regards shovelhead