COBRA SEWING MACHINES

[jbird]

Alan

i respect you for your labors in the war good on you.

As for the other I don't think art was trying to come off smug or in any way off handed, that having been said all things considerded let's not care on with this train of talk and shake hands and move on.

Best wishes Alan and Art.

PS how's the weather in the land down under.

Josh

[Johanna]

Just for the record, that wasn't Art bragging "sewing machine expert". I wrote that under his name.

Jim Beaton and Barra are also very experienced and geographically closer to you. They may have info more pertinent to your situation, Allan. I can say, having used several leather sewing machines, that there is no such thing as a "one size fits all". Most shops have two or three machines, and they use them for different purposes. There may be a machine that will do most of what you want it to, and the best way to find out is to talk to the dealers and ask, take notes and do your homework. Besides the price and what the machine will do, consider the after-sale service you can expect, the availability of spare parts, and the quality of the machine itself. Since you have been a saddler for 40 years, you know what you want and what you expect to do with a new machine- and that will be a big help to the dealers when they answer your questions.

Johanna

[barra]

Alan. I have read and re-read the entire thread a few times and to be honest I am struggling to find anything sarcastic in what Art has written. Having said that I think most would agree that sometimes meaning can be lost in the written text as the communication associated with face to face interaction is lost. Obviously you have found something in his text that you found to be off putting so I think this is one of those occasions where we should agree that something just went astray.

As mentioned Art is not the one who annotated sewing machine expert on his profile. Since virtually the inception of Leatherworker.net Art has given freely of his time in an effort to assist people with many sewing machine questions and was always the go to guy for advice.

I am by no means a sewing machine expert nor sewing machine mechanic by any stretch of the imagination, I am just someone who has had 30 odd years in saddlery and ADF textile workshops who can sew. I am handy with the range of machines that I have worked with, 132K6, Pearson #6, Pfaff 545 and the 1245 variants and can usually rectify the usual range of glitches.

Even tho I am officially the sewing machine moderator, I will still defer to others like Art who have knowledge on aspects relating to various machines I have never even heard of.

Lets all move forward and return to some good natured, friendly banter.

Barra

[esantoro]

I misunderstood. I though Art was an expert in Adult Content and was going to ask for some pointers. For example, what's that little thingamajig.....

On another note, Having multiple machines seems to be the best way to go. However, I have had some luck getting my 441 to go from 1.5mm to 1". The thicker applications is a no-brainer.

The thinner applications require a bit of tinkering: ratcheting down presser foot pressure, raising the needle plate a tad with leather washers, holding thin leather firmly against the needle plate, etc.

One of the things that has worked very well for me -- yet no one has corroborated the method -- is the removal of the spring inside the bobbin case (I've posted elsewhere on this). This spring puts a bit of pressure on the bobbin, pressure that I have found to be a tad too much for stitching thinner leather. The only disadvantage to this move that I can see is a potential problem of thread getting bunched up inside the bobbin-hook-shuttle area due to running the machine at 400 spi or faster and the bobbin spinning faster than the thread can be taken up due to the missing spring applying a controlling amount of pressure. I never stitch faster than even 100 spi, so this isn't a problem for me.

Again, no one has confirmed this move, but it has worked well for me. That spring should be easy to put back into place should anyone want to give this a try.

Ed

Alan. I have read and re-read the entire thread a few times and to be honest I am struggling to find anything sarcastic in what Art has written. Having said that I think most would agree that sometimes meaning can be lost in the written text as the communication associated with face to face interaction is lost. Obviously you have found something in his text that you found to be off putting so I think this is one of those occasions where we should agree that something just went astray.

As mentioned Art is not the one who annotated sewing machine expert on his profile. Since virtually the inception of Leatherworker.net Art has given freely of his time in an effort to assist people with many sewing machine questions and was always the go to guy for advice.

I am by no means a sewing machine expert nor sewing machine mechanic by any stretch of the imagination, I am just someone who has had 30 odd years in saddlery and ADF textile workshops who can sew. I am handy with the range of machines that I have worked with, 132K6, Pearson #6, Pfaff 545 and the 1245 variants and can usually rectify the usual range of glitches.

Even tho I am officially the sewing machine moderator, I will still defer to others like Art who have knowledge on aspects relating to various machines I have never even heard of.

Lets all move forward and return to some good natured, friendly banter.

Barra

[Katy]

Well I finally took the plunge and purchased a Cobra Class 4....... I have to say reading all of the posts on this list about the quality, service and Steve's reputation is what made the decision.

Talking to him on the phone was a pleasure and a pleasure to deal with. So it won't be until sometime in February that my machine will be shipped. But it is paid for )

I chose this thread because I do have other leather sewing machines. I was going to sell them to raise the money to get a new one but.... thought I should wait until I am familiar with the Dream Machine to see what I don't need anymore. Probably will hang onto the Singer 29-4 as you can really get into tight spots. My American Straight Needle makes such a beautiful stitch I want to see if the Cobra can actually match it. Any comments appreciated on comparison. I also have a 3245 Commercial Singer Carpet Sewing machine that takes a 180 and 200 needle, walking foot, adjustable zig zag and straight locks stitch that I've used for repairing truck nylon binders and anything else that will fit under the 1/2 lift.

Then I have my other flatbed is a commercial, Singer 241 lock stitch that I use to make chaps but has no problem doing 3/8ths leather stitching on reins and spur straps too. I do make a lot of Rag Rug purses and lately Bertha (3245) has been throwing a hissy fit about it. I seam up all of my rug selvege hems all the time.

I'm hoping I can clear out some machines and make more room in my shop. I've heard nothing but good things about the Cobra basically doing it all. But seeing is believing I guess. Didn't want to give up any of my babies and then be sorry for it.

Anyway nice to read all the wonderful posts. I learn a lot here.

Cheers,

Katy

On another note, Having multiple machines seems to be the best way to go. However, I have had some luck getting my 441 to go from 1.5mm to 1". The thicker applications is a no-brainer.

The thinner applications require a bit of tinkering: ratcheting down presser foot pressure, raising the needle plate a tad with leather washers, holding thin leather firmly against the needle plate, etc.

Again, no one has confirmed this move, but it has worked well for me. That spring should be easy to put back into place should anyone want to give this a try.

Ed

[PDJleather]

Hello to all. Everyone has seen what is going on in the Sewing Machine world. Most of you know me as being an honest, hardworking, man who will go out of my way for you, the customer. My customer service is well known and documented. The COBRA line of stitchers are made in the finest factories. You all know that price is not the deciding factor when purchasing a leather stitching machine. Recently Tim Cox of Zack White Leather told me that his customers preferred the COBRA over my competitors 4 to 1. After sewing on our machines, I am sure that you will agree. It all starts with my factories. My factories goes above and beyond when finding sub-contractors to make certain items for our machines. There are "A" factories, "B" factories, and "C" factories in China. You can be sure that you are getting nothing but the best when purchasing a COBRA machine. I know first hand that this is not the case from other companies. Price is no object when I purchase anything, and everything from our factories. The only thing that matters to me is quality. I have no choice but to be better than the competition to stay in business. I will NEVER cut corners when it comes to my customers. Tony, my mechanic is the best in the world,

(and I mean the world) at what he does. He has literally set up over 1000 machines to do what they are supposed to do. He is the best. I urge you to really consider these facts before buying:

1. The quality of our factories.

2. Our mechanic (Tony).

3. Our customer service (Steve)

These are the main reasons that set COBRA machines apart from others, and remember...after the sale is more important than the sale itself, because after the sale goes on forever. In 6 months from now, if I can't help you on your machine, and give you the service that you deserve, then what are you going to tell your friends? You can be sure, they are not calling me. But if I take care of you and you are satisfied and happy, then your friends are calling me. Word of mouth is a powerful tool. and I intend to use it to my advantage. I promise you (and promises were meant to be kept), that I will not let you down for as long as I'm alive. Thank you, Steve

Just recieved my new Cobra 18 Series from Steve. This machine is great. At first I had a tension problem, until I realized it was human error. A Threading mistake and once fixed all is perfect. I'm very satisifed. I'm a beginner, just under two years experience, but I can see a future with a lot of fun now that I have a sewing machine.

[yankeefan]

I bought a Cobra 3 from Steve in Oct. I have no idea how good Steve's service is, because I haven't needed any. But I'm glad to know he's there if I need him. The machine and stand arrived mostly set up. Took about 1/2 hour to get it sewing. Steve even shipped it with a line of thread in it, demonstrating how to thread it properly, and with a fully wound bobbin. That was helpful. The machine does everything it's supposed to do. I'm very happy with my purchase.

[Cobra Steve]

I bought a Cobra 3 from Steve in Oct. I have no idea how good Steve's service is, because I haven't needed any. But I'm glad to know he's there if I need him. The machine and stand arrived mostly set up. Took about 1/2 hour to get it sewing. Steve even shipped it with a line of thread in it, demonstrating how to thread it properly, and with a fully wound bobbin. That was helpful. The machine does everything it's supposed to do. I'm very happy with my purchase.

Hi yankeefan, nice to hear from you! Any friend of the Yankees, is a friend of mine. I am a huge Yankee fan and thanks for the plug! Call me anytime. Steve