Holster Sewing Machines - Lets Talk

[olliesrevenge]

I have only been leatherworking for 2 months now but I have found that I really enjoy it and am considering taking this hobby to the next level by buying an intro level sewing machine. I mainly enjoy the creative process of creating my own patterns and tweaking holster designs of my own creation. Although I feel I have become decent at hand sewing, it is kind of a drag & is by far the most time consuming build element for a hand sewer.

As far as I can tell there really are only 4 main choices for a novice holster builder like myself who is looking for the most reasonably priced sewing machine. A machine by Cowboy Sew might fit into the "intro level" category, but they do not post prices on their site and I have yet to call them.

Right now the Techsew GA5-1R looks the most attractive to me. It only can sew up to 7/16" thickness (about 4 layers of 7 oz leather), but am I correct in thinking that will be enough for someone who will build only holsters?

If the Boss was available for under a thousand dollars it would make it a 'no brainer' choice for me, but is the ability to sew up to 3/4" really worth the extra cost? Particularly since it is a manually operated machine?

If cost was no option a TORO 3000 or a Cobra Class 3 would obviously be the way to go. But in the real world where price matters, I am forced to ask -

• Is the abiility to sew 3/4" or thicker leather worth the extra cost for a holster maker?

and, if not...

• Does the quality of the Artisan or TORO machine justify the additional cost over the Techsew?

I appreciate any thoughts on this stuff, particularly from experienced folks who have owned one or more of these machines.

Thanks,

Lance

Edited March 17, 2010 by olliesrevenge

[jbird]

Howdy Lance

I own and run a holster making shop, I will kind of lay out why there is only one real choice when it comes to a machine for holsters.

First of all I own a Cobra and it's a real beauty but before I go there lets talk thickness, if you can only sew 7/16 then you have issues first being that it will be hard on your machine and you will if taking this for real you will do holsters with plugs that will exceed your ability to sew and that will burn big time.

Second you cant just take price there are so many other things to think of, I have never ever dealt with any one close to the level of service steve provides he is their night or day to help you out, and if I read right this is your first machine big deal, you want get that help from any other company guaranteed.

Third you will receive all the attachment need in that price!

I have had a couple bad experiences with artisan and have heard many others just my two cents there.

and lastly you will never have to worry about your machine its covered.

do your self a favor call Steve then call the others.

hope this helps.

Josh

Edited March 17, 2010 by jbird

[Denster]

I would have to vote for the Boss as an entry level machine for holsters. You can generally pick one up on eBay lightly used for around $900. Maybe a little more depending on attachments. You will not pick up much speed going to a powered machine over the Boss. The machines like the Cobra, which is excellent, do offer more throat clearance which is sometimes convenient. From my perspective the Boss is virtually indestructable. I have two, both used when I purchased them, and they have sewen in excess of 2000 holsters between them and the only thing I have broken is two needles. Both my fault. They are simple and if you are the slightest bit mechanically inclined you can work on them yourself. If not Tippmann will rebuild them and warrent them like new for around $150.

One other good thing is that if you decide to go with say a Cobra later you can put the Boss on eBay and recover all of your money.

I have an aerostitch as well but use it only for belts. I still do all the holster work on the Boss.

[jbird]

I also should mention that the new eps motor is on all models if you want it.

Josh

[lorens]

I have only been leatherworking for 2 months now but I have found that I really enjoy it and am considering taking this hobby to the next level by buying an intro level sewing machine. I mainly enjoy the creative process of creating my own patterns and tweaking holster designs of my own creation. Although I feel I have become decent at hand sewing, it is kind of a drag & is by far the most time consuming build element for a hand sewer.

As far as I can tell there really are only 4 main choices for a novice holster builder like myself who is looking for the most reasonably priced sewing machine. A machine by Cowboy Sew might fit into the "intro level" category, but they do not post prices on their site and I have yet to call them.

Right now the Techsew GA5-1R looks the most attractive to me. It only can sew up to 7/16" thickness (about 4 layers of 7 oz leather), but am I correct in thinking that will be enough for someone who will build only holsters?

If the Boss was available for under a thousand dollars it would make it a 'no brainer' choice for me, but is the ability to sew up to 3/4" really worth the extra cost? Particularly since it is a manually operated machine?

If cost was no option a TORO 3000 or a Cobra Class 3 would obviously be the way to go. But in the real world where price matters, I am forced to ask -

• Is the abiility to sew 3/4" or thicker leather worth the extra cost for a holster maker?

and, if not...

• Does the quality of the Artisan or TORO machine justify the additional cost over the Techsew?

I appreciate any thoughts on this stuff, particularly from experienced folks who have owned one or more of these machines.

Thanks,

Lance

[Art]

Hi Lance,

Don't buy using price as a criteria. You have a few options.

1. A used Cast Iron Boss, pick it up for $800 (they are out there) and have Tippmann rebuild it if necessary.

Don't use the Boss for belts, a half hour of pulling the handle is more than enough.

The medium duty machines really are inadequate for a holster maker. I regularly exceed where my 618 would go. Also you are limited by the room under the arm both height and width, and you are restricted to size 207 thread, and I know mine likes 138 or 69 a whole lot better than 207. I can make it work, but why? You will kick yourself quite a few times after you do one gunbelt with bullet loops on a medium machine.

2. Bite the bullet and buy a 441 class machine, and right up front get one with a 16 inch arm as opposed to a nine or twelve inch. Get one with a needle positioning motor if you can afford it. As you are new at this, you will need a little (or maybe a lot) of handholding, and there is no one better for that than Steve Tayrien at Leather Machine Company (Cobra). The Cobra Class 4 is the best 441 clone out there regardless of price, but the price is good too.

Buy the big stitcher first as it is hard to find a good used 441 clone or not. The medium weight (upholstery) machines like a Highlead 618, Nakagima 280L, Pfaff 545 or 1245, Juki 1541, Consew 206, and many others all come up regularly on the used market if you keep your eyes open; watch Craig's List after you get some experience with the 441.

Art

I have only been leatherworking for 2 months now but I have found that I really enjoy it and am considering taking this hobby to the next level by buying an intro level sewing machine. I mainly enjoy the creative process of creating my own patterns and tweaking holster designs of my own creation. Although I feel I have become decent at hand sewing, it is kind of a drag & is by far the most time consuming build element for a hand sewer.

As far as I can tell there really are only 4 main choices for a novice holster builder like myself who is looking for the most reasonably priced sewing machine. A machine by Cowboy Sew might fit into the "intro level" category, but they do not post prices on their site and I have yet to call them.

Right now the Techsew GA5-1R looks the most attractive to me. It only can sew up to 7/16" thickness (about 4 layers of 7 oz leather), but am I correct in thinking that will be enough for someone who will build only holsters?

If the Boss was available for under a thousand dollars it would make it a 'no brainer' choice for me, but is the ability to sew up to 3/4" really worth the extra cost? Particularly since it is a manually operated machine?

If cost was no option a TORO 3000 or a Cobra Class 3 would obviously be the way to go. But in the real world where price matters, I am forced to ask -

• Is the abiility to sew 3/4" or thicker leather worth the extra cost for a holster maker?

and, if not...

• Does the quality of the Artisan or TORO machine justify the additional cost over the Techsew?

I appreciate any thoughts on this stuff, particularly from experienced folks who have owned one or more of these machines.

Thanks,

Lance

[Bassi]

I can say a bit about the COBRA Class 3. I got mine about three months ago and have been using it on a regular basis ever sense. The BOSS is a good machine for the money and is great for the beginner as far as sewing machines go. But it you want to click it up a notch or two the Cobra is by far the best way to go in my book (notice I said in my book lol).

A mechanical machine does so much to increase the quality of your work and is well worth the money to purchase one. My only regreat is that I wish I had waited to get the new electric positioning system now available on all COBRA machines. It is a great time saving device. I have talked with Steve (CobraSteve) and he says I can get my fitted with the system. I cant believe it will make it even better than it already is. Bottom line is, if you can afford a mechanical machine it sure beats the the old tugging and pulling on that handle of a BOSS. Don't get me wrong I started with a BOSS and it was fine, but sometimes you had to be the incredable hulk to sew all the projects you had.

Good luck with you choice on a machine but I can highly recommend a COBRA if you want to choose a mechanical machine.

Swordsman

I have only been leatherworking for 2 months now but I have found that I really enjoy it and am considering taking this hobby to the next level by buying an intro level sewing machine. I mainly enjoy the creative process of creating my own patterns and tweaking holster designs of my own creation. Although I feel I have become decent at hand sewing, it is kind of a drag & is by far the most time consuming build element for a hand sewer.

As far as I can tell there really are only 4 main choices for a novice holster builder like myself who is looking for the most reasonably priced sewing machine. A machine by Cowboy Sew might fit into the "intro level" category, but they do not post prices on their site and I have yet to call them.

Right now the Techsew GA5-1R looks the most attractive to me. It only can sew up to 7/16" thickness (about 4 layers of 7 oz leather), but am I correct in thinking that will be enough for someone who will build only holsters?

If the Boss was available for under a thousand dollars it would make it a 'no brainer' choice for me, but is the ability to sew up to 3/4" really worth the extra cost? Particularly since it is a manually operated machine?

If cost was no option a TORO 3000 or a Cobra Class 3 would obviously be the way to go. But in the real world where price matters, I am forced to ask -

• Is the abiility to sew 3/4" or thicker leather worth the extra cost for a holster maker?

and, if not...

• Does the quality of the Artisan or TORO machine justify the additional cost over the Techsew?

I appreciate any thoughts on this stuff, particularly from experienced folks who have owned one or more of these machines.

Thanks,

Lance

[colttrainer]

Lance

I fully agree with Art. Buy a 441 clone first. I just invested in one, & since then I have seen loads of machines in the class you are looking at come up for sale. Best decission I made in along, time as I can see that I would have been very disappointed with less machine & still having to resort back to hand stitching way to often.

Al

[Denster]

Looks like I am way outvoted. I guess it depends on whether you are certain you are going to stick with this hobby and possibly carry it into a business. The safe bet if you are not sure is a Boss. Neither of mine are the cast iron versions. You can always get your money back or profit if you decide it really isn't for you. If you are certain that this is going to be long term then cobra class 4 is the way to go. In business time is money and for belts and other long stitch runs power is the way to go which is why I have the aerostitch. If I didn't allready have it I'd have a class4 Cobra.

[olliesrevenge]

Thanks a bunch to all who took time to share their thoughts here. I really appreciate it.

If I knew for sure that I wanted to go into the leather holster making business, it seems like the no-brainer choice would be a Cobra machine. Where I'm at is at the level of serious hobbyist who is interested in making professional quality holsters for myself and a few good friends, although I have entertained the idea of going into business at some future date when my skill as a leather craftsman improves.

Interestingly, you guys have convinced me to narrow my choice to either the least or most expensive option - Either the Boss or a Cobra 3 or 4 machine. In order to make that choice I need to do some thinking and more clearly define what I want to be when it comes to leather holster crafting. If I decide to be a "serious hobbyist" the Boss makes sense. If I decide to get serious about running a small leather business the Cobra Class 3 or 4 makes sense.

Choices like this just can never be easy can they?

I am interested in hearing more about why I should buy a Cobra 4 over a Cobra 3, if anyone cares to elaborate on it. As far as I can tell the only difference is "throat depth" (the distance from the needle to the main part of the machine, right?), and for one who would be building only holsters the Cobra 3 seems like it would do fine(?). In my understanding the recommendation to go w/ a Cobra 4 is based upon the notion that I would be setting myself up for success if I decide to manufacture larger items (like say handbags) in the future, right?

I'm sure Steve at Leather Machines can explain the pro's and con's to me as well, and I do intend to call him.

Thank you all,

Lance