Members OWP Saddery Posted March 22, 2010 Members Report Posted March 22, 2010 Im just a beginner saddle maker, and i need some help decinding which Machine to start with, the tippmenn or the cobra. Let me know if you have any pros or cons of each. Thanks. Quote
Ambassador Luke Hatley Posted March 22, 2010 Ambassador Report Posted March 22, 2010 IF YOU GOT IT SPEND IT....... i bought my boss machine and used it for 12 years, before i could afford my Adler. Quote Luke
Members OWP Saddery Posted March 23, 2010 Author Members Report Posted March 23, 2010 THanks for the help, but do you have anything to say about the cobra sewing machine. Quote
Steve Brewer Posted March 23, 2010 Report Posted March 23, 2010 THanks for the help, but do you have anything to say about the cobra sewing machine. I would save my money and buy a needle and awl machine.The Cobra is OK but a Cambell will last you a lifetime and sew about any thing on a saddle. Steve Quote
Contributing Member TwinOaks Posted March 23, 2010 Contributing Member Report Posted March 23, 2010 Tippmann BOSS (There's also the Aerostitch) vs. one of the Cobra machines: The boss is lighter and can be moved more easily. It's manual, so it runs without electricity which could come in handy depending on your location. The downside is it's MANUAL, which means you need to guide with one hand, or train a monkey. It's about a $500 less, and $500 is a lot of leather, or some leather and a tree or two. You'll need to make a stand for it, and that's infinitely adjustable in height so long as you make it from lumber and have a saw handy....I saw one pic on here where it was built on a stand like a stitching horse. Downside is that to 'adjust' it, you might need to move it....but it's lightweight! Cobra machines are specially built machines based on commercial/industrial machines. Steve is one of THE sources to find out anything about most machines, and a great guy to talk to. They are relatively large and heavy, and should have a (mostly) dedicated space. You won't enjoy moving it around a lot, and most likely won't toss it in the bed of the truck and carry up to the hunting camp. The only Cobra in the same size bracket as the Boss is the class 3 machine. I think it has a 9 inch throat (vs. the 6 inch throat on the Boss). Everything else has more throat under it, which could come in handy when you realize you need another line of stitches in the middle of a large piece of leather. Since it's a powered machine, it frees up your second hand to hold material and guide the material (leather or other). The Boss uses a jump foot feed, in which the needle penetrates and pulls the material, then the foot 'jumps' and holds it. I've also heard of this being called a "square feed" which reportedly maintains the same stitch length even when adding or subtracting layers of leather. The Cobras use a triple or unison feed. They use a 'walking foot' which presses and feeds from the top, feed dogs which feed from the bottom, and a needle feed which penetrates and feeds the leather. The needle feed aspect of this has been described to me as a pendulum motion, and may not maintain stitch length, depending on the thickness of additional layers. Boss machines come with a drill attachment for winding bobbins, Cobras have one built in so you can make bobbins while you sew. For actual sewing- Many machines will advertise a range of material thicknesses, but few advertise that you'll actually have to adjust the tensions to make pretty stitches. It doesn't matter what machine it is, until there's a fool proof automatic stitch tension checker, you'll need to test a scrap or two to get the tension right for the thickness you're sewing. Both feature speed adjustments- With the powered models, you turn a dial. With the manual models, you get aspercreme or icy-hot. For long continuous runs (Belts) the powered models win. There's more learning curve with the powered machines, but the pay off is in production times. Also, there's an issue that I've seen on here a few times- Tippmann's decision to go to a aluminum frame instead of iron. I've read quite a few threads on broken rack gears, cracked frames, etc., and a bit of unhappiness about the lighter frame. I can't think of any threads about a broken Cobra machine....... There it is in a nut shell, and this should not be the only thread you read about it. Click over to the sewing forum and do some reading there too. Sit down and put pen to paper and write out a list of what you need the machine to do, then compare that to the machine's ability. For example: Need to make double layer gun belts in 20 min. Cobra? Yes Tippmann? My arm aches thinking of it. Example 2: Need to go out to Old Man Clay's farm and do some quick repairs on a few of his working saddles. Tippmann? sure, put it in the truck. Cobra? Call a chiropractor....quick! I'm sure some more folks will chime in, so stay tuned. Quote Mike DeLoach Esse Quam Videri (Be rather than Seem) "Don't learn the tricks of the trade.....Learn the trade." "Teach what you know......Learn what you don't." LEATHER ARTISAN'S DIGITAL GUILD on Facebook.
Members jbird Posted March 23, 2010 Members Report Posted March 23, 2010 not sure about the needle and awl machine Steve would now about that, but I do know that my cobra is to me the best thing since water. it works like a champ and is a beauty. my two cents. Josh PS Steve how doing buddy! Quote Josh Dusty Chaps Leather & Seven O Saddle Shop 801-809-8456 Keep moving forward! On a horse. Hebrews 4:12 My link
Steve Brewer Posted March 23, 2010 Report Posted March 23, 2010 not sure about the needle and awl machine Steve would now about that, but I do know that my cobra is to me the best thing since water. it works like a champ and is a beauty. my two cents. Josh PS Steve how doing buddy! Josh,The Cambell has been a machine of choice for many saddle makers.They were a lease machine and can now be purchased.I would call Cambell Bosworth and price one that has been rebuilt.I think that the Cobra would be a good first machine,and Steve gives great customer support.I have a Artisan 4000 toro that I don't like very well and the support sucks.I have switched back to my needle and awl machine for all my saddle work.I still use the Artisan for some strap work. Quote
Members Randy Cornelius Posted March 23, 2010 Members Report Posted March 23, 2010 I bought a Boss when I first started out and man was that a mistake, if you like to tinker then you will love a boss. It is a constant battle to keep it adjusted. I was neve so glad to see something go a when I sold my Boss. Do your self a favor and buy one of the machines listed above. I have an Artisen that I bought several years ago when Steve was still with them, I have no regrets. I have also got a flatbed machine I bought from Steves new company. I have no regrets with either machine. I love both of them. RC Quote Randy Cornelius Cornelius Saddlery LaCygne, Kansas Randy & Riley Cornelius Ride Hard, Shoot Fast and Always Tell the Truth...
Members jwwright Posted March 23, 2010 Members Report Posted March 23, 2010 I have no experience with the Boss machines.............but, I do have an Artisan machine that I purchased a couple of years ago, from Steve before he started his new company. The Artisan machine has been reliable. My experience with Steve was great, so I am sure that it is no different now with the Cobra machines. JW Quote www.jwwrightsaddlery.com
Members OWP Saddery Posted March 24, 2010 Author Members Report Posted March 24, 2010 How do i find out about the cambell machine? Thanks for the help. Quote
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