Kingmax Vs Artisan Vs Cobra...

[kevinhopkins]

Lots of good advice there!!!! One thing to remember, the warranty on any sewing machine will boil down to the person or dealer that you buy it from. Choose wisely!

Kevin

[JLSleather]

Someone is feeding you a load of crud. The heads for the Artisan 4000 and Cobra Class 4 are made by Zhiqiang Sewing Machine Company, Hebei, China. Zhiqiang does put their own label on their product for the Asian trade, ... Quite often it is not and has to be repaired or adjusted.

So much for buying American ...

[Wizcrafts]

So much for buying American ...

Good point! There are indeed American made leather sewing machines, still in production, or available as rebuilds. Actually, these should be referred to as "leather stitchers" not sewing machines. They are specially designed to stitch together very thick leather, with very heavy thread.

These American made stitchers include:

• Luberto Classic (similar to the old Number 9)
• Luberto Cub
• Tippmann Boss
• Union Lockstitch
• Campbell-Randall
• Pilgrim
• Landis
• Ferdinand Bull, et al (I don't know if they are built in the USA)

This is not all of them, as you can still get rebuilt Champion, Tippmann Aerostitch and American Straight Needle machines from various rebuilders.

[Art]

The 900 Bull was built on a Consew 754 as I recall.

Art

[*]Ferdinand Bull, et al (I don't know if they are built in the USA)

[bozzi]

At a visit to our local industrial sewing supply house for thread, I inquire about Artisan machines. I'm told with no lack of certainty that the Kingmax brand is the actual maker, and Artisan (and I suspect Cobra) are marketers. The same way most tools are made in the same building, by the same company, and marketed through (ordered and sold by) Skill/Dewalt, Grizzly, Milwalkee, etc. Anyone that has worked in high tech knows about contract manufacturing and re-branding.

The Toro-4000 and Cobra Class 4, are the same machine as the Kingmax GA441 (manufactures brand). The only real difference is the table style and a couple of bells and whistles. I'm told they are less expensive in the Kingmax brand and will confirm when the quote comes in tomorrow.

The question: Does any one have experience with the Kingmax brand? At this point it comes down to customer service and price; love some opinions of any brands of this level stitcher. Thanks!

Chris

I bought a cowboy long arm some months ago it sews great, set up was minimal, ryan was very helpful and did not get annoyed when asked stupid questions. The quality of workmanship of the machined parts is exceptional. I have had to call him on various occasions to ask more stupid questions and he still did not get annoyed, just spoke to me with respect never talked down to me, not even when I called him for a friend who was having trouble with a machine ryan never sold him, he just gave me the info. needed, from a business man working with the public, all I can say is this mans product and professionalism CAN NOT BE BEAT, give him a call before you decide.

[shannonH]

I bought a Kingmax GA441. The machine is Great! Smooth and quiet. My father bought a Ferdco machine probably about 10 years+ ago before there was artisans, cowboys etc. Guess what? It was made by Kingmax! Yes Kingmax is the brand name but they have been exporting them for a decade or more. I talk to the people at Ferdco before they closed for health reasons. But there website is still working and they cross reference the Ferdco name with the Kingmax models! If you don't know there website its www.ferdco.com. So the information i see on this blog is either people who don't know or competitors trying to bad mouth a good company. You can probably save a buck here or there but Kingmax has a track record and in China there are many factories which make similar or in many cases probably from the same factories. I bought my machine from Ralph's in Denver. They carry a full line of equipment. They have been in business longer then everyone else i believe 38-40 years. They were one of the offices for the Singer co. By the way if you have a old singer machine and need parts call them they still have alot of oboslete parts plus they have a machine shop to make custom parts. I'm sure if you talk to Jack he would of work with you on price! The website for kingmax is www.kingmax.us.com i have been very satisfied with there products as well as my father when the name was Ferdco. Just my two cents worth.

[TwinOaks]

Does Kingmax set the machine up specifically for leather, or do they just sell it as an industrial machine head?

I ask because there is a lot more to a "leather sewing machine" than just the industrial head.

[shannonH]

I don't know how Kingmax ships in there machines. I Know that Ralph's and Ferdco set the machines for the customers needs. I know Ferdco had a outside machine shop but Ralph's has a inside machine shop. Unlike the other shops i check on which just import and sell them, Ralphs customizes the machine for the customers needs. I would call them for more information 1-800-525-0330.

[ace33]

I usually just read this forum but there is so much misinformation on this topic I just couldn't sit quiet. I have the Kingmax 441 and it is a great machine. Bought from Ralphs industrial in Denver and it was setup and ready to sew before I even took delivary. It is the same machine as the juki and the cowboy.....and IS built in the same factory in China as most machines now days. Fully setup with all the bells and whistles and accesories I wanted for right around 25 hundred. It sews effortlessly and has a very accurate stitch. I've never had a problem with the reverse stitches not matching the holes from the forward sewing. I like the way they set up the Kingmax in Denver a little better bvecause of the heavier duty table they used which is far more stable than the cowboy I was sewing with. Not saying anything wrong about the cowboy...it's a great machine but it is not a better machine...just a different one is all and they both do a great job.

Ace

[Anne Bonnys Locker]

Puritan?

Good point! There are indeed American made leather sewing machines, still in production, or available as rebuilds. Actually, these should be referred to as "leather stitchers" not sewing machines. They are specially designed to stitch together very thick leather, with very heavy thread.

These American made stitchers include:

• Luberto Classic (similar to the old Number 9)
  
• Luberto Cub
  
• Tippmann Boss
  
• Union Lockstitch
  
• Campbell-Randall
  
• Pilgrim
  
• Landis
  
• Ferdinand Bull, et al (I don't know if they are built in the USA)
  

This is not all of them, as you can still get rebuilt Champion, Tippmann Aerostitch and American Straight Needle machines from various rebuilders.