Reaper Report post Posted April 5, 2011 I have talked my wife into me getting a new Machine for making Holster, Belt, Rifle Sling, Mag Pouch and Shooting Bags.. I now have to decide upon which to get in my price range which are the Boss and the GA5-1R... I've seen only videos of these two machines being used. I also am not sure which would be best in the long run and also last longer? Any info on which would be best for longevity, quality stitching and exactly what you can do with it would be fantastic... hey, thank you for taking the time to read this... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wvcraftsman Report post Posted April 5, 2011 Reaper. Well the obvious difference is the Boss is manual and the GA5 is electric. I just bought a GA5 and really like it so far. I also thought about a Boss, but I didn't like the idea of only have one hand available while the other is pulling the lever. I'm happy with the decision I've made. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
particle Report post Posted April 5, 2011 I know very little about sewing machines... That being said... The Boss will be great for holsters, and will work well for belts and slings. Not sure about bags, as I've yet to make any. I have to wonder if the throat clearance and lack of a true cylinder arm will be sufficient for your items. The advantage over the GA5-1R is the Boss has needle feed so you won't mar up the leather like the GA5-1R's bottom feed will. It's a little laborious when it comes to cranking that lever for belts, but I'm guessing I can get about 100 stitches per minute with mine - that seems to be about the norm I believe. The bad - if you're hand-holding your pieces together (not glued), it can be a pain since you need to guide the piece at the same time. Sometimes you really need two hands to hold your pieces while you sew. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Art Report post Posted April 5, 2011 If you want a Boss, look for a good used Iron Boss, and that's just my opinion. As for the one or two hands topic, for years and to this day, a lot of operators sew with one hand for delicate or precision work. The right hand is used to ride the balance wheel for slow or intricate stitching as for decorative and closing work on boots using for instance a 31-15. It is nice to have the extra hand, but not totally necessary. However, doing 10 or 20 belts in a day using the Boss may not have you looking forward to the next day. If you buy a used Boss (preferably of the Iron variety) and at worst have to have it rebuilt by Tippmann, you should get by for under a grand. Then you start saving for a 441 machine in a year or so. You will usually get your money back on the used Boss. Some folks will tell you the GA5 will mark the leather more than the Boss, and it might, but it isn't anything you can't rub out with a good polished closers' hammer (also called a flounder although mine doesn't in any way resemble the fish). And you should be using that flounder to close up the holes on any stitching job on veg tan, no matter what machine you use. If you decide on the GA5, get it from one of the dealers here, that machine is made in several places, some to price and some to quality, the dealers here sell the quality variety. On eBay, not so much, if the price is too good, the quality usually isn't. Art Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wizcrafts Report post Posted April 5, 2011 If you decide on the GA5, get it from one of the dealers here, that machine is made in several places, some to price and some to quality, the dealers here sell the quality variety. On eBay, not so much, if the price is too good, the quality usually isn't. Art Worse yet, some of the sewing machine dealers on eBay simply ship the unopened box to you, without first going over the machine. Some of those dealers buy out entire job lots from other dealers who go out of business (I've seen them advertise their lot of sewing machines in a storage locker). Our dealers remove the machines when they receive them from the manufacturer. Then, they go over them, looking for any problems that need fixed. Then, they adjust the timing and particular clearances, mount them on tables and sew them off. When you buy a machine from our people, it will work as advertised. Plus, if you have problems, or just general operational questions, out dealers are always willing to help you out. Finally, if the worst happens and the machine jams beyond your ability to fix it, you can ship it back to our guys for repairs. Most eBay sellers will only take back a machine if it is dead on arrival. You may find lower prices on eBay, it is true. But, very few of the low price eBay sellers are also equipped to service the machines afterward. Also, you can forget about telephone support with most of those folks (but not all). Whatever machine you buy, from wherever you buy it, don't neglect to oil it regularly. If you buy an automatic oiling machine. check the oil level every week or two. It only takes a couple of minutes to seize a shaft in a bearing if oil doesn't get to it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wvcraftsman Report post Posted April 5, 2011 If you decide on the GA5, get it from one of the dealers here, that machine is made in several places, some to price and some to quality, the dealers here sell the quality variety. On eBay, not so much, if the price is too good, the quality usually isn't. Art I bought mine from a dealer on here. Great machine. Great customer service. Art-where can I get a hammer like you mentioned? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Art Report post Posted April 5, 2011 Anyone who supplies C.S.Osborne, Barnsley, USM (United Global) some makers have them in two sizes 12oz and 16 oz, either will do. Call Kevin at Springfield Leather, he will probably have or can get them. Look at fitters hammer on bottom left of page here. Art I bought mine from a dealer on here. Great machine. Great customer service. Art-where can I get a hammer like you mentioned? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Reaper Report post Posted April 6, 2011 Thanks for all your responces and the information... I have a Singer 29K58 Patcher that a guy bought from an Estate Auction a few years back. It was made in England back in 1938 but is in good working order as far as the head goes. The stand is solid but the bearing for the treadle is gone. I was thinking of throwing a motor on that for Belts and bags later down the road. I suppose I'll go with the Boss and save for a 441? down the road. The Singer Patcher should be able to handle Belts,veg tanned with horse liner? I've 119 ( I think ) spools for in in Black and White. I'm ordering tomorrow, is there anything wrong with the Cast Aluminum Boss? I have a two car garage in the middle of being setup to make a shop and work area. That was the second thing I talked my wife into.. All leather tools and materials go out to the garage and stay there.. LOL I just need to figure out where I am going to move three full Roll Aways. blehhhh Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rayban Report post Posted April 6, 2011 Electricity is a wonderful thing....I had the same decision to make a couple months ago, and I knew if I got the Boss I would immediately be thinking about the up-grade after the first belt. so I came up with the additional $$ and so happy I did.......and my wife informs me that it's almost paid for...and that makes her happy. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Art Report post Posted April 6, 2011 Hi Reaper, If you are contemplating a new Boss, it will be to your advantage to purchase a 9" arm 441; we are talking a few hundred dollars more and so much more machine. The patcher isn't the greatest for your applications, it only takes 69 thread. You will want to use 207 and 277, even 346 thread on holsters and some belts, especially gunbelts, you can't do that with a patcher. Tell the wife I said it is ok to get the bigger machine, you'll only end up with one anyway. Art Thanks for all your responces and the information... I have a Singer 29K58 Patcher that a guy bought from an Estate Auction a few years back. It was made in England back in 1938 but is in good working order as far as the head goes. The stand is solid but the bearing for the treadle is gone. I was thinking of throwing a motor on that for Belts and bags later down the road. I suppose I'll go with the Boss and save for a 441? down the road. The Singer Patcher should be able to handle Belts,veg tanned with horse liner? I've 119 ( I think ) spools for in in Black and White. I'm ordering tomorrow, is there anything wrong with the Cast Aluminum Boss? I have a two car garage in the middle of being setup to make a shop and work area. That was the second thing I talked my wife into.. All leather tools and materials go out to the garage and stay there.. LOL I just need to figure out where I am going to move three full Roll Aways. blehhhh Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wizcrafts Report post Posted April 6, 2011 Hi Reaper, Tell the wife I said it is ok to get the bigger machine, you'll only end up with one anyway. Art Priceless! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mike Craw Report post Posted April 6, 2011 That's why I just called Steve and ordered a Cobra 4, rather than sneaking up on it... Mike Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rayban Report post Posted April 6, 2011 but I'm guessing I can get about 100 stitches per minute with mine You keep doing that you'll go blind!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
particle Report post Posted April 6, 2011 You keep doing that you'll go blind!! LOL! I should have mentioned that 100 s.p.m. is for straight lines or gradual curves, and it's VERY easy to make a mistake when you're moving that fast since your body is moving quite a bit side to side with each cranking motion. I don't usually stitch anywhere near that fast. I probably average more like 30-60 s.p.m., depending on which parts I'm sewing. You know how Captain Kirk is always asking Scotty for more power? The Boss can be made to stitch that fast, but there is a lot of force on that lever when your punching it back and forth and it probably wouldn't take too much more effort to break something. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Reaper Report post Posted April 8, 2011 Decided upon the Boss for a couple of reasons. I am getting an excellent deal on a used one with the add ons with it. I am also going ti be working on building up slowly. It is something I will keep and always find things to use it for. Down the road I will get a 441 or the Class 4. I will probably see what I can setup for the patcher as far as a guide/jig for sewing belts, I know I can do bags and such with it. Thank you all for your responses and input it did and does help to no end. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Anne Bonnys Locker Report post Posted April 10, 2011 Thanks for all your responces and the information... I have a Singer 29K58 Patcher that a guy bought from an Estate Auction a few years back. It was made in England back in 1938 but is in good working order as far as the head goes. The stand is solid but the bearing for the treadle is gone. I was thinking of throwing a motor on that for Belts and bags later down the road. It is unusual for the bearing to "go" completely. The treadle action, just like the machine, needs to be greased and adjusted regularly. The crank bearing can be disassembled using a large pair of circlip pliers, and be easily replaced. Personally I am a treadle and hand-crank fan but if you do motorise this beastie just remember that it is only a low speed machine. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
oldtimer Report post Posted April 10, 2011 The difference between an old cast iron Boss and the aluminum frame Boss is that the iron Boss moving parts are made of steel and in the new model they are made of zink castings. I have had two aluminum Boss machines and both broke down after a while, the first one was defective out of the box, so had to order parts from the US to get them running so I could sell the crap. Then I found a used cast iron Boss in California, and it has done a great job for years without any problem. That is a difference ! Also I have read about Tippmans excellent customer service here on LW, but my expeience is that it does not reach outside the US . They didn´t even respond my emails! I have replaced my Boss with an Adler 205-374 with a needle positioning system - the real dream Machine ! So my advice is, save some more money and buy a "real" sewing machine from a dealer with a good reputation and custromer service. My 2 cents ... / Knut Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Reaper Report post Posted April 11, 2011 I wonder if they have the internals for the older BOSS and if they fit? I'm actually going to keep an eye out for a Aerostitcher for a future purchase. I figure that by this time next year I will be able to get one. Hell if I decide to sell my Roll aways and the tools in all there of them I could get one now and the embosser. but... I m sure there are more than me here who find it hard to part with tools of any kind... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Reaper Report post Posted April 11, 2011 ah ha! got the email from UPS today and the Boss will be here Thursday ! THANKS GARY !! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
