Backstitching W/cowboy 4500

[Steven Kelley]

Purchased a Cowboy 4500 from Bob a couple of months ago and am loving the machine. I've noticed lately that when I put it in reverse to backstitch, it will not always go in the same holes. Most of the time it will do a double length stitch and skip a hole, or hit right in the middle of a stitch, between the holes. This started a few days ago, and before that it would reverse stitch perfectly. I'm guessing the machine is getting broken in and I need to make a slight adjustment to something. I just don't know what.

I know I could just call Bob and he would have the answer, but I wanted to post this so the information would be available if anyone else had a similar issue.

Edited September 13, 2011 by Steven Kelley

[Steven Kelley]

Just received a phone call from Bob. He is having me check the feed dog mounting screw and pressor foot pressure. I told him the issue could just as likely be operator error as anything else. When I first started using the machine, I stitched very slow, to make sure I didn't screw anything up. Now that I'm getting more comfortable with it, my speed has increased. I could just be getting "sloppy" and causing the problem myself. One thing he pointed out is that when I'm starting a stitch, the weight of the leather is in front of the machine, being held or supported. When you finish a stitch, the weight of the leather is behind the machine, and could be unsupported if you don't reach around with one hand to lift it. This could be causing the problem. Again, operator error. Anyway, thanks to Bob for the quick call.

If any of you are on the fence about purchasing one of these machines, DO IT. I love it. It's paid for itself twice in the 2 months I've had it. The machine and Bob's customer service are worth every penny.

[Rayban]

I know that with any problem or question I have regarding my CB3500, the answer/solution is just a phone call away...or just a 30 minute drive....to Bob.

He has been very accessible and patient with me. His customer service has been priceless.

[CowboyBob]

Hey guys I want to thank you both for the kind words & for buying a Cowboy machine from me.You both are great to work with.

Bob

[leatherkind]

Just received a phone call from Bob. He is having me check the feed dog mounting screw and pressor foot pressure. ...

Ultimately what was the root cause of the problem?

[MADMAX22]

Didnt catch this thread but I had a similar issue with mine. Sorry I dont know the names of stuff but on the opposite side of the machine from the stitch length adjustment lever (that you use for reverse) if you remove that cover there is a screw in there that on mine had started backing loose and thus was causing the stitch length in reverse to be longer then they were in forward and sometimes at odd lengths.

I think Bob will know what I am talking about, I would have to look up the name of it but its pretty obviouse when you pull the cover off.

[Steven Kelley]

Ultimately what was the root cause of the problem?

It was a combination of horsehide and me just going too fast. The horsehide I'm using is quite "hard" and very slick. The presser feet and feed dog don't put any impression in it, so they really don't get a good grip to move the leather. When I go too fast, I just throw the machine in reverse and hit the pedal, while I'm holding onto the leather. The leather was slipping under the presser foot. When I slowed down I had no issues. Also, I've never had this problem on cowhide, which is a lot softer.

So it was not a machine problem.

[Rayban]

Didnt catch this thread but I had a similar issue with mine. Sorry I dont know the names of stuff but on the opposite side of the machine from the stitch length adjustment lever (that you use for reverse) if you remove that cover there is a screw in there that on mine had started backing loose and thus was causing the stitch length in reverse to be longer then they were in forward and sometimes at odd lengths.

I think Bob will know what I am talking about, I would have to look up the name of it but its pretty obviouse when you pull the cover off.

I've never had that cover off...should I be oiling something in there??

[MADMAX22]

I've never had that cover off...should I be oiling something in there??

I think it was Bruce Johnson that was saying he takes all the covers and oils the various stuff under them once in a while. Most of the stuff in there gets oiled from your oil holes in the top and what not. I take a peak in there once in a while and add a little extra oil to any parts that look like they may not be getting enough. It cant hurt right.

[amuckart]

I think it was Bruce Johnson that was saying he takes all the covers and oils the various stuff under them once in a while. Most of the stuff in there gets oiled from your oil holes in the top and what not. I take a peak in there once in a while and add a little extra oil to any parts that look like they may not be getting enough. It cant hurt right.

Unless you over-oil the stuff at the front of the head where the needle bar is and end up with oil dripping all over your work. Not that I'd know of course...

[Sam2103]

Just ordered my Cowboy 4500. Looking forward to putting it to work.

[leatherkind]

...

remove that cover there is a screw in there that on mine had started backing loose and thus was causing the stitch length in reverse to be longer then they were in forward and sometimes at odd lengths.

...

Thank you MADMAX22, there is really only one easy to get to bolt under the cover on the back of the machine.

After i tightened it a bit the stitches in back and forward direction became equal in length and the stitch lever became somewhat tighter to operate.

I am attaching a picture of that bolt. Is it the same thing you have done?

[Kcinnick]

Unless you over-oil the stuff at the front of the head where the needle bar is and end up with oil dripping all over your work. Not that I'd know of course...

Amazing how the oil will slide down that bar in no time and three drops turns into a puddle.

[MADMAX22]

Thank you MADMAX22, there is really only one easy to get to bolt under the cover on the back of the machine.

After i tightened it a bit the stitches in back and forward direction became equal in length and the stitch lever became somewhat tighter to operate.

I am attaching a picture of that bolt. Is it the same thing you have done?

Yeah thats the one. My back stitching was fine at first but that bold had loosened a bit and I was having a few issues but once tightened up the lever was tighter and more consistant and the back stitching was pretty much dead on.

[leatherkind]

Yeah thats the one. ....

I jinxed it... vent back to the machine and the very first back stitch got longer again. I almost ready to blame the machine!

[rschreiber]

I am curious if you were able to correct the problem of uneven back-stitching and if it has been a problem for many others?

[leatherkind]

I am curious if you were able to correct the problem of uneven back-stitching and if it has been a problem for many others?

I am sorry for the delayed response, my problem was the presser foot tension.

It was too low. Bob actually told me to check the tension but I thought it was OK.

Leather was sliding under the foot. I was using oil tanned leather and it is quite slippery to begin with because of oil.

On top of it the feed dog and the presser foot are very smooth and naturally do not provide a lot of traction.

It is a trade off: you get traction with teeth on the feed dog and the presser foot or you get no "bulldozer" marks on leather.

In the attempt to make less presser foot imprints on my work i decreased the pressure and that created the problem...

It seems to be OK when the tension knob is above the machine head by about an inch.

I do not know about others.

To test your tension please take a test piece and start stitching forward, then while you doing that switch in reverse. Pull the piece slightly towards yourself at all times.

If the tension is too low you will see significant difference in stitch length forward vs. reverse.

I believe you should be able to switch in reverse at any time of stitching cycle.

[rschreiber]

Thank you so much. That really clarified what was happening and how to check for the correct tension.

I am sorry for the delayed response, my problem was the presser foot tension.

It was too low. Bob actually told me to check the tension but I thought it was OK.

Leather was sliding under the foot. I was using oil tanned leather and it is quite slippery to begin with because of oil.

On top of it the feed dog and the presser foot are very smooth and naturally do not provide a lot of traction.

It is a trade off: you get traction with teeth on the feed dog and the presser foot or you get no "bulldozer" marks on leather.

In the attempt to make less presser foot imprints on my work i decreased the pressure and that created the problem...

It seems to be OK when the tension knob is above the machine head by about an inch.

I do not know about others.

To test your tension please take a test piece and start stitching forward, then while you doing that switch in reverse. Pull the piece slightly towards yourself at all times.

If the tension is too low you will see significant difference in stitch length forward vs. reverse.

I believe you should be able to switch in reverse at any time of stitching cycle.

[Alamo Town]

Thanks Bob for giving me a good deal on the CB4500. I enjoy good people like you that are honest with there customers.Thanks Ricardo Vela (Alamo Town)

Hey guys I want to thank you both for the kind words & for buying a Cowboy machine from me.You both are great to work with.

Bob

[CowboyBob]

Ricardo,

Your very welcome,I always try to do the best I can.

And if you ever have any questions please call anytime.

Thanks,

Bob