Going To Order In A Boss

[Phatdaddy]

I want to order a Boss I've almost got myself 100% convinced.

I will be making Sheaths and Belts and bags and maybe a holster or 2 eventually.

I'd like to order everything I need at once.

Is the flatbed attachment very useful in any situation?

The Material guide?

For general use, will I need any of the additional feet? I do not know how to sew with a machine at all at present. It's unlikely that i will sew much of anything other than straight runs on flat leather pieces.

Should I get some of all the needles? (how many needles should one have?)

Will 6 bobbins be enough?

I'm guessing there is cheaper places to buy thread, if I had to pick one size to learn on for Belts and Sheaths what size thread? (and needle)

Lastly, "Open Mic" tell me anything I'm missing.

I really appreciate it, I have been debating this for about a year...please give honest opinions, pm me if you rather.

Thanks a ton,

Kevin

[particle]

The Boss is a great machine. But, if you're planning on sewing bags, you might find the shallow throat a little restricting.

Bobbins - you should have at least one bobbin per color of thread you plan to use.

Thread size for belts and sheaths - personally, I'd go with 277 and whatever size needle is recommended for that size (don't have the chart in front of me). I've used 277 for all my holsters and belts and am plenty happy with it. However, the thread color choices will broaden with each smaller size you go with.

I only work with veg-tan leather, so I've never had a need for the flat-bed attachment personally.

The material guide - don't have it. It might be useful, but if you score a line first it's not hard to stay on track.

I use the stirrup plate exclusively. If you buy it, make sure you polish away all the sharp edges because it will scratch up your leather in a heartbeat.

[Ferg]

Kevin,

My following question is out of curiosity, nothing more.

I know many folks have the Boss, most seem to like it. Why would you spend as much as they cost for a machine that you have to pull a handle for every cottin-pickin stitch when a cylinder arm machine would do what you wish to do in a heart beat with a lot less physical movement? LOL

The CA wouldn't cost much more either, if any.

ferg

I want to order a Boss I've almost got myself 100% convinced.

I will be making Sheaths and Belts and bags and maybe a holster or 2 eventually.

I'd like to order everything I need at once.

Is the flatbed attachment very useful in any situation?

The Material guide?

For general use, will I need any of the additional feet? I do not know how to sew with a machine at all at present. It's unlikely that i will sew much of anything other than straight runs on flat leather pieces.

Should I get some of all the needles? (how many needles should one have?)

Will 6 bobbins be enough?

I'm guessing there is cheaper places to buy thread, if I had to pick one size to learn on for Belts and Sheaths what size thread? (and needle)

Lastly, "Open Mic" tell me anything I'm missing.

I really appreciate it, I have been debating this for about a year...please give honest opinions, pm me if you rather.

Thanks a ton,

Kevin

[Art]

A Boss is a great machine, but for belts? not too much. The Boss is expensive, but after you buy the optional stuff, it is the price of a decent cylinder arm with all the goodies. When you said sheaths, I said ok, but when you say belts, you need a little electricity in your life. After the first belt, you say whew, that was fun, after the tenth one it will be oh ghod, not again. Dealers at top of page, call all of them, talk about it.

Art

I want to order a Boss I've almost got myself 100% convinced.

I will be making Sheaths and Belts and bags and maybe a holster or 2 eventually.

I'd like to order everything I need at once.

Is the flatbed attachment very useful in any situation?

The Material guide?

For general use, will I need any of the additional feet? I do not know how to sew with a machine at all at present. It's unlikely that i will sew much of anything other than straight runs on flat leather pieces.

Should I get some of all the needles? (how many needles should one have?)

Will 6 bobbins be enough?

I'm guessing there is cheaper places to buy thread, if I had to pick one size to learn on for Belts and Sheaths what size thread? (and needle)

Lastly, "Open Mic" tell me anything I'm missing.

I really appreciate it, I have been debating this for about a year...please give honest opinions, pm me if you rather.

Thanks a ton,

Kevin

[bruce johnson]

I bought a Boss not too long after they came out. At that time the only machines that could sew anything close cost over $5000. I used the snot out of it. I did belts, saddles, tack, spur straps, checkbooks, purses and everything from thin to thick. I did a lot of doubled and stitched latigo reins. It was easy to learn - my son and wife sewed a lot for me. Eventually I got a used Adler and sold the Boss. I'd agree with Art, after a guy has handsewn a mile or two, the Boss was like a joining the space age. That got fatiguing after a while too though. Getting the Adler was a similar step up.

The big advantage of the Boss is the lack of space needed and no power requirements. If you are learning to sew, the ultimate control is a plus. That was also before the servo motors were affordable too. I don't begrudge the Boss back then,. If I was doing it now, with the servo motors and the lower costs on the powered machine, I'd go with one of them over a Boss. No question.

[KAYAK45]

Hey Kevin:

I gotta agree on the electricity thing. If you don't have, get it! (Fox News Joke).

Really... count the stitches in a say 40" belt and maybe add the gunfighter loops. My arm gets tired thinking about it.

IF..your gonna stop at holsters and sheaths...go for it.

Otherwise look at a Cobra/Cowboy/used Adler, ETC.ETC.

Learning time will be ... the same ~+=-. Threads needles acc. ~=+-..same.

Needing to move up in the future?? Totally different.

My two cents, backed up by a LOT OF WASTED DOLLARS.

Kevin

[Steven Kelley]

I will have to agree with all of the above. I purchased a Boss, thinking "I can save a few $ and get by with it". Well, after my second holster with it, I was regretting the purchase. It will make a good stitch, but there is minimal throat clearance. I think they advertise 6" or something like that, but I measured closer to 5.25". Anyway, when you swing a holster through the opening, and the holster is too long to fit, you have to bend it to pass through, while also guiding it to make sure the stitch is in the right spot, and pulling the handle. You need 3 arms. I sent it back under Tippmann's 30 day return policy and purchased a Cowboy 4500. If you buy all the attachments you mentioned for the Boss, you will be in the same price range as a Cowboy 3500 or a Cobra Class 3. The Boss is also a little finicky with tension and settings. My Cowboy just sews and sews. My advice after traveling down the same road you are on is get a powered machine. I bought a Cowboy and Bob's customer service is second to none, so I recommend him. Other's have had the same experience with Cobra and Steve. Basically the same machine, so you make the call. You won't regret it, but I think you might regret the Boss after a while.

[Tree Reaper]

I considered a Boss but was concerned sewing one handed.

[Phatdaddy]

My main concern is the fact that I live in Eastern Canada, getting decent leather and tools is a chore in itself. I guess my frame of mind was that the Boss was simple in design, doesn't weigh 300 lbs and if something goes wrong with it I could likely fix it rather than try to arrange shipping a beast to get repair work done.

Secondly, I lost my right leg in a car accident nearly 14 years ago and I don't know how much adjustment there is on an electric machine/table to make it possible/comfortable to operate with my left leg and while sitting.

So take in to account that I do this mostly as a hobby and ... there's my dilemma.

Thanks for all of the feedback,

Kevin

[Ferg]

Your loss of a limb is/can be horrible but don't let that sway you on the "Electrified" machine. You can lift the presser feet/needle bar with your left hand when necessary. Almost all leather machines have Servo Motors, the control is fantastic.

Bob Kovar can give you minute instructions on his machines as will any of the other suppliers. That simply is not a problem.

You have a "One UP" on some of us since you live in "God's Country".

ferg

My main concern is the fact that I live in Eastern Canada, getting decent leather and tools is a chore in itself. I guess my frame of mind was that the Boss was simple in design, doesn't weigh 300 lbs and if something goes wrong with it I could likely fix it rather than try to arrange shipping a beast to get repair work done.

Secondly, I lost my right leg in a car accident nearly 14 years ago and I don't know how much adjustment there is on an electric machine/table to make it possible/comfortable to operate with my left leg and while sitting.

So take in to account that I do this mostly as a hobby and ... there's my dilemma.

Thanks for all of the feedback,

Kevin