Going To Order In A Boss

[Northmount]

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.

Don't take me wrong, but I think sewing with 2 arms and one leg is a lot easier than with 3 arms and one leg.

Since you are in eastern Canada, talk to Ron at raphaelsewing.com in Montreal. I purchased a Techsew 2700, delivered just the week before Christmas. Very happy with it.

There are 2 pedals, one for speed (with a servo motor) and one for the presser foot. I only use one at a time so I don't get crossed up. So you might equate it to the brake and gas pedal for a car. Shouldn't have one foot on each at the same time, so one leg is fine. You can dial the servo motor down to its lowest speed so it will just about crawl. Ron could put an additional speed reducer pulley on it for you it you really figure you need it. Talk to hime.

The head itself is around a 100 lbs. I managed it myself and with the medical problems I have had the past few years, I can't lift and do the physical work I used to. I'm sure someone would help you with the assembly, and if it needed to go back for any service or adjustment, it wouldn't be too difficult to get it back into a box and ship it in. But I don't see you needing to do that. Ron can help talk you through anything if you need it. I haven't had to ask for any support on this one yet, and don't expect to. The machine was all setup/adjusted correctly when delivered. I have a little experience with regular seamstress type flat bed Singers (including an industrial model U20-33 that I put a smaller pulley on the constant speed motor so I can use it with light leather like wallet interiors), so at least have a little idea of simple adjustments like with tension. Used to use an old Singer treadle machine when I was a kid.

I think with the Boss, you would have more trouble trying to stay balanced and comfortably seated while guiding the leather and pulling the lever, especially if you are dealing with thick leather.

Good luck with what ever you decide to choose, but I'd go for a servo motor machine any day versus the Boss.

C Tom G

PS

Set the table height down to just nicely clear your knee before you put the head on the table. I found the inital table height was too high for me and was bothering my shoulders.

Edited February 3, 2012 by northmount

[Techsew Ron]

Thanks for your support Tom. Glad you're happy with your Techsew 2700.

Kevin, feel free to give me a call tomorrow if you need any information, we can definitely accommodate your needs with a custom setup.

Cheers,

Ron

[rickybobby]

Kevin,

I hand sewed for years, then bought a Boss and like Bruce said "it was like joining the space age" I was thrilled, it worked great, my work improved, all was right in the world! Then there was about the fourth 50" belt that needed double stitching "ughhh!" I tried to talk the customer out of it because my arm was so tired from a couple of past orders, that is when I decided to go electric!

I shopped around, Steve from Cobra had taken in an Artisan 3000 on trade after a show, I gave him my card number, loaded up the wife and dog and drove to California (from Arizona) and made a road trip out of it. The wife and dog had never been to CA. I grew up there, the wife loved it, the dog didn't seem to care lol!!

My advice is go electric, you have some backup for reputable dealers from other members and the machines are all good, so think about it before the Boss. I really liked mine but I really like my 3000, even with the shallow throat it is wider then the boss.

FWIW, my opinion only and my experience, I have been in the market twice for different sewing machines in the last two years. Both times I called Artisan, left messages, told them I wanted to buy a machine, and did not get a call back until I had made 2 or 3 calls. I bought the Artisan machine because Steve from Cobra had it, will warranty it, and when I call he answers his phone. Bob from Toledo Machine is the same and I have seen threads here on LW that the Techsew guys are great at customer service as well.

Keep us informed!!!

Rick

Edited February 3, 2012 by rickybobby

[particle]

Kevin - I also lost my right foot in a car accident (1996). Several years ago I was making custom rifle rests with a Consew 206rb with a clutch motor. That thing would run like a scalded dog - WAY faster than I was comfortable with and my stitch lines were max 6" long with several 1-2" runs. However, I was able to get used to it (mostly) and did a lot of sewing with it. A low-speed servo motor would be a walk in the park! I lifted the presser foot with my left hand as was previously suggested and it worked just fine.

I do agree with what everyone else said about a powered machine vs. the manual machine. There are lots of times when I have to take a few deep breaths because I simply can't sew something one-handed. I've even had the frame of the Boss scratch my leather a few times because I had the leather rolled up to slide through the narrow neck. The Boss is a great machine, but it certainly has its disadvantages - price being one of them.

Edited February 3, 2012 by particle