Members usmc0341 Posted September 3, 2012 Members Report Posted September 3, 2012 So I got a good deal on a used Tippmann Boss about a month ago but for the life of me I can't get it working consistently. I got it all set up and have read the manual over and over again but I can't get it to sew consistent. I will get a few good stitches and then it will skip a stitch or it will stop moving forward . I figure that is the presser foot tension but no matter how I adjust it it still happens. The stitches are my second issue. I adjust the tension to what seems to work but then ten stitches later it will make a small stitch or just skip a stitch all together. I am feeling like a total idiot with this thing. I would love to give my hands a break from hand stitching but I don't want to ruin a holster either. I've read all I can find on here but still can't get this thing working. Any help would be greatly appreciated!!! Thanks, Brian Quote
Chief31794 Posted September 3, 2012 Report Posted September 3, 2012 So I got a good deal on a used Tippmann Boss about a month ago but for the life of me I can't get it working consistently. I got it all set up and have read the manual over and over again but I can't get it to sew consistent. I will get a few good stitches and then it will skip a stitch or it will stop moving forward . I figure that is the presser foot tension but no matter how I adjust it it still happens. The stitches are my second issue. I adjust the tension to what seems to work but then ten stitches later it will make a small stitch or just skip a stitch all together. I am feeling like a total idiot with this thing. I would love to give my hands a break from hand stitching but I don't want to ruin a holster either. I've read all I can find on here but still can't get this thing working. Any help would be greatly appreciated!!! Thanks, Brian Brian, Hard to diagnose without being there, but a couple of things. 1) Skipping stitches in mostly caused by the incorrect size needle for the thread you are using. I normally use 277 thread and a 200 size needle. The manual explains how to check the needle on a piece of thread to make sure it glides through the eye easily. 2) The needle must be installed correctly, if it's canted a little it will skip, it takes some practice to hold the needle perfectly straight so the eye is aligned perfectly from left to right. There is also a cutout in the needle (Scarf) make sure it is mounted toward the set screw. Shortening stitches can happen if you're holding the piece too tightly and restricting movement, also if the thread is binding for reasons above. It takes a little time but it gets easy to set it up and sew well with it. If you are still having trouble, call Tippman, they will spend as much time as you need to help you with it. Chief Quote "Life's too short to carry ugly leather"
Members usmc0341 Posted September 3, 2012 Author Members Report Posted September 3, 2012 Thanks Chief, I'm going to check what size thread it is. The thread I'm using is what came with it so that might be part of the problem. As far as holding the piece too tight restricting the movement, I don't think I was but I will pay more attention. Thanks for the info. I want this thing to work so bad but I am so frustrated right now!!!! Quote
Chief31794 Posted September 3, 2012 Report Posted September 3, 2012 Thanks Chief, I'm going to check what size thread it is. The thread I'm using is what came with it so that might be part of the problem. As far as holding the piece too tight restricting the movement, I don't think I was but I will pay more attention. Thanks for the info. I want this thing to work so bad but I am so frustrated right now!!!! Hang in there Devil Dog, it is a good machine, just takes some time and practice. Thanks for your service, I retired from the Army in 1990 as what you guys would call a Gunner (Army Chief Warrant Officer). Chief Quote "Life's too short to carry ugly leather"
mlapaglia Posted September 3, 2012 Report Posted September 3, 2012 Make sure you cycle the handle completely. Pull it all the way down and push it all the way up. Short strokes can cause skipped stitches and other problems. Quote The key to immortality is first living a life worth remembering. Bruce Lee
Members usmc0341 Posted September 3, 2012 Author Members Report Posted September 3, 2012 Well Chief, I checked the thread test and it passed but in the process of messing with that I also noticed the thread was fed through the guide wrong by the person I bought it from. I fixed that but I ran a practice line and I got different sized stitches. I'm thinking its something to do with my presser foot tension. It just seems like no matter what I do I can't get this thing going! I will also make sure I'm doing full strokes. I think some of my earlier issues were from not pulling it down all the way. Thanks for the help, I feel dumb as a rock trying to figure this thing out. It seems like such a simple machine that everyone can work easily----everyone but me! And Chief, thank you for your service sir. I was only in from 1995-1999 and luckily it was all peace time. These folks that are enlisting now are pretty much guarunteed to see war. Thank God for our Veterans! Quote
mlapaglia Posted September 4, 2012 Report Posted September 4, 2012 Call Tippman and talk to one of their techs. They are great with phone service and till take all the time needed to get you going. Quote The key to immortality is first living a life worth remembering. Bruce Lee
JRodz Posted September 6, 2012 Report Posted September 6, 2012 Hoorah and Hooahh, thank you both for your service. I was having some similar issues with sporadic skipped stitches and occassional insconsistent stitch spacing. I turned the stop for the handle in a couple turns as detailed in the Tippman troubleshooting video and all is good now. Also, take your time and work at a steady pace, mine doesn't like to be hurried. I got mine for a steal because the guys before me was never able to get it set up just right, if he only knew how simple the fix was. Good luck. Quote Jose Rodriguez SoCal Leather Co.
Chief31794 Posted September 6, 2012 Report Posted September 6, 2012 Hoorah and Hooahh, thank you both for your service. I was having some similar issues with sporadic skipped stitches and occassional insconsistent stitch spacing. I turned the stop for the handle in a couple turns as detailed in the Tippman troubleshooting video and all is good now. Also, take your time and work at a steady pace, mine doesn't like to be hurried. I got mine for a steal because the guys before me was never able to get it set up just right, if he only knew how simple the fix was. Good luck. JRodz, I see you're bilingual and can speak Army and Marine! Thank you as well. I think the Boss is a good machine, I still hand stitch quite a bit but I do use the Boss from time to time. Chief Quote "Life's too short to carry ugly leather"
Members usmc0341 Posted September 6, 2012 Author Members Report Posted September 6, 2012 Hoorah and Hooahh, thank you both for your service. I was having some similar issues with sporadic skipped stitches and occassional insconsistent stitch spacing. I turned the stop for the handle in a couple turns as detailed in the Tippman troubleshooting video and all is good now. Also, take your time and work at a steady pace, mine doesn't like to be hurried. I got mine for a steal because the guys before me was never able to get it set up just right, if he only knew how simple the fix was. Good luck. Thanks JRodz, I will try that. I don't think I have the troubleshooting video but I'm sure I can find it on youtube. Quote
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