Tippmann Boss

[rivetandleatherco]

Just bought a cast iron boss! Advice on set up would be great.

[Chief31794]

The manual has a very good guide to set up. If you didn't get a manual it is available for download in PDF format from the Tippmann site. Start at the beginning and go right by the manual. One of the most important things I've found is proper needle size, use the guide they give you and test it as described in the manual (the needle slide test). Most problems I've found don't have a lot to do with set up, do it by the book and only adjust stitch length after that as the thickness of the material changes, then make sure you are operating the machine methodically, handle all the way down then all the way up. It takes some getting used to in that you have to hold the material with one hand and operate the machine with the other. The videos that they ship with the machines now are also available for download on the site and are worth watching.

Chief

Edited January 5, 2013 by Chief31794

[rivetandleatherco]

Thanks . No manual used off the ebay. 950 with a fkat bed attachment material guide a nd extra bobins and a repair kit. Do you have one if you do how does it work for you?

[Chief31794]

Thanks . No manual used off the ebay. 950 with a fkat bed attachment material guide a nd extra bobins and a repair kit. Do you have one if you do how does it work for you?

I do have one and it works really well, I don't sew a lot but when I do sew it does a great job. Took a little tweaking to understand it and now I don't hesitate to use it when the situation warrants. You can download the manual from Tippmann whether you bought it from them or not.

Chief

[trekster]

If I recall correctly, the Tippmann site has two "slightly" different manuals available for download, one for each type of casting.

Be sure the machine is cleaned well and lubricated in all the points the manual shows. Setup thread tensions as the manual recommends... and you should be good to go.

[DuncanSinclair]

Along this line, How have you guys mounted yours? My wife got me one for Christmas....

[Chief31794]

Along this line, How have you guys mounted yours? My wife got me one for Christmas....

Absolutely, I have it well secured to a bench. There are very stern warnings in the manual about securing the machine. The operation of the handle could lead to it tipping over I think.

Chief

[rivetandleatherco]

What year is your boss?

[Chief31794]

What year is your boss?

I don't have any idea, I assume it's about 2005 or so.

Chief

[trekster]

My bench space is limited, and I must share my area with my other craft - paracord bracelets. However, as Chief has iterated, it is extremely important to attach the Boss to something really solid. I have mine mounted to a 12" x 18" piece of 3/4" plywood. Then when I am sewing, I put the Boss on the corner of my bench and use two C-clamps to secure it to my bench top.

When using my #277 thread, I found that the upstroke requires considerable force to draw the needle thread around the bobbin and cinch the stitch in two pieces of 8-9 oz. veg tan leather. I done everything imaginable to make the stroke smoother (lubricated metal moving parts, double checked timing and thread tension, etc.), but so far I've not been successful. I get a fairly nice looking stitch, so have resolved myself to the fact that the upstroke simply requires some muscle.

I'll admit I was rather disillusioned, in the beginning, about the force required to make the upstroke, because I viewed

, on YouTube. In this video it appears that he is sewing and both the down and the upstroke require VERY little muscle involved in EITHER the down or the upstroke. Also, it appears like his machine is mounted on a board about the size of mine, but I'm not sure his board is even secured to his bench. So, exactly why my Boss requires the "muscle" on the upstroke, remains a mystery to me - even today.