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Posted

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.

Trekster,

I'm not sure, mine doesn't require a significant amount of force on the handle in either direction, however, I am normally sewing through 3 layers of 4-6 oz (depending on the project). I occasionally sew through three layers of 8/9oz and it stilll doesn't require much effort (thankfully).

Chief

"Life's too short to carry ugly leather"

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Posted

I have seen where several people gave added a spring thar pushes the handle back to the up position. Maybe that will help aldo the cast aluminum modle have this added i think

Posted

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.

What needle are you using on the 207 thread? It could be a different shape of 794 would be better for you or a new one that is sharp. I use 794 S 200's on 277 and 207 thread and the upstroke is never that hard. Even through 3 layers of 9/10. Is it possible that your leather is old and dried out?

The key to immortality is first living a life worth remembering.

Bruce Lee

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Posted

A few months ago I was sewing together an ammo pouch. It consisted of 3 layers of 6-7 ounce veg-tan leather. My CB4500 sewed flawlessly until I rounded the last corner and headed into the stretch. With Cabbage in the head, bubblegum stitcking to the railing and toiletpaper wiping up the rear, Feedlebaum moved up and broke my #25 needle. Then another, then another! The 2 inches remaining had to be hand sewn using an awl and barbed needle.

I concluded that there was rawhide inside the filler between the layers, on the problem run. Rawhide will do it to ya every time. If I had know it was in there I would have sewn the pouch at home, on my Union Lockstitch machine.

Posted IMHO, by Wiz

My current crop of sewing machines:

Cowboy CB4500, Singer 107w3, Singer 139w109, Singer 168G101, Singer 29k71, Singer 31-15, Singer 111w103, Singer 211G156, Adler 30-7 on power stand, Techsew 2700, Fortuna power skiver and a Pfaff 4 thread 2 needle serger.

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Posted

What needle are you using on the 207 thread? It could be a different shape of 794 would be better for you or a new one that is sharp. I use 794 S 200's on 277 and 207 thread and the upstroke is never that hard. Even through 3 layers of 9/10. Is it possible that your leather is old and dried out?

Actually, I'm using 277 thread in a 200 leather point needle. My leather came from Tandy, but I suppose it could be the problem, although piercing the leather is not the problem, it's the upstroke that requires more effort.

Posted

Actually, I'm using 277 thread in a 200 leather point needle. My leather came from Tandy, but I suppose it could be the problem, although piercing the leather is not the problem, it's the upstroke that requires more effort.

OK thats what I am using for thread and needle size. But is it a 794 needle? If it is whats the letter after the 794? I have seen where a dull needle will cause issues on the upstroke as strange as it sounds. If you can tell me the letter style of the needle and if its a 794 that would help. The 7x3 needle can be used for leather also but its not as good as the 794's.

The key to immortality is first living a life worth remembering.

Bruce Lee

  • Members
Posted

OK thats what I am using for thread and needle size. But is it a 794 needle? If it is whats the letter after the 794? I have seen where a dull needle will cause issues on the upstroke as strange as it sounds. If you can tell me the letter style of the needle and if its a 794 that would help. The 7x3 needle can be used for leather also but its not as good as the 794's.

Sorry, I'm not familiar with the 794 needle, nor have I ever used any. The one I am using is the 7x3. I changed it out a time or two, and my results were the same. What is your source for the 794's?

Posted

That may be your problem. The 7x3 needle is a round point and punches its way through the leather. The 794 needle is a chisel point and cuts its way through. This makes it easier to remove. You can get them from several places. I got my first ones right from tippmann. A good needle to use is the 794 S 200. It makes a nice line of stitches. The L and the LR also work well. Give the 794 a try and I bet you like the results. Even if it doesn't solve the upstroke issue, which I think it will, it is still a better needle to use.

If you are in the United States, PM me your address and Ill send you a 794 S 200. I have 10-12 at the moment so its not an issue.

Michael

The key to immortality is first living a life worth remembering.

Bruce Lee

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