New Cowboy 4500

[barbiesdude]

Two weeks ago I was blessed beyond belief, when I was able to purchase a new Cowboy 4500 from Toledo Inds. I am a total sewing newb other than my Boss Tippmann short time experiences. I live in MI and made the 3 1/2 hr drive down to pick it up. Bob gave me a crash course in running the machine and took his time in answering all my newbie questions. Great experience! If your looking at stepping up a level or want to do it right the first time, I would highly reccomend buying a machine from Bob Kovar at Toledo Industrial.

Jamie

[cmantz]

jealous

[Tree Reaper]

I've had mine for a year now and I'm getting better with it all the time but it helps to use it on a steady basis if you can.

The only thing I don't care for is the large opening in the plate .

It would be ideal if they had an optional plate with a smaller opening and a small feed dog to go with it.

[cmantz]

I am curious what extras come with the Cowboy 4500 compared to the Cobra Class 4P?... I am pretty sure I have narrowed down my choice to either one of these.

If I could only find a used one!

[dirtclod]

cmantz sent you a PM.

[Ferg]

The feed dogs can be lowered or removed. A narrow slot plate can be made to fit the machine. Wiz has this machine and I am sure he has a narrow slot plate for his. It may be an accessory Bob Kovar has in stock. I have a slotted for my Consew but not for the Seiko Cylinder Arm. Biggest advantage to the slotted plate is the nice smooth backside of the stitching. Gets a little tricky in some leathers without a feed dog.

ferg

[Wizcrafts]

My CB4500 came with the accessories package that includes a flat slotted throat plate. I removed the feed dog and installed the flat plate. I have to compensate for the changes in stitch length, using the stitch length lever. I find that it is more difficult to get the reverse stitches to hit the same holes as before, so I feather the stitch lever a bit to compensate.

I also found that the higher the pressure on the feet, the smaller the stitches tend to become. Reducing the bobbin thread tension helps a bit, by reducing the bottom drag. I think it would be really nice if somebody could make and market a Teflon throat plate with a narrow slot.

I must confirm that the bottom looks much nicer without the humongous feed dog that shipped with the machine and all other 441 clones I have seen. The results are very close to my Union Lockstitch machine, which has needle feed, a jumping foot and a narrow slotted throat plate.

Unfortunately, I am not aware of any sewing machine dealer who has a narrow feed dog and matching throat plate, or Teflon slotted throat plate available for a Juki 441 or clone. I think that if a dealer on this forum was able to get these parts made, he could sell a shit load of them here.

Edited February 20, 2013 by Wizcrafts

[Tree Reaper]

I don't see why they couldn't be made and adapted to fit our machines, I bought the narrow slotted plate from Bob but have yet to try it, I would feel more comfortable using the machine with a feed dog.

[billymac814]

I just recently switched to the slotted plate without the dogs after using it with the dogs since buying it. So far I'm not really liking it. I keep thinking its me so I'm continuing to try it. I didn't really have much of a problem with the smooth feed dogs marking up the leather too bad and it seems to feed so much better with them. Ill have to try backing off on the bottom tension and reduce the top with it as I had to tighten it up quite a bit. The main incentive I had for doing this was to make it easier to switch from the flat plate to the holster or stirrup plate. I wish those could be used with the feed dogs left in place. I may end up grinding the bottom of the holster plate out to clear the dogs if I go back to them.

I also modified the center foot to be open and I prefer that.

I don't see why they couldn't be made and adapted to fit our machines, I bought the narrow slotted plate from Bob but have yet to try it, I would feel more comfortable using the machine with a feed dog.

[Tree Reaper]

billy;

I also modified the center foot to be open and I prefer that.

How so?

Are you using the table when sewing holsters?

I haven't used the holster plate yet but I was thinking of removing the flatbed table to allow room for the holster without fooling with removing the dog.

Kevin.