I Can't Wait 'till Tomorrow 'cuz I Like My Cobra4 Better Every Day

[silverwingit]

I can't deny that there has been a learning curve. I bought my Cobra 4 package in April having only minimal experience with a home sewing machine. Very cautious at dropping that amount of money. I probed Steve over several extended telephone calls.

"Steve, I want to sew pouches with thin lining leather as well as holsters and sheaths up to 3/4 inch thick and belts and..." "Oh yes Michelle the Cobra 4 can do all that, plus... And, if you ever have any questions or problems, just give me a call and I'll be all over it like a duck on a June bug." [paraphrasing]

Well, I've heard spiels much like that in Times Square. However, I had witnessed the legion of satisfied customers on Leatherworker.net and seen all the praise for both the machine and the company, particularly the man behind it, Steve Tayrien and the incredible customer service he provides.

So, in this case, for once in my life, what seemed to be too good to be true... wasn't! As I said I had the expected learning curve, mostly due to my getting over my fear of this apparent beast of a machine. I had to reset the hook timing once, but that terrifying experience turned out to teach me volumes about the machine, how it works and how to use it. Not unexpectedly, Steve promptly and calmly talked me through the fix and helped me better understand how to reset the tensions for my applications.

Since then it has been smooooth sailing! The machine has steadily churned through everything I've throw at it from a couple layers of garment leather to a full, thick holster -- without further adjustment! Forward, reverse, slow, fast, different size thread, etc. -- no matter to my Cobra 4. This trouble-free operation has allowed me to make much progress towards getting over that hump in my learning curve. Now, instead of ~fearing~ it, I can't wait to get back to stitching with my "Dream Machine."

The beast has turned out to be a big pussy cat!

Thank you, Leather Machine Co. and Steve Tayrien.

Michelle

[Red Cent]

What size needle are you using for the heavy leather and the size of thread?

[silverwingit]

Needle size - 25

Thread size - 277

[Red Cent]

Same here. Interestingly enough, needle charts tell you to use the 25 needle with 20 ounce or heavier. I have used the 25 with single layer 4-5 ounce up to a total weight of 16 ounces. Does great. I added a lube pot and I think it aids the sewing.

[ThreeRivers]

Sounds like we share some common experiences with the the Cobra 4. I have been using mine for a couple months now and getting some pretty nice projects through it. I have been making holster, belts and some small gun leather accessories. It is a great machine. It does has a minor quirk that I think might be timing but I am hesitant to mess with it. It will occasionally drop a stitch or two at seems at random. I am using 207 and 277 thread and #24 and #25 needles, it will do it with either combination.. ... My guess is that the timing is just slightly off and I am considering moving the tip of the hook slightly forward past the needle. Right now it lines up right at the needle. Any suggestions here.

[Red Cent]

Far from a knowledgeable person pertaining to the Cobra 4 but........After discovering an interference with thread path, I took Wiz's advice on adjustment of thread tension. Steve adamantly warns you against messing with the tension adjustments and states that if you adjust one you must adjust the other the same. Well Wiz says to loosen the left side tension to nothing and tighten it enough to hold the tightener on. Loosen the top adjustment almost all the way and tighten as you sew til your lockstitch looks like a lockstitch.

I just completed sewing a concealed carry holster (lined) and not a problem. Beautiful sticthes. No skips. Happy camper.

I use a 25 needle with 277 top and bottom. I believe that the lube pot helped evrything come together. I adjusted the bobbin tension per a "weight test" described to me on the Cas City "Leatherworker" category. Don't remember all the particulars but he says that you tie a certain weight to your bobbin thread and let it hang gently and it should lower the weight very slowly. I will try to see if I can find it. Found it.

http://www.cascity.com/forumhall/index.php/topic,47819.0.html

Worked for me.

The author of this post does not take responsibilty for any............

[ThreeRivers]

Thanks for the feedback. I have checked the timing about three times following the instructions in Steve's' manual and it looks OK each time. That is why I am reluctant to change it. I will look at what you are describing. Given that I am still a relative novice I have been very conservative about the tensions based on Steve's advice. I guess the weight test might be my first stop. Thanks Michelle, for starting this thread, I am with you, I look forward to sewing on the brown "beast".

[silverwingit]

Three, you can effectively advance your timing by lowering your needle height. If you lower the needle by 1/4", tighten it up, and everything works fine, you can either leave it there or advance your timing a smidgen.

Might give it a try.

Also, I have always found Steve to be uber helpful over the phone. I know he's encountered and dispatched problems like yours numerous times. No need to struggle on your own.

Michelle

[ThreeRivers]

Thanks Michelle, I will give it a try, that is a really clever troubleshooting tip. I finished stitching a cowboy holster today with out any machine hic ups maybe just luck but I will take it

[Red Cent]

I have found that on thick or difficult machine sewing, I can hand turn the machine and it does very well. On Cas City, a leather crafter suggested I usee 277 top and 207 bottom. Pulls the bottom up easier and tighter. Ordered some.

[Trox]

When I was a boy there was allot of two stoke motorcycles, one had a German 125 cc Sachs motor. These 441 clones remind me of the sound of one. (my own included).

[silverwingit]

Chucka-chucka-chucka! :^)

[ThreeRivers]

First off, THANKS for all the help over the last few days, much appreciated. When it was all said and done the problem may have been as simple as changing the position of the Thread stand/guide. I went back and viewed the Al Bane Cobra 4 video again. I noticed that the position of the stand was directly behind the machine head with the thread guide directly above the spools. Mine wasn't even close to that. I repositioned both to match the video. I went back to working on the cross draw Cowboy rig and completed it, including the belt, with no dropped stitches. It finally seems that the light is very bright at the end of the tunnel, I am keeping my fingers crossed. Below is a picture of the finished rig. Once again. Thanks ! ! !