Thoughts On Tippman Boss Sewing Machine?

[austinb]

I am desperate to get a sewing machine that can handle leather. Trying to look around for cheaper options as I don't have a terrible amount of money. Anyone have any opinions on the Tippman Boss sewing machine?

[Troy I]

I was looking at the Tippmann Boss also, their customer service has a lot to be desired...on ebay they have a Boss listed with "Make an Offer" well I did...The offer was declined and the tab for "Make an Offer" was removed. Also I had requested a catalog when their sale was going on last month, at that time I spoke with their Sale's Manager...He told me that since I requested the catalog during the sale he would honor the sale price, since it was due to expire in a few days. Well to make a long story short, I emailed this manager on Monday and he would not honor his word.

DON'T BUY A TIPPMANN BOSS. Call Cobra Steve and speak to him about a class 4. It is only a few hundred more than the Boss, when you add in all the extras that you would need to buy for the Boss. The Cobra comes with everything you would need to sew professional looking items.

This is just my opinion, I know there are a lot of people who like their Boss, but I'm not one of them because of the way they have acted.

[Sturme]

I like my boss. They can be fussy at times so I spent a while practicing on it and tweaking before I did my first project. I will tell you that is more for heavier leather. and the stitches very in size depending on the thickness of leather (there is an adjustment for it though). as for price, I spent a bit over 2 grand for it and a mess of accessories. its about 25 pounds verses the weight of a powered machine. and very portable being hand powered. As for thinner leather, I have sewn 4oz leather with it. However I do wish the stitching on the back looked a bit better but I cant complain.

If you do get one, take the time to get to know the machine, how it reacts to different thickness of leather, various needles and thread sizes. I also recommend getting the bench they sell at Tippmann to mount it on, it makes a difference having it mounted properly. Lastly if money is tight, think about shipping a 25 lb machine verses a heavier powered one. if you have any questions, let me know. I will try to help you.

[RustyReb]

My wife bought me one for Christmas. Will agree that it likes heavier leather over light. After working out a few bugs, I'm happy with it for stitching 10oz belts. Not so happy on lined 4-5 oz stuff. Top stitch will look ok but bottom leaves a lot to be desired. Ithough, have had good exerience with their customer service. Could not get bottom tension adjusted when I first got the machine.....bobbins jammed into the shuttle and it appeared they were too long......I thought possibly a bad batch of bobbins. I called..... they sent more out right away. That did not fix the problem.......bobbins still too tight in shuttle. Called them back and they sent a new bobbin shuttle out right away. Of course, by this time I had already ground and polished on the ends of the bobbins (approx .020") to get them to spin freely in the shuttle. Seems to work ok now. In hindsight, I think I would recommend spending a bit more on a powered machine. You will get a much more consistent stitch out of a powered machine. My biggest complaint on the Boss is lack of consistency in the stitch...specifically on the stitch lock. 10 stitches will be perfect and then a couple will pull the bobbin up too high. I'll probably sell mine before too long and upgrade to a Cowboy or similar.....

Reb

[JLSleather]

Powered machines are available in that same price range. Only advantage might be either you're one of those who wants to be able to stitch at craft shows / rodeos / whatever (which I'll never do) OR if you see one that's SO cheap (probably due to them moving to a powered machine)...

[RustyReb]

I believe the wife got this one at about $1100 new straight from Tippmann.........are there decent powered machines out there in that price range???

[JLSleather]

Yep, but far as i know not the ones that stitch that heavy. If you can get a new BOss for $1100, might be worth doing - just to have it there in case the other machine needed service and you got orders to put out.

As a rule, I think foks around here tend to over-build anyway. I have never - and will never - make belts outta two layers of skirting leather. And #415 thread is for pulling my truck out of the snow bank, not for stitchin

But, up to about #207-#277 thread and half an inch thick there are machines available. Toledo's 3200 model runs $1600 new. I just mention that one cuz it's at the top of this site. I didn't buy one, since I don't need one. But, if I was in the market for another machine I'd likely look at that one.

[Dwight]

I've had mine for several years, . . . and have to say, yes, . . . it can be finnickey. It can be a pain.

But then so can a Ford, Chevy, or an Austin-Martin.

No, . . . the stitch on the back is not as pretty as the one on the front, . . . but it is a working stitch, . . . not intended to be the back side of a show piece in a museum somewhere.

If you want a working machine you can take anywhere, . . . get one. If you are a whiney, grouchy, perfectionist crab, . . . probably need to get something else.

As for their customer service, . . . my experience has been tops. My machine clunked on me twice, . . . both times I took it to them, . . . Ben cleared off his bench with only a couple hours notice, . . . fixed me up both times, . . . at minimum charge.

Hand sewing, using two needles and saddle stitching will be a lot prettier if you are into esthetics, . . . personally, I'm not. And in all the belts, sheaths, holsters, etc. I've sent out to paying customers, . . . none of them has come back and wanted it dressed up.

Anyway, . . . getting off the unpaid advertisement box, . . . good luck on your decision.

May God bless,

Dwight

[rmr]

I purchased one 5-6 or so years ago. Used it for about 6-7 months- too many dropped stitches, pain in the butt to use, unpredictable, getting tension set can be a nightmare, if your sewing where you have to turn the project a lot while trying to also hold it as well as pull down on the handle- well lets just say you may need 3+ hands.

I sold mine and purchased a cobra 4. Best decision I have made. The cobra is extremely easy to use, worked right out of the box after about 15minutes of set up. Doesn't drop stitches, easy to handle... can't say enough good things about it. Customer service with Steve is second to none. I garenteee you if you purchased both machines - in about 1 weeks time you will be wanting to get rid of the tippman. The only good reason to get one - at least in my opinion is its portability. If that is important then get the tippman- otherwise get a cobra or similar machine. Even if funds are tight- save your $$ for another year and then get the cobra- you will be money ahead. There have been several guys selling cobras - used - at very reasonable prices

RMR

[mmirob]

Tippmans are great starter machines and I found their service to be excellent. It is a good machine to learn how to sew on for less money. The throw arm must go all the way up until it stops then down again. The disadvantage is with any steady work the manual operation gets old fast. Stitching a belt is a work out. Holding your work for technical areas is more challenging. I have since sold mine for a cobra 4. Never looked back! The good thing is that if you buy one used, you can usually sell it a year or two later and get your money back. There is always someone starting out that is tired of hand stitching that will buy it from you and they ship easily. Yes a tippman beats hand stitching! Good luck.