DannyBoyCustomLeather Report post Posted July 21, 2014 Hey guys ive been poking around the web site and all i learned is that ill need more money to buy a decent machine! im making holsters and belts by hand using 8-10 oz leather with hand tools and having a great time, perfect labor of love, creativity, technical knowledge, use of hand tools and rewarding finished product that is in demand. Great hobby time for a machine and i only put together .....$1000 juki, consew, sewtech, cowboy, any 441 would be sweet. can i find a used machine of this size? Do i get a "Starter machine just to learn why i need a better one? Do i save up more money and do it right the first time? wizard, jeff hay holsters , what do you guys think? thanks in advance Dan Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wizcrafts Report post Posted July 21, 2014 Go for the biggest and best machine from the get go (Cowboy CB4500, Cobra Class 4, Techsew 5100, Nick-O-Sew 441), all of which sew over n3/4 inches, or else, buy a Cowboy CB3200, from Toledo Industrial Sewing Machines, and limit your work to 1/2 inch of stacked leather. Lesser machines have less sewing capacities in thickness, hardness and thread size. More expensive machines are for seasoned pros making a daily living sewing harness, holsters, etc. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DannyBoyCustomLeather Report post Posted July 21, 2014 your up at this hour also thanks for the reply how much are these machines Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DannyBoyCustomLeather Report post Posted July 21, 2014 wizcraft i see the cowboy 3200 is the smallest you recommend. 3 layers of 9-10 0z leather would be about 1/2 inch and the most a holster would require i think. read your machine series and made a list of the important features thanks, triple feed, smooth feed dog,right toe jump foot, narrow slotted jump foot, edge guide, #25 needles and at least #138 to 207 thread , servo, cylinder for small shapely holsters, lg cap bobbins. These things all make sense, and are available features of the cowboy 3200? will i find a lightly used one any where? Dan Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
oltoot Report post Posted July 21, 2014 After 'wasting' years snooping, trading, fixing, etc. if I had it to do over I would just keep on saving so I could start 'right' the first time. However if you enjoy tinkering with machinery and turning somebody else's trash into a treasure, don't deprive yourself of the experience of sorting through a lot of choices. Nostalgia aside, another choice remains for you to make: Heavy duty single needle such as Cowboy, Cobra, Techsew, or Artisan versions of 441 or a needle and awl machine like a Union Lock, Campbell, or completely rebuilt Landis #3 or #16, etc. Now then, do I have a clear recommendation to make? Yes, sort of. Given the ready availability of parts, accessories, service and initial get in cost, I would opt for one of the 441 clones even though I have and love a Union Lock. I wouldn't trade straight across but I already have mine and I'm through searching. Plus, I'm 70+ so I can say do as I say, not as I did (and would do again). Either way, best of luck to ya!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DannyBoyCustomLeather Report post Posted July 21, 2014 That was some more of the best advice I could get Thank you ill save for a consew 441 with all the trimmins maybe wait for a sale .... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
