Tippman Boss - Why?

[Darren Brosowski]

For the relatively small numbers that are out there I am constantly astounded by how often users are posting problems with the Tippman machines.

On the other hand people are buying machines then adding servo motors and reduction pulleys to get them to run at low speed. To make any speed adjustment you need to lean under the table while the machine is active to press a set of buttons.

If you want reliability, simple speed control and two handed control of the work then buy the machine you need and mount it on an industrial treadle base.

I have watched Jim Beaton run an Adler 205 clone on a Singer treadle going slower than the best servo motor and then flat out. No playing with buttons - just perfect operator control

[SARK9]

>>On the other hand people are buying machines then adding servo motors and reduction pulleys to get them to run at low speed. To make any speed adjustment you need to lean under the table while the machine is active to press a set of buttons.<<

The "servo" motors I use are nothing like that. You CAN select a ramp up delay, a direction of rotation and a max rpm setting from the electronic functions, but the speed control is totally based on pedal position. Its effortless to go from one stitch every 10 seconds to the max SPM you have configured based on the "gas pedal" type design. Mine is advertised at 5000rpm, and I leave the settings at max with "0" delay. The electronic brake is intermittent and stops the rotation instantly, but it does not remain engaged after the motor motion stops, so its easy to manually rotate the handwheel as desired. I do find I like a speed reducer installed to increase the granularity of the pedal control and boost the very low rpm power for an initial stroke into VERY thick/tough material. The treadle I own has something very like a speed reducer in use as well.

However, I must admit that these treadles will be sewing away happily long after any EMP events, and none of my servos would last 100 years even if stored in a climate-controlled time capsule.

-DC

[Chief31794]

For the relatively small numbers that are out there I am constantly astounded by how often users are posting problems with the Tippman machines.

On the other hand people are buying machines then adding servo motors and reduction pulleys to get them to run at low speed. To make any speed adjustment you need to lean under the table while the machine is active to press a set of buttons.

If you want reliability, simple speed control and two handed control of the work then buy the machine you need and mount it on an industrial treadle base.

I have watched Jim Beaton run an Adler 205 clone on a Singer treadle going slower than the best servo motor and then flat out. No playing with buttons - just perfect operator control

I never lean under my table, the servo simply sets the top speed, not the bottom end, my foot control then gives me any speed I want from 0 to what ever max speed I have set the servo to. You would definitely never adjust the servo while the machine was stitching, unless I'm totally missing what you are saying. I can go from 1 stitch per minute to a 100 stitches per minute by pressing the foot control and can hold it at any of the speeds in between without stopping or leaning under the table.

Chief

[Constabulary]

Different servos - different constructions - different functions and how to set them up. I also don´t have to crawl under my table. Pedal is all I need for speed control and I can change the motor settings from where I´m sitting but I don´t have to as everything works fine (except needle positioning but I don´t need it)

[Colt W Knight]

I don't understand why folks buy the Tippman Boss either. Seams like a very clumsy design, and I have read countless reviews on the internet of troubles with the Boss.

Love my Servo motor though. Just set it, and forget it.

[Dwight]

I don't understand why folks buy the Tippman Boss either. Seams like a very clumsy design, and I have read countless reviews on the internet of troubles with the Boss.

Love my Servo motor though. Just set it, and forget it.

Will your machine sew 400 nylon thread through 4 layers of 12 oz veggie tanned leather that was all contact cemented together?

If it won't, . . . then you'll know why I own an Tippmann Boss, . . .

And just FYI, . . . from an engineering standpoint, . . . it IS a very efficient design, . . . but like anything else, . . . it is not for everyone, . . . yourself included.

May God bless,

Dwight

[DoubleC]

Another advantage of the Boss, although I don't have one, is it's portability. A lot of people take them to shows and rodeos because they don't require electricity. I know people that have them and love them and people that hate them. They have a learning curve like anything else and some people don't want to put the time into learning the Boss. Cheryl

[Troy Burch]

I have an adler 205 and a Boss, after learning the Boss's little quirks and how to fix them it's been a nice machine. Great for portability and for repairs when needing to sew back in the same old holes.

[earlthegoat2]

I think the introduction of the CB3200 either did or should have put a pretty nice dent in the Tippmann Boss sales. The Boss has more height which is a real advantage over the 3200 but for a number of belt makers out there who would choose between the two, I would think the 3200 would win often if they would be purchased new.

[bruce johnson]

I bought a Boss when they were $1600 and the next powered machine that sewed close to them was about $4000. Simple to use, will sew whatever you can cram under the foot, and mine was from backj in the iron days. I stepped up to an Adler 205 when I could afford it, but still kept the Boss for heavy work. Swapped up to a Ferdco 2000 later on and that is when I sold the Boss. When Artisan brought out the short arm Juki clone for under $2000 a couple years later, that was the game changer for the hobby and small shop market for everyone.

I've had three servos and two clutch motors on powered machines, I'd never go back to a clutch. Mine adjust the top speed by a dial. I have speed reducers to increase torque and rarely reach up to hand wheel a tight area. Last year I turned a 12 year girl loose on my 1245. I had it dialed down and she sewed her projects straight as a string. Zero learning curve for her with a servo.

[Darren Brosowski]

Anyone who has been watching my posts over the lasts couple of years knows that I like to stir things up and get people asking questions.

For portability the Boss has no equal.

My concern is the huge number of problems that crop up on this and various other forums.

[rickybobby]

Anyone who has been watching my posts over the lasts couple of years knows that I like to stir things up and get people asking questions.

For portability the Boss has no equal.

My concern is the huge number of problems that crop up on this and various other forums.

Darren,

My experience with the Boss has been positive. But, when it did not perform as I thought it should I took it upon myself to "read the instructions!" Tippmann puts out a simple, easy to understand pamphlet that goes with the machine. I did not assume it was the machine, I assumed it was ME. Since I had little to no experience with sewing machines when I bought it. I figured it was my issue, I opened the directions, and followed them. Most of the time, problem solved.

I have seen "Cobra" machines for sale on this site because they "didn't sew right" well I know for a fact they do and Steve offers World Class Service to make sure they work but the buyers would not learn some basic rules of thread tension.

While learning the whole process, I purposely "over tightened" "under tightened" upper and lower thread tension while running test stitching in belt blanks. I marked the places where adjustments were made and learned what the results did. I learned from "my mistakes" and how to correct them with adjustments! (to see how the stitches pull high or low in the hole, ideal is in the center (middle) of the piece).

One thing I did notice was Tippmann sends this machine out with very little lubrication on the moving parts. I think most "new" buyers think this is all they need. They need a lot more!

My machine performance (ran smoother) improved %100 after using gear grease (tub from auto parts store about $4.00) and on moving metal parts on the backside and oil ("3 n1 oil") on other moving parts. This made such a difference in ease of use and I could concentrate on sewing instead of "cranking". By the way, you must crank full swing up and full swing down for everything to work.

I would not be so quick to say that the Boss has problems as much as I would say the Buyers of the machine have the problem and that's, not learning some basic fundamentals of sewing machines and their adjustments. One cannot pull it out of the box and sew a belt! Close, but it does need some set up and adjustment (and lube).

Beginners buy this machine because they can stitch as slow fast as they choose. An electric machine with a perceived notion of little control is not a choice a new leather worker wants to start with so the Boss and it's hand crank ability is appealing, I understand that feeling that was me 15 years ago and my exact reason for its purchase.

This has been what I have seen over the years, I hope this is informative and helpful!

[RoosterShooter]

I'm going to chime in and post my experiences with the Boss.

I own two Boss machines and they do their part when it comes to making holsters. The only gripe in the design that I have is that the area between the needle and the body is far from convenient when it comes to sewing larger pieces. I often have down time spent being unproductive, and figuring out the best way to sew a piece without interfering with the needle tension and range of motion.

That being said .... Both of the machines I have are factory warranty replacements, and I am still having issues with one of them. In other words ... in two years .... two machines have been replaced by Tippmann, and now one of the replacements is acting up on me. I do not 'Force' anything, and make sure everything is lined up and in running condition before sewing each time. I will also note that on my most recent replacement I spent 2 hours on the phone with Tippmann, and even they couldn't figure out why the machine was stitching erratically. It would stitch 3 stitches just fine and on the 4th it would pull the stitch to the needle side!

I also have two older Singers that I have had ZERO issues with over the course of owning them. I keep them oiled and clean, and they run like a Swiss watch! The Boss tends to be more finicky with it's 'Will Do' and 'Won't Do' aspects. Then again, on some days ... you wake up and sit down at your machine and find out that everything is 'Off' for some reason.

All in all ... the Boss has it's place in the mobile repair or manufacture field. However, I would NOT recommend it to someone who never plans on taking it out of the shop. They're just too finicky, and for a new user it can mean the difference between quitting altogether or spending endless hours figuring out what's wrong with the machine.

Edited September 15, 2014 by RoosterShooter