RoosterShooter Report post Posted November 26, 2014 (edited) So, the wife and I were talking over dinner tonight, and I've decided to buy a Cowboy 3200 in the next week or so. I have a Juki in the 'shop' being serviced, a Boss, and will soon have a CB3200. That led us to our next issue! Over the past year my stepson has taken a shining to leatherworking, and we feel we need to get him a machine of his own for Christmas! For a beginning leatherworker who will be making dog collars from 8 - 10 oz leather, bridles, leashes, and various other accouterments for our local craft shows, fairs, and maybe a 'part time job' during his Middle Teen years .... what would be a good machine for him for $1000 or less? Would the Cowboy 2500 w/o reverse be a good option? He has been sewing by hand and using an old Singer 211 that I gave him for thinner material up to this point. My thoughts were ... if I am ordering a CB3200 anyway, and will be waiting a few weeks for it to be delivered ... why shouldn't I just order him the CB2500 with my order! Your thoughts? Edited November 26, 2014 by RoosterShooter Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BDAZ Report post Posted November 26, 2014 "The Cowboy CB2500 has feed dogs to move the material, against a fixed, or roller pressor foot. This may leave visible tooth marks in the bottom layer of leather. These marks can usually be rubbed out with a smoothing tool, or hammered out by laying the back layer on a smooth hard surface, covering the top with a 10-12 oz piece of hard veg-tan leather, and tapping along the stitch line with a mallet or hammer. If this sounds like too much work, you may want to consider buying one of our triple feed machines, with a smooth feed dog and walking feet." I would go for a walking foot machine... Cya! Bob Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wizcrafts Report post Posted November 26, 2014 Bridles can be really thick on certain areas of the straps. I repaired one yesterday that was about 5/8 inches thick. Neither the 2500 or 3200 would have sewed that thickness as easily as the CB4500 (if at all). Anybody sewing horse tack for customers is bound to encounter these really thick junctions. But, if your Son will be only making his own tack, he can limit the thickness to what the machine can handle. As for a good learning machine, the forward feed only CB2500 will force him to learn the Poor Man's Reverse. Then he can learn to smooth out the tooth marks and needle hole puckering on the bottom. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RoosterShooter Report post Posted November 28, 2014 (edited) I kind of talked around with him this evening to see what his plans were, and I think he's going to stay away from bridles right now . He made a couple a short while ago, but hasn't had any business for them since. So, basically, we are back to dock collars, leashes, and various other small projects. When you talk about having to smooth out the tooth and needle pucker marks on the back, are you referring to a situation similar to how a Boss sews leather? Also, I kind of asked if the 2500 would be a good machine, because I'm not familiar with much else in the Sub-$1000 price range. Granted shipping is excluded from the spending limit, but I am looking for a decent machine for his first machine. Thanks and any suggestions will be appreciated. Edited November 28, 2014 by RoosterShooter Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
catskin Report post Posted November 28, 2014 Have you thought about a good as new used machine that has the ability to do everything now plus a bit of room for heavier later. While still within budget. Bob and others usually have them. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CowboyBob Report post Posted November 28, 2014 (edited) We hardly ever get a used heavy machine like this in.The few I picked up @ auction this summer were in a lot worse shape than I thought when I bought them & beyond repair so they went back to the auction.I'd know I would have nothing but trouble from them. Edited November 28, 2014 by CowboyBob Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BDAZ Report post Posted November 28, 2014 Sometimes saving money can be really expensive! Go with another 3200... Cya! Bob Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
