Sewing Between 1 And 2 Layers Of 5 Oz - Cowboy 3200 Best Way?

[Northmount]

Take the bobbin basket out and examine it for any stuck pieces of thread, or other type of damage that prevents increasing the bobbin tension. Sounds like something must be holding the spring open somehow, or bent. I'm not using the same machine as you are, but increasing my bobbin tension makes a huge difference (requires more) in the top tension required to pull the bobbin thread up. It sounds like you have little bobbin tension.

Tom

[BDAZ]

There seems to be plenty of tension on the bobbin and this has been like this since new. I have the bobbin tension cranked all the way down. I have removed the bobbin basket to clean it and check for any thread, dirt etc, but all is good. Sews perfectly with two pieces of 5-6oz but not one. The machine is advertised as a "Heavy Duty" leather machine...

Cya!

Bob

[Colt W Knight]

I was thinking when I talked to Neel about this machine, he was saying 5-6 ounce is the lower limit of the machine.

[silverwingit]

Um, er, I wasn't going to say anything for fear of seeming to gloat. I decided to go ahead and chime in again in an effort to give you hope that further investigation might bear fruit.

I have no trouble sewing two thicknesses of very thin deer hide on my Cobra 4. It doesn't matter which thread and I do not have to adjust tension when switching to different size treads.

Maybe a different shuttle or new tension discs or even different thread/needle combinations? I'd hate to see you give up.

Michelle

[BDAZ]

I think Colt may be right. Colt what machine did you purchase?

I hope Bob Kovar chimes in tomorrow, but it was never an issue and the machine does an outstanding job on all the heavier sewing I usually do. This order is unusual because I usually make this item with a lining and then there's no issue, but the customer wants these unlined. This is a repeat order and the customer is happy but I would like to come up with a solution. This is my best customer and his business is worth thousands so I'm not going to give up.

I was able to alter the electronics so I have the perfect rage of speed. I'm sure there must be a tweak or hack to make this work.

Thanks!

Bob

[TwinOaks]

I don't know your sewing machine experience, so please don't get offended if you already knew this: On your bobbin tension - there are TWO screws that need to be addressed. One is the tension, the other is the locking screw. The locking screw HAS to be loosened to adjust the Bobbin tension screw, then retightened. If you didn't do that, it's likely that the range of adjustment wasn't fully exploited.

[Colt W Knight]

I have a really old Consew 206. I was all set to order a 4500 and a I had to spend my sewing machine money on some emergency stuff.

Edited December 8, 2014 by Colt W Knight

[BDAZ]

Thanks Twin Oaks. I am aware of the set screw and do loosen it to make adjustments. The tension screwe is locked down all the way. There is quite a bit of tension on the bobbin, and measurably less than on the needle.

Thanks!

Bob

[Northmount]

I wonder if a new tension spring would make any difference?

Tom

[BDAZ]

Toledo sent me a lighter tension spring and that helped. As I said, the tension on the needle is noticeably less than on the bobbin which is maxed out. The machine sews flawlessly on thicker leathers but not on 5-6 oz.

I think there is some inherent tension in the thread path that limits the machine to thicker leathers.

Cya!

Bob

Edited December 8, 2014 by BDAZ