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

[BDAZ]

I Spoke to Bob Kovar this morning and he suggested using a lighter thread. I switched to 138 with similar results. I suspect that stitching a single piece of 5 oz. leather doesn't have enough grip to keep the knot centered in the middle. I assume with 2 pieces of thin leather there may be some more resistance to pulling the bobbin thread up. I will try two pieces of 3 oz and see what that looks like, though that's not something I would usually stitch.

So to summarize, I'm pretty much where I started.

Thanks for all the input. I wonder if anyone with a heavy leather machine can successfully stitch a single layer of 5 oz with 207 thread?

Cya!

Bob

[pcox]

After reading your post I went to my 3200. 5 oz. natural strap, #23 needle, 207 bonded nylon thread top and bottom. Bobbin tension screw all the way tight, now here is what made it work, top thread thru only 1 hole on spool pin, top tension spring taken off a domestic sewing machine 6 coils of .040 wire, top nut 1/2 way on, bottom tension flush with stud.

[BDAZ]

Thanks! I just completed 25 items and the leather used ranged from 3-4 oz to 6 oz. I replaced the upper spring with a spring from a bicycle hub quick release, much lighter, and I lightened up on the foot tension. The single layer 6 oz (drum dyed veg tan) was perfect. No knots visible from either top or bottom and the transition to 2 layers of 6 oz is perfect.

The items that have a single layer of 3/4 oz look a bit like your pics. The knot is visible if you look for it but below the surface, though not in the middle.

All my work is drying from wet forming but I'll post some pics tomorrow. How do you have the center foot height set?

Cya!

Bob

Edited December 13, 2014 by BDAZ

[pcox]

As far as the center foot height if you are talking about the slot on the back it is in the center of the slot. The pictures show the knot much worse than looking at them for real. I just put the black in to see the white better no white on top but 2 or3 black dots on the single thickness back

[BDAZ]

The center foot seems to be adjustable with the two set screws or should it be all the way up? i haven't messed with it but does seem to be a possible parameter to play with.

I have never had visible knots on the back..guess your top is a little too loose.

Thanks!

Bob

[BDAZ]

I replaced the bobbin spring with one obtained from Bob at Toledo and the machine is PERFECT! Loking from the top, you can not see the transition from two layers to a single layer. In addition, my products requires 60" of stitching around the circumference and every time, when I get back to my starting point, the machine drops the last two stitches in the same holes as the first two!

Cya!

Bob

[Colt W Knight]

Good deal

Good deal

[wlg190861]

I have a Cowboy 4500 an have no problem one two or even three layer. you need to use a smaller needle for 207. You need a 23. I have my bobbin tension almost all the way tight and the rest of the tension is done on top. Like was mentioned test on a piece of 5 oz and get it set right and you should have no problem

[BDAZ]

The problem was transitioning from 1 to 2 layers without a major reconfiguration of the tension and all is now working fine.

Thanks!

Bob

[wlg190861]

Great