First Projects Sewn Using New Cobra 4

[JLSleather]

My Cobra 4 doesn't have the same stitch length in reverse either.

JLS, if you know how, please share the adjustment you refer to.

Thanks,

Michelle

You are #5 Michelle -- and thanks for your honesty.

A 'fix" for this can be done in a few ways. Ideally, the people making them - OR the people shipping them - OR the people servicing them -- would set that before you get it. I haven't yet taken it apart to see how that adjustment is made, though I suspect it's set screws like about everything else on this thing. You are rotating a lever on a pivot point.. and basically the pivot is not the same angle in each direction. It looks like up and down, but looking down that machine it's more like rotating 2:30 to 3:30 (sorry, old machinist mind).

Second, and certainly simplest.... One guy I talked with doesn't use reverse. He simply gets where he going, TURNS THE PROJECT AROUND, and goes forward in those same holes. He's had the machine a few years, and never checked that. His reasoning was, turning it around made it easier to see the work and where the needle was going. When he tried it, he found his didn't 'stitch back' either. Couple things about this....

1.) Sometimes the simple answer is right in front of you

2.) You need a project that allows room to turn it around.

And, if a guy wanted to 'adapt' this WITHOUT turning the work around and WITHOUT opening the machine... then you could get some shim stock in a brass or stainless (non-rust material) -- back off the screws holding that plate behind the stitch adjustment lever -- and shim one end or the other until they actually do match.

[Red Cent]

Those with the bad backstitch, how far are you backstitching? I do 3 forward, back to the original hole, then forward. My C4 does very well for those amount of stitches.

PS: Very nice work Allan.

Edited December 9, 2014 by Red Cent

[silverwingit]

Actually, my machine was set properly in terms of reverse stitch length when I took delivery, but I had an incident early on where the thread jerked out of my grasp at the beginning of a run and that caused the machine to go out of timing. Steve successfully talked me through resetting the timing and I haven't looked back since (nor have I allow threads to slip from my grasp). The only side effect was that the reverse stitches are no longer the same length as the forward ones -- but not by much -- so I haven't worried about it since I don't do long runs in reverse. I would like my machine to be set up properly, though, ergo my question. I should give Steve a call.

Michelle

[JLSleather]

Oh, the others I was talking about CAME that way. Perhaps something could get knocked out during shipping, though you'd think if that was the case then SOMETHING would be said about what to do about that (if it were common).

Don't believe it's a timing issue, though I suppose a timing problem could result in this.

[Allan1972]

Okay, just a bit further. I'm not sure what "video" we're talking about here -- that Al video above? He goes back what.. 2 stitches? 3?

If you do the simple test I describe above, you'll see that this is a ratio (which, makes sense). The longer the stitch length, the more the ratio is thrown off when putting in reverse.. And the further you go, the farther it will be off (incremental error).

And yes, I do have one of these. And yes, I do use it. I'm simply not ignorant of its limitations, nor do I tell people it does what it doesn't do.

But, I have commented in another thread (not mine originally) about the accessories sold with these. Holster plate, stirrup plate, slotted plate, blanket thingy.. Is there no manual or video showing the use and purpose of these? Seriously, there are people I swear posted pics and vids of EVERY project they ever made.... but no cobra accessories...

Personally, I get by just fine. I'm wondering if there's a video with some TRUE information that I can point to when OTHERS ask.

Yes that is the video

I too would love to see some video of actual use of the accessories, not sure how to use them.

Allan

Those with the bad backstitch, how far are you backstitching? I do 3 forward, back to the original hole, then forward. My C4 does very well for those amount of stitches.

PS: Very nice work Allan.

Thanks Red Cent:)

[Colt W Knight]

My consew 206 will back stitch into the same hole, I have horrible time with it either cutting the previous thread or birdnesting underneath.

[Allan1972]

My consew 206 will back stitch into the same hole, I have horrible time with it either cutting the previous thread or birdnesting underneath.

With the 277 tread it is working well, with the tension not set for 346 tread it will nest on the back. I am sure when I set the tension for the 346 it will pull in clean like the 277.

Allan

[JLSleather]

My consew 206 will back stitch into the same hole, I have horrible time with it either cutting the previous thread or birdnesting underneath.

My 206 (RB-5) stitches back very well - run in reverse all day in the same holes -- no issues. Not sure about yours, but on the -RB5 it's a simple adjustment if it ever went off.

Only thing I didn't like about the machine was that you can't "lock" it in reverse (have to hold the lever down). Occasionally that could be a pain.

[Colt W Knight]

My 206 (RB-5) stitches back very well - run in reverse all day in the same holes -- no issues. Not sure about yours, but on the -RB5 it's a simple adjustment if it ever went off.

Only thing I didn't like about the machine was that you can't "lock" it in reverse (have to hold the lever down). Occasionally that could be a pain.

I have a foot pedal setup on mine for reverse, but I would prefer a locking lever.