Windham Cub

[Boriqua]

I have been looking at machines for months now. So very many things involved both spiritually and financially before I even get to what I would use one most for.

So after a good deal of soul searching I came to the realization that I want a human powered machine. I spent years working in the design and production of large scale displays and exhibits. Spent way to many hours a week in a shop setting with a cnc going, a few table saws, a bunch of radial arms and jig saws and more all going at once and giving instruction and getting feedback on progress while shouting. I am now semi retired, work from home and I just dont want the noise again. You dont realize how much it affects your life. Also being semi retired I want to make a few bucks a month on leather work but dont need to push myself to pump out massive amounts of work with crazy deadlines and such so I dont want a machine that sews 5000 stitches per minute. I have been making steady if not small income sewing by hand and really enjoy it but I have been doing more inlay stuff and handstitching all of that is just a drag. I would like to do more belts and handstitching belts isnt any fun either. I think I would like the chug chug sound of a human powered machine. So here I am

I have read 8 bazzilion posts on the boss which is the machine I thought I was going to get but sounds like it needs a lot of TLC and I want to make cool stuff out of leather not mess with a machine. I used power tools my whole life I just want it to work.

I thought about and looked hard at some singer 29's and it may be suitable but I cant find any locally and I have been looking for a while. They are pretty pricey and with shipping if I can find someone willing to ship it gets up there.

I thought asking like a techsew to sell me a unit without motor or table and I would convert it to treadle?

Then a couple of days ago I can across the Windham cub which was according to what I have read the Luberto Cub. Looks like the answer .. 1495 plus shipping is a bit more than I had hoped for but I can swing it. I would rather 1495 shipped but hey .. everyone needs to make money and that is their price point.

http://www.windhamcub.com/

Now has anyone used the Luberto cub this is based on. The website has very little real info and unfortunately I cant find any videos of it in use anywhere. Any thoughts at all would be appreciated. I plan on calling him on monday but I HATE the phone ... another left over from work days ... so any info I can glean before then would be great.

Thank you in advance

Alex

Edited May 9, 2015 by Boriqua

[dirtclod]

I think before I bought that I would call the dealers and see you could get a 441 clone without a motor. That way can power it how ever you want. I remember somebody posted a picture of a foot powered machine. The peddles were made like a old pedal car.

Edited May 10, 2015 by dirtclod

[Boriqua]

While I have trouble finding good singers here in AZ there seems to be a bunch of treadle bases available cheap. I'm a fair woodworker so I think I could just cobble a base together to drive a machine?

[sheathmaker]

Any machine that requires the constant use of one of your arms in order to operate will become a real pain sooner if not later. There are times when you absolutely need both hands to manipulate the leather being sewn and unless you have three arms that could be a major problem.

I appreciate your concerns on noise, but unless you are just hyper sensitive I think you'll find the modern servo motor machines are not all that noisy.

Another point to consider is the price. $1495 for a manually operated machine is a MAJOR step toward the price of a 441 clone type machine. Even more major if at some point in the near future you decide the manual machine isn't quite what you thought it would be and decide to upgrade to a motorized machine.

I think you owe it to yourself to reconsider the 441 clone machines and specifically have a discussion with Steve or David at Leather Machine Co. (Cobra brand). They will advise you and try to work with you regarding product and pricing and their after the sale customer service is the best I've ever experienced. They are also supporters of this site.

I've traveled both roads and I speak from experience.

http://www.leathermachineco.com

Paul

Edited May 10, 2015 by sheathmaker

[SantaFeMarie]

I believe the Cub is available in a model with a wheel instead of a crank so that it can be run with a treadle. Or that such a machine is coming soon.

I share your sentiments: it is OK to have a personal ethos about tools that others may not agree with.

[Techsew Ron]

I have been looking at machines for months now. So very many things involved both spiritually and financially before I even get to what I would use one most for.

So after a good deal of soul searching I came to the realization that I want a human powered machine. I spent years working in the design and production of large scale displays and exhibits. Spent way to many hours a week in a shop setting with a cnc going, a few table saws, a bunch of radial arms and jig saws and more all going at once and giving instruction and getting feedback on progress while shouting. I am now semi retired, work from home and I just dont want the noise again. You dont realize how much it affects your life. Also being semi retired I want to make a few bucks a month on leather work but dont need to push myself to pump out massive amounts of work with crazy deadlines and such so I dont want a machine that sews 5000 stitches per minute. I have been making steady if not small income sewing by hand and really enjoy it but I have been doing more inlay stuff and handstitching all of that is just a drag. I would like to do more belts and handstitching belts isnt any fun either. I think I would like the chug chug sound of a human powered machine. So here I am

I have read 8 bazzilion posts on the boss which is the machine I thought I was going to get but sounds like it needs a lot of TLC and I want to make cool stuff out of leather not mess with a machine. I used power tools my whole life I just want it to work.

I thought about and looked hard at some singer 29's and it may be suitable but I cant find any locally and I have been looking for a while. They are pretty pricey and with shipping if I can find someone willing to ship it gets up there.

I thought asking like a techsew to sell me a unit without motor or table and I would convert it to treadle?

Then a couple of days ago I can across the Windham cub which was according to what I have read the Luberto Cub. Looks like the answer .. 1495 plus shipping is a bit more than I had hoped for but I can swing it. I would rather 1495 shipped but hey .. everyone needs to make money and that is their price point.

http://www.windhamcub.com/

Now has anyone used the Luberto cub this is based on. The website has very little real info and unfortunately I cant find any videos of it in use anywhere. Any thoughts at all would be appreciated. I plan on calling him on monday but I HATE the phone ... another left over from work days ... so any info I can glean before then would be great.

Thank you in advance

Alex

As others have mentioned, new machines with servo motors are extremely quiet and noise is no longer a concern as with the older style machines/motors.

You can consider a light-medium walking foot machine (flatbed or cylinder) for close to the same price as one of the hand operated machines available today.

We do sell our 2900 series patchers as head-only, but for sewing a wider variety of leather goods it wouldn't necessarily be the best machine for you.

Feel free to contact us if you need some more guidance!

Ron

[Boriqua]

Well I guess I struck out on the Cub. I sent a small list of questions to him on the 11th but haven't heard back. Makes me a little concerned about being able to get service or parts later since it sounds like a one man show so the search continues. Meanwhile I will keep happily hand sewing.

[Boriqua]

As an FYI for anyone interested in the machine I did hear back from Mr. Luberto Today and here is the relevant info:

1. You can use thread sizes from 69 to 346 usually with only an upper thread tension adjustment. No dropped stitches either.

2. The Cub will sew on light leather such as wallets and chaps up to saddle skirts and heavier, a good 5/8". Again, with minimum upper thread tensioning.

3. The machine is made of cast iron.

4. Lead time is usually around two weeks.

5. Replacement parts are readily available and a complete illustrated parts list is included.

6. Our warranty is standard with a 30 day money back warranty starting on the day you receive your machine then the major parts are covered for one year. We have an excellent reputation for service after the sale.

7. Yes, we are set up to service your Cub in the unlikely event that something should break. You see, the Cub has very few moving parts and those parts are very heavy duty. There are two springs that would eventually need to be changed, and one of those should last years. Both only take minutes to change and it's covered in our instruction book.

8. The Cub is a full rotary machine so a wheel or pully can be attached instead of the hand crank and then set up on a treadle stand. It could also be motorized.

9. The stitch length is adjustable with a dial on the front of the machine and stitch lengths vary from less than 2mm to 6mm. (10 stitches per inch down to 4 stitches per inch)

Yes, $1,495.00 is the best I can do. When you use a Cub I think you'll agree, it's a really good deal.

For financing we offer a loan or lease to own arrangement.

Hmmm I still like this thing.

[Boriqua]

And here are some pix he sent .. I find the machine oddly beautiful. the stitching looks great. Not as nice as a good hand saddle stitch but clean. Now to get past that 1500.00 dollar thing.

[Boriqua]

[dirtclod]

You need to check and make sure you can different feet for the machine because the one in the picture is way to big for sewing close to anything.

[Boriqua]

Thank you for pointing that out. I have never used a sewing machine and I wouldnt have even to know to ask about feet. Here are feet he offers on the site

http://www.windhamcub.com/?page_id=132

Will those get me close enough to an edge to sew. would i need both right and left. I have to see how much that adds to the cost. As it stands it is 1495 for the machine, Im guessing around 50-60 bucks for shipping and then feet, thread and I have to ask about needles. Getting up there in price.

Bummer I would really like a human powered machine but I keep coming up with either this or the Boss and the boss has sketchy reviews. One of the things I like about the windham is he says it can go from fairly thin to fairly thick which is just what I am looking for. Well Glad I have a nice sharp Awl!

Please if any of you with experience can think of any other questions I should ask please let me know.

Thanks!

Alex

[dirtclod]

Ask if they will trade the standard one with you for a left toe foot. I have left and right toes for my machine and very seldom use or need the right toe foot. I would get polyester thread to, it sews better IMHO than nylon. Get a few extra bobbins so you can a couple of bobbins and colored bobbins ready to go if you use two or more different colors of thread.