Leather Bending Down When I Sew Close To An Edge. Cowboy 3500.

[25b]

What he discussed with me opened up several avenues I can take that will let me get even more versatile use from "Bertha Jo", as my wife and I have named my 3500.

That's great. Anything you'd care to share to help the rest of us? I have seen videos showing people sewing only about 3/16" from the edge when making belts, for instance...I cannot do that without having the same problem you posted this thread about.

I'm not sewing 1-2oz belts either...I bought the 3200 to sew belts for CHL, so I don't think the (lack of) thickness is the issue.

[Tallbald]

Bob talked with me about how the accessory plate is made, talked about some options in needle and thread sizes I can use (thinner thread with needle size reduction as shown in the chart on the company website), and discussed removal of the lower feed dog for use of the different plate. I agree that Bertha Jo (my 3500) is a large, very heavy duty machine designed specifically for certain styles of sewing and applications. It's a clone I think of a venerable machine that's served industry well for years so there's nothing really new about it's capabilities and limits ----it's just a more affordable version for folks like me. I appreciate his dump-truck-for grocery-shopping analogy which made me grin. and as a retired tool and die maker I understand well. Each time I use Bertha Jo I learn more about her strengths. I do know that sewing stiffer, pre-dyed leather gives me less problem than plain veg tanned because of resistance to flexing. The optional plate ( or my version) will, I believe, solve my problem. Again, it comes back to me knowing my machine. I categorize that as (this) operators learning curve.

Pretty excited here myself. Hopes this thread helps some others too. Don.

Edited August 5, 2015 by Tallbald

[Wizcrafts]

I have a flat slotted plate that came with the full accessory package for the CB4500. Whenever I have to sew something that is difficult with the feed dog and large cutout plate, I change to the flat plate setup. I know in advance that reverse may not line up with forward, so I use extra caution when backing up (or spin the work)

Most folks use this accessory to sew thin leather that would get pushed down into the cutout of feed dog hole. I use it to sew as close to the edge as possible (for a particular needle size). This includes watch straps, thin collars and soft leather goods. Of course, the edge guide helps a lot in these jobs.

[Tallbald]

Wizcrafts that's exactly what I want to be able to do. Thank you ! Don.