Members phinshaw Posted August 21, 2015 Members Report Posted August 21, 2015 (edited) Seems like the Cobra Class 18 and Techsew 2700 are more or less the same machine but I was hoping to get some feedback from you guys. I was leaning towards the Techsew because it seems to be more widely used, but I'm located in Kansas City so it would be pretty easy/affordable for me to drive down to Springfield Leather Company and pick up a Cobra. I mostly plan on using the machine to sew small accessories (wallets, cardholders) made of veg-tan leather with layers adding up to between 4 and 9oz. I want something I can really slow down for precise sewing on these small items. Right now the heaviest items I'm sewing are handbag straps, some leashes and collars. I looked at the Techsew 4100 but read that 6oz is the lightest weight it will sew, so unfortunately it sounds like that machine won't work for me. I'd rather end up with multiple machines down the road than try and force everything on one. Let me know what you guys think! Thanks! Edited August 21, 2015 by phinshaw Quote
Contributing Member JLSleather Posted August 21, 2015 Contributing Member Report Posted August 21, 2015 (edited) Not familiar at all with the Techsew. But I know a guy who had a cobra 18 and liked it - until something went wrong and he found the "support" less than he was led to expect. He sold that one. For the same money, you might consider the Cowboy 3200. Lots of fellas on here can give you their opinion on that one. It will go down as low as 69 thread and an 18 needle (which i think is about as low as a leather guy needs to go) but still give you some room on the high side for your collars and such. or the 227. Edited August 21, 2015 by JLSleather Quote "Observation is 9/10 of the law." IF what you do is something that ANYBODY can do, then don't be surprised when ANYBODY does.
Moderator Art Posted August 21, 2015 Moderator Report Posted August 21, 2015 I'm with JLS on the Cowboy 227R. I think the cylinder arm would be a lot more useful than the flat bed. You can also see if the dealer can hook-up a flat bed attachment for you, but you will find that the convenience of the cylinder arm trumps a lot of things you may initially like about the flatbed. Now, if I was doing apparel all day I might go with the flatbed, but would cuss like a sailor when I had to put a sleeve in a jacket. I have two cobra 18s, two long arms. a post and roller flatbed and myriad other machines from Landis 12s to a Singer Model 20. The cobra 18s work fine till they don't, then it is just starting from scratch to fix them. The oil tank in the 18 is an illusion, that machine must be oiled, even the hook (which is the whole idea of the oiler). Good machine, no complaints. Learn to service it yourself. In the sewing machine world, unless you have a hundred machines and hire a tech full time, don't depend on anyone, learn the DIY route. Art Quote For heaven's sakes pilgrim, make yourself a strop!
Members phinshaw Posted August 21, 2015 Author Members Report Posted August 21, 2015 (edited) Not familiar at all with the Techsew. But I know a guy who had a cobra 18 and liked it - until something went wrong and he found the "support" less than he was led to expect. He sold that one. For the same money, you might consider the Cowboy 3200. Lots of fellas on here can give you their opinion on that one. It will go down as low as 69 thread and an 18 needle (which i think is about as low as a leather guy needs to go) but still give you some room on the high side for your collars and such. or the 227. Huh, I've heard a lot of good things about Cobra support, but that definitely makes me want to shy away from that machine. I've been looking into the Cowboy's but haven't found a ton of information out there. Do you happen to know if either of these machines have a minimum weight/thickness they can sew? Ideally anyway? I'm guessing the 227 would be better at handling thin jobs than the 3200. I just try to get my wallets and and cardholders as thin as possible to reduce bulk in the pocket. Oh and thanks for the feedback! Edited August 21, 2015 by phinshaw Quote
Members phinshaw Posted August 21, 2015 Author Members Report Posted August 21, 2015 (edited) I'm with JLS on the Cowboy 227R. I think the cylinder arm would be a lot more useful than the flat bed. You can also see if the dealer can hook-up a flat bed attachment for you, but you will find that the convenience of the cylinder arm trumps a lot of things you may initially like about the flatbed. Now, if I was doing apparel all day I might go with the flatbed, but would cuss like a sailor when I had to put a sleeve in a jacket. I have two cobra 18s, two long arms. a post and roller flatbed and myriad other machines from Landis 12s to a Singer Model 20. The cobra 18s work fine till they don't, then it is just starting from scratch to fix them. The oil tank in the 18 is an illusion, that machine must be oiled, even the hook (which is the whole idea of the oiler). Good machine, no complaints. Learn to service it yourself. In the sewing machine world, unless you have a hundred machines and hire a tech full time, don't depend on anyone, learn the DIY route. Art I agree about the cylinder arm. That was part of the reason I had been leaning toward the Techsew, although it kinda looked like the Cobra flat bed might detach into a somewhat bulky arm. It looks like the Cowboy's do have a flat bed attachment for $85. Are you saying the Cobra 18's are good machines, you just have to know how to fix them? Or do you have problems with them breaking down on you quite often. Do you happen to have either a Cowboy 227R or 3200? Looking for a little more information on how thin of material they can ideally sew. Oh, and do you have any insight on the Techsew? Thanks for taking the time to help me with this! Paige Edited August 21, 2015 by phinshaw Quote
Moderator Art Posted August 21, 2015 Moderator Report Posted August 21, 2015 Huh, I've heard a lot of good things about Cobra support, but that definitely makes me want to shy away from that machine. I've been looking into the Cowboy's but haven't found a ton of information out there. Do you happen to know if either of these machines have a minimum weight/thickness they can sew? Ideally anyway? I'm guessing the 227 would be better at handling thin jobs than the 3200. I just try to get my wallets and and cardholders as thin as possible to reduce bulk in the pocket. Oh and thanks for the feedback! These machines are all veritable sons, grandsons, etc of the Singer 111 or 153. They can all be adjusted to sew fabric or leather down to piecing a quilt. They will not sew 2oz to 18oz without a little adjustment, mainly to the tensions, top and sometimes bottom. I leave one machine set-up for fabric, with the 135-17 needle and the other one is set-up for leather with a 135-16 tri. I treat them a little hard as they are easy to fix if something minor breaks, usually just a needle. I usually (had to say usually) put the limit at v-138 thread and 20 oz max thickness. The whole lineup is pretty good, stick with the brand names mentioned here. Art Quote For heaven's sakes pilgrim, make yourself a strop!
Moderator Art Posted August 21, 2015 Moderator Report Posted August 21, 2015 I agree about the cylinder arm. That was part of the reason I had been leaning toward the Techsew, although it kinda looked like the Cobra flat bed might detach into a somewhat bulky arm. It looks like the Cowboy's do have a flat bed attachment for $85. Are you saying the Cobra 18's are good machines, you just have to know how to fix them? Or do you have problems with them breaking down on you quite often. Do you happen to have either a Cowboy 227R or 3200? Looking for a little more information on how thin of material they can ideally sew. Oh, and do you have any insight on the Techsew? Thanks for taking the time to help me with this! Paige I do not have, nor have I sewn on a Techsew. Ron just never comes to shows down here, so I haven't got my hands on one. I have not heard a lot of complaints about them either. The cobra machines are ok, like I said, I have two 18s. The were made by Highlead (some are not), Highlead makes very good machines, overall, I am pleased with them. Cowboy has corrected any problems they had years ago and are also a very good machine. If I needed another machine in this class, I would buy a Cowboy CB227R just because of the versatility, and for an extra $85, I sure would get the table. Art Quote For heaven's sakes pilgrim, make yourself a strop!
Members phinshaw Posted August 21, 2015 Author Members Report Posted August 21, 2015 These machines are all veritable sons, grandsons, etc of the Singer 111 or 153. They can all be adjusted to sew fabric or leather down to piecing a quilt. They will not sew 2oz to 18oz without a little adjustment, mainly to the tensions, top and sometimes bottom. I leave one machine set-up for fabric, with the 135-17 needle and the other one is set-up for leather with a 135-16 tri. I treat them a little hard as they are easy to fix if something minor breaks, usually just a needle. I usually (had to say usually) put the limit at v-138 thread and 20 oz max thickness. The whole lineup is pretty good, stick with the brand names mentioned here. Art Great! That all makes sense. Yeah I think it was the 4100 and 5100 Techsew's that state they have a minimum of 6oz that made me question the lighter end capabilities of these machines. That and a friend of mine has a Cobra 4 which she thought would be way too heavy duty for my needs, but that has all made more sense the more I've looked into leather sewing machines. I'll see what more I can find out about Techsew's, maybe they're easier to get your hands on here in Missouri. Thanks for all your help! Definitely leaning towards the Cowboy CB227R. Gonna do a little more research before I pull the trigger, but it sounds like a great machine! Thanks again, Paige Quote
Northmount Posted August 21, 2015 Report Posted August 21, 2015 I have a Techsew 2700. Got it about 3 years ago. No problems other than learning to set the tension with changes in leather. That goes for all machines. Tom Quote
Members phinshaw Posted August 21, 2015 Author Members Report Posted August 21, 2015 I have a Techsew 2700. Got it about 3 years ago. No problems other than learning to set the tension with changes in leather. That goes for all machines. Tom Great! That's good to hear. I've been really attracted to this machine from the start. Thanks! Quote
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.