How to setup a Cobra Class 4 for holster sewing?

[lws380]

I have 2 Cobra 4's. 277 bonded nylon thread (top and bottom) in both, one white and one black thread.  I use # 24 needle on the white thread, and #25 with black thread. I used a #24 on the black thread and got sporadic skipping. Changed to the larger #25 for the black and skipping stoped all together. Back thread is considerably stiffer than the white. 

[veritasleather]

On May 6, 2016 at 10:32 AM, JLSleather said:

Re: needle size to thread size.  Keep in mind that not all needles are created equal.  Two different manufacturers (or even the same manufacturer) may make - for example - a size 24 needle with a different hole size, point geometry, etc.  Two needles can BOTH be 794 series and size 24 yet be considerably different.  I wouldn't carve needle sizes in stone.. just a place to start - like how hard do you strike a punch (answer:  hard as you need to).

Red has been on about poly thread for a while now.  I tried poly thread (and still have some) but I prefer the nylon.  From what I have read, the "advantage" of poly thread seems to be a bit more resistant to UV -- other words less likely do decay due to direct sunlight.  This is not a new concept -- my monofilament fishing line has the same issue -- but it doesn't disintegrate over night.  So, I largely (not exclusively) use nylon thread.  This week I had opportunity to see a tooled handbag I made over 25 years ago -- does NOT need re-stitched   Having said that, I've always liked Red's holsters, which appear to me to be both solid AND attractive.

Incidentally, my post above must have been 'fat-fingered'.. it should have ready that i prefer LL point needles.  The stitch is much straighter, and tighter with the same tension setting.

QUICK PIC of the difference, both stitches were done without changing the stitch length or tension... Note that the black stitch on the right (LR point) appears longer due to the angle - it is the SAME stitch length as the left side.

 

JLSleather,

I have had my Cobra4 for just a couple of months and I finally got it to stitch correctly, thanks to many of the pros on this forum. Your pick above shows what I would like my stitches to look like. I want to continue to use 277 nylon on both top and bottom. Can you give me a specific model number of needles for the "LR" and "LL" and maybe the vendor to order from? I have been reading a lot about needles but I get thrown off by all the 7x3, 7x4, 200/xxx etc. I think I know the series for my machine is 794. I would really appreciate your help, or any of you guys that can help me out. 

thank you!

Edited September 10, 2016 by veritasleather

[JLSleather]

I've been using Organ needles.  I lack the experience to confirm that they are THE BEST made, but they do stitch well, so there's that. 

As for the 794 designation, the 7x4 is the same thing, said a different way. There was a chart around here somewhere explaining all of that.. but no idea where it went.  They might also say DY3.

I got some recently from an ebay seller.  Keep in mind, that i ordered from them twice... once I got just what I ordered... the other time I got a different needle (even though I emailed to confirm they were 'LL' points, they weren't).

http://www.ebay.com/itm/400730390609?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&var=670274800837&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

For 277 thread top and bottom, you'll likely want a #25 needle.

 

[veritasleather]

4 hours ago, JLSleather said:

I've been using Organ needles.  I lack the experience to confirm that they are THE BEST made, but they do stitch well, so there's that. 

As for the 794 designation, the 7x4 is the same thing, said a different way. There was a chart around here somewhere explaining all of that.. but no idea where it went.  They might also say DY3.

I got some recently from an ebay seller.  Keep in mind, that i ordered from them twice... once I got just what I ordered... the other time I got a different needle (even though I emailed to confirm they were 'LL' points, they weren't).

http://www.ebay.com/itm/400730390609?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&var=670274800837&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

For 277 thread top and bottom, you'll likely want a #25 needle.

 

Great! This definitely points me in the right direction with needle selection. Thanks for clearing this stuff up. Also, side note: I recently discovered your holster downloads and edge guide video. cool stuff, and definitely going to try one of your holster patterns soon, and definitely order that edge guide from eBay.

Thanks again sir!

[JLSleather]

That edge guide really is a nice addition.  People make videos these days more for attention than to actually make a valid point, but that would be other "not-Jeff" people.  If the thing wasn't a 'plus' for me, there wouldn't be a video   That roller thingy that came with the machine isn't entirely useless, but the drop-down model is much more convenient (and less money, if i remember right).

I don't mind "clearing up" what I can and where i can, though it does seem quite petty that for two and a half THOUSAND dollars you get to hope that the machine is set up correctly and for information ask questions on a forum from someone OTHER THAN the place you got the machine.  I bought a $10 digital stop watch recently, and EVEN THAT came with SOME kind of manual...

 

[veritasleather]

6 hours ago, JLSleather said:

That edge guide really is a nice addition.  People make videos these days more for attention than to actually make a valid point, but that would be other "not-Jeff" people.  If the thing wasn't a 'plus' for me, there wouldn't be a video   That roller thingy that came with the machine isn't entirely useless, but the drop-down model is much more convenient (and less money, if i remember right).

I don't mind "clearing up" what I can and where i can, though it does seem quite petty that for two and a half THOUSAND dollars you get to hope that the machine is set up correctly and for information ask questions on a forum from someone OTHER THAN the place you got the machine.  I bought a $10 digital stop watch recently, and EVEN THAT came with SOME kind of manual...

 

Yes, and thank you for making the video with that purpose. It works, its functional, minimal gap under the roller, it goes away when you don't need it, comes right back, boom! I want! Simple as that, And I have definitely gotten about 90% of my C4 questions answered here and on YouTube, so thanks again!

I am ordering the needles as well, hopefully they will send the right ones.

Edited September 10, 2016 by veritasleather

[JLSleather]

One more "tip" about the set-up..... when using a 25 needle, I would consider 6 per inch the MAX to stitch with, and probably aim at a bit longer stitch than that... 5 or 5 1/2 per inch.  Too many holes too close together is called a "tear"

 

[veritasleather]

1 minute ago, JLSleather said:

One more "tip" about the set-up..... when using a 25 needle, I would consider 6 per inch the MAX to stitch with, and probably aim at a bit longer stitch than that... 5 or 5 1/2 per inch.  Too many holes too close together is called a "tear"

 

Yes, definitely, I believe I am at about 5 per inch. I like the look so far. My "LL" needles are ordered, I am checking to see if they have the "LR" available as well. I didn't find any in the Cutex store. Lets see what they say....