Needle feed questions

[stickandtin]

We ordered a Cowboy 538 from Toledo Industrial. It arrived yesterday. As usual, Bob Kovar was wonderful to deal with and we got the machine in less than a week(Toledo to Lubbock, Tx) from the time we ordered it. We bought the machine to primarily sew draperies. However, we are wondering what else this needle feed machine can be used for and what it's capabilities are. Can it sew leather, vinyl, canvas? What thicknesses? What range of needles and thread can it handle? As far as manuals to operate the machine, the main book is written in Chinese. Why does Cowboy include a user manual that is written only in Chinese? Other than some illustrations it's of no use to us. There was another smaller supplement written in English that covered some basics. Our Juki manual at least had English translations. Because the main manual is in Chinese, I'm sure we will have plenty of questions about operating the machine. We would appreciate any input on other uses for and capabilities of this machine. Thanks!

[brmax]

Do you have some pics or a link I cannot find it anywhere, Cowboy, Hightex.

What is it similar to in your opinion

Thanks

[mikesc]

@stickandtin..all your questions are better addressed directly to Bob Kovar, who sold you the machine, especially re English instructions, and the machines capabilities.

[stickandtin]

Mikesc.....yes, I can place a call to Bob. I just thought maybe some other people on this forum may own and use this model machine and would share some info about it.

[brmax]

Curious is it with an oil pump or have the places on the top for daily oil.

I did find a pic from an earlier post you made, sorry.  It looks like a newer juki casting maybe 87series.

The Juki manuals have like 5 languages in them and drive me nuts, I wished for just one! mine.

Another pic or two of the needle end would be cool.

Good day

Floyd

 

[stickandtin]

It has an oil pump, but three manual oiling spots on top of machine. Here are some pics.

[stickandtin]

Photo of needle mechansim

 

 

[Gregspitz]

I sew watch straps with a Techsew 5580 Roller foot needle feed machine (otherwise looks similar to yours)..but I recently added a speed reducer to do it well.

Since I am sewing slow all the time and it is self oiled with a pump...I run it as fast as I can for bobbin winding and oil it regularly through every

hole I can..Not sure if that helped but that is what I do.

here is a video

https://youtu.be/U9S2C4jrQdk

[Uwe]

Tech specs, needles and thread range, availability of manuals are important details most people ask about before they buy a machine. Bob's your guy.

Edited June 25, 2016 by Uwe

[Uwe]

13 hours ago, brmax said:

The Juki manuals have like 5 languages in them and drive me nuts, I wished for just one! mine.

I'm thankful that Juki (and Durkopp Adler, Pfaff etc.) care enough to actually produce manuals in multiple languages. I translated technical (car) manuals to finance college in the U.S. and it's HARD work. Ignoring a language you don't know is super easy by comparison.