zikman Report post Posted January 11, 2017 Hi guys, recently bought a cowboy cb3200 machine. Got it all set up and been playing around with it. Very easy to pick up, which is great... but I haven't quite got everything perfect yet. Specifically I'm having trouble with the top tension seemingly being too high. Here's a few pics to illustrate. https://imgur.com/a/mv9R8 I've done a ton of research and troubleshooting. The top thread tension is as loose as it goes and I've toyed around with the bobbin tension, which doesn't seem to make a difference. The stitching seems to come out fine when I sew two layers of 5/6 oz. Buy anything less than that doesn't come out right. Is it a problem with needle/thread size? Or something else I might not be considering. It's kinda driving me mad. I've read through every forum post, watched every video several times and I still can't quite figure it out. Thanks for any help! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CowboyBob Report post Posted January 11, 2017 Yes,try tightening the bobbin tension alittle should help.Do you need or want to sew 5 oz? What happens when your sewing thin is it's hard to not see the knot because the leather so thin for the thread size,it would also help to go to a smaller size in the bobbin than on top. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wizcrafts Report post Posted January 12, 2017 Your needle and thread combination is perfect for thicknesses between 7 - 10 ounces. I sew suede lined rifle slings and guitar straps that are within those thicknesses with the same needle and thread combo, using a CB4500 or Cobra Class 4. You can tighten the knots by using a #22 needle. For anything between 5 and 7 ounces I would use #92 thread and a #20 needle. It is much easier to bury the knots with #92 (T90) thread. As regards the top tensioners, you should be able to pull the top thread out through the needle and raised feet little to no effort, with the feet lifted all the way up (via the ball handle lifter or foot lifter). If the top disks do not separate with the lifter engaged, the crank with the slot along the bottom may have come out of the little round peg that causes the crank to push up between the disks. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JLSleather Report post Posted January 12, 2017 (edited) 23 needle is pretty big hole for 138 thread I guess they're popular enough, but i don't like the 'S' point needles. Edited January 12, 2017 by JLSleather Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
