Cobra Class 26 machine

[Ceejay]

On 10/15/2018 at 12:39 AM, Wizcrafts said:

 

Try to learn about the ranges of thicknesses, densities and thread sizes that different types of sewing machines can "normally" handle. There are always exceptions that knowledgeable individuals can dial in. Industrial sewing machines are purpose built with specific types of sewing and material and thread handling capabilities designed in from the start.

Leathercrafters can usually (but not always) ignore most of the tailoring, embroidering and specialty machines and concentrate on walking foot machines of varying capabilities. These are usually classified according to the type of work they are built to handle without breaking down. Upholstery class machines can typically sew from about 1/16 up to 3/8 of an inch. Some can't quite sew that thickness. Most are able to properly tension up to #138 bonded (nylon/polyester) thread. This thread has a breaking strength of 22 pounds. In order to sew efficiently with thicker thread and/or thicker/denser leather requires a much stronger mechanism. That is why many of us buy big harness stitchers like the Cobra Class 4, Cowboy CB4500, Techsew 5100, Artisan and Adler super duty machines and even the venerable Juki TSC-441.

Know that as much as an upholstery grade machine has difficulty sewing thick material with heavy thread, a harness stitcher has an equal and opposite problem sewing thin material with thin thread. Big machines can be dumbed down, as I have blogged about on my profile, but this is time consuming and not as efficient as having a less heavy duty machine already setup to sew things below the sweet spot of the bigger machine.

Thank you for the additional information, Wizcrafts.  I got an opportunity to see a Cobra 26 in person.Monday night. It was set up with 138 thread I think, and a fairly long stitch. Quite different from the domestic machines I’m used to. Looking forward to exploring this, and finding a machine that will suit my needs.  

[sbrownn]

What is the cylinder diameter of this machine?

[Memphis514]

On 3/1/2017 at 3:35 PM, Wizcrafts said:

I heard from Cobra Steve about the new Class 26 machine. He told me that it sews from 3 ounces up to 3/8 inch, uses standard walking foot System 135x16 and 135x17 needles, sizes 18 - 24, has an extra large hook that takes Juki LU (double capacity) bobbins and can handle up to #277 thread on top, with #207 in the bobbin. It also uses standard Singer 111 type walking feet.

That's all I know at this time. I hope this helps.

everyone i have talked to says that #207 top thread and #138 in the bobbin is teh largest thread you can run through the Cobra 26.

[luxuryluke]

This is a fascinating thread full of wisdom.  

[JSLeathercraft]

I purchased a Cowboy 341 from Bob Kovar a couple of years ago.  I drove up to try it out in person and bought it on the spot.  I also have a 31-15 with a roller foot that I use for thin stuff...decorative stitching with <69 thread.  My big guy...a Juki 441 with Efka Vario DC handles anything too thick for the CB341 and/or thread 277 and up.  I bought the CB341 to fit in the middle.  It has become my favorite machine of all time (I haven't had as many as some on this site....but I've had more than a few..hee hee).  The only mod I have made (after some frustration) was to remove the cork brake on the servo motor.   

As you can see in the video link below, I am easily able to sew thru two layers of bridle leather with 207 top AND bottom.  I actually run 207 both top and bottom most of the time in this machine.  I don't know if that is a testament to Bob's amazing setup or what, but it has never been a problem for me.  This is why trying a specific machine in person or getting a sample sewn off the machine you are looking at is important.  The exact machine and setup can matter.  

This is a pretty old thread with some recent replies so I hated to add more to it but I felt it might be helpful to someone researching a version of this machine.  

https://youtu.be/UYUoVMZqAKw       CB-341 with 207 thread top and bottom.

Edited July 28, 2020 by JSLeathercraft

[RockyAussie]

4 hours ago, JSLeathercraft said:

I purchased a Cowboy 341 from Bob Kovar a couple of years ago.  I drove up to try it out in person and bought it on the spot.  I also have a 31-15 with a roller foot that I use for thin stuff...decorative stitching with <69 thread.  My big guy...a Juki 441 with Efka Vario DC handles anything too thick for the CB341 and/or thread 277 and up.  I bought the CB341 to fit in the middle.  It has become my favorite machine of all time (I haven't had as many as some on this site....but I've had more than a few..hee hee).  The only mod I have made (after some frustration) was to remove the cork brake on the servo motor.   

As you can see in the video link below, I am easily able to sew thru two layers of bridle leather with 207 top AND bottom.  I actually run 207 both top and bottom most of the time in this machine.  I don't know if that is a testament to Bob's amazing setup or what, but it has never been a problem for me.  This is why trying a specific machine in person or getting a sample sewn off the machine you are looking at is important.  The exact machine and setup can matter.  

This is a pretty old thread with some recent replies so I hated to add more to it but I felt it might be helpful to someone researching a version of this machine.  

https://youtu.be/UYUoVMZqAKw       CB-341 with 207 thread top and bottom.

Good looking video showing the machine in use. Thanks for sharing.

[shoepatcher]

On 3/1/2017 at 9:45 AM, Uwe said:

If your Consew 227R-2 is a re-badged Seiko CW8B-2 (check inside for Seiko branded parts), I wouldn't dismiss it just yet. Try adjusting your 227 for maximum and equal alternating foot lift as it walks. The Seiko CW8B specs state a alternating foot lift of up to 5.5mm, which is about the same as my Juki LS-341 (and likely the same for Cobra Class 26).

Your Consew 227R-2 may just be able to climb up and down your seams after all. Presser foot design and stitch length also play a role in how willingly the feet will climb up or down big steps. 

If your Consew 227R-2 can't step onto the seams, the Juki LS-341 and Cobra Class 26 machines will very likely struggle, too. The next step up from that general class of machines is the Juki TSC-441 and its various clones. 

  

 

 

Here are pictures of my Juki LS-341 adjusted for maximum alternating foot lift (about 5.5mm.)

 Feed dog teeth up way too high.

 

[alainbriot]

The bobbin case on the Cobra Class 26 and the Juki LS-1341 are different.  On the Cobra class 26 the bobbin case stays on the machine; the user only removes the bobbin itself.  On the Juki LS-1341 both the bobbin case and the bobbin are removed to replace the bobbin.  So, which machine is the Cobra Class 26 bobbin a clone of?  It is not a clone of the Juki LS-1341 since the bobbin assembly is different.

Edited February 24, 2024 by alainbriot

[CowboyBob]

15 hours ago, alainbriot said:

The bobbin case on the Cobra Class 26 and the Juki LS-1341 are different.  On the Cobra class 26 the bobbin case stays on the machine; the user only removes the bobbin itself.  On the Juki LS-1341 both the bobbin case and the bobbin are removed to replace the bobbin.  So, which machine is the Cobra Class 26 bobbin a clone of?  It is not a clone of the Juki LS-1341 since the bobbin assembly is different.

Older model Juki 341

[alainbriot]

Thank you. Much appreciated!