Bought A Cobra Class 4

[Kcstott]

On 11/25/2020 at 7:55 PM, Handstitched said:

Its depends, whether its for hobby use  and/or with the view to turn it into a business, which was the case for me,  or for  an established business.  I've had mine since 2005, never looked back. I'd be lost without it now. It didn't take long to pay for itself  

HS 

I've had my class 4 almost a year and i don't know what I'd do without it. I added a 26 because it's a pain to get it to sew with 138

[Handstitched]

The range of colours in the M10/277 were  a bit limited in Australia ( in my preferred brand) , just the " main colours" , black brown, yellow & white but now the range has increased , reds , blues greens, beiges  etc. So now I can do so much more . 

@JWheeler331 I know It sounds silly, but there is a certain amount of fun  using one of these machines , and a good sense of satisfaction   .........my 2 cents worth  

By now , its all set up and ready to go? 

All the best, and have fun , 

HS

[dikman]

39 minutes ago, Handstitched said:

 

@JWheeler331 I know It sounds silly, but there is a certain amount of fun  using one of these machines , and a good sense of satisfaction   .........my 2 cents worth

I know exactly what you mean, it's nice slowly driving that big needle and heavy thread through thick leather. It feels like a real man's machine.

[Kcstott]

19 hours ago, dikman said:

I know exactly what you mean, it's nice slowly driving that big needle and heavy thread through thick leather. It feels like a real man's machine.

Pretty much. After hand sewing and even trying to do very light leather on a "heavy duty home sewing machine" ( i know no such thing and I agree ) The Class 4 is only out done by the class 7 but only in terms of what you can put under the foot. You can sew with rope. you can sew nearly anything and the machine just does it with ease. I've sewn cheek risers for rifle shooters. I stack up 3/4" of 12 oz leather and stitch right through it like nothing. This machine could only be stronger if it was hydraulically powered. 

[DonInReno]

Although my big machine is normally set up with thicker thread, it’s nice to have a bobbin loaded with 138 and a set of blanket feet for canvas and vinyl seams and straps that are too thick for an upholstery weight machine.   

[Kcstott]

8 hours ago, DonInReno said:

Although my big machine is normally set up with thicker thread, it’s nice to have a bobbin loaded with 138 and a set of blanket feet for canvas and vinyl seams and straps that are too thick for an upholstery weight machine.   

I never had luck with 138 on a class 4 to much tension and couldn't back it off enough to get it right. 
I now have a class 26 for 138 and lighter threads

[DonInReno]

3 minutes ago, Kcstott said:

I never had luck with 138 on a class 4 to much tension and couldn't back it off enough to get it right. 
I now have a class 26 for 138 and lighter threads

I really like the design of the class 26 - I’d buy one if a really good deal comes up.

Luckily  my 441 clone will sew 138 and 346 almost interchangeably with almost no change in lower tension settings.   

[Kcstott]

On 11/27/2020 at 2:29 AM, dikman said:

I know exactly what you mean, it's nice slowly driving that big needle and heavy thread through thick leather. It feels like a real man's machine.

 

[Lobo]

The Cobra Class 4 was the best investment I made over 43 years in the leather business. I hand-stitched for years (and I have the arthritis, carpal tunnel, and cupital tunnel issues that come with that), I struggled with a couple of lesser stitching machines, then I purchased the Cobra Class 4. Excellent performance, minimal maintenance, and Leather Machine Company is always there to assist with any little issues that come up.

I made holsters, belts, and accessories, typically 1500-2000 orders annually delivered to customers in all 50 US states and 33 other countries. The Cobra Class 4 greatly reduced my production times and allowed me to stay on top of that side of the business easily.

Highest recommendation.

[Handstitched]

On 11/27/2020 at 6:29 PM, dikman said:

I know exactly what you mean, it's nice slowly driving that big needle and heavy thread through thick leather. It feels like a real man's machine.

These are old pics now  , but  I sew  aluminium beverage logo's into leather. Recently just made a new batch for Christmas .  Logos keep changing.  These are a ' man''s  stubby holder   

This machine opened me up to new ideas . 

 

Edited December 1, 2020 by Handstitched