A little change to make a BIG differance on Cowboy sewing machines

[Spyros]

No I'm not touching the bobbin... This is bobbin side, same stitching, but on a newer leather that's had a bit of NFO recently

Does look a bit better.

The guides, I just don't see it... I tried them both on a belt just then, and there's just no way to get the guide roller close enough to the needle without hitting the foot.  Maybe that's close enough for some heavy belts

 

The dropdown guide didn't even clear the foot lever, I had to take the lever off to operate it, and then the same problem.  It just doesn't get close enough to the stitch line.  Maybe I need a different foot, I guess?

Edited December 21, 2021 by Spyros

[RockyAussie]

8 minutes ago, Spyros said:

Maybe I need a different foot, I guess?

Correct, you would do a lot better with the left side presser foot installed but watch that you reduce the foot pressure down enough to not leave foot impressions all over the top. Using your thumbs you should be able to lift the back foot by hand about a 1/2".  On the bobbin side stitching, a quick rub over with a bone slicker can improve the look and equally a quick rub polish will as well.

[Spyros]

I love it though, it's a great machine 

[Spyros]

4 hours ago, RockyAussie said:

Correct, you would do a lot better with the left side presser foot installed but watch that you reduce the foot pressure down enough to not leave foot impressions all over the top. Using your thumbs you should be able to lift the back foot by hand about a 1/2".  On the bobbin side stitching, a quick rub over with a bone slicker can improve the look and equally a quick rub polish will as well.

Which one do you think?

[Wizcrafts]

You might get straighter stitches with a D point needle. It has a triangular shape. I find that they also lay the thread more on the surface and don't submerge the ends like the S point needles.

[Spyros]

5 hours ago, Wizcrafts said:

You might get straighter stitches with a D point needle. It has a triangular shape. I find that they also lay the thread more on the surface and don't submerge the ends like the S point needles.

I actually don't mind the look of the slanted stitches... like I said it looks exactly like my hand stitching, and because I make bags I think there will always be some awkward location the machine can't get to and I'll have to handstitch, and it's better to look consistent.

[dikman]

I don't think I got an open toe inner foot with mine (boo hoo ). Best thing is to try the different feet to see the effect they have, you have the double-toe foot fitted in the picture which stops the guide getting too close. As for the drop-down guide, yes, it gets in the way of the manual lifting lever so I made an extension to move the lever to the right. As mine is mounted on a conventional table, however, I made an extension underneath the table and fitted another pedal so I can lift the feet using my left foot. I find it works well and is more convenient than using the hand lifter.

[RockyAussie]

15 hours ago, Spyros said:

Which one do you think?

Left toe harness foot for the belt edge.

 

Edited December 22, 2021 by RockyAussie

[TomE]

Received the narrow feed dog and plate today, and can second that they fit the Cobra Class 4 machine beautifully.  So much easier to sew close to an edge.  I am now determined to sew bridles with narrow padded straps and swells on the machine instead of by hand.  Time for experimentation.

[Spyros]

6 hours ago, dikman said:

I don't think I got an open toe inner foot with mine (boo hoo ). Best thing is to try the different feet to see the effect they have, you have the double-toe foot fitted in the picture which stops the guide getting too close. As for the drop-down guide, yes, it gets in the way of the manual lifting lever so I made an extension to move the lever to the right. As mine is mounted on a conventional table, however, I made an extension underneath the table and fitted another pedal so I can lift the feet using my left foot. I find it works well and is more convenient than using the hand lifter.

Yeah it took me a bit to understand that I'm supposed to operate both pedals with one foot, initially I did it like driving a manual car: one foot on the clutch and one foot on the gas :D

I think Wizcrafts and Rocky would get an aneurysm if they saw me like that LOL