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

[Spyros]

Machine stitching Vs hand stitching

I can live with that

[chrisash]

I guess the one further away from the lens is the machine made on just slightly more consistent tension

 

[Spyros]

1 hour ago, chrisash said:

I guess the one further away from the lens is the machine made on just slightly more consistent tension

 

nope, that's the handstitched one.   

[RockyAussie]

14 minutes ago, Spyros said:

nope, that's the handstitched one.   

IF that is using an LR needle .....you can try turning your needle clockwise about 5 degrees to get a more slanted stitch then also back of your primary tension (the lower one on the end cover) about 1/2 to maybe a full turn. Don't turn the needle too far as it could end up too close to the hook but there is a fair bit off play room. They are one of the tamest well behaved machines I have ever used.

6 hours ago, TomE said:

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.

Thanks for the good feedback @TomE. I am sure you are going to find a good improvement production wise on wide range than before. Merry Christmas

[dikman]

5 hours ago, Spyros said:

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

I found that using my right foot for both operations was a bit of a nuisance as I kept looking down to see where my foot was! I was too worried about accidentally pressing down on the Go pedal and putting a stitch hole where I didn't want it! Using my left foot for the lifter feels far more intuitive.

[Spyros]

1 hour ago, RockyAussie said:

IF that is using an LR needle .....you can try turning your needle clockwise about 5 degrees to get a more slanted stitch then also back of your primary tension (the lower one on the end cover) about 1/2 to maybe a full turn. Don't turn the needle too far as it could end up too close to the hook but there is a fair bit off play room. They are one of the tamest well behaved machines I have ever used.

It is an incredible machine and I cant thank you enough for encouraging me to get it, you were right as usual.  I've been casually playing with it for about a day on and off and I can already thread it, stitch straight, turn, stitch backwards and fall on the existing holes, wind a bobbin, change the length between holes, and I haven't even touched the manual yet.  I just need to learn more about thread and foot tensions when I change leather thickness, learn about the other presser feet options, and work on my finishing stitch technique a bit.  And then I can use it on an actual bag.  For now I made those two for the shop, just for practice, and it's already a lot more than I thought I'd be doing after 1 day with my very first sewing machine

  

[Spyros]

On 12/22/2021 at 12:44 PM, RockyAussie said:

Left toe harness foot for the belt edge.

 

Unfortunately no luck with that thing... it's leaving a huge impression on the leather (2 layers of 2mm chromexcel).  So I started backing up the foot pressure from the big screw on the top, except it was my first time doing it and I had no way of knowing how far I could go.  So I kept unscrewing and trying another stitch, hoping the screw would have some sort of stop, but it doesn't, and eventually the whole thing popped off.  It must have some sort of spring inside.  I pushed it back in and screwed it in, started sewing for a couple of minutes, lifted the foot to make a turn, and then the foot wouldn't come down no matter what.  Just got stuck in the up position.  In the end the only thing I could do was push the pedal a little and it came down with big clang.  I gave it some oil on the screw from the top and it's fine now (I think) but yeah, not a good experience with the left toe harness foot.  I tried them all actually and honestly the one that came mounted on the machine is probably the best.  But I can't stitch very close to the edge with it, or use a guide.

Edited December 23, 2021 by Spyros

[dikman]

Mine came with an extra spring for the pressure foot, I think it's a lighter spring. Did you get one (long coil spring)? If you remove the pressure adjusting screw you can fish the spring out, it's not held in by anything.

[Spyros]

1 minute ago, dikman said:

Mine came with an extra spring for the pressure foot, I think it's a lighter spring. Did you get one (long coil spring)? If you remove the pressure adjusting screw you can fish the spring out, it's not held in by anything.

Ahhhh YES!  There is another spring in a clear baggie, I was wondering what that is... I'll go check it out and I'll be back shortly 

[Spyros]

Yeah that was it, thanks Richard!  The other spring is much softer.

The presser foot still gets stuck halfway down, it's probably some moisture or something... maybe some WD40?