Need Advice Cowboy 3200 Machine

[Dwight]

I've used a Tippmann Boss for the last 20 or so years . . . and at 77 . . . I'm looking to make it all a bit easier.

Am very interested in the Cowboy 3200 machine . . . but wanted to know how others have done with it.

I do belts, sheaths, holsters, suspenders . . .  a billfold here and there . . .  a purse here and there . . .  and an occasional custom rig of one sort or another.

Thanks, appreciate any feedback you may have . . . good or bad.

May God bless,

Dwight

[Wizcrafts]

Dwight;

I went straight up to a CB4500 for the longer arm and harp space and the extra thickness capacity. Some of our holsters are 3/4 inch along the rib and one was a full 7/8 inch. A lot of our sheath work starts at a half inch and easily hits 5/8 inch. The CB3200 has an upper limit of a half inch. Why be limited? Figure out if you may need to routinely exceed 1/2 inch, and/or need to sew wider items and buy accordingly.

[Double Daddy]

I bought the 3200...way back in late '13 from Toledo Sewing/Mr. Bob himself...it's been a good machine that has paid for itself many times over making holsters & accessories, belts, portfolios...even wallets (although they are on the thick side 'cause I design them that way and I don't like readjusting for "finer work").  ZERO complaints. 

Having said all of that...Wiz is absolutely, 100% correct. If I had it to do over again, I would have gotten the bigger'un (4500). Those portfolios would be easier to swing around with the extra throat/arm space...and so would the larger field holsters that I have occasionally done for folks. The extra material/project thickness would have been nice as well...

One of those 227/341 machines wouldn't be a bad thing either...for smaller items (wallets, accessories, etc). One day...

Edited December 1, 2021 by Double Daddy

[Rhale]

I also have a 3200 and I am also happy with it but wish I had went with a 4500 just for the throat depth on doing larger projects!

[dikman]

I don't know about prices over there but when I was looking at getting a 4500 I thought about a 3200 as it seemed like a nice size machine but there was a minimal price difference here so it made sense to get the bigger machine. Now that RockyAussie has developed the narrow needle plate and feed dog to use #138 on thinner material it makes the 4500 much more versatile and probably better value.

[RockyAussie]

1 hour ago, dikman said:

I don't know about prices over there but when I was looking at getting a 4500 I thought about a 3200 as it seemed like a nice size machine but there was a minimal price difference here so it made sense to get the bigger machine. Now that RockyAussie has developed the narrow needle plate and feed dog to use #138 on thinner material it makes the 4500 much more versatile and probably better value.

Thanks for the mention @dikman. We have developed the same narrow needle plate/dog foot set for the CB 3200 as well. I do have to point out that the extra thickness the 4500 can handle is its major + point and if you ever want to put in a holster plate or stirrup plate set then you will need that extra lift for sure.

[Wizcrafts]

7 hours ago, RockyAussie said:

Thanks for the mention @dikman. We have developed the same narrow needle plate/dog foot set for the CB 3200 as well. I do have to point out that the extra thickness the 4500 can handle is its major + point and if you ever want to put in a holster plate or stirrup plate set then you will need that extra lift for sure.

That is the second main attraction of the higher lift machines. Until you have to raise something up to clear hardware or shapes hanging down on the left you won't appreciate the holster or stirrup plates. I have used both many times and would never willingly give up that extra clearance under the feet.

[jmball]

I have a Cowboy 3200. After talking with the Cobra folks at the Heart of Texas show in Waco this year, I am wishing I had bought a Class 3 instead. Same size machine but has the full height limit as the Class 4 & CB4500. My machine works great, but had I known about the height of the Class 3, I think I would have paid the small increase in price.

[Dwight]

Wizcraft . . . Dikman . . . Rhale . . . Double Daddy . . . 

OK . . . you guys won.  Just got back from Toledo an hour or so ago . . . the 4500 is in the back of the van.

Dang . . . that is one heavy little booger . . . 

Seriosly . . . thanks for all the advice . . .  I really wanted to stay with the 3200 . . . but knew I'd kick myself if I did . . . so I bit the bullet . . . went for it.

While you are at it . . . you might put a lady named Linda on your prayer list if you have one.  I mentioned I was going to get a new machine when my rich uncle got out of the poor house.  She asked me how much I needed . . . when I told her . . . she laughed and said not to worry about it.  She made a donation that really helped.  

I am her pastor . . . but that is beside the point . . . she just did it out of the goodness of her heart.

God is definitely good to us.

(now to get to work and learn how to use it . . . lol )

May God bless,

Dwight

Edited January 20, 2022 by Dwight

[dikman]

I'm sure you won't regret buying the bigger machine.  Don't forget to get the narrow plate from RockyAussie, it's a must-have for this machine.

As for the very kind lady, I reckon a custom holster, maybe - or a leather corset?

Edited January 20, 2022 by dikman