Anybody have experience with the Tippmann Boss?

just-a-hunter

just-a-hunter

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Nov 5, 2015
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I really need a machine. It will save a lot of time in the shop. I'm never going to be a leather maker, except for my knife sheaths.

This seems like an awesome investment that doesn't take up too much real estate in the shop and would be about perfect if knife sheaths and a few holsters for personal use is all you are going to do? It also seems like a good ballance between good quality machinery but quite a bit less than an electric machine that takes up more shop space.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kA1vYv6mwyg

I've pretty much made up my mind I'm going to get one, just wondering if the experienced folks think that is a bad choice.

Thanks for your time,

Todd
 
Tippmann Boss #3 (the very first one let out to the public) was my first machine. There is a learning curve especially if you have never used a sewing machine of any kind, but the machine served me very well for about three years before I went motorized, and I got nearly all my money back when I sold it. They were a lot cheaper then, by the way. Mine was less than a thousand dollars full price from the factory rep.

Do not screw around with the tension adjustments after you first get it. You won't know diddly shit about what you are doing and you will just screw things up worse. Ask me how I know later;)

Probably the best thing I can caution you about is to take FULL strokes when sewing. All the way up to the stop and all the way down to the stop. Short strokes will cause you grief you cannot even imagine and then comes the screwing around with the tension settings and then frustrationX10!

It is a great machine, and will do just about everything a powered machine can do just one stroke at a time. I think it is a very reasonable investment for a hobbyist or light production shops.......and it is portable if necessary.

Paul
 
Thank you, Paul. That is awesome info and I appreciate the advice more than you know. I have loaded thousands and thousands of rounds of ammo on a Dillon 550b and learned quickly that short stroking will cause major grief. I will be very mindful when using and learning this machine.

Thank you again very much!

Todd
 
I have no complaints about mine. Like Paul said, once the tension is set let it alone. It's my first machine and I've been using it for a couple years with no need for any upgrade....yet
 
I think what it more comes down to is expectations and budget. When I first got to looking for a machine one of the older heavier Boss' came up for sale local to me and I bought it. That machine IIRC was between $9-1000. I'll be the naysayer and recommend you save or stretch for a lower end adler clone such as a cowboy or small cobra which start in the $1500 range.

With the Tippmann you cannot work a project with both hands while stitching (obviously). This may not seem like a big deal but on small projects especially it can be a big help. I did it with the Tippmann, I do it better with the Cobra.

As mentioned above the timing on the Boss is a sore subject. Mine would fall out of time sitting there, so you always have to do test runs and tweaks before running the machine even between back to back projects. My Cobra can sit for a month and still be right where I left it. I can't explain how frustrating this process can be and it wreaks havoc on production (doesn't matter if this is for fun or for business, time is money). I even sent mine back to the factory to have it gone through thinking I was either doing something wrong, or something was worn out. It may have just been that machine but it was an awful big headache for me.

The biggest thing I ran into is parts breakage, but it was a used older machine so that is expected to some point. The gear on the handle that drives the whole thing I broke twice. I sheered the cable for the presser foot, and had to modify the machine to fit the new style which has a solid metal curve so that it shouldn't break. I'd have a lot of small things go wrong but you get good at fixing it with time. I've had one part on my Cobra break which was the needle carrier, and they overnighted me a replacement free of charge where as all the Boss repairs are out of pocket. It needs to be mounted to something very sturdy even if you make a base you can clamp/unclamp from your main work bench as movement can be harder on you and the machine.

My last thing is not really a 'thing' til you see it but the feeding action of the boss can and usually does do a number on the back side of your project. That may not be an important consideration, but if you poke around on here and look you can usually see what's hand stitched, what's on an Adler or clone, and what's done on a Boss.

A budget is a budget and I understand this probably won't change any minds but I sure wished someone had saved me the hassle as an electric was worth the investment for me due to the low amount of hassle it provides me.
 
I'd have to second Eagles thoughts Todd. I have absolutely no experience with the Boss. However, when I bought my Ferdco (literally in another century) I was considering the Boss. The Ferdco was like $250 more at the time. I'm sure glad I went with the Ferdco. Really the onnly advantage I see is the smaller footprint. Even if you only forsee the usage you described that doesn't mean you might not be doing more 5 years from now or 10 years from now. I'd get a powered machin and figur out how to make it fit.
 
If you go to Tandy Leather and if you have a business license or are a Veteran you can get $300 off of the list price. It's an awesome machine, I have sewn several thousand sheaths with mine. Tippmann has awesome service too, second to none.
 
Thanks Fellas... a lot of time went into these thoughts and I really appreciate them.

These sheaths take me about two hours of labor a piece when in production line mode. I know that even with the boss I can easily cut that in half as most of the time I spend on them is getting the stitching nice.

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I'm really not naturally talented with craft work. I really have to concentrate and take my time or they don't turn out. I've watched pros wiz through a sheath like this in short order..

Lots to think about and thanks again.
 
One more comment. Anyone who has seen my shop knows that I am 100% in favor of the powered machinery and Cobra brand at that. The Boss was my first STITCHER but not my first powered machine. I had an old used up Pfaff flat bed also. My point here is that the Boss was a very good first stitcher and taught me a lot about sewing heavier materials and kept up with my production at that time very nicely. When the time came to consider up grading, I knew a lot more about what I wanted and why because of the experience with the Boss. As I previously stated I got almost all of my money back when I sold the Boss. They hold their value really well.

While I agree that the powered machinery is really the way to go ultimately, the Boss is still a very viable alternative for a beginner, light user or hobbyist. I would not argue with you either way. Based on what you wrote in your first post, the Boss would be a very reasonable decision. IF you do go on and start to produce more and more leather work then the powered machine would make more sense then (if ever)

Paul
 
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