Gossip at the leather (toy) store.

[Slowhand Bob]

Tandy is selling out a fair amount of tooling at below dealer discount and being the nosey sort, I asked while at a store last week.  A great deal of the 'Stohlman Brand' stuff is being discontinued due to low sales, a shame since this was their closest line to good quality but I guess they know their customer base better than I.  I think the line was not targeted properly. 

What really caught my attention was the little Speedy Belt Embosser, this was clearanced at $90 below dealer price.  I'm told this will be replaced by an updated model with several new features, power adaptable being the only suggested change offered as likely.  Its hard for me to immagine this little tike being motorized in a practical way, but we will wait and see.

The best, I saved for last, a new sewing machine.  The whisper in my ear was that Tandy will soon be replacing the BOSS with a new manually operated sewing machine.  I do not know of any currently manufactured manual machines, other than the BOSS, sew we will have to wait and see on this one also.

Tippmanns machine is already under fire with foreign made motorised leather stitchers approaching the price of their BOSS model.  Tippmann did, at least in part, blame cheep imported machines as the death blow to the Aero Stitch.  Perhaps the Chineese are going to copy the BOSS for Tandy and EBay???

Rumors and rumors of rumors, take them for what they are worth.

[outrider]

Howdy Slowhand:

Ferdco also makes a hand operated machine (Ferdco Pro 6/6).  I also saw another brand at an Amish saddlemakers shop, but I can't remember the make

[Slowhand Bob]

I have a BOSS, and I like it for what it is but the loss of one hand to the crank operation does make it tough for some chores.  Though still quicker than hand sewing, bullet loops are still very slow and agravating on the little machine.  The little machines greatest value is in its portability but Tippmann sure would be ahead if they could add foot power without loss of the compact package.  I wonder if we have any regulars here who are using the BOSS? 

[outrider]

Slowhand:

I also have a Boss.  In fact I had it prior to the Ferdco Pro 2000..  Your correct it certainly has it's limitations.