Just want to share my excitement. Cowboy CB3500 coming to me.

[Tallbald]

Hi folks! Everyone here has always been so nice and helpful that I wanted to share some upcoming joy I expect. For three years, I've been hand stitching my holsters, sheathes and stuff. But spinal surgery and psoriatic arthritis have taken their toll on my ability to stand,sit or grip more than a few minutes at a time. With my loving family's encouragement, I've taken some funds from savings, and put up for sale some wood working tools and ordered a Cowboy CB3500 leather sewing machine. We saw this day coming and as my physical limitations have diminished my ability to sit or stand to hand stitch, I have had to make the decision that if I want to continue my craft, I must have a machine. For two years I have looked for a used machine able to do what I want, but have had no luck finding one. Last week I broke down and went for a new one I can afford on a limited budget. The price really isn't too bad for something that will allow me to continue leather work likely the rest of my life. Thankfully my interests are not as expensive as some of my friends are...bass boats, beautiful road touring motorcycles, extensive travel, sports cars and such. Wish me luck folks as I work to learn mechanical sewing, which was my only real choice at this point in life. Thankfully I have some adult children who are interested in leather crafting also who may one day end up with my machine when my wife and I leave to attend the great rodeo in the sky! Don

[dwight55]

Happy sewing, . . . just be sure to count your fingers each time you get done 

I say that with a twinge of envy, . . . I use a Boss, . . . and enjoy it.  Course, . . . about the time I say that, . . . I get one of those 55 inch belt customers   

Anyway, . . . enjoy, . . . you earned it.

May God bless,
Dwight

[Red Cent]

One problem Tallbald. You're gonna want to sew all the time. And raw product ain't cheap either. May God bless you and yours and I hope life will be enjoyed.

[Marshal Will Wingam]

Congratulations, Tallbald. Be sure to post pictures of your new toy when you get it.

[Camano Ridge]

Congrats, on your new machine. Looking forward to seeing what you produce with it.

[Tallbald]

Thanks everyone for the good thoughts! Penny and I name our many sewing machines. Woke from a short power nap yesterday and my new machine's name came to me..."Bertha Jo". It commands presence, and reflects her powerful skills. Hey. My three Ruger Old Armys are Curley, Moe and Larry. Don.

[Tallbald]

Thank you all again for the good wishes. I want to say that I do indeed feel blessed. My wife and I have survived a lot of stuff together. In the  seven years of our marriage my loving wife has survived a serious heart attack at age 39, a triple cardiac bypass, a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes, lymphedema in her vessel farmed leg, and loss of her nursing career because of multiple illnesses. I myself have suffered serious lumbar spine injury and a badly broken leg in a fall from a ladder, spinal surgery twice with permanent debilitating activity restrictions , double inguinal hernias,  a total knee replacement, and like her, the  loss of career as a nurse. Our nicknames are Mr. and Ms. Lucky. Our faith in and gratitude to God has never waivered despite tribulations.
We love one another deeply and also share a love of sewing, fabric, leather, guns, dogs, family, country and so many other things. I have psoriatic arthritis that has limited movement in my joints and for the three years I've been working  with leather I've lost the ability to hand stitch more than a few minutes at a sitting. I did make myself a small drill press and stamping machine from a Harbor freight arbor press a couple years ago and learned to drill for my stitching That helped quite a while.
Penny has urged me for 2 years to buy a leather sewing machine, but I felt I couldn't justify the expense. We looked for a used one to no avail. She even pushed me to take funds from my IRA to buy myself a machine, but I always told her my IRA is a nest egg to help her live comfortably when I'm gone ( life insurance companies refuse to touch me because of hypertension, past smoking, high cholesterol, and family history) "I'll be fine Honey" she said, "I want to see you happy and enjoying the life we have left together!". Finally, accepting that I have had to give up some long term hobbies like wood turning I decided to sell my big wood lathe. Penny encouraged me to move forward and simply order a new machine. She even urged me to upgrade to a CB3500 from the CB3200 I had agreed to get. She's as excited as I am at the prospect of our machine arriving. She's a farm and horse girl from birth and loves leather.... she's one of those folks who will raise a piece of leather to her nose and smell it like it is a fine perfume. I expect that she and I will learn together to use Bertha Jo. Penny and I are dedicate re-purposers, and I can see us using both new leather AND for non-gun use searching out thrift store leathers to re-make into useful accessories. maybe we can even sell some things to help cover the costs of our hobby!
 I'll be sure to post photos of things we make, and ask for constructive criticisms. Thanks again. Don

[Ten Wolves Fiveshooter]

Congratulations Tallbald, happy sewing pard, and I wish you and yours  healthy years to come....


tEN wOLVES 

[Marshal Will Wingam]

I'll bet you'll make good use of it, too. Nice to have that kind of support. Thumbs up.