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@hugh123 My machine uses a 16-257 needle . I dont remember if this is standard or if i tweeked the needle bar to line up so i can use the same needle on all my machines .I use the 16 for tkt 70 thread . For tkt 90 an 18 might do it but a 20 would be ideal a 22 might leave too big a hole . You may have to adjust the bobbin tension to suit . I use a 750 watt servo motor i got from ebay . I got the slowest one i could find . I believe there are 2 versions with different speeds . I also have one on a treadle which is a modified 29K patcher treadle . As i mentioned earlier the bobbins and bobbin case is different to the 31k-15 so get the right one . I got some spares on Ebay from china ( after making a mistake and getting the wrong size) .When i set one of the machines up with the new servo i also bought some bearings and pulleys to make a speed reducer but i don't need it so i have not installed it . I forgot to mention in an earlier post the the difference between the 31k-15 and the 31k-48 . The 48 has a roller feed dog not the standard up , back and down feed dog. look after the machine because parts are very hard to find and you will have to resort to buying a spare so you can rob bits off it .

The class 4 would be more comparable to the cowboy 4500, just so your comparing apples to apples. I'd point out that having the longer cylinder arm would future proof you, whereas the shorter one can't be stretched. Forum sponsors are always a good bet. Boss lady is pretty choosy about who she works with.

All good choices and can do what you want easily but getting help from this LW site is always a great thing and one of the sponsors of it is something to consider seriously. https://leatherworker.net/forum/index.php?app=core&module=system&controller=redirect&do=advertisement&ad=30&key=81075720a378b536aa297941baab000e4440064fa497638fc83cefb722f0261c I like the Cowboy CB4500 myself and have a few videos on my channel showing what it can do. Wild Harry YT

Read around the internet good stuff about them … actually wanted to go with BeeNatural Leathercare RTC - antique - then BeeNatural ‘leather finish’ , but I cannot find the last one anywhere here I know they may be less “stronger” than finishes like resolene , but seemed to be good products for a more natural finish (now I’m wondering if Angelus finishes may work as Resolene does ) thank you for answering!

Yeah , I know about Resolene , but I was hoping in something different 😅 I just wanted to give a more ‘natural look’ and that the piece could be oiled over time … but it seem like I should go with resolene thank you ! 🙏🏻 😊

@Tastech back again. The 31k48 sat on marketplace for another couple months so I talked the price down a bit and went and tried it. It stitched 5 mm thick like it was nothing and even up to about 7-8 mm. So I went ahead and bought it. Now my question is what needles do you use and up to what size can I run? I received some shmetz 18s with it which I understand could run M40(69) or maybe M36 thread, however if at all possible I would like to run M20(138) with a 22 needle, just wondering whether you've tried anything like that. What size thread can I run in the bobbin? If I could run M36/Tkt92 I would be happy. Also it is extremely fast- what servo motor do you run and could you maybe give me a link? thinking that may be quite helpful in the near future. Thank you. Hugh

I'm suffering option paralysis in a big way. I've finally decided to invest in a sewing machine for my leatherwork hobby, which I'm planning to turn into a business now that I'm retired from the corporate world. I generally make holsters, and hope to make belts (making belts with hand-stitching was pushing a very big rock up a very steep hill, I quickly found out.) I'd typically be sewing two layers of 8/9 oz leather, with an occasional welt bringing that to three layers, so I don't want to under-buy here. That said, I really can't see ever seeing a 15" arm for what I plan to make. Right now I'm tossing between a Cobra Class 4 and a Cowboy 3500, and to confuse things further, saw that Tandy has a Cowboy 3500 branded with their name that comes with some extras I'd want (guide and work table) for about the same price as the 3500 from other vendors. The goal here is to buy once, cry once without purchasing something so wildly over my expected needs I waste money that could better be used on other things. I'm hoping the experienced folks here, and maybe especially those who do similar work, might have a pointer. Even a vote for a machine you have and like would be helpful at this point. (I swear, I didn't research my last auto purchase this much-but then, I understand cars, and most decidedly do NOT understand these monster sewing machines.) Thanks! Larry

Making products from Croc skin is about 90% of what I do and they make great handbags and lots of other stuff as well.:)

They sure can help a lot for sure. Here is a couple of pics from one of my latest projects which uses the same ideas but all 3D printed on this compendium.

Resolene is THE sealer . . . May God bless, Dwight

Mine has a 30 inch cable from the hall sensor to the control box. I mounted the gas pedal and the hall sensor today, but waiting to see where the best location is for the control box after I get the rest of the table set up.

The edit window is only open for about 2 hours. You will have to add to this thread just the same as you did for this post. I can then move your photos into the original post and take out the others. Your files sizes have to meet the restrictions here. Have you resized your files?

I'm having trouble editing/uploading new images. Am I missing something? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

Interesting. But then I lose "Browse", "Activity" and the search bar from the top. It's all a compromise.

Moved your post to leather machinery.

These are leather conditioners and don't seal the surface.

Reduce your browser screen/window width and the left side disappears.

Moved your post to stamping. Wanted is where you are looking for tools or equipment you want to buy. There are tools posted on eBay you could use as a reference. You could go back through the old/sold archive looking for past posts, or try a search for craftool prices.

Nice

You need to re-post these photos. Post them as jpg or png type files. They automatically display here instead of having to down load them to see them. Then I'll remove these ones. These ones are very distracting when you are trying to catch peoples' attention so you can sell the articles. If your files are too large to post here due to file size restrictions, you need to resize your files to fit. Follow this link for some helps and suggestions. https://leatherworker.net/forum/topic/15122-how-to-post-pictures-on-lw/?do=findComment&comment=551171 There are lots of Apps, software, and online tools available on the web, or even built into your device to enable you to reduce your file sizes. 800 pixels in the longest dimension is quite adequate. Smart phone screens and many monitors don't display high res files in high resolution. People that live on the fringes of the internet appreciate smaller file sizes and high res photos may take from 10 minutes to hours to download.

I have 200 Tandy craftools that I would like to sell as bulk. What is a suggested price anyone have an idea.

I've used those Tandy converters and I've had to re-tap the threads on the conchos I keep M3 and M4 taps handy for re-cutting threads. I also buy in M3 or M4 flanged head bolts to use. 25 bolts of each size cost me about £2.50 (each) ($3?)

So I finally got the Tandy concho-to-snap adapters in the mail. The screws that came in the set were a coarse thread and the buffalo nickel concho screws are a fine thread so those screws don't work for that particular concho in case anybody is interested.

All your projects are turning out very well. I really like your creative use of the veiner in this one. It’s pretty cool.