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Thank you! Ah! Yes, that was definetly a mistake due to sleepiness. My trainer would yell at me as we just had a discussion about martingals and when and when not to use them. 😆 The measurement part, is currently in wirting and I hope to have publish ready this evening. And again thank you! I hope to learn a lot and maybe even find a new calling. I'm literaly sick and tired of pro-bono work by now and constantly having to fix the issues non-certified consultants caused. They get paid a lot of money, I don't even see a cent while doing the work they promised to do but failed to deliver - I don't think I have to say more. 😅

Praying for you and your health, my friend and wishing you all the best.

I keep two of those rubber sanding blocks around one which 120 grit and the other with 220. I use them to straighten out any wobbles I had cutting something out and to even up multiple layers after they’re glued together. And I if things get really out of hand and I get a profile way wrong then I will use the belt sander.

Good job, your hummingbird turned out great. I understand the struggle of wallets coming out thick someday I’m going to try some kid skin for lining and pockets. Keep up the good work.

Good job and good save !! thinner leather is the key to thin wallets.

This was one of those "hurry up on Christmas morning" projects. New wallet for my mother-in-law. I was terrified of tooling the hummingbird, so I kept putting it off, until I couldn't any longer. I need to learn how to add card slots without making the wallet so darn thick. I see wallets with 6 card slots that look great. I haven't figured that out yet. 4/5 veg tan outer with real gator accent, pig suede lining, "peanut" bison dividers, 2/3 veg tan pockets. Bismark brown dye, black acrylic antiquing.

This is pretty cool. Blade shape alone makes that one a challenge. Looks great!

This is fantastic. Nicely done!

but then the roller is no longer flush with he needle plate

Yes I managed to change the other two you've mentioned. Still no reply from the seller, and I can't see any sign of him/her being on vacation. I'll wait another day or so. Supposed to be a very reputable seller.

I'm back working with my Scout Council in Las Vegas. Last week I completed an inventory and discussed with them what they need. Below is a list of item I'm trying find for them. If you are willing to donate anything on the list we would appreciate it. In addition, if you want or need a donation letter from the Council, they will provide one. If you would like to make a cash donation, please contact me. I have approval to raise funds for the Leatherworking tools they need but they need to be specified for that purpose. Donations can be sent to: Las Vegas Area Council - Scouting America Attention Donna Sword 7220 Paradise Rd Las Vegas, NV 89119 Please notify me what you are sending and any tracking numbers you have so I can head over there after it arrives. If you need a donation letter please include the following info (from IRS website) The name of the organization; The amount of cash contribution; A description (but not the value) of non-cash contribution; A statement that no goods or services were provided by the organization in return for the contribution, if that was the case; A description and good faith estimate of the value of goods or services, if any, that an organization provided in return for the contribution; A statement that goods or services, if any, that an organization provided in return for the contribution consisted entirely of intangible religious benefits This is not everything they need. I will provide a more comprehensive list towards the end of January. Mallets - Preferably Rawhide, yellow plastic or bakelite. But wooden ones are needed too. I estimate they need 130 of the preferable ones and around 40 wooden ones. Poundo boards - they need about 60 of the 12"x12" size and around 150 of the 6"x6" size. Large tool handles - They need around 150 of the large tool handles. They need to have the little bearing on them that holds the 3d/Alphabet stamps on them. Small tool handles - They have almost zero of them. They need around 300 of these and need to have the little bearing on them too. Handle stamps - We need lots of these. At least 1,000 of them 2D/3D stamps - As many as we can get. Stamp Sets - Sports, emoji, geometric, cartoon, native american, Mini Pictorial. etc... 1/4" stamp sets - Funtime, Tracks, Adventure, Bugs, Discover, etc... Alphabet and number sets - Standard 3/4", 1/2", 3/8" and 1/4" 8137 or T8137 Leather shears - As many as we can get Needed only for the merit badge tool sets: Swivel knives - they need around 60. Granite Blocks - 12"x12" Need around 60 of them. Handle Stamps - They need 60 sets of the 6 or 7 stamps that are included in the basic tool set. Plus any others you wish to donate. Alphabet and number sets - Any and all are welcome including incomplete sets. #1 and #2 edge bevelers. they need around 60 Super Shears - I'd like to get around 30 of them. I will add additional items as we determine our needs.

I’m terrible at cutting so I have to sand or it looks pretty bad.

Single edges get sanded to smooth up from cutting out with knife. Layered edges get sanded to level everything out for a better finish. With layered pieces I want the edges to look like one piece or as close as possible. As for grits. I keep a 80 grit on my bench top belt sander it helps to even things up on alot of the thick welted projects I do. And I keep a 120 on the disc. Then any beveling that needs doing and a final once over with 220 by hand. I actually like to very lighty damp the edges before the 220. This I what works for me.

I see now why you're asking if a needle positioner is required in order for that button to function.. What about the other menu functionality? Are you able to set forward/reverse and min/max speed?

Absolutely nothing. I've tried pressing it for various periods of time, up to over 10 seconds, and nothing changes.

I’m sorry to hear about your medical issues. I’m new to the craft and need tools and hides so post it up sir and I’d be happy to help.

What happens when you hold down the needle positioner button (far left) for 3 seconds, then release?

Spent five days in hospital up to almost Christmas. Too many things going on to elaborate at this time. I desperately need to get rid of lots of leather tools etc, I have including hides. Going to hang onto my electric sewing machines. I have quite a few Kangaroo hides of different colors. Will try to list them as I can get them suitable for photos. It has been a long journey for me since 1953. It has come time to make it possible for someone else to enjoy what I have been blessed to obtain. Will try to make the items attractive in price without giving away the house. Ferg

Thanks Toxo, initially I had no idea what you were telling me but after seeing this thread and Uwe's reply (post No5) I now understand why this may happen. It's a safety feature of some controllers where they only allow a limited number of turns of the servo motor when the foot pedal is released. The controller is expecting to see the needle positioner signal "real soon" after the pedal is released and shuts the machine down if too many many revolutions pass without seeing this signal. Of course with the pulley reduction the motor may spin multiples of times before needle positioner signal is seen. With my servo system being el-cheapo it may work in my favour if such safety features have not been implemented LOL. Keith

Thanks very much guys. I found pinouts for another servo brand on this thread so I checked mine and I got +5v at pin 2 of the needle positioner connector (referenced to pin 1), so it appears this may be a standard for these types of drive. I've sent a message to the Ebay seller telling them I cannot access the needle positioner settings so I'm currently at the mercy of their service and knowledge of the product they sell. According to the pinout on the above referenced thread if I can access the settings I may be able to test the positioner operation with a simple switch to inject signals onto pins 3 and 4. I've attached a few photos of the drive and the instructions. Keith

How to unclog the oil system on this cloned Juki DDL-8700? This is the first pumped sewing machine I've worked on. Machine has been sitting for about five years. Actual model number is FEIT DCL-8500N. Pump The oil pump appears intact. At low speed (200 rpm) it appeared to not pump at all, so I disconnected the vertical output pipe at the top and kept increasing the speed until around 1700rpm oil started spewing out the top of the vertical pipe. So there's at least oil now on the upper hook bevel gears. Splash Test But there's another tube that feeds the hook, and I'm not seeing any evidence of oil near the hook yet. In this video the man does a splash test with a paper towel to check how much oil is reaching the hook: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hQCUZs1-vUY&t=163s Here is my paper towel, still dry: Valves I have opened the valve that regulates oil to the hook: and also opened the valve that regulates the oil to the needle bar crank assembly: but still not seeing any on the hook or on the needle bar crank assembly. Tthe user manual says that when machine is new or anytime after it's been sitting idle for a long while to run the machine at 3000rpm for a period of 10 minutes. So far I've run the head unit a couple minutes at 2400rpm (checked with tach). I want to see evidence of oil flowing before I run it enough that it really needs oil, if you catch my 22. Filter? Earlier in this same video the man cleans out the filter in the pipe behind the hook: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hQCUZs1-vUY&t=59s so perhaps that will be my next move. As for the needle bar crank, I'm not sure sure what to disassemble to clear the way. Water Worth noting perhaps that I did find evidence of water in this machine. The oil pan drain plug is rusted in place and I did not manage to free it. Not even with mild application of a kitchen torch, a few hours soaking in diesel, and an impact driver. 🤷‍♀️ Also the old oil looked milky. And in part of the presser bar I found a couple drops of water concealed within some drops of oil. But I don't really expect water in the past to clog the oil pathways Manual I'm using this as a manual: https://www.juki.co.jp/industrial_j/download_j/manual_j/ddl8700/menu/ddl8700/pdf/instruction_eg.pdf

A couple of washers under the edge guide to level it maybe?

@KyLeatherMan, I moved your post to our Marketplace area. Please review the rules, linked here and be sure you're in compliance. For sure we need a price and location and you need to address your willingness to ship. Thanks for listing it here and good luck with your sale!

Got a picture of one??? May God bless, Dwight

Used Cowboy leather sewing machine has been taken excellent care of! Reason for selling needed a bigger machine for specific use. Please contact me at (502) 295-6683 for more details. Can send video or FaceTime how it works.