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I recently picked up a bench mounted belt sander for cleaning up my work. It seems like I’m making more dust then actually making my work look better. What grit belt do I use? Also do I apply pressure? I’ve been putting my leather on the table and moving it back and forth. I’ve been working with 3 layers on 2-3oz chrome tan leather. Thanks tj

Thank you. I followed the video and now she’s sewing great.

I like the jig idea. Centered and spaced correctly, all at once.

I use these ; Two pins with a hole centred on them. Fits virtually any size of strap or belt. Just put each pin against the belt and the hole is the centre of the belt. I've made 3 of them, just for handiness sake Swivel it and the centre of the strap or belt can be marked. The circles are at 1/2 inch and 3/4 inch. If you want 3/4 inch between holes move the guide so that the 3/4 circle is over your last hole

I couldn't picture that shaft until I went back and looked at one of mine. Now I see it runs in the lower part of the arm! Another lesson learned for me. I, too, will have to double check where it gets oiled.

Use wing dividers. Will get you centered everytime.

For punching belt holes and not having problems . . . take 2 or 3 hours out of your day and make this little jig. It will darn near end all your belt hole problems . . . May God bless, Dwight

You may want to figure out where you are expected to oil that shaft 😉

Damn, but I figured it was a long shot. Thanks for the feedback, guess I'll keep looking then.

A hard lesson. I remember when I was learning to skive (book binding). I decided the knife I had was the problem. So I saved up and bought a nice skiving knife from Chartermade. Beautiful tool. Showed up pristine and ready to work. Took it to the bench and basically had the same problems. Realized I probably just needed to practice. Nothing wrong with having great tools. I've learned a really great tool can let you focus on the skills because your problems will just be you.

DMT Diamond stones (not the hatched pattern ones, the full width kind, metal bed). I tried water stones, sandpaper, etc. Both work, but the diamond stones let me focus on just the sharpening as I was learning. The 3/4" and 1" skiving knives from Lisa Sorrell. Those things came to my door screaming sharp, no break in or touch up required, so I could focus on learning the inlay work, not the sharpening.

Is leatherworker.net a tool? It's been a great learning resource for me.

Besides books, especially by Al Stohlman my other things are; A Tandy Pro-Press. I use it a lot, for pressing stamps, as a clicker press, for making sewing holes with chisels Sets of sewing chisels with different spacing; 3mm, 4mm, 5mm, 6mm and my stitching pliers and lacing pliers A couple of sewing clamps; a light-weight one for taking out to places and a larger heavier one for use at home base My special stamping table Which is adaptable for various jobs

Thank you!

please post pictures of your machine from the rear and when tilt back from the underside and how you have installed the foot lifter.

yes, that's right, both machines were only fixed/sitting on those rubber feet.

Ah, but they haven't. Only the two top dogs resigned but those responsible for the wrongful editing remain in their jobs

Looks good from here . . . May God bless, Dwight

yup all the tool answers above need special knowledge to use them and care for them correctly, and it can all be found in a book. Also, the saddler will have a different answer than the shoemaker or the guy who makes watch straps lol. What each of us envisions as leather work usually is diferent. And I'll add this forum as a great tool also.😁 You can see those who take the critiques and advice seriously improve as time goes on, while those who blow off the help or ignore helpful tips and good advice just don't improve as fast or as well. It's not the tool in the hand, it's the hand that drives the tool. A knowledgeable craftsman with mediocre tools can outperform the ignorant man with the best tools.

I wanna thank @Dwight for recently sharing some of the knife sheaths he built. He inspired this design for some fixed blade knife sheath I made for a local knife maker. Welt on all edges. I also engraved the sheaths, as well as one of the blades and handles. I used my laser to create the template out of 1/8" acrylic. If you are interested in a template let me know.

That's a fantastic idea! Thank you!

Hello, I'm looking for help with the knee lifter placement for my recently purchased Singer 112W115 double needle machine. I purchased a table top and had some difficulty finding mounts for the machine head, but finally got that resolved (I think). I installed the oil drip pan, motor and belt. I purchased a knee lift (photo attached) and lined it up with the space in the oil drip pan, but when I try to engage the knee lifter it does nothing. What am I missing or doing wrong? Where should the knee lifter make contact with the machine?

Mablung is right. I could shave with any of mine. I strop before using, every couple cuts during and after before putting it away.

Thank you very much for getting back to me. @nejcek74 thank you for confirming where I need to place the machine to the table. I was told recently I should the placement in the pictures attached and that I can use the rubber insulator without any additional bolts to rest the machine head on.