Trox

You still loose 50 $ I had an early one from the Leather factory stamped "Tool Co Inc". when I got it (several years ago) it was "new", the steel was broken off inside the handle so I had to change the handle. The blade was just "crap" and the tips broke off. No, try to win a CS. Osborn Newark (or early Harrison) rosewood and brass (type # 70) round knife instead. I have seen them as low as 40$ on EBay.com. I have many round knifes, but these are among the best and to a decent price too. These "low priced" knifes often need some work (remove pittings and rust). If you need a perfect one you can visit Bruce Johnson tool site and you will have one cutting right out of the box for about twice that money. But then you never need an other knife again. Tor

I have tried the cheap type of soldering iron with temperature control (but not with the same product as Malchik). I did not find time to build a proper heat control (as posted before). The problem is temperature consistency or the lack of such, the cheap irons getting to hot sometimes too. I have a friend that have used this systems for years (the LeatherGuru) He told me this right away, but of course I wanted to try and fail myself (as always) If I had the need for this system more often (working with chrome tan leathers) I would have bought a proper French "Filet Electric" tool. Or at least an accurate temperature control. With the proper tool there are a number of different product you can use, but with a few degrees wrong temp. and your work is ruined. If you need cheap bits for you iron, by the ones from Campbell Randall. The ones from Ebay are not the right ones (it does not have the right shape for the "filet tool", its for creasing lines on the edge of your wegtan leather only) Tor

Hi Tannin, StrigaMort showed you a proper clicking knife above. I mostly use one of my round knifes for cutting leather, I like a stiff blade and I use the old stocks of knifes. However, when I cut around a cardboard pattern or such, I use a Blanchard Indispensable knife. It has a very thin, yet stiff blade with a long bevel edge on the left side; for riding along the cardboard pattern. I have the knife in your picture, but I find the blade to thin and flexible for my use. Yet its a fine utility knife, you can alter the handle and make it flat on two sides so it do not roll of the bench. You can also make your own blades for it out of HSS hacksaw blades. It work well as is too and its a upgrade from a Stanly knife. Make sure you have a good cutting surface too, its as important as a good knife. I use HD Polyethylene, same as the clicking board (but a bit softer) and butcher tops. You can buy the Blanchard here if you are based in the USA http://www.fineleatherworking.com/indispensable-knife or by Vergez Blanchard http://www.vergez-blanchard.fr/boutique/liste_produits.cfm?type=42&code_lg=lg_fr&num=2 There are other French shops who sells it without a required minimum buy as with Blanchard, Google is your friend. Good luck Tor

And I will be there to give him a warm welcome, (to warm today; 91 ° Fahrenheit.) Thank you Paul Tor

Hi Jimi, yes something like that. However, with a modern buffing compound not jeweler rouge ( thats for jewelers, use something for steel) I have the felt wheel on a bench grinder for that kinds of jobs and a German aggressive polishing compound. Keeps the steel free of rust and feed the leather much better. Tor

To late for that my friend, both them ; lock stock and barrel. Only joking I just bought one, I had some of his others from before. I think he might have some left, ask him. Back from holiday I see, bought any nice leathers? Thank you very much for the gift, very nice. Tor

Hi Claire, I agree with you about Al Stohlman`s books, it was my only way to learn when I started to do leather work. And I am glad I did that way, because then I Learned the basics right from the start. I thought Norway and Switzerland was the two most expensive places to buy leather tools. Here is a stitching horse sold and made here in Norway http://www.finn.no/finn/torget/annonse?finnkode=42320422&searchclickthrough=true&searchQuery=j%C3%B8rn+jensen+as#resultat?keyword 534,- US$. And here is a very good one made in Switzerland (see picture), preferred by our Swiss master saddler Walther Roth. Price : expensive (I do not remember, but see the topic in leather history: "tools of a Swiss saddler"). If I was going to put some money in to a new clamp, this would be my choice. Because of the very good locking mechanism, among other things. Normally I use one of my sewing machines for my stitch work. I do my heavy stitching on a 441 and finish of by hand on a French stitching clamp. If somebody want to pay extra for hand stitching they will get that too. Thanks Tor

Hi Angelt, I`m 98,9 % sure it is a blind stitch machine. https://www.google.no/search?q=blind+stitch+machine&rls=com.microsoft:no:IE-Address&rlz=1I7ACPW_no&tbm=isch&imgil=FPDHQ1VSMTG20M%253A%253Bhttps%253A%252F%252Fencrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com%252Fimages%253Fq%253Dtbn%253AANd9GcQad5Cteb-464gbdPXP91U_NLBJDt3eRqomUjeipMEMcN5IXWGkHA%253B640%253B480%253Bx4Mfaz3hfsmawM%253Bhttp%25253A%25252F%25252Fwww.fusionservices.us%25252Frecondition_sewing_machines&source=iu&usg=__Se72n2eNKWeDmVDLDfH2fkWhirY%3D&sa=X&ei=8m_JU4zVJ6Wi4gTmq4AY&ved=0CCEQ9QEwAQ&biw=1280&bih=874#imgdii=_ Come on give me another puzzle. Hi Constabulary, yes I remember they looked in to that possibility too. They measured every stitch length to find patterns, but the stitches was nice and even as always. Then they sent the RAF to bomb the Dürkopp factory in Bielefeld just to make sure. I am glad they missed the Kochs Adler factory. Joke aside, they probably produced war material there, like motorbikes with firearms. Valuable sewing machine patterns and parts where probably lost there. Tor

Hi, Juki has no machine named "leather machine". For qualifying to be a leather machine it has to have triple feed ( unison feed=lower, top and needle feed working together). Triple feed machines are set up to sew leather with smooth feet`s and feed dog. It also needs a large capacity hook/bobbin to take heavy threads. Juki has several classes of machines that are used as leather machines. From flatbed mediums of the upholstery class to the heavy cylinder bed TSC 441. The last is a heavy stitcher that takes thick threads, often used as a saddle stitcher. I need the class and subclass number (on a small plate on the machine head) and a picture before I can tell you if your`s is such machine. Its not easy to identify the machine on the picture. However, it looks like a blind stitch machine used in the textile industry for joining to pieces of fabric together with an invisible stitch. Its for sure no leather machine. Tor

Hi Jimi, You did a great job and worked very fast. The only thing remaining is buffing up the needle plate to a high shine on your Buffing wheel. I do that to all my plates so the leather will feed better. Tor

Wow, somebody really know how to get paid, or maybe not. Is that Micky Mouse $ or US$

Hi Dingus, you can buy the parts you need for a leather setup on http://www.kwokhing.com/pfaff/. You could also lowering your feed dog in level with the needle plate, that will reduce the markings. With smooth feed dog and feet's the needle does most of the feeding on a triple feed leather machine anyway. Tor

You will get them from Pfaff Industrial if you write them. Its some here too, but I do not know if they are of the old head. http://www.universalsewing.com/tek9.asp?pg=parts_pfaff Some aftermarket parts here: https://www.college-sewing.co.uk/Pfaff335SewingMachineParts Tor

Thank you, now I find allot of pictures about it; looks like you have great fun.

I am sorry, I do not know what "LRP" stands for. Google suggested Loan Repayment Programs, but that must be wrong. I see Role Play in it, but thats all. It would be nice knowing a little bit about it. Thank you Tor

Thank you Aaron for pointing that out. Not that I usually shop there much. Nevertheless, I have seen they sell several products with names that sound just like a famous good product. I bought some "Pure Neatfoot oil" from them and got "Pure Dingo assoil" instead. I was recommended that product, but I`m sure they meant the good one from another supplier. I stick to the Danish gold quality leather oil instead, until I get hold of the right type. Hi LeatherLegion, nice mod on your Cowboy 4500. Is it a modified slotted plate or is it custom made from scratch? It reminds me of the flat plate on my good old backup; Adler 5-27. I use my slightly modified 441 stirrup plate in such situations, its lowered a bit to gain footlift. (And get more support for the foot). I think the original plate are unnecessary high. We where discussing these plates in an other topic and Leatherkind made this stirrup plate on his 3D printer. He sent me one to try out and it actually works well. Its a very good method to test out attachments like this before you make the real thing. However, the plastic is very strong so it would last for a good while too. I am sorry for the Off topic, its kind of related to the original topic. Thanks Tor

Yes, it might be because its made before they changed to the new metric standard. There is a small hole over the big one for the takeup spring. There should be a pin in there that push on the mechanism behind your new unit; when you lift the presser foot. That again pushes the disks apart and release the top thread. You see this long pin # 91- 013 091-05. Here is a page of the new type, look for the same in the old manual. Tor

Lots of goodies there, I be interested in some too. Thanks Tor

Hi, looking good. Now you look fit for a fight what are you using it for, role play? Did you hardened the panels or is it just for show. Tor

Hi StrigaMort, The Blanchard brass pattern knife is a very good knife with a stiff changeable blades, its has a long edge on the left side of the blade to cut against the pattern. Many prefer to make them straight on the left side and have the bevel on the right side only. However, it works well out of the box after some polishing of course. Its now also available in the USA http://www.fineleatherworking.com/leather-tools/indispensable-knife Hi Zayne Well, its important to have a good hard cutting board too, I use a HD polyethylene board same as the clicking machine board (but a bit softer). You could try the same as they use in a butchers shop too. To soft a board and the knife will cut to deep in to it and you will make mistakes. Your knife blade might brake off too. The utility knifes flexes to much and you will not be able to cut out a piece without stopping (stopping is a mistake made). You must first make your self an leather stropping board to polish up your knifes, then you will get them even sharper than the utility blades (you can strop them too). You can also buy them, buy your self an aggressive polishing paste to apply on the board (its a must have). I never have to sharpen up any of my knife more than once, I just polishing them on the board before use. (Read up in the pinned topics about it). Then get your self a good round knife, cut the handle to fit in your hand. Then you have a knife that will do all the cuts you ever need (without cutting around cardboard patterns that is). You can skive with it, do long rolling straight cuts and cut true sharp corners on the raised tips. Buy a good round knife. You have the choice of an very expensive new custom made knife or an 100 years old used knife. Anything else will not be good enough. My advice will be a good 4 to 5 " CS Osborn with a Newark stamp on it, rosewood and brass handle (thats the cheapest option too right now). You might find a good one on EBay, but then you should really know what you should look out for. My advice is ; contact Bruce Johnson (the moderator here) http://brucejohnsonleather.com/content/index.php/leather_tools_for_sale/knives-and-other-handled-cutting-tools/ and by one of his good old refurbished knifes. You will get them ready to cut, with some advices on the fly too. Any of these nice oldies will out preform most of the other knifes available today. I have about 20 different round knifes in my collection right now, and some of the best of them are these old CS Osborne Newark stamped ones. (CS. Osborne & Co Newark stamped knifes are minimum 100 years old hand made knifes) Bruce's knifes are very well sharpen/polished and will cut straight from the box. Buying from Ebay you have to sharpen up/clean it up your self and that is a skills it takes time to master. Al Stholmans book of Leathercraft tools is a very good investment too (inexpensive paperback with nice illustrations), it shows how to use and maintain all the leather tools available. Then you will learn from the master the right way. Just my two cents Good luck Tor

Yes, stop using that gum tragant. I cant really see any advantages with this product, must be on certain leathers that will not burnish with anything else. You can use saddle soap, but the best thing is to stick to water alone. Then you keep your burnisher clean too. I do not want to use anything else than water on my new cocobolo burnisher. Then I keep it clean for fat and do not have to sand it all the time to make it burnish well. In addition the Fibings edge cote want come off either. Sometimes I use alcohol based dyes before burnishing, that will ease up the burnishing process and remove fat. Oil/fat and wax must be applied after the the edge cote and not before. There are an other option too, you can move on to heat treatment of your edges. Then you must move on to professional edge paint. You will have to invest in a hot glazing tool/machine or a "Filet electric" in French. Check out the topics about it or contact Campbell Randall. It will work on chrome tan leathers too. Very nice color on your watch straps, are they all Fibings? Tor

Great work Jimi, Screws on the presser foot are normal metric threads, but use good quality steel so you do not brake them. If you need some spare feet's and plates try http://www.kwokhing.com/pfaff/ Its not expensive and you will have the screws included with the new feet`s. You will need a thread stand of course or you will have problem with twisted top thread. Very good work. Tor

Hi Zayne, I have the knife on your link and I do not like it, the blade is to thin/flex to much. When a knife flexes you will cut wrong (most of us anyway, I heard somebody likes it) I mostly uses my round knifes cutting leather. However, when I cut around cardboard patterns I use clicker knife/pattern knife. Either my Blanchard L`indispensable (brass) or a modified Stubai wood carver knife. I bought this knife in a wood worker shop because it looked promising (right proportions). Nevertheless, it had a microbevel edge like you often find on modern pocket knifes and was useless on leather (for anything else too). I grinded of this microbevel and made a long bevel all over the blade wide (on both sides), polished it and it turned out to be great. Its stiff enough and sharp enough to be a great little clicking/ leather pattern knife. You can also use it in your draw gauge. Many of us makes our own knifes from High speed (HS or HSS and not Bi metal) hack saw and colt saw blades. You can grind them to be very hot without loosing the steels tempering, they makes very good blades. Tor

HI Tallbald, what Andrew says is right, these machines was original made to sew heavy industrial fabrics. I have lowered the feed dog on my 441 to about 0.9 to 1 mm (over the plate). The Juki manual says 1,4 mm. and thats way to high for leather work. Especially when you sewing reins close to the edge. When the feed dog pushes the edge up to much, it makes the needle exit outside the leather edge. I can also use my slotted harness plate to eliminate this problem. However, the setup I like the best is a smooth feed dog, with a smooth standard plate and harness feet`s. And of course a drop down roller guide. Lower your feed dog its the easiest solution to this problem. Use a caliper or a correct thickness leather piece to adjust it. (Juki recommend removable locktite on the feed dog screw so it might be a bit hard to unscrew, I believe Bob K. uses it too) Good luck Tor

That was a nice machine Greg. I seen them selling special plates and foot set for the DA 767 machine with a edge knife on. Its a small video on Kwokhing.com on how it works. Perhaps you have these parts to. Can be a labor saving device for sure. I saw a you tube video with such foot installed on a Adler 105 too. Tor