Jimbob

As my mom said...if you dont listen it will bite you later on...she was right AGAIN...hahahaaa... Some one said neat lac does crack on motor bike seats as top sealer...guess what...I tried it anyway on my own little Sporty seat, it looked great...applied lots of Aussi wax on top and sun light did great job on giving tan color....now after 6 month it seems it has crackelt and some Lexol conditioner must have seeped under it....made dark spiderweb kinda places! So, what can a man use instead of neat lac if you want to protect natural tan leather on a scooter seat....will dressing like Aussie, Montana pine or sno seal be enough to protect natural leather and the carving on a seat...? I have used Neatsfoot oil only before on other seats...no problem, but not a bit of a little shine...darkens a lot but ok for what I had in mind then....Resolene and bagkote seems not to be tough enough for a seat?? AND can I remove this neat lac with alcohol or what else? ...to re-do at least the smooth skirts without carvings to make it look OK..? Thanks for reading and sure would like to hear from ya all about this...heck some people talk even about a mop-n-glo thingy?!??? Greetings ride safe James

I am surly not a pro, but there is NO such thing in leather sewing machine as a "compact" machine....these table models ( Sailrite and such....) are for webbing and sails .....none of them will do serious "ever now and then" leather sewing.....you will be out of some serious money and find yourself with an boat anker.... Look for an old Singer (111, 211, 16-88 or such....) build yourself a micro table and get a small motor....still somewhat portable, put rollers under it for moving it arround....if you do light stuff a Singer or Adler short arm patcher would be cool, hand wheeled and sure will fit on a bench....but only for 69thread and down.... These Boss machines are slow and expensive, the new aluminium ones lack quality I read.. .well, thats why they call them industrial sewing machines...no such thing to put on the kitchen table...if you do leather work...haha...now guess how I know that....?!!!! greetings Jimbob

check your leather needle point for burrs, the lightest kind of burr or nick will fuss up and eventually break your thread....also as said....check your bottom for straight clean cut exit holes....needles are cheap, change often....its like oil in old motorcycles...it never hurts!! Greetings James

:thumbsup: very nice belts...love the floral pattern....how did you apply the antique.....is it paste or Fiebings antique dye?? Tell us a bit more how you antiqued them so well... As I said, very nice and good tooling....ohh and please change your name ...

Wallet leather is usually softer, and up to 6 oz is not a problem...I have done 2 layers 2-3 plus liner...works well....especially with the roller feet.... Now, this is not a heavy leather stitcher....never was meant to be that.....lots of people using 31-15s for upper boot Stitching, wallets and light chap work....so I think you Should be just fine! Let me know.... James

Assuming you have been carving before....you cant do much Depth in 2-3oz leather....if you go 8-10oz then you get much more material to go "deep".... As you mentioned.....a modeling tool (spoon) will help some... A crisp deep cut with ur swifel knife is needed, then a sharp Outline with the right size beveler will do fine....you be surprised What a clean cut well beveld 2-3 oz picture can do looking three-dimensional!! So go and give it a shoot.....when done, paint with acryl and then seal with neat lac or simular finish!! James

I have a very nice Singer 31-15 for sale (head only) ....ping me or call 2 seven 6 six nine 0 five 0 84 james

There will be a most constant need to make tension adjustments to most machines and surly for such differet thicknes of leather.....that one said, there is no such thing as the same leather.....some soft, some more dense some seems need more some less tension! I take a scrap piece of exactly the same leather/layers and run an 8 inch test seam....tension adjusted to just that as it will make a perfect seem for your project....and when 1 or two onces up or down makes no difference!! Just takes a few seconds! But you have assured that you produce a top quality stitched seam on your work!! Remove the nail polish and start turning knobs.....the machine will do what you dial in and you soon get a real gut feeling whats needed and what not....you see, you may even feel a little pride in being able to dial it in just right to do top work!! ...........kinda learning how to dial in a carburator....just a little practice!!! Greetings James

Shure do.... Search for Kevin Kings wallet tutorial....he had a real nice tutorial on french rolled edges for a wallet....( look under wallets) same principal... just more work on a bag or such, an edge is just so much Cleaner done in this way!! James

This one was meant to be for me...ohhhh well, somebody wanted it real bad...so it's gone... Back to the bench, I have a few more ideas for a new one...hmmmm@@???? Greetings James

Here is a Sportster seat, hard arse.....may I call it so...haha....NO foam, 13-15oz saddle skirting, all vinegeroon and design is in acryls with neat lac sealer...rim is braided with roo lace...well oiled and a good coat of Aussie wax...done!! Greetings Aloha James

Here is a new backpack for a workmate, also a Christmas present for his wife....she loves Navajo style....like silver conchos, turquoise and tan leather....so here we go!! It was a great pain for some reason to find turquoise colored thread in 138...and also had some trouble finding 1-2 oz goat leather in this colors...the welt cord in front is an old vacum cleaner electrical cord....it gave the bag a good shape and made a solid welt!!...Liner is from an old couch cover and conchos are used from e-bay......All is well now, she loves her new backpack and he got some extra points, haha... Thanks to Kevin King for inspiring me to try this french rolled edge...works great.....I am learning.... ya all let me know what you think... Jimbob

A new messenger bag for a friend of mine.....ended up under the Christmas tree for his wife ( they have three little girls...) I put all three names on the shoulder strap... Chrome tan leather 3-4 oz, goat leather as liner, some suede as pocket in back and inside...tried again if I can handle the french rolled edge...pretty but a lot of time to sew...still, she loved it and he was happy...it's all good!! Let me know what ya all think!!?? Jimbob

Man, I always wanted to be an elf......mine should be in black orange and white....but them tight's just itch so much.... you know I got hairy legs...!!...and an elf is just not an elf without tight's! So I just sit here with my hairy legs and admire your craftmanship....nice, really nice work!! Aloha to all the elfs out there... Jimbob the ober-elf....

Yeahhh, really....what is it used for...?? Because with such a beauty I would never attempt to hit anything....not even a Craft tool stamp!!@@@ Real nice, very much a piece of art...wonderful craftmanship!! So wax it, buff it and put it under glass....it shure would made a pretty piece in the wifes curio cabinet!! So I will go back to the bench....and use my M18 bolt with a piece of Delrin stock glued to it and hammer away....szzzz...shure like to have one of them Bearman mauls...szzzz...

Where in the South-East are you located!? if you would be sorta close, You would be more then wecome to come to the shop and pratice some on my old Machines.....as you all mentioned....it is a pain to learn by trail and error....guess how I know that!!! There is plenty of help here...Steve, Bob, Wiz and many more.... but nothing beats hands on, sitting down doing it while somebody is beside you....!!! And for a funny reason, these machines will brake if you do somehing not-so-smart...haha... What machine will you be getting!? Keep us posted Jimbob

Wife says I have to many sweing machines!! One or two will need to go... I am offering my beloved Singer 31-15, nice working condition, with standard wide pressure foot, brand new set of 2 roller feet ( small and large) 25 dollar worth of new leather needles in dif. sizes....oiled, tuned and ready to go...will crate in wooden box!!! All for $255,- plus shipping, this is the head only!!! That is fairly what I got in it after service and new parts. if interrested, please e-mail, PM or call 276- six nine 0- five 08 four! thank you james

Guess I need shipping quote To Gate city,VA....24251 Thanks for ur effort.. James

where are you located....?? greetings James

\friend of mine is in need of a cheap walking foot sewing machine, can be in rugh shape.....but needs to work....cosmetics dont matter.... like to find a Singer 111 or 211 for him.....please make offer.....head only is ok....we can pick up....located in East-TN... Thanks

sand down your feed dog teeth.....buff it and it will make no or little marks, may need to get up or down with your pressure on pressure foot....works any time! Jimbob

I second the harnessman....the thread exchange, Weaverville NC is best choice....real cool info on threre website, smal cones if needed and very good quality for a very good prize.... Jimbob

Yes and yes...you guys are right....and I will admit that I have owned a couple of Moto-Guzzi's and Beemers... its what you make out of it....so I guess I am just guilty Of loving my fat Helga sooooo much, made in USA, with 1450cc....lots of my riding buddies have Yamasuckies And we still get along for many miles.... So, as randypants said...lets make it our own.. And ride the snot out of it...love that classic 750 Honda Scooter...I was pulling legs and rattling chains....haha... and it worked well... The scull desing is a real old tattoo sesign from a friend of mine... Aloha to all of you... Now lets talk about trailers....@#$%@$%.... Hahaaaa...haha... James

hallo Helmut You need bonded Nylon thread for your machine sewing!! Polyester is fine too, more used on outdoor gear and upholstery....a bit more expensive.... Best source is the thread exchange in Weaverville, NC real cool outfit....they have a super website with tons of free information!!!!!! (Google!) It depends also what machine you have, do you have a regular walking foot, or a big arse saddler machine....reg machines like my Singer 211 takes 138 size thread...top and bottom for max....some big bobbin will feed up to 207........my Adler 105 can handle all the way to 346 or so.....you always want a bit smaller on bottom bobbin if you can! Watch out for different needle size to go with certain thread size!! They have also left over spules and odd lots, I love the junior spules....no need to by 400 miles of pink thread if you just want to make a wallet...haha...!! Let me know if this helps James

hhmmmm, dont know if this helps.....I got a servo from Toledo Bob....running backwards....then made quick phone call....there is a small push/slide button on the side....that makes it go both ways.....in case you need to run cross belted or have funny set-up....see if you can locate such button...you may accidently moved position of this switch??! James