chapper

I like to have the leather come up all the way in back and have a thick welt. The idea is to minimize the pistol outline and try and mimic a front pocket wallet.

I buy the cheap plastic place mats or the thin plastic (2 oz thickness) they call cutting boards at Walmart to use as stiffners. Glue between the liner leather and the outside. Works good.

I have a Cobra 4, purchased from Steve. Great after sale service. I knew NOTHING about sewing machines and his explanations when I would get stumped were a great help. The machine sews great and I sew everything from wallets with 22 needle and 135 thread to lined breast collars of 16-18oz of leather with 25 and 277 thread with minimal adjusting.

Thanks to all for the info. I have looked at both sources before posting as well as other sites with no luck. I also appreciate when a supplier will recommend a competitor! Here is a picture of Dickies suspenders with the clips on them. thanks again Tom

Does anyone have a source for those plastic over the belt clips on suspenders? I have customers that want leather suspenders made with those clips instead of using metal hardware. I looked in Ohio Travel Bag and Googled, but haven't been able to locate a source. Thanks Tom

The Hide House or Weaver Leather

I have one, taken off a Singer 115w. I am in AZ for shipping. I am guessing about 30lbs

Did you ever get a pattern? If not......send me an address by pm and I will send you a pattern.

You might check with HIDEHOUSE. I have been buying what they call "Assorted Latigo" 8/10oz, it has made great lining leather for my breast collars and rear cinches. But you definitely will want to line this collar. Tom

You would use a bulldog tap pattern, just use rawhide instead of skirting or sole bends. With the rawhide, you will need to use something to hold the shape while they dry. Some old timers carved a wooden form, or they stuffed them with sand while they dry.

I have a used REX motor, made by HITACHI for sale or?? If interested give me a shout at 4barnleather@gmail.com. I took it off of my old Singer 111W55. It ran good (too good) so I got a servo motor. Off the face plate: 115 V, 1750 RPM,, 4.5 amps, o.44 HP, 60 Cycle, 1phase Tom

I am wondering if there is such a thing as true mule hide? I know that pearl split is what most people refer to as mule hide today. A friend had a pair of Az Bell chaps 25 years ago that were made from a gray hide that looked and felt like today's pearl split, but it wasn't a split. They were rough out, but the hair side was smooth. Great leather, just wondering what the difference was and if there were any distributors of true mule hide. Thanks Tom

I have been using a leaf liner on the straight lines and it gives them a nice look with the burnishing. F 120

Thanks for the info. I don't post often, but I get a lot of good info by looking through the various posts!

I have a friend who is looking at a Juki LU 565. Seller says complete with cabinet, motor, etc. Says can sew up to 1/2" of leather? In good condition, asking $700.00 Will this machine be a good buy and will it sew that thickness of leather? Thanks

Thanks for the info that helps a lot! What would be a good price for the machine. There is no maker decal, but the brass label on lower right is 111W55, so I am thinking it is a Singer. Seems to be in good condition. I think I can get it for $250?

Thanks!

I have a lady who wants to sell a machine. She is not sure what she has. The manual is for a Juki LU 562 and 563, she thinks it is a 563. But the person she bought it from has written on the manual "Singer 111 W 155". How do you tell which is which.......and will either one work for sewing chaps, headstalls, etc? Thanks Tom

Anyone know anything about these machines? I have someone who wants to sell one, says it will sew leather, has a walking foot and new motor? Thanks

I was just at the show in Wickenburg and one of the vendors had some old Pinking tools that would do that as well. Also on this site there is someone showing this technique to cover the edges of a picture frame, can't remember where I saw it though.