dirtclod

They are leather but their splits ! I would take them back and try to get my money back.

You will need one side for the chaps themselves and you might as well buy a side in all of the other colors you want. It will take a lot more than you think for the fringe espically if it's long.

I always just set my dividers the same distance apart as the spots and walked it along where i wanted the spots. To punch the slots, one of the small pocket screwdrivers works great, and tap the prongs over with the small end of a ballpeen hammer. I seen a lady doing that way one time and she was faster than any machine.

I think you will be money ahead just to buy one !

I put the punch i want to sharpen on the tool and spin / turn it by hand on a stone the run some wet dry paper on the inside to get rid of any burrs.

I tried a stirrup plate and it set the foot over to far to suit me espically having to use a right toe foot. For me a holster plate works lots better because i can use a left toe foot and sew closer to the edge.

It looks like your using goose neck lights. You can move them around, try twisting the necks / move the light around to get rid of the bright spots. I would think you could see them before you take a picture.

The single tube has a 1 1/2 inch reach and the rotary has a 1 3/8 inch reach. If i was going to just use two sizes of punch's i would get two and not have to change tubes.

Maybe they DON'T know the answer either !

I would try one of the clicker dye making folks. Texas dye or Texas custom dye ( i think that's the name ) is the only one i can think of right now. Or ask here on the form for clicker dye makers.

I'm not much of a braider either. But sense nobody else has answered, why don't you do a square 4 braid. It will end on it's self with a little bit of string left hanging and doesn't need a core.

I like the single tube ones the best. But they cost a lot more in the long run.

I got one off of ebay several years ago. It is a regular manquin head.

Your tip is a one to file away. Thanks ! I don't have a bell knife but i want one.

If you have a buffing wheel it wouldn't hurt to buff the tubes. If you don't they will stick in the leather till they slick up.

Yes

A whole hide will make two pair a side will make one pair.

You need 1 side for one pair of chaps. Their will be some left over enough to make a purse or two maybe. The lightest i would get is 3 / 4 ounce not sure what is in MM. When you make your pattern make sure you make one for each leg and write left and right on them so you don't cut two alike and to make sure ever thing fits on the side.

What kind of sheath do you wan to make ? Fold over or 3 piece front back and welt all the way around ?

You can make the gusset any width you want with the pattern you have. The purse will never know it called for a 2 inch gusset. Make the flap longer so it still is in the right place to buckle or however it fastens on the front. It's just like i tried to tell my neighbor you can put a GM motor in a Ford change motor mounts and such the car will never know or care.

Do ya have a picture ? You maybe able to sand it out or enough for it not to be seen very easy or maybe just oil ever thing.

I would keep it. Plus now you have the time to do things you wanted to do. For a price i wouldn't sell it for less than 1600.00 used Bosses are selling for 1100.00. If you sell it you'll just be buying another one down the line i bet. JMHO Good with what ever you decide to do.

I've put in a lot of gussets but i don't remember putting one in that small. What i did was glue the gusset in and use binder clips to hold ever thing. I sewed the back first then the front taking the clips off as i come to them and i used a left toe foot.

I'm thinking it depends on how the strings are put on now. If their through the bars then that's what i would go back with, because your going to have a hard time hitting the spot where their is wood to hold a screw unless you move them up, down or to one side or the other.

Everbody is always talking about having the second stitch when hand sewing that it will hold things togeather and that's true. But when and if a stitch wears through on a machine stitch it just doesn't unravel and come apart as soon as the stitch breaks. Dose you shirt, skirt or britches come apart when a stitch breaks ? Hand sewing is fine but you better be able to get a big price out of what ever ever your selling. Because if your not you will be loseing money with ever stitch. Lots of people can hand stitch myself included but in IMHO their are very few people that can hand stitch well.