dirtclod

Sewing by hand verses powered machine is like digging sewer lines with a shovel versus a backhoe. You can do it either way. But if you want to make any money you better have a backhoe or trencher. I've never used a Boss and i would guess it is faster then doing by hand. But it seems that folks are having problems with the newer ones. Or that's what i have read on here anyway.

In addition the suppliers at the top of the page call Ferdco . They have a web site http://www.ferdco.com/ . They are super nice folks and will help you anyway they can, or they have always helped me anyway. I have had a Juki Pro 2000 for 10 or 12 years now and never have had a problem with it. I do leather work full time and make a little bit of everthing. It will sew your holsters no problem i've made a bunch of them. Just like the others said get at least a 16 inch arm no matter what brand you buy, you will be glad you did. Because some where along the line you wil need the extra length and it's nice to have. John

I'll take them. Will you take paypal ? John

Looks great to me !!

Jim using a spoke to make a blade is great ideal ! I want to try that along with making a edger out of a hay rake tooth.

All i can say is, you make some neat looking mask and things !!!

Hi Ed, you did a might nice job on it. I'll be a dollar to a donut hole your mother in law loves it.

Roger, they both look great ! I would be proud to own either one.

Nice job. But the cheeks look like their to long. The buckle will be right at the horses eye it looks like. One other thing i would change the piece for the bit and put spots all the way around or none. It doesn't flow with the rest of the headstall. Now that's just MHO and it aint worth much..LOL.

Why don't you make a pattern with the holes where you want them. Then all you will have to mark it on your leather and punch away. You might get one the clicker dye folks to make what you want.

Without making new fenders and not cutting them off ( which i wouldn't do period ). You best bet is to take the stirrup off, grab the stirrup leather and pull the fender up as far as it will go under the seat jockey. You may need to spay some saddle soap up under the seat jockey and between the skirt and bar ( turn it upside down to spay the saddle soap ) . It will make it slick where it is easier to pull if their stuck. Sometimes it takes two men and a boy if they haven't been moved in a long time to pull them. John

MUKE you have some neat looking knives and i like the all the different pricking irons to. You sure did a nice on the piece you sewed to. John

Nice real nice !! Great looking seats as always. Kate did a great job !!

That's a neat stamp !!

Robin Yates book leaves alot of things out in my IMHO. If you can get the Al Stholman books you will be money ahead. Along with alot less head aches when your making patterns and such. I've bought alot of saddle making books over the last 25 years and Stholman's books are by far the best value for the money. Good luck with your saddle no matter who's book you use.

When you go over another holster your covering alot more distance. You have to take account the thickness of the other holster. What i recommend is get some file folders and make your own pattern. If i remember right Al tells you how to do it. If it looks to small then add a little and check again. A screw up is great lesson, just like under bidding a job is a great lesson and i've had all of them. Guy i worker for years ago told me if you get all the jobs you bid on your working to cheap.

If you want to build Stock Saddles i would get the Ron Edwards books. He is from Australia and is a saddle maker. Plus he has several other books Australian Bush Craft books and their great ! He shows how to beaid make tools along with lots of other handy things. They might have them at your locla libary along with some of the other books. Have you checked there ? Now if i could just find mine after the move..LOL.

Luke i found a picture of a knife he makes. Here's the link http://gallery.knipk...le-for-purchase

Put it in a closed room with bug bomb and get rid of the spiders. They make a nasty place if you get bit and they take a long to heal up to. When you get ready to oil it test it on a place that's real visible because it turn the leather darker and see if you can live with color change. Good luck on your project.

Ray get the guy to bring you the bike. Then you can make your pattern to fit. Don't let them measure because they can't read a rule and then their mad at you because it's to big or little. Been through that before. Their just like a bank when they say we don't make mistakes. So it has to be your fault. Good luck on your project.

Jaimi, be real careful when and if you take anything off of it. Because i'm guessing it's pretty dry. When their like that it's real easy to tear things up. As far as the cleaning and oiling don't over oil it or you have a mess. I would put a light coat of oil on it after cleaning and let it set for at least a month before i applied another coat maybe longer. If it's really dry and brittle no amount of oil will help. John

I'm not a seat builder. But i think if you wet ( not soaking wet ) every thing and put a weight on it be sure to cover the leather with something so it doesn't stain from the weight if it's metal, it should lay back down and stay there when it drys.

Real nice job.

I'm glad to hear that you got it threaded and your sewing. Using a clutch motor takes some getting used to for sure. I was taught to use one by toe first and the heel really quick kind of a on off thing. Pratice on some scrap though. For needles Ferdco sells Juki machines and their are several sewing machine dealers on here that i am sure have needles and motors to. Good luck with your new machine.

I didn't find anything about threading it. But i did find this and it may come in handy sometime. http://www.dixiesewingmachine.tzo.com/MANUALS/JUKISERVICE/DNU-1541-S-7EM01_e.pdf Can you take a picture of the machine ? If you can i bet we can figure out how to thread it.