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Moore Leather

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Posts posted by Moore Leather

  2. Posted · Report reply

    Hi

    Looking to buy a manually operated clicker press (not got 3 phase electric or space for a bigger one)

    Been considering the Lucris MA series press, or the small Tippman Air press (not quite manual, but of a similar size)

    I'd also be happy with an old manual press, BUSM Co or similar

    Please let me know what you have. Used condition is ok as long as fully working.

  3. Posted · Report reply

    Hi Jon

    Thank you, a photo would be great. Any idea of the weight of the Rounder?

    DJ

    Sorry, forgot to bookmark this page & just noticed your reply!!

    BlFVW2BGkKGrHqEOKjkEtkfgq1kBLLB2F-m.jpg

    weighs about 1 1/2lb unwrapped

    Asking £75 plus shipping

  4. Posted · Report reply

    If you can that would be absolutely brilliant, thanks!

    It's a shame that didn't work out for you, Christchurch is a nice city to live in. I moved there from Edinburgh nearly 20 years ago and lived there for 16 years.

    Interesting

    I live just outside Edinburgh in Haddington...not too bad a place (only been here a year or so...)

    Lived in the Scottish Borders for a few years & had a workshop in Coldstream for a couple of years or so.

    Off to visit a mate tomorrow in Pencaitland so will drive past the Glenkinchie distillery to his house

  5. Posted · Report reply

    Here's my recently acquired A1. I bought it on TradeMe (NZ's auction website) ages ago but only managed to co-ordinate the 500k round trip to pick it up last weekend. It was a nice drive though up through a bit of New Zealand I've never seen before. It cost me more in petrol to drive up and get it than the NZ$70 I paid for the machine. I bought it with the intention of restoring it to as close to its original condition as I could, whether or not it would ever actually sew. I think it will though but some parts are going to need shimming for the feed to be consistent.

    A1-as-found-08.jpg

    The fun part was stopping in to the Central Hawkes Bay Early Settlers Museum in Waipawa on the way home and seeing this machine, which is just like my one only newer smile.gif

    IMG_6829.JPG

    The paint on the museum machine is in much better condition than mine so I took a bunch of photos of it so I have some reference for the pinstriping even though it's a later livery.

    According to the person who sold it to me the saddler who owned it before her used it to sew the horse covers for the first NZ equestrian team to go to the olympic games which was in 1964 so it was a fairly old machine even then. Other than that I know nothing about its history. It is marked Pearson & Bennion rather than British United Shoe Machinery so it's a relatively early one. I can't see anything resembling a serial number on it anywhere though. Various parts on it are marked "16" for reasons I don't know.

    Thanks to Celticleather I've got a scanned manual for it and I've started the process of cleaning and restoring it. It was seriously caked in gunk. A mix of old grease, dust, oil and horsehair several mm thick over much of the machine and I'm going to have to go after some bits with a brass pick to get the dried grease off.

    A1-as-found-10.jpg

    The big surprise for me was cleaning it and discovering that what appears to be its original japanning was a rather striking shade of blue!

    A1-first-clean-06.jpgA1-first-clean-34.jpgA1-first-clean-41.jpgA1-first-clean-59.jpg

    I can't be sure of course, but given the state of the machine, the fact that the varnish has gone black the way old oil-based varnishes will, and the fact that it dissolves easily in methylated spirit I suspect this is its original japanning and not a more recent repaint. The colour is consistent on all the originally japanned parts, including the flywheel and the various actuator rods and the stand is the same colour. Once I've photographed it I will check under the remaining pin-striping on the lettering on the stand to see if that's blue too. The blue only really became apparent when the top varnish layer was removed.

    I plan on getting it soda-blasted back to bare metal and I was going to paint it with automotive spraypaint but I'm seriously tempted to make up some blue japan and re do it in as close to the original finish as I can. The only problem is that I don't have an oven big enough to put the stand in unsure.gif

    The other nice surprise was emptying out the drawer and discovering that there were five different presser feet (including two pricker feet), four guides, four shuttles, eight bobbins two different feed dogs, two different feed dog plates and a tin of needles with it! The original bobbin winder was screwed to the table when I got it.

    A1-accessories-08.jpg

    None of the shuttles are in great repair though so I might need to buy or make a new one before the machine will sew. One of them has had the point built up with brazing and the other three are variously dented and blunt but now that I've seen the mechanical condition of the rest of the machine I think it's worth getting going. I've extensively documented the disassembly process so I can put that in a new thread if anyone's interested.

    whatdoyouthink.gif

    Nice find

    Will see about scanning the catalogue in a better resolution & will try to find time to scan the No.6 manuals too

    IF the planets were better aligned I'd be typing this from the Ch-Ch area so we'd almost be neighbours!!

  6. Posted · Report reply

    I get a lot of leather from Le Prevo in Newcastle in the North-East of England

    I have been a customer for over 25 years & they are a very helpful & friendly group of people

    I get some other supplies & certain saddlery hides from Abbey Saddlery - Knutsford

    Hope this helps if you are still looking

    Jon

    As an aside, I keep trying to order from Kappey.de, but never have had them send me what I e-mail them about yet! (just a couple of tools & some questions about thier hand-awls as they do some very interestingly shaped handles that look as if they'd be very comfortable to use)

  9. Posted · Report reply

    I want to make some belts in various sizes ranging between 1" and 2".

    Because the punches are so expensive, I would rather not buy a separate punch for a 1", one for a 1- 1/4", a 1-1/2"... all the way to 2".

    For example, I was curious what type of end a 2" punch would leave on a 1.5" belt?

    Hope that makes sense. Do I just need to bite the bullet and order the all of the sizes or can I get by with a bigger punch on a smaller strap? Thoughts?

    Also, anyone have opinions on best bang for the buck when it comes to buying a specific brand (other than craftool)?

    Thanks

    I agree totally - but sadly it's a false economy

    IF you decide to use punches, you WILL need one of each size

    The Stohlman brand seem good

    BUT - there IS a way to make the same shape on the belt end by hand - difficult to describe in text

    PM me if you want to know more & I'll try to do some pics or diagrams to explain

    Jon

  10. Posted · Report reply

    hi Wyvern, can you not make a replica in wood then wet mould onto that. Just a thot.

    Not really possible

    The style of holsters has come on quite a lot since the WW1 leather generic-fit Sam Browne revolver holster & the other early 20th Century types

    Most holsters now are wet fit to the actual gun (or the above mantioned Blue Gun - itself an identically sized copy of the parent gun - but made from as a one piece injection so it is 100% safe & NOT a gun)

    I'm building up my stock of Blue Guns - but not got that model - sorry I cannot assist further!

    Jon

  11. Posted · Report reply

    I am a saddler who spent time in an Army Unit with Light Horse (mounted Infantry) lineage. Of course my unofficial sideline was looking after the museum saddlery artifacts. I then joined the Airforce and made the fatal mistake of telling recruiting I was a saddler and (heres the kicker word) Harnessmaker. Aircraft use harnesses to hold in pilots and also on Parachutes etc. Our trade has morphed over the years from saddlers to fabric workers covering aircraft skins with fabric and dope, to safety equipment work including parachute rigging. In 17 days I will be back to teaching the trade to both Airforce and Army students.

    As we are allied to the Army. I have contacts and lots of info on both trades.

    These pics capture just about the death nell of saddlers in the Australian Army as all Regiments had been dismounted by 1944.

    Barra

    Hi Barra

    What years were you in from/until?

    There are still a few saddlers in the British Army - but just for the ceremonial units - though they are kept quite busy doing this !!

    I see the 1st image has them using the old type clam - not a piece of kit I am anywhere near a fan of...

    Jon

  12. Posted · Report reply

    Linsskydd, do you make those for the sniper version of the old Mauser M 96 ( the M41). It seems that a lot of those old rifles have spread out over the world. I have shot a couple of thousand rounds with the old M/96 when I was a young boy. They were sold as surplus for~ £10 ( 15$ ) at that time.

    / Knut

    Hi

    Yes - I make them for most sniper rifles. The Swede m/41B is unique in that I make 3 leather accessories for it - as per my previous post. I normally just make slings & lense-caps for most rifles, but the m/41B also uses the leather cheekrest

    Jon

  13. Posted · Report reply

    Looking for an Osborne, or similar Rein Rounder. Dont mind if it needs repairing.

    Thank you

    DJ

    Hi

    I have a Osborne Rein Rounder spare that I can sell

    It's the version that mounts into a normal vice (the other type was screwed onto the worktop)

    It's in excellent condition, and is only missing the locking pin that clamps the two halfs together

    I can take pics if that'll help

    Jon

  14. Posted · Report reply

    Hi all

    The contri brought back a lot of memories of Machines I've owned and operated over the years. If you scan them would it be possible for me to get a copy for our Archives (SHMAA). As I am the Official Historian and I get asked by the younger generation about these Machine regularly.

    The Pearson A1 was a particular favorite of mine for Decorative Stitching of Leggings, Beautiful Stitch and tension. Unfortunately I took so many of them to the Islands with me and they have "disapeared". The Saddle & Boot Emblem stood for something with all of the Tradesmen I learned from. The elusive item I never got was the Dock Stuffer. Has anyone got one or used one? And the the Pilot was one of the few that could sew arround Stock Saddle Knee Pads. It's a pity that this grand old Company has gone.

    Kindest Regards.

    Jim Saddler.

    Hi Jim

    Glad you liked the postings - that's why I put them on here:

    I did have a LOT of scanned images from both the BUSM cataloge & the No.6 machine handbook (5th ed.) on a previous PC - but when it died I lost them.

    I'd burned them onto CD & supplied the Leather Museum in Walsall, West Midlands with a copy.

    More than happy to do likewise for your organisation. I just bought a scanner which I hope to collect this weekend...

    Funny thing is - when I was last in the Walsall museum I was taking LOADS of pics of the No.6 machines & their 45k's too. A member of staff noticed & was surprised to hear that I not only owned both types but also used them....turns out they used to employ someone on weekends to stand & use the No.6 - but he was too old to do it & none of the staff had much knowledge of the No.6 & how it goes.

    I'm down to one No.6 now - which is a pity...love to hear the "click-clack" as they sew. One I bought had been used with a motor: braver man than I was, given the size of needles the No.6 uses...

    Anyway - I can sort out scans once I have picked up the machine - I'll update these postings to reflect that they're now done.

    Jon

  15. Posted · Report reply

    The mark " KA 1 - 4K" on the clam indicates that it belonged to 1:st Coast Artillery Regiment - Company #4, in Vaxholm, just outside Stockholm. KA 1 never had horses, but I guess there were a lot of equipment made of leather at the time, which needed a saddlers care. The three crown is the logo of the Swedish Armed forces and almost all equipment had the mark. ( also the swedish ice hockey team has this logo)

    Thank´s for sharing the pics!

    / Knut

    Thanks for the update.

    I never knew the details of what the stamped marking meant.

    DID know about the 3-crowns, as I make Kindstod, gevarsrem & linsskydd for the Swedish Mauser

  17. Posted · Report reply

    A stitching clam like this?

    / Knut

    Ah - THE very one

    It has an issue stamp to a Navy base though - as for some reason my friend did some of his saddler training at a Naval base.

    Just found pics of it - so I will attach them

    Nice to see another Swedish leatherworker. I was supposed to have been trading at an event in Stockholm last weekend but missed the plane due to traffic congestion after a road accident...

    Thanks for the response

    Jon

    Klove-b.jpg

    Klove-a.jpg

  18. Posted · Report reply

    As I mainly make reproductions of military items, plus have a Military History degree, I am interested in the history of leatherwork & leatherworkers in the various branches of the military - regardless of country of origin...

    I have a really nice 1916 dated German saddler manual that also covers dimensions (& full-size plans) for normal saddlery items AND all the soldier issue items that young Wilhelm would have needed at the front (belt, straps, tornister, frog, etc.)

    I have most of the various US Army Technical & Field Manuals about Saddlers, Leather Inspection, etc.

    Most recent purchase was a 1914 postcard of an army saddler in his tent, sewing using a pony...the early basic type (just the seat/jaws type)

    Got lucky & bought a "Saddler Tool Chest for Battery Wagon" a while ago - it's an early one (been told WW1) & it's in daily use as I only really hand-sew. It's in need of a re-paint in places but I am loathe to do such a thing. Its been dragged the length & breadth of the UK over the last 5 years or so as I make items on my stall when I trade at shows & its also a great crowd stopper

    IF I can find a spare clam for the above I will retire it to my collection & use the other one I have for sewing instead: bought about 2 weeks after the first, but this 2nd one is stripped of paint so I can happily re-do this one with a clear conscience IF I get lucky & get a clam.

    I also do WW2 re-enacting events & portray a US Army saddler at these. Doing on the spot repairs is good for the other guys too, as they have quite a habit of breaking things.

    Got one of the saddler tool rolls & the canvas tool bag too.

    I have a few British army marked tools; some of these marked tools came from the widow of an ex-cavalry soldier who retired after 20 years then joined the police doing more or less the same job...most of his tools were marked with the letter "I" next to the broad-arrow - meaning that they were of Indian Army vintage (pre-1947)

    Not got any British manuals - but have most of the LoC's & a few of the newer spec. sheets for such things as the Sam Browne sets.

    I also have a British Army clam.

    I am also in contact with ONE ex-army saddler. He joined the army before WW2 & served a few years, though WW2 was quiet for him - as he is Swedish & was in the Swedish Army - a neutral country.

    He has very kindly given me his stitching clam - an unusual design which hinges at mid-point to save space. MUCH better designed than the British one & a lot less tiring to use.

    May try to see if he wants to sell any of his tools someday. He has a few pics of himself in uniform "back in the day" which he is going to pass on to me sometime (once he's found them)

    IF anyone else has a similar collection/interest I'd like to hear from them...as I feel that sadldlers, riggers, etc. have been quite overlooked in the history books & given how widespread they once were it's surprising how little information there is out there on them

    Jon

  19. Posted · Report reply

    Just posted a new sub-topic in the "Leather History" section - quite a lot of images of BUSM Co products from an old company catalogue.

    I also have a couple of BUSM Co. No.6 Machine manuals, a 5th ed. & a 21st ed.

    I have LOTS of manuals from other makers - will get around to scanning them as soon as I get time (Adamson, Adler, Dearborn, Pfaff, etc.) plus a Japanese text brochure for a wide range of makes/machines

    Hope the BUSM Co. stuff I have put on is of interest/use

  22. Posted · Report reply

    Have had these a few years now - and having discovered the site I thought I'd share brielfy some details & images.

    The No. 6 machine manuals I have are 2 versions: 5th Edition & 2st Edition.

    As can be seen from the pics I attach, they are quite different externally.

    The second batch of attached pics are of similar period manuals to the latter No.6 machine manuals...no idea at all about the machines they are for, just posted them on here for reference

    Third batch of pics - a FULL catalogue (less title page, unfortunately!!!) of the complete range of products available from BUSM Co.

    Some of these will probably be of news to a lot of folk on here - just goes to show the wide-range of what they had available.

    Not having a title page means I am not able to date the cataloge...the only way to do this would be by the prices: and not done this yet, sorry...

    The big plan is, if there is enough interest in the No.6 catalogues, that I can either scan them properly & upload them/transfer to disc

    OR

    I can use a couple of contacts & have a facsimile copy printed up

    Same applies for the catalogue - may even do all 3 items in one little booklet/brochure

    Just waiting delivery of my new scanner.

    Happy to answer questions...

  23. Posted · Report reply

    Just at a quick glance, it seems you forgot a dimension pertaining to the material thickness or gauge.

    Hi Ryano

    Er, not guilty on that one - not my drawing....

    The drawing I attached is THE in-house spec. sheet from Stimpson themselves

    The thickness or gauge is not really my 1st concern - the correct shape IS

    I'll be happy to find ANY P455's (or close approximations)

    Jon

  24. Posted · Report reply

    Sorry, can't help you with your question. But I did want to mention how very cool your avatar is.

    Ah...

    Thought I had a quick reply to my need for a clicker press for a while then!!

    The Avatar - thanks for your comment.

    I designed it myself - the scary thing was, my mother got what it meant immediately...

    I was after something unique to me - which also tied in the leatherwork side of what I do.

    So,

    1. Its a steer/cow head

    2. Such a motif is common in leatherwork

    3. The face is made from the letters of my surname (apart from the steer-horns) - so is unique to me

    I have it on my polo & sweat shirts when I trade at Bisley & other shows, plus I have a big sign with it on & use the logo on any paperwork, business cards, etc....and have quite a few different leather stamps of varying sizes to emboss the things I make

    ...may even paint it on my clicker press if I ever find one tongue.gif

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