gesa

The saddle looks great! The coloring turns out very well. Is it a trophy saddle or for another special purpose? I have never seen a saddle for a customer with a date on it. Gesa

Hi Art, The belt grinder turns away from me, its a special model sold by a local saddlemaker supply shop. About the heat, there is always a bowl of water to cool the blade. I use the water every few seconds. Unfortunatly I had difficulties to translate "unsupported belt" and "platen support" To sharpen a new knife it is not easy . Especially to learn it without someone to show and assist, no matter what kind of sharpening system is used maybe frustrating. Gesa

Another note about undervaluing an item. If the custom officers think the item is worth much more than it is written in the papers ( a custom seat for 60$ ) they will determine the value and your customer will be accused to avoid customs and will be charged with high tax fines, at least here in Germany. I already ordered a lot of goods from the USA and insist on declaring the real value of the items, and to send it with insurance. For me the items always worth the money I paid. So far not a single package got lost the last 8 years and I was always happy to get my goods without any trouble. Gesa

The stone is too coarse to sharpen the blade, it can only be use to shape the blade. I have never used a stone to sharpen my knifes, I am fortunate to use the machine where I work. The right side is fine sandpaper and on the left a felt wheel coverd with green polishing stuff. Important is to polish the blade until it is razor sharp! Greetings Gesa

The stamped border looks great.

I inherited a similar( no name) sewing machine from my grandfather. He was furrier and used it over 45 years to make hats and other small items at home. I will take some pictures later today. I use "Schmetz" needles for it. the leather needles ( sharp point) box says: Canu: 14:25 AX Nm: 90/14 System: 16x230 NRTW 1738 LR 1738 A LR DxF2 the regular ( round point) needles box says: Canu: 14:25 Nm: 120/19 System: 1738 16x231, 16x257 SY 2270 DBx1, DBx257 The needles are a bit larger(thicker?) than the last original needle I got with this machine. I will take pictures of them too if you like. It makes a stitch that covers the edge. My grandfather always said: These machines don't need any repairs only new needles Gesa

Hello, I used this pattern to make a wallet for a customer. Maybe the right picture for you too? Gesa

I never made gloves so far, but heres a helpful site with free pattern and how to mesure a hand for custom gloves. http://www.glove.org/default.php Gesa

I didn't find anything about victorian working cloths, but maybe you will find some inspiration here: http://www.costumes.org/classes/fashiondress/menswearblip.htm http://www.marquise.de/en/1800/index.shtml Gesa

We had a poll here http://leatherworker.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=16751&st=0&p=107067&hl=wrist%20size&fromsearch=1entry107067 Maybe that will help along with the comments to find out how much you need from each lenght. Abouts childs wrists I don't know much. I was "hired" last summer from my nephew for his 10th birthday to make braclets and I just remember how different where their wrist sizes. From much smaller than mine to a little bigger. Gesa

My boss asked me yesterday, if I could repair the seat of the car of one of our agents. before:the black sythetic leather is brittle I cut the patches from upholstery leather ans skived about 0.5 mm at the edges, so the edges will lay flat after sewing. It took me about five hours to sew it and today my back muscles hurt and my fingertips are sore..... Gesa

As "removable" initals I made these to fasten with the conchos on the back jockey. It might be an idea if its not possible to carve the saddle. Gesa

Here is the white belt I made for my Mom. I could only find white upholstry leather, so I used a strap of bridle leather as filler. On the backside I cut off the exess leather with a edger size 3. Gesa

I just turned 38, but I don't feel that old.....if I remeber well