Matt T

It depends on your budget. Check out this beast: http://www.campbell-randall.com/machines/sewing-machines/campbell-high-lift/

They look great!

It's got a 40 watt ceramic heating element in it, and the temperature output is about 100 - 400 degrees Fahrenheit.

If you but that you should also buy their dimmer. Another option is available in my store: http://lekoza.com/Tools/ElectricEdgeMolder It doesn't come with the edge creaser tip, but you can get them on ebay for about 20 bucks.

Probably 0.6mm or 0.8mm, depending on how you want it to look.

There are other leathers you can consider, such as calf skin, horse, and Kangaroo as Ferg mentioned.

Hi LeatherRod, I'm happy to hear that you like the thread. You can purchase from my online store at www.lekoza.com If you have any problems let me know through the contact page, or through a private message on this forum. Thanks.

I've received a number of comments asking for a smaller size, and after comparing the size to Tiger Ritza, I'm thinking the size I have is closer to 1.0 or even 1.2 mm. For those of you who've tried it, what size would you say it is?

No problem Dan. I will resend yours; it actually just came back to me from the post office inside a "We're Sorry" bag from the post office.

Kevin, thanks for the update. I will resend your sample.

Well, this is embarrassing.. I had a few samples come back to me after being mutilated in the USPS sorting machines, and a couple of them arrived with a ripped envelope and missing thread. Apparently if you go even a little over 1/4 inch for an envelope the sorting machine will get angry and attack. If anyone requested a sample and hasn't received it yet, please let me know. Sorry for the inconvenience; obviously I need to package them differently.

Hi 25b, that is a good question. I'm not sure of the power range you would consider "lower power" This device contains a 40 watt ceramic heating element, which is actually quite powerful for the temperature range we are working in. I have not used a competitor's product; however, I can see just from looking at the photos that it is utilizing head attachments which are wrapped with an exposed nichrome wire. There is no thermocouple feedback to detect and regulate temperature, just a knob to control the voltage which is running through the nichrome wire. Therefore, the heads are never actually utilizing the full power output of the unit to regain temperature unless the temperature setting is set to the highest point. The device I am selling has a thermocouple PID circuit to detect when the temperature needs to increase, and applies the full 40 watts until the set temperature is reached.

At one point I found myself wanting a tool like this, but ended up walking away when I saw the price tag. I didn't turn away from the idea though; I contacted a factory in China that produces soldering irons, and convinced them to work with me to modify an iron to produce a lower temperature output suitable for this type of work. I've just received the shipment, tested one without issue, and am offering them for sale at only 49.95. Feedback? Questions? http://lekoza.com/Tools/ElectricEdgeMolder

drcagen, I have your info and will send a sample. Thanks.

Casperdog, glad you like it. Thanks for the feedback. Rod, I did send a sample for you.

Hi nrk, the weight of a spool is 380grams. These are specs I was given by the factory who made the thread. I haven't actually unwound a spool to verify, but I supposed I should do that. The factory is in China, which is the main reason why I am able to get the price down to this point. They are a large factory who produce thread for brands that many of us use on a daily basis. I will give some thought to having shorter spools - you're not the only one who has suggested this.

Amman thread company sent me a sample of their Serabraid thread, which is a braided polyester that has a round profile. It did not lay flat and wouldn't lay flat even with hammering. The ritza style threads are braided into a flat shape as you say, and they lay flat.

Linen is more traditional and looks better to me on certain types of items. The reason it is so expensive comes down to the fact that it's been largely replaced by polyester thread; so there are only a handful of companies producing it. It's also a natural fiber which costs more to process than polyester ( which is an oil product; basically made from plastic, melted and extruded into fine strands). Linen fibers are not created equal, and they need to be combed until only the longest fibers remain. You have a lot of waste material from this, whereas with polyester you could just remelt damaged or short strands. Linen thread doesn't have as much stretch as polyester, and will break before polyester thread of the same size. Some high end manufacturers prefer linen because of this - If you are making something from an expensive leather, you would prefer that the thread break before the leather tears.

Thanks for the recommendation David. The free shipping for Canada should start at 100. I was having a problem with my cart software, but it should be fixed now.

PJ, I got your request. Let me know if it doesn't arrive in the next couple of days. Tony, thanks for your feedback; I'm glad you like it! I am planning to expand the size offerings, but I have to first reach a sales target for the thread I have on hand. I have a good relationship with the factory, and we are able to produce just about any size and color; so that is not a problem.

Yes smirak, thanks for your interest. I am not responding to the PMs unless there is a specific question. I will send a sample to everyone who is requesting, and I did get your PM.

I've had a few people asking, and want to clarify a couple of points. 1) Color card. With each sample, I am including a few inches of each color of thread tied together. This way you can see exactly what the colors look like in person, or in different lighting conditions. 2) Different sizes. Yes, assuming interest is strong enough, we will expand the line to include other sizes and more color options. Thanks for your interest. I notice some of you are posting about this on other outlets such as reddit, and I appreciate the support!

I am happy to announce that we are offering a new line of waxed polyester thread. Right now it is available in 12 colors of 0.8mm. In an effort to get the word out about our product, I am going to offer a free 25 meter sample to anyone on the board within the US and Canada (Sorry, shipping is too expensive elsewhere). Just send me a private message with your address and the color you want to try (one per person, please). More details here: http://lekoza.com/Thread/TwinEagle0.8

Well, not exactly leather.. but a fossilized hide; check it out: