kc8290

Wanted used Randall Model R-32 rotary embossing machine and embossing rolls (especially basket weave). Good working condition, preferably less than 10 years old. Thank you. Ken Akron, Ohio

I was purchasing several sides a month from W&C. All in all good quality leather. Bridle leather colors not always consistent with the color chart on their website or samples they provide (especially the lighter colors).Leather weight is consistent as advertised. Customer service room for improvement. Their stock availability has been poor lately. At least on the grades I buy. They went into their annual down out of stock on several items. Had to move business to other suppliers as a result. Big hassle.Will check back with them in a few weeks to see if their stock availability has improved. I have been purchasing more and more of Herman Oak (from Weaver Leather). I'monly an hour away from Weaver so I can visit and hand pick what I need. Although in general their HO inventory looks good (lately) and I find myself taking from the top of the stack. Some leather colors not consistent with the samples HO sends out. I also purchase from RJF Leather who has been a good supplier.

Sound good. I use 4" (instead of 3") from the last hole to the tip. Not really sure what is best. Also the length of the strap that folds over the buckle will vary depending on the keeper width, number of keepers, tongue slot length, fastening system (snaps, rivits, screws) so you have to adjust the length accordingly. Your measurement of 3 to 3-1/2" should be a good length for most situations with one keeper loop. Hope that helps. Ken

Hello Jon – The “favorite hole” becomes the center hole onthe new belt. If you have five holes itwould be the third hole. Therefore tothe belt end (tongue end) it would be 2” for the two holes (1” spacing) plusyour 3” from your last hole to the belt tip. I think you may have left out the 2” for the last two holes. Ken

Hello Art - According to Artisan the current machine has a different feed system and roller and is not compatible with the older machine. Artisan's advise is to find a machine shop that will make one for me. I thought I would try to find and one first. It still may be worth speaking to Steve. Thanks Ken

Hello - I have an old ArtisanNP-10 top and bottom feed skiver. I'm looking for the top feed roller for this machine that is concave on both ends. It was the standard roll shipped with this machine back in the 90's. Artisan discontinued this model skiver in 1999 and the part is no longer available from Artisan. Any information on where I can find one would be appreciated. This picture is the roll that I have which is concave on one end. I need the one that is concave on both ends. I apologize if I posted in the wrong area. Thanks Ken

Nice splitter (new and made in the USA).. You think if you paid $600+ that Cambell Randall would at least give you some instructions on how it works. I think the numbers on the side just provides you a reference point of paticulare settings that you may want to return too. You may want to speak with Dan at Cambell Randall. He should be able to describe in detail. Sorry not much help.

I believe they are called Ring Posts. Page 56 in the Ohio Travel Bag P210 catalog. http://www.ohiotravelbag.com/FlipBook/hardware%20catalog%20p210/index.html Ken

Sim - Ohio Travel Bag has a selection of 1-3/4" buckles --> http://www.ohiotravelbag.com/index.html Good luck.

Greatly Impressed.

I am not aware of a formula. It would be nice to have a formula that would take into consideration the number of strips (3, 5, 7, etc) , beginning and finished width, and thickness of the leather. The way I did this one was to figure out the finished braid length I wanted. Then I added to it 1" inch for every 12". For this belt I wanted to end up with 30" of finished braid. Therefore I cut the seven strip 32.5" long (actually I rounded up to 33" long). The finished braid came out extactly 30". More experience may help to calculate better given the different variables. But I lucked out on this one. The overall belt finished at 1-3/4" wide and I started with a 2-5/8" wide blank. I had to taper down the width of the buckle and tongue ends to eqaul the width of the braid. I need work doing that because it did not come out exact.

Bruce - A draw gauge sounds like a winner! I have the wood draw gauge which is closed so I was not thinking of a draw gauge as being an option.... But an open blade draw guage would work perfectly. Duhhh...I should have known that. I did not buy an open one because I'm left handed and most of the open blade draw gauges that I've seen seem to be used with the right hand. I could be wrong. I think Weaver has one that you can turn and make left handed. Thank you.

Hello - I tried to make a seven strap mystery braid belt yesterday and the hardest most time consuming part was cutting the seven strips (picture attached). So I thought I would ask the question on how others would do it. I started out with a 2-5/8” wide strap. I then cut seven 3/8” strips using a utility knife. I tried using a Jerry's Stripper but found it too difficult to pull through the 10 oz harness leather. In all, it took me over two hours to cut the belt. Any suggestions on how to more efficiently cut the strips would be appreciated. Perhaps I should use a round knife or curved edge trim knife. I don't have either but probably should buy. Boy…It also took a long time to edge all of those braids. I did not bother burnishing because I was only practicing the braid. Kind regards, Ken

I purched two on ebay for $5 each. I think it was a lucky find. Normally they run around $20. You can search under "wool felt wheel". You can also order them from http://www.buffalofelt.com/Felt_Wheels.aspx The sizes are not listed on their website, you have to call them. They come in soft, medium and hard. I think i have medium. Don't know which is best. The harder (more compact) it is the more it costs. I have a 3" diameter. I would like a smaller diameter because you can see the work results faster (if you burnishs from the bottom of the wheel). The width I have is 1-3/4". You need at least that much so you can make at least two sizes of grooves. Two inches wide perhaps would be better. I used a round file and screwdrider to form the grooves. Ken

I made one. I purchased a wool felt wheel (two actually). I mounted it on a ½” shaft arbor. It works okay. Currently I have a piece of heavy canvas wrapped around it (glued). I like the canvas a little better but really haven’t used it that much. I also made one with leather washers (instead of the wool wheel) stacked on a shaft arbor. Works well also. Picture of a wool felt wheel and wool felt wheel on the shaft arbor with canvas wrapped around it, attached.