Ferg

Said better than I. KingsCountyLeath Ferg

Well, you ask what we think. I think you need to do a lot of internal training before you try to teach someone to make the afore said "Card Holder". It is good that you are working on the craft. Your expertise simply isn't there yet. Don't wish to hear from anyone thinking I am "Mean". No one will ever learn if they aren't criticized as well as praised for their work. Ferg

First off: I have absolutely no connection with the company in the address I am going to give you. This is an excellent article for just what you are wanting to know. https://www.sailrite.com/Selecting-the-Right-Thread-Material Ferg

My guess under the circumstances would be $1000 to $1200. Depends a lot on what you may be including with it. Ferg

I am not sure Bob Kovar keeps any parts for these machines. Mine is a CowBoy, exactly like yours. Check with him at Toledo Industrial Sewing Ferg

Picture is nice, you need to give the make and model of your skiver. Ferg

I use "Min-Wax" for wood. Have used it on wood for years. Tried it on leather coasters, it turns water. Product is a solid wax, don't use liquid. Buff after applying. Ferg

Buy one of Uwe's Ferg

It's German! Sorry, I couldn't resist. LOL Ferg

First of all, I think you should use a thin layer of calf skin, goat, etc. for the back of your belts. The faux material is going to wear immaturely I think. I believe Matt is suggesting you make a rolled edge on your fabric then gluing it to your leather with the rolled edge at the edge of your leather. That would help the painted edge maybe while making it more difficult to make the belt. Ferg

I am always a bit skeptical when something looks so good with such a good price. Can you visit where this machine is located? I wouldn't touch it if I couldn't. Take some leather with you to see how it performs. If it does well, slide into your truck or trailer and head for home before the present owner decides against selling it. Ferg

FROM MY EXPERIENCE with sewing machines, it is almost as easy to over oil some spots as it is to under oil. The wicks shouldn't be "soppy wet" with oil. If you could squeeze one it should look about like one of McDonalds french fries when you squeeze the oil out of them. LOL Ferg

I saw that also. I didn't think it sounded like something I would use. I an sure there are folks who would like to have one though. Ferg

Try this! Google: "Falconry Glove Pattern" Ferg

Joe, Bob supplies that little magnetic light with the machine. I had the machine turned longways behind my flatbed Consew. When I began attaching the drop down I turned it the way it is in the photo. Liked the natural light coming in that window. Sure helped my tired ole' eyes. I need all the light I can get. Notice the other light I have turned toward the machine, it is on the Consew table. I can use it with both machines. lol My wife was even impressed with the stitching. Folks seem to have a lot of heartburn with the back-side stitches on numerous machines. They look extra nice on this one. Ferg

My first experience with a sewing machine was before I started grade school, almost 80 years ago. It was my mom's peddle Singer. I sewed some of her quilt patches together if I remember correctly, that didn't go over real well. Have used several home machines and just brought home my newest Leather machine yesterday. Had made arrangements with Bob Kovar ( Toledo Industrial) to have them set-up a new Cowboy 3200 for me. Bob asked if I wanted them to run through the operation, I said no. "Do you want to sew with it?" No. Bobby put the head in a box for me while we carried the remainder out to the truck. Looked it over when we got home with it. This afternoon I put my new drop down roller guide from Uwe on it, oiled and threaded it. Set the Servo to Slowwww, turned the table perpendicular to my big window in the sewing room, sunlight washing over the machine, Placed two pieces of Bridle scrap together and sewed several different length stitches. Other than needing to loosen the foot pressure a little more, it sewed perfectly. I had to sit back and admire my stitching for a few minutes. Nice machine!!!!! Anyone wishing to attach the drop down roller guide from uwe, The one he has in stock right now is a little long. I had to cut about 1/4" off one piece. Attaching the accessory bracket to the machine worked fine. The wall of the machine is only about 1/2" thick so I was a little surprised when the drill bit broke through before I got to 3/4" as suggested. Easily threaded the hole and attached the bracket. Notice I said, Hole as in one hole. Didn't drill the other hole since I have attached them before with just one bolt. Also attached the extension from Uwe for the hand lift for the foot. The machine couldn't be anymore of what I wanted. Thanks Bob and Bobby for getting it adjusted perfectly for me. I have only one gripe and it doesn't concern the machine. Suppliers on the Web advertise they have every needle ever made by so and so for the 441 clones. Not so. You will be lucky to find a half dozen different. They supply all these fancy charts with all the "Point" configurations and only have maybe four. If you are looking for a machine of this size and abilities, buy a 3200, you will never regret it. Ferg

Twenty six of the dull finished plus twenty five of the shiny. The dull will buff brighter. Shiny tools have metal handles, others have wooden handles I made for each one. Wooden handled items will work in an Arbor press for the impressions. Two stamps missing in this photo-two Mushroom. Want to sell the entire collection for $150.00 Ferg

These are from mid fifties. Bought them from Tandy. Barely used, sharp imprints. $25.00 Shipping = $8.00 anywhere within USA Priority Mail Ferg

I might be blowing smoke, I think your needle is too small. The thread will often slide through a too small needle but gets caught up every once in awhile and skips. Ferg

You should understand right away, Skiving machines are finicky. I don't care how new they are you are going to need to do some "fiddling" to get what you want. Most of that is not the machine but the operator. There is a steep learning curve along with a lot of frustration. That said, they will do a great job when the bell knife is kept extremely sharp and everything is adjusted to handle the material. I have a Cowboy, it is a clone of the Fortuna as are most all the remainder of them. I will consider selling mine for $1400. It is like new, not even a scratch on it plus it is both top and bottom feed. I will not pay shipping. Ferg

All my sewing and leather related equipment etc. is on the second floor of our home. I bought what would normally be a 2 wheel cart used in businesses, with 3 wheels on each side. I tried it with a 27" computer. Won't be trying to lift any 100 pound machines anymore. Ferg

You got stiffed. Get your money back and go somewhere else to get a machine. What you gave for it is not a new price. Think $1495.00 That said: You will have trouble skiving 2oz. leather, especially without an Ultra Sharp Bell Knife. The knife on your machine has been through the mill plus some other things I noticed. This machine has had a troubled life. I wouldn't touch that with a twenty foot pole. Ferg

I am going to assume that you do not have any of the old "How To" books from Tandy. Al Stohlman done carving and stamping when there weren't any tools available commercially. His books are "Encyclopedias " of Leather crafting as far as I am concerned. Visit a Tandy store or go On-Line to their site, you will find many of the books I speak of. Ferg

That is a self healing cutting pad. JoAnn Fabrics for one. Most any fabric store would have them. Ferg

Only the dense. I don't think I have ever done more than three applications. Ferg