Jump to content

Ferg

Contributing Member
  • Posts

    2,211
  • Joined

  • Last visited

Everything posted by Ferg

  1. I do not see the purpose of stitching around the filigree. Filigree is a way of rendering the leather, stitching would take away from that. Do you have any idea how well you would need to stitch all those little cutouts. Ferg
  2. I don't quite get the heating of the leather. Are you wanting to have just an impression or an impression with color? You can heat a metal stamp carefully, in a small electric oven. You would need some transfer foil for color and even pressure. The stamp needs to be heated to something in the neighborhood of 350 to 400 degrees Fahrenheit to make a good transfer. If you simply wish to make an impression with the logo stamp, you can do that with an acrylic stamp and a simple Arbor Press. Ferg
  3. I am too old to notice much modern art. Your work is great, don't stop now!!! Ferg
  4. Primosand You know there are many folks on here that have bought either of these machines including the tables. I can't believe that yours is the only one out of the bunch that is soooooo bad. Maybe you didn't install it correctly or possibly it was simply a bad item for you. First and only one you have bought I assume. Contact the dealer with your concerns, works 95% of the time. Ferg
  5. Are you holding the ends of both bobbin and needle thread for two or three stitches at the beginning? Check bobbin thread. With the bobbin removed, pull on the thread as it comes out from under that thin metal pressure plate. If you encounter some resistance it is good. Is the machine threaded properly? I ask, because everyone at some time let's their mind wander when threading the machine and it goes "Wonkie". Ferg
  6. Number one, I don't believe your tension is set correctly. By setting the pressure to the least, you aren't getting good stitching. Wiz is going to step in here I believe. Center your adjustments and start over with tension and needle size. Thread does not appear to be tight enough. There are many variables with the needles and your particular type of stitching etc. I use an old way for sizing the needle. Thread a needle, off the machine, lift the end of the thread so the needle can travel down the thread without hesitating but not real fast. The needle and thread combo that fits this the best is your choice. You need to accommodate the foot marks in other ways also. Use a good leather moulding spoon to smooth the marks. There has to be a middle road here. You are not going to eliminate every mark so attend to it otherwise. Ferg
  7. I now have three tools for edge painting. Flat blade: Not bad, highest learning curve. Tandy roller: Awkward Straight roller from RM: Perfect. Seldom get any paint running over edge. Able to apply a heavier coating per application. Ferg
  8. In my humble opinion, you didn't get any bargain. They look like throw-aways to me. Ferg
  9. Philip, I don't have a Cobra but I know many folks have them. I believe you are going to do one of two things, return it for adjustment, have a sewing machine mechanic that knows how to work on industrial machines, look it over. Steve is always good to help folks that have trouble. Give him another shout. You will probably need to start from the beginning of the adjustments. BTW: Are you certain no one attempted to use the machine while you were gone? Ferg
  10. Having nothing to do with leather in particular,

    Having grown up on a farm many years ago we had five beautiful Percheron horses including a stud.

    We done most of the farming on our 72 acres with the horses and were taught how to care for them and use them at a very early age.

    I can still smell the harness and the unique smell draft horses have.

    We have one of the largest Amish communities about three hours drive from our home. They have gotten so I can talk to them, probably because I am as old as they are. lol  They will allow me to photograph their horses if I don't get any of their folks in the photo.

    1. Big Sioux Saddlery

      Big Sioux Saddlery

      Thanks for that little tidbit, Ferg. I am a Percheron person myself, although I'll acquire a Belgian every now and again. I'm always interested to hear stories like yours.  While I grew up on a farm, my folks were NOT horse people. My father got us a pony when I was about 5, followed by another a couple years later, and I think he's regretted it ever since. We always had saddle horses around after that, and I worked horses professionally after I got out of high school for a few years. I made the switch to draft horses about 12 years ago, after raising a team of quarter horse geldings that I broke to drive as a team. Very soon going down the road was not nearly enough. I had to get more horsepower and actually DO something with the horses.  Between my boyfriend Charlie and myself, we wintered over 140 head this past winter. He's a red roan Belgian guy, but I still favor a good, classic type Percheron. I've attached a picture of the yearlings, I think there were 34 or so, and we had about that many two year olds as well. It doesn't leave either one of up much time to "play" with the horses anymore:-)

      IMG_4389.JPG

      IMG_4338.JPG

    2. Big Sioux Saddlery

      Big Sioux Saddlery

      Oh I guess I did get the pic of the 2 yr olds to load. First it wouldn't. Yard conditions were horrible all winter. Freeze and thaw, rain, then snow, repeat.

       

    3. Ferg

      Ferg

      Great photos! We had two totally black Percherons, MAJOR and DAN. Dan lived to be 26 if I remember correctly, he was sway backed, gentle, worked like a dream, and we rode the old "Natural Saddle" whenever we got the chance. Major was a big, shiny, and beautiful young gelding that stood on my feet in the stall when I tried to get a bridle on him. Never hurt me, he was just having fun. "NICK SETTLEMIER" was a dappled gray stallion. My older brother and I would get on him while he was in his "chamber". We had woods and a spring fed stream running through our property. Nick never failed to give us a fabulous ride until he decided to get rid of us. He just laid down in the Creek! FANNY was the mama of Major and Prince. Fanny was dappled roan as was Princess. 

      I still love them and can stroke almost all I meet without a problem. At going on eighty three years I allow folks like you to care for and feed them. LOL

      That you so much for memories brought to the fore.

       

      Ferg

  11. Wiz, From his e-mail address I would say he lives in the Cincinnati area. lol BTW: zachste don't post your e-mail on any forum. Ferg
  12. I have the flat blade and the cone shape from Tandy. They both work well and take a little "Finesse" to make a great edge, without Heating the edge afterward. Ferg
  13. The bell knife must be sharper than anything you can normally imagine, especially when trying to skive already thin leather. I have a skiving machine and have, quite frankly stopped skiving the thin leather. I prefer doing it with one of my round knives the Knipper made for me. I can accomplish a much better skive on the thin stuff and do it more quickly without worrying about the "tear out". Thin leather stretches. I have been able to do some by holding onto the leather from both sides/edges, it simply isn't worth the expense of wasting what is usually expensive leather plus the time involved. Ferg
  14. If you do not expect a return order you could have a mallet die made. If the customer thinks they may need more later, you may wish to invest in a clicker die. Requiring more investment on your end of course. ferg
  15. I can usually get my head around most changing things, this isn't one of them. Sorry, Johanna, I simply do not like the new format at all. Ferg
  16. Cheap hide! What is that old saying? You get what you pay for. Sorry, this often happens with cheap hides no matter where they come from. Ferg
  17. Love it!!! Have always enjoyed looking at this fabulous art form. I have never been talented enough to do the work you have accomplished. Leatherwork should be a cinch for you in the carving field. I have some of the Gomph Hackbarth tools, they are very good tools and that set is a good place to begin. Ferg
  18. Electrathon, I agree with you. It has been 63 years since I first picked up a leather tool or leather to make something. I laced everything I made, never dreamed of a sewing machine although I had a friend in the parachute loft sew heavy leather soles on slippers or moccasins I made. I love to sew/stitch by hand, arthritis does not allow much of that anymore. I love my three sewing machines although they can drive you bonkers some times. Folks on this forum do fabulous work by hand and with machinery. I have a knife for my large CNC machine that I can cut patterns or the leather pieces for a project. That will give you goose bumps to watch. lol Evolution pertains to all walks of life. If you like doing the craft the old ways, have at it. Personally, I like a mixture of all. Ferg
  19. There is a company in India who manufactures steel rule equipment. You would probably receive better shipping from them than the USA. BTW: Original post is quite old, I doubt if what you were enquiring about is still available. Ferg
  20. Ferg

    Lisaro

    I was in the Cincy Tandy Saturday. They have about 15 lisaro hides left, they have them in a wire container so they are useless. Scratches etc. Asking $99 each for them, I gave about $25 less than that last summer. I did buy a nice smooth grain, soft cow hide in a good medium brown color at 2 oz to 3 oz. Also, a very nice blue Minelli hide. This Tandy has more leather and accessories stock than most of the stores I have been in. Clean store also. Ferg
  21. Hi Mike,

    Haven't communicated for some time. How are you and Mom Kat doing?

    My wife goes into surgery this coming Thursday for cancer surgery. We are "Rattled" but hopeful.

    Marion Ferguson

    Ferg

    1. Show previous comments  4 more
    2. Ferg

      Ferg

      Denise had her surgery today with excellent results. No Chemo, radiation for about three weeks every day.

      Unusual and very rare cancerous mass in one breast. Took a couple lymph nodes, they look good, they will do further testing on both.

       

      ferg

    3. Dwight

      Dwight

      Thanks, Ferg, for the update, . . . that MADE my day,  

      Just goes to show that prayer is still working.  Give her a hug for all of us, . . . tell her there were a lot of folks out there praying for her.

      I'll pass on the good news to all our prayer partners, they too will be happy and relieved.

      May God bless,

      Dwight

    4. katsass

      katsass

      That is GREAT news Ferg!!! Really perked my day up as it is cloudy with a piddling little drizzle out here in the desert today. Kind of like a shaft of sunlight kame shooting thru because of the news.   mike

  22. Yes, one hide, very expensive. Some of the best leather you will ever own. If they have what you want in stock expect 2 weeks lead time. With a special order maybe two months. Ferg
  23. The rolled edges are labor intensive for sure, but they give a look not possible otherwise. I actually like doing them. My powered skiver doesn't do well with already thin leather so I use one of my round knives with the leather on a piece of fairly thick glass and skive by hand. Have gotten fairly fast at it. ferg
  24. Skive the edges of each piece, roll the edges and glue only. Place the two pieces together gluing them and stitch. Gives two rolled edges tightly held together, they look great. ferg
  25. Old and smart. Anyone taking you serious has more of a problem than just looking for a "Tart". LOl ferg
×
×
  • Create New...