Ferg

From one old Sailor to another, boy! I am glad you are okay. How is Mom Kat? ferg

Tink, I bought a couple of those blades to have as patterns. They aren't real great quality but they are cheap. My knives have blades that were made with the shape of two of these. ferg

I bought a Consew 206RB5 from Zamir several years ago. It hadn't been adjusted for anything. Between Wiz and Bob Kovar I got it set up. I also ordered a binder attachment from Zamir with the assurance it would work. There was no way in hell it was going to work. I emailed him numerous times. He finally answered me saying, "I don't have time to waste talking to you." I returned the binder, he never refunded my money. He has crook written all over him and for those of you that have had good luck with him, good for you. Mark that up on the wall. ferg

Buying the brass is easy. There are companies selling small pieces of most any thickness you wish on the Net, just"Google" The knives I made are very easily done. I have in my shop a small bench top belt sander I used to rough out the shape I wanted. I then used 600-1000 grit sanding medium and finished with polishing compound on a "Flap" wheel. ferg

I looked for this on Campbell Randall, no luck. Where did you find it on their site? ferg

Ninety five percent of the adjustment is needed in the top, I seldom change the bobbin tension. I believe almost every dealer represented on this forum will have a chart for needle and thread sizes, just ask. Personally, I don't see all that big a problem with stitching 3.5 to 4oz. IF you don't mind spending some time for the new adjustments. BTW: I have sewn all the things you wish to do on either the cylinder arm or flat bed. ferg

Excellent design and rendering. ferg

Welcome Andy, _____from someone who lives southwest of you about 55 miles. ferg

There isn't any lining on the card slots. Just in the "paper money" space. Kidskin is baby/younger goat skin. Very nice. I hate pigskin with a passion. ferg

I have a Consew 206RB5, a Seiko cylinder arm, and a vintage Singer Patcher. I love my Consew flat bed and use it for most of my work. Couldn't do without the Seiko cylinder, it is not a favorite of mine but I am working at using it more. Drop down edge guide on Seiko with straight as well as roller guides. I have several edge guides for the Consew. For me the edge guides are a must. I think Neel's in about "Middle Ohio" or Industrial Machine in Toledo, Ohio are as close as you will get to a distributor for CowBoy machines. I cannot comment on any of the others except to say they are definitely close to being the same machines. You need to talk to the folks at each of the distributors you may be interested in and form an opinion based on the information you receive from each. If it is impossible to visit any of them, send some scraps of the leather you most likely will be using to them informing same how you use it. Layers etc. Let them stitch your samples with at least two sizes of thread and what needles they use to be returned to you before making any decision. Being comfortable with the company/companies you work with is at least half the battle. Good luck, ferg

Monica, Do you have a link for where your husband bought the fileteuse? Happy New Year! ferg

The leather on his wallet interior looks to be "Kidskin". The front of your wallets need to be at least 4 to 5oz. although I have used Kangaroo for a super thin wallet plus it wears like iron. The front panel of this gentleman's wallet may be embossed cowhide. It would most likely be backed up with cloth or some very thin leather. ferg

Nice work. Consider using edge paint for your projects. Use a radius of about 1/4" on your corners, helps clean up the edges. ferg

Bob, Nice job!!! I can see why he liked it. ferg

I have been known to work all night. Usually a fairly bad day afterward. lol ferg

I rebuilt one of these. This one is missing some parts which are available and are relatively expensive. Looks to be a great paper weight. Still, just about anything can be "Fixed" if you wish to spend the money. ferg

You probably lucked out with your knife cuts this time or they aren't quite as good as you think at this point. Leather should be the same to cut as it is when you stamp/tool. For finer detail I like to use the narrower blades, also the angled blades. I find them easier to use for most work I do. ferg

TO: DAVIDL Do not bad mouth Tandy to every one who is trying to get started in this Art. Sure, they have a lot of junk these days but they have some good stuff too, you have to know what you are getting before you pay for it. That isn't only when you buy at Tandy. If not for Tandy I would never have begun this fabulous medium 60 years ago. The store in Miami Florida told me I paid their rent for two years. I have some of the best leather I have bought anywhere that came from Tandy and I have some of the worst. Unfortunately a lot of things are not as they used to be, get over it. ferg

YOU BEGAN YOUR ENDEAVOR AT THE WRONG PLACES. Read everything you can on this site, buy some Al Stohlman books on leather work, don't visit Hobby Lobby or Michaels for supplies. Visit a Tandy Leather store if you can. Most of the folks running the stores are knowledgeable enough to guide you. I would be discouraged also if I had began as you. lol ferg

I must say we have zero problems with PAYPAL. They refund my account if there is any wing ding going on, I refund folks if we happen to make a mistake with absolutely no trouble. The refund usually appears within minutes. I am of the opinion, with the recent happenings in our world and other countries, I am not fearful but I sure as heck watch everything very closely. Personally, I am glad they and a few others are feeling the same way. ferg

I guess I am a little confused about what your terrible problem is. As Darren said, there is nothing wrong with the machine. Folks with a new machine have a tendency to blame the equipment when it is usually operator error. LOL If the stitching on the left side is what you are referring to: Your tension is way off. Let's start at the beginning. Set your top tension as near to middle as possible, sew a few stitches to see if it is the same. I will assume it will be the same. Adjust the tension on the bobbin with a very small screw driver (you can feel tightness better with a small one), so the screw is just snug. Now, back off the bobbin tension 1/8th turn, check your stitches. Do this until you have the knots in the center of the leather. You should not need to adjust top tension after setting it halfway while doing this, at least until you see if this works. Your needle is making huge holes, do you have the proper size for the thread you are using? What size thread is that? What size needle? We will get you up and running, just be patient and take a DEEP BREATH! ferg

SERGEY, You just keep outdoing yourself! ferg

I have a blade welder. At one time we made product that required at least a dozen band blades per day. One of my bandsaws uses a 108" blade. You watch very carefully when handling any of them. ferg

A long time ago I got tired of sharpening my knives etc. entirely by hand. Last year my beloved wife allowed me to buy the Tormek system with lots of goodies. I have no need to do anything but strop my Wranglers or Knipper knives. I can maintain an extremely accurate angle etc on any woodworking blade or the many others we have in our home plus "Hoof Trimmers" for goats. Family members have benefitted also. lol All my old leather tools are scary sharp also. ferg

I have received my stamp order from Sergey. Stamps are very finely done. Think I will use my arbor press to make the impressions. Took two weeks + to receive after giving order. Sergey shipped right away. ferg