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

Tinker, I can go real fast but prefer a little slow. I don't know how good the metal is at the "bearing" area of the shaft on the winder. I can actually control it better with my hand on the foot switch. I guess we can feel better with our hands than feet. lol Winder pulley is 3" while the motor pulley is 1/2". Six to one. I thought I would have some problems with keeping the belt on the winder pulley, haven't so far. I squared everything up as close as possible plus the winder has a small indention in the middle of the wheel. ferg

I have been thinking of doing one of these for some time, all the others showing their handy work, here is mine. I had an extra winder and thought a singer sewing machine motor would be the thing to use. Found Motor, extra brushes, belt, and foot switch for under $20.00. ferg

IF your leather is thin enough, skive it and roll the edge over the fabric after yo glue the liner material. Otherwise the fabric needs to have a rolled edge, just like leather. and sewn. ferg

If you done your parts cutting free hand, begin using a pattern that is the same always. JoAnn Fabrics and many more, carry a double sided tape that is almost transparent but sticky, to hold material while sewing for instance. When using a pattern to cut your leather apply this tape to backside of your pattern then to the leather you are cutting. This stuff will not leave residue if you remove it promptly when finished. Round corners are always a mystery when beginning. Your radius must terminate at the straight line so it flows. Use a stitching gauge and a compass or anything you can make a mark evenly for your stitch line. Using pre-made/cut kits is a great way to learn. It normally makes you want to do the cutting yourself. ferg

Small steps, then big ones. If you have any scraps of leather, you can buy bags of them, practice "stuff" on them. When you begin thinking that is for the birds, make a key fob, wrist strap, etc. The first thing I tried many years ago was a wallet. I kept it for a long time just to remind me of how bad I really was. LOL ferg

I have no idea who you bought your CowBoy from but any of them that I know would not let you have this kind of trouble with your machine. Actually I know of no dealer that advertises or posts on this forum who doesn't take care of their customers. Has it occurred to you, maybe the machine is not properly adjusted plus you are trying to use the wrong size or type of needle. Check with Bob Kovar at Toledo Industrial Machine. He will get you straightened out. No point in blaming the machine for something that very well may not be the problem. Also: You can get real close to top and bottom stitch appearing the same but it takes a lot of trial and error some times. Proper tension is at least 85% of sewing. ferg

You may find that the heavier the machine the less likely it is to sew thin leather if you may wish to do that also. ferg

Look in Amazon for the "Bumper Edges". I got a set of three for less than $7 They are just as good as the more expensive. Came direct from China in 7 days. Use ultra thin Velcro to attach the phone to the case. You can barely tell it is there and the phone is removable if need be. ferg PS: JoAnn fabrics and Amazon has the Velcro.

What ever works. lol ferg

The thread you slightly cut into the wood won't hold real well but that said, your burnisher will "back off" the grinder shaft because it is not a reverse thread. Remember the wooden tool with a cutting "V-Groove" blade in it? You can make children toys and furniture with them, they come in different sizes. Deep threads in hard maple. ferg