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

You have some experimenting to do. Shaft for grinder is probably not going to match the hole in your burnisher. If this is true, you need to have a shaft made with male end to match burnisher, female end to thread onto the grinder shaft with a "reverse" thread so your extended shaft won't unthread. What you place on the other end of grinder may throw it out of balance and in a short time wear the bearings of the motor. Simplest set-up is a separate motor mounted on a heavy board or work bench with a shaft that will match the hole in the burnisher mounted in pillow blocks. More to it than that but maybe you get the idea. Has it occurred to you that you began this endeavor from the wrong end? There are burnishers available with a shaft epoxied into them so they can be mounted in a drill press or Dremel. Saves a lot of time and money. ferg

Thanks Matt, Forgive my elderly brain. I forgot you were carrying some of the products. Are you offering the "Free" kit? I wouldn't think so. lol ferg

For any of you living in the USA interested in trying the Giardini edge paint. The FREE trial kit doesn't give you much plus the shipping to Ohio is just shy of $40. ferg

Since you haven't had much luck with answers...... My first thought is, "Why chicken leather" when there are a number of other more popular leathers with interesting textures more readily available. Another thought, using chicken leather may have a stigma connected to it that would turn off some lucrative buyers of your watches. Just my .02 ferg

Received my SLC liners today. One four pocket wallet in Simply Classic One Ladies Clutch The Clutch purse is definitely the better of the two. Quality on the wallet is questionable, it is not their best. I believe I will continue making my own. ferg

The 20 ton air/hydraulic jack comes with heavier springs than the 20 ton hydraulic. Works fine so far. ferg

I didn't care for the look of those. I did order a couple of the higher priced to see what they looked like. I prefer making my own but like to see what folks are doing plus a ready source helps if you get real busy. ferg