Ferg

As many of you know, Tandy is distributing the Italian edge paint from FENICE. I bought some dark brown and some red the other day and have been experimenting. A few things I have found about using the product: The little steel bladed tool Tandy is selling is great for doing the edges. They have a short tutorial showing how to use the tool, if you try this product, view the tutorial. I wouldn't want to use a "Dauber". Too messy. You need to have the edges of the leather cut as near perfectly vertical as you can. Glue completely to the edge of both or many pieces and roll them down and then using a flat faced hammer, pound them down as tight as possible. It takes many coats of the paint to fill the joints if this is not followed. When I cut straight lines/edges of leather I find I can use a roller blade and get a very good edge on the leather. I tried two pieces of thin Kangaroo, two pieces of 3-4 Oz. veg tan cowhide, one piece of Kangaroo glued to one of kidskin, and a piece of upholstery leather glued to some veg tan cowhide. I read somewhere, you cannot use the edge paint on soft chrome tanned leather. That is not exactly true. You need to apply more coats to fill the pores but it still works. None of these pieces have been done long enough to see how they perform when bending or roughing them up etc. After cutting the leather I sanded with 600 grit sandpaper. Not sure if that is necessary when the edges of the leather are tightly glued. I did not stitch any of the trial pieces I done before applying the edge paint. I would definitely do that on a finished piece, after I get more experience at application. Too much paint on the metal wand can make a mess. It will run over the edge and onto the face or back side. I love to do rolled edges. They are time consuming if you want them to look good. The edge paint is time consuming if you want them to look good. I am sure the edges painted with Fenice is going to be something I am going to work with and learn to use properly. The edges are beautiful, especially since we can use quite a few colors. When the paint is dry I will take some photos and post them. BTW: When you hold the metal wand correctly you will have a nice rounded edge. I glued two pieces of upholstery leather together, rounded the edges with a tool, painted it. The paint will go to the rounded spot on the leather but not over the edge as you might expect. ferg

Don't know if any of you are getting this one or not. We are getting Phone calls from Lord knows who, saying they received our e-mail and wanted to get more information. They know our names and I can only guess what else they know. BE CAREFUL FOLKS, WE DO NOT LIVE IN THE SOCIETY SOME OF US GREW UP IN. ferg

When you come up with a price figure send me a PM. I may be interested. ferg

The work is great. The green Taupe reminds me of my youngest daughter and her brunette hair died Red. Neat, well stitched and you obviously done a good job on your blanks, ferg

I received an E-Mail to my personal account this morning from someone named John. Supposedly lived in USA but now in Japan. He said I had tools for sale at some time, I don't and didn't, wanted me to contact him with ANY FURTHER INFO. Sounded "fishy" to me. Just wanted to give you folks a heads up. BTW: I didn't answer him. ferg

If you type the model number into Google you will get numerous sites offering parts manuals among other things. Wiz can tell you most if not all the information regarding what this machine is capable of. ferg

The Watco is a varnish is it not? I have sprayed thousands of gallons of Nitrocellulose Lacquer on just about everything imaginable. One of them was not Leather. ferg

Ohio Bag would be a place to look. Check page 42 of the Ohio Travel Bag catalog on-line. (ohiotravelbag.com) Some pretty close to what you are wanting. ferg

If I understand your photo correctly, your are actually sewing the raised front to a flat back, right? I do this all the time. There are feet with an 1/8" side, either left or right, and those can be modified so you do not have any foot on one of the sides. My experience shows me that if you have no foot on one of the sides of the needle it is more difficult for the machine to pull the item being sewn straight. You don't want to get so close that the machine will mark your finish and I do not sew closer to an edge than 1/8" on bags or most wallets. Watch straps are something else. ferg

Zack White ferg

I answered this once but it didn't stay. I believe your best method would be to make a tube of your leather, stitching lengthwise as well as the end/butt joints you may have. The tube will need to be as snug as you can make it and still pull it onto the rail. If the rail is semi-round this should be no problem, fancy rails would be a bigger problem. Finish with Olive Oil. Apply semi dry applications until you get the look you wish. Use an old T-shirt to buff and wipe excess oil from the leather. I would apply the oil after you attach to the rail. You will need to clean the leather before applying the oil. Use some brass tacks to secure the leather to the rail. Recess the tacks slightly below leather surface so you don't catch your hands on them. If you do not wish to stitch the leather you can simply wrap the rail and attach to the bottom with tacks. You may want to glue the joint with this method but don't glue the leather to the rail other than a slight bit on the wood at the joint. The leather and the wood rail are two very different materials and will react to temperature and humidity differently. ferg

Nice work! One comment: Most folks making their first several wallets use too thick leather for the "innards". ferg

Ditto what Bob said. My 29-4 loves 69 thread but does very well with 92. ferg

Edges are a little too rough for me and your leather for the interior is too thick. Try some Lamb, Kangaroo, or baby calf. ferg

I have swing down roller guide for my cylinder arm, it works perfect on it but I didn't care for it on my Consew 206RB5 I have a number of guides for the Consew. I use the roller guide Colt uses on his. Also have a straight guide that I use most of the time. The straight guide will allow you to go around a corner, holding the leather against it while you turn. Probably my favorite. I found with the roller guide you have to be careful you do not use too much pressure holding the leather piece against roller. This is not so much a problem if you are sewing at least a quarter inch thickness of veg tanned. ferg

You could try your hand at two shades of dye. Work them to your advantage. Nothing wrong with blending. Use a piece of old T Shirt, putting only a small amount of dye on it. Do a "dry" dye rub so to speak. You will be surprised. ferg

Looks great. Welcome to the world of leather. ferg

I have fond memories of our youngest daughter helping with the computers. We had just gotten a new Mac system in 1986. I knew next to nothing about any computer. Spent three months teaching myself to program etc. I had finished a very complicated data base for our business. Went into the office to find a two year old changing the names of the different programs. My heart sank to the floor until I asked her what she had done. She promptly showed me.... She is a very accomplished Graphic Artist now. ferg

We had 5 PERCHERON draft horses when I was at home, before going off to the service. Old Dan was "Sway Backed". You have never had fun until you ride a big black Percheron that happens to be "Swayed". Older brother and I would get on Dan and head for the woods. This was a slow ride. We also had a stallion, "NICK SETTLEMEIER" was his registered name. Also a Percheron but dapple gray. We had to mount him while in his box stall. You better duck fast when he headed for the door because you were on the way to a ride you wouldn't forget. Nick would get tired of us on his back after awhile. We had a small Spring fed "Branch" running through the farm, Nick went there and laid down on his side to get rid of us. Yes, we jumped quick. He returned to the barn while my brother and I had to walk back. Fanny was momma to Major and Princess. She was gentle but we never tried to ride her. She was Sorrel as was her daughter. Major was as black as a Fresian. I don't remember how many hands he was but he was BIG. I remember going in his stall to put a bridle on him. He stood on one of my feet and held his head high. I tried while standing in the manger, you can only imagine how that went. LOL Fetched them from the woods with a Whistle, formed with our lips. I can still see them when they came running down the lane to the barn. OH BOY! I am really getting old.

Nice work. ferg

If you have a paper measure, get the measurement of circumference, divide it by the actually width of the stamped area of one impression. Use a divider to layout evenly making a small mark with point of dividers each time. Remember the space must be the width of the stamped area on leather. ferg

I grew up with Draft Horses from time I was 2 or 3 years old. Have always been "taken" by all breeds. These have to be some of the most beautiful creatures on earth. WAR HORSES - Absolutely Beautiful! Too magnificent not to send on. You'll love the music as well, beautifully played. These horses were originally bred as "war horses" in the days of knights and armor. As armor got heavier, bigger horses were needed and the Friesian almost became extinct. They are back and are one of the most beautiful horses in stature as well as gait. What gorgeous animals! Just watching them becomes an emotional experience. Can you imagine what it would be like to ride one? Their manes and tails are the longest that I have seen and I noticed that when performing on grass, their hoofs do not kick up a divot, as they land flat footed. Creatures such as these are what makes this world so special. These horses are native to the Netherlands. Have your audio on. http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/Y5XJbSqwriM?rel=0

Kangaroo! ferg

I have a "funny" answer. I sew dungaree hems for shortened legs, veg tan leather, kangaroo, oil tanned, kid skin, I could go on. I really haven't found much the Consew cannot sew. But! You have to practice and learn everything you can about your machine/machines. Then most of the time it is smooth sewing. ferg

First: I think you are going to have problem making some/maybe a lot of the style holsters needed on the 206 RB unless it is totally different than my 206RB-5 They use a large bobbin, will sew nicely with 138 thread and "chug" with 207. Thickness of leather tops out at about 3/8" although I have done close to 1/2". I have used 23 and 24 size needles but don't like that big hole they make. Contact Bob Kovar at Toledo Industrial Machine for your needs. ferg