Ferg

We always know it is close to Easter when the Mallards show up on our little pond. They heard the cameral shutter, she got flustered and told the drake,"It is time to go!" ferg

Wiz, Have you checked these? http://www.boglegreenwell.com/ http://www.tools4leather.com/12_used_machines_available.htm# ferg

We ship about 25,000 to 30,000 pieces each year now. USPS First Class and Priority mail. Seldom use UPS although we have had a account with them for years, never use FedEx anymore. In a years time we probably do not get more than a dozen damaged packages. International mail to Canada only. ferg

kayrunp, I drilled a hole in the end of the ram of the arbor press so I could use a number of tools. The arbor presses are the cheapest snap setters you will ever buy. I ordered my stamp without the handle, never had much luck with large stamps being struck with any kind of mallet. I was experimenting with my heat press this evening. I set the temp at 400 degrees and heavy pressure for 1 to 3 minutes. I believe less heat could be used as well as less pressure and time could be one minute with no problem. I was testing on Baby Buffalo and Kangaroo. I have no use for the Branding irons. They are a waste of money in my opinion except for wood. If you ever wish to stamp with gold foil you will need heat and pressure, it is beautiful. ferg

We never had riding horses at home, we did ride the draft horses though. We all loved them dearly. We cajoled them, probably over fed them some times, but as with all animal life, love them and you will get a thousands times over from them. We had one old gelding that lived over 25 years. Sway backed but that was a delight for youngsters riding old Dan. I agree we must let them die with honor, some times that means an early death. I feel the leather from these animals, being as beautiful as it is, is giving back to those of us who loved them so very much. Strange horses still come to me after all these years. I LOVE IT!!!! ferg

Jeff Son-in-Law maker of fine wooden grips is Keith Brown. I think you are right, they look like Ahrends'. ferg

I have a magnesium stamp roughly 2" x 2". Centering under the ram of the 2 ton Arbor Press does a great job. Most of the leathers that are not chrome tanned will need to be cased. Chrome tanned needs to have the stamp heated, you can do that a number of ways including placing in a small oven. I just happen to have a large hot press. ferg

+1 on Goods Japan. ferg

Jeff, Where/who made your grips? My Son-in-Law makes grips for S&W gear professionally, quite well known. ferg

Same as Wiz, I have two servo motors. One is a Consew other is a sew pro from Bob Kovar. The Consew needed a speed reducer set up, the sew pro/sew slow is a gear reduction servo and doesn't need any further speed reducing. ferg

Shannon, If you make bags that you sew the gussets in from the wrong side out, the flatbed will do this in most cases. I f you have any occasion to sew any kind of gusset from the outside, you will have a definite problem most every time. ferg

From what I find about the machine the price is about right, without actually seeing the machine. Be aware, when you sew purses with gussets it is nearly impossible to do on a flat bed machine. If I didn't have any I would be looking for a cylinder arm with a table accessory . Cannot see what the foot clearance is on the machine.Find that you can sew some pretty hard material but that doesn't necessarily mean you can sew more than 3/8" - 7/16" in thickness. ferg

I have one to make for one of my daughters. Rough measurements.....15" wide, 12" high, 4" gusset. I personally think it will be too heavy, she doesn't think so. It will contain, iPad with stylus, cell phone, iPod Touch, two chargers, two small cables, a fairly large wallet, check book, ball point pen,and glasses case. All of these must be accessible from the top. Flap over front, secured with two turn type enclosures. Didn't want straps and buckles. I will be putting a strap long enough to go "Cross Chest". Easier to carry plus more secure out and about. I think maybe she could use it for a sleeping bag at night. LOL ferg

Unless you find one used I believe you would be better satisfied with a CowBoy or Cobra machine that will handle the range you wish to sew. Cobra 4 or Cowboy 4500 ferg

This should be a starting point. http://www.sewingmachinery.com/seiko/seiko-ch-8b.html ferg

I have the Buffalo Calf also. It seems a little stiff for the inside of wallet. Probably okay for lightweight exteriors. Pretty leather! ferg

I think if you spent the money for it already you probably wasted the $20. I believe Wiz will tell you it is a Home machine not intended for leather. ferg

Yes the kangaroo is expensive, from $14 to $20 per foot and higher. Beautiful leather, strong, light weight. I have some Mission Pig lining that is cheaper but I don't like it's texture. Stiff in comparison to Roo but it is a lot cheaper. Tandy has some as does Waterhouse Leather. If you are making high end wallets or want to, Kangaroo is the way to go. There are some leathers available from India that are thin, I am not sure if they are distributed in the USA. ferg

Nice work on your wallets. I cannot help you much on the Juki, if I remember correctly the accessories are expensive. Wiz will probably have some answers for you. ferg

There are a number of lining leathers available that are 1 - 1 1/2oz. You do need to skive the edges of all pieces. I use quite a lot of Kangaroo Leather. ferg

My wife and I built it 18 years ago, we love it. A dream we had for 15 years. http://personalweb.donet.com/~avw/ Thank you, ferg

If you have an account, must have a Vendors license or proof of actual business name, Both 14" and 18" frames are $9.95. ferg

I kept telling the family I wasn't going to gripe about snow this winter if we got any, we have needed the moisture so badly. Don't necessarily want it in March but this morning was an exception. Just a couple photos. ferg

You should have a white wire, a green wire (connected to the chassis of the motor) and two wires of possibly black and red. Switch the black and red, that will reverse the rotation of the motor. ferg

You done a fine job. You do need to work on the burnishing of the edges. ferg