Ferg

Just my .02 I have no problem with the brake, anywhere, it may be because I sew slower than some. Anyway my speed dial and peddle seem to like each other. I can barely touch the peddle and it releases the brake enough to free wheel. Perhaps Wiz's suggestion of loosening the bolt on the brake just slightly might be all you need. ferg

Excellent information, Thank You. ferg

An update to my original post: I communicated with Eric via e-mail. I wanted some samples of a leather they have and received them promptly. I will most likely buy from them again. Their leathers are so extremely beautiful, I simply have to have some even if I don't know exactly what I want to do with it. ferg

Cheryl, I understand where you are coming from, but...... There are folks that like to make things for themselves and are capable and have the equipment to do so. Most have little desire to manufacture the Mauls and sell them. From experience in our family business, many folks have tried to emulate what we do, they quite often simply do not "get it". Lots of work and many hours devoted. We have done our thing for over 35 years now. Been copied by the major manufacturers, very few if any still make the product. Bearman has a Niche market, he and his son do their "thing" very well. I wouldn't worry too much about this if I were you. ferg

Ray, There is a man in St Augustine, Florida using the Cowboy 4500 to make "Flip-Flops/sandles. I spoke with him last February while there but I do not remember the name of his shop. I imagine if you wish, a call to the Chamber of Commerce in St. Augustine would present his phone and e-mail. He was in the "Quaint" shops where there are many. ferg

From experience having to move large heavy machinery. Hire an industrial moving company to do the move. Won't be cheap but they have insurance to cover damage etc. You can save money by having everything ready for them to load. Time is money ferg

I have researched a bunch of these machines, Have decided on the Fortuna with top and bottom feed. I have found the single feed machines to be good for one or the other types of skiving. Bottom feed is pretty good for veg tan, top and bottom feed will do pretty much anything you wish to try. Call Bob at Toledo Industrial Machines, you won't be disappointed. ferg

Nice clean site. You have done a good job. Sorry, I am in Ohio. LOL ferg

Nice job. Good design and excellent workmanship. I like your edge. I am liking this method and rolled edges more and more. Shows "CLASS". FERG

Tandy has this: Polyester Lining Cloth w-Coating Very thin and does the trick. You can get with a backing also, not much thicker or heavy. ferg

I wind my bobbins very fast, have servos on both of my machines. ferg

Arbalet, As I have said many times, You are a fine artist, sculptor, and leather aficionado. Your work simply cannot be listed as "Leather Craft". An old man I am. Have seen many pieces of art that are fabulous, I shall always remember your work as one of the very best I have witnessed. Good luck and please keep at it. ferg

Wrong side of the bed this morning? LOL ferg

Marlon, That is very nice, beautiful pattern. As you may know I would see something. I realize you probably done this on purpose but, I prefer the background to be more "blended" in lieu of the strict pattern of the backgrounder. Just my .02 ferg

May I suggest you type "Singer 251-12" in Google? Loads of info along with a You Tube video. ferg

Make a binding of matching or contrasting leather, preferably chrome tanned. Cut a strap of leather 1/2" plus the thickness of the leather edge you are going to cover. You will need to skive this binding to very little more than a 1/64" in thickness. Scribe a line 1/4" from the edge of the leather, glue with contact cement just to that line over the edge and onto the back side. Obviously glue the binding piece you have made. Allow to dry for 20 minutes or so before applying to the edge. Stitch the binding 1/8" from the edge that is next to the scribed line. Smooth edge that will last the life of the purse. ferg

Tandy and others carry a lining material specifically for wallets and other small articles that you can get with a bonded side. I like to use Kangaroo for lining or I have used some 2-3oz upholstery leather. ferg

Any particular reason you didn't burnish the edges? What finish did you apply? ferg

You certainly have no need to apologize for your English, it is great. We carried a little book of phrases in Portugese. Didn't help me much but we got along. ferg

Moody, This is off topic but I need to tell you I spent five fantastic days in your country some 57 years ago. Our carrier dropped anchor in the bay. I went on the "beach" every day. Lisbon was the port. We visited Nazarae, the seven hills area, many shops, ate in an outdoor cafe, bought a set of drawing instruments in a shop, I still use them all the time, visited the grounds of "The Miracle of Fatima". Have often wondered if Lisbon is as beautiful today as it was then. Thanks for bringing back some great memories to an old man. ferg

I am always interested in new items, to me any way. The clicker knives have piqued my interest ever since I watched a video of an Italian craftsman cutting leather with one. I sent an e-mail to an Italian company for some info on their knives but never heard back from them. I like the Solid brass idea, don't really care if it has a scribe on one end. Since I have an ample supply of different species of wood, thought I would just make a handle to my liking for an Osborne clicker blade I have. Bought the Osborne Clicker with the handle awhile back. Sorry, those of you that like the Osborne tools but this is a terrible handle for a cutting knife. Cheap Junk pretty much describes it. This is my handle, made of Cherry Wood and oiled for a finish. and another view. Not perfect, but it works and is comfortable in the hand. ferg

What type stamping machine are you using? We had one several years ago, moved to smaller shop with no place to put it. Sold the unit to a company that employs handicapped folks at half what we paid for it. Good cause but I wish we had it now.

Top and bottom feed? ferg

Bill, I have a aluminum drywall "T" square four foot long. I hook the "T" end over the edge of my cutting table end, move the leather under it, cut with the rotary cutter. Works real well most of the time. ferg