Ferg

We gave up on companies very far away from us including On-Line. Most every town of any size has at least one company that provides/makes boxes and has stock. Check your local listings first. ferg

I have two of them. One is nearing 60 years old the other is probably about 45. I file the anvil now and then, otherwise I have never done anything to them. Obviously cannot say that for the new ones but........ Don't bother with the cheapies. ferg

Mike, My plan of attack is based on what I have in my head. When I decide to design something I really get into it. My wife says,"next time will you please do something you can have fun with?" I usually make several designs on scrap even if the item isn't going to be carved. I am just finishing a purse for my wife. The design is very complicated for me. I have torn part of it out several times and started over. I don't sell much of what I do anymore, at almost eighty years young, I try to have as much fun as possible. :)Hands don't work as well as they once did but I have my mind and I see things in other folks work that need fixing. You have a good beginning, don't stop asking questions and as I said before, PRACTICE! ferg

Your design is okay if you do not want any pattern to it. You have fifteen directions going on with most not being finished. Holes aren't necessarily what I meant by being in a hurry. Your carry through of the design indicates you didn't give a whole lot of thought to what you wanted/needed to accomplish. Simply comes with practice and paying close attention to what you do each successive time. Don't get upset with me for critiquing your work a little harshly. My intentions are strictly to help you get better. ferg

Welcome to the forum. Appears you made your holes with a drill or similar, too big. Second effort. I would say you got in a hurry to do something and I'm sorry, you screwed up. Doesn't seem you had a definite design in mind or someone interrupted your train of thought. You know this, don't know why I am telling you what you already know. Just sit back, take a deep breath and study some carving by some of the folks on this forum. If you don't have any of the Al Stohlman books get some, they are encyclopedias of the leather craft. Practice is the one thing that is required of this craft, and patience, lots of it, LOL ferg

I hate to sound like a broken record but, call Bob Kovar ferg

Normally, you may need to depress the peddle slightly to allow the hand wheeling. Remember, I have a servo motor. ferg[ quote name=Ian1783' timestamp='1346983770' post='263473'] Thank you all for the input and information! There was a little bit of everything, and much to digest. I did check out the Consew site for an online manual for my machine, and indeed, there was one for the 206RB-5, which appears to be just what came with my machine, but the pictures were a bit clearer, so that's a plus. I rewired the light to plug into a power strip instead of the motor. And I then threaded the machine for a test sew: scared the hell out of me. I'll be looking into a servo motor for sure. The thread broke a couple of times, but for the most part, it sewed well. I'll need to slow it down to see just what I'm doing. Also, with the power on, the machine won't turn by hand without using the pedal, so I can't advance or reverse a half stitch or two as I'm used to with domestic machines. I'm hoping a servo motor will allow for a more familiar feel and action. I posted a photo on my blog: http://imcinnis.blogspot.com/ Thanks again for the help! I'll have more questions down the road, I'm sure. Hopefully they'll include one or two about a new servo motor. I see I've double posted my original post. Still learning Ian SF Bay Area http://imcinnis.blogspot.com/

I forgot to mention, I bought the entire set from GoodsJapan. Use them on cased leather while the leather is just a little more damp than when you tool. They won't hold up very well on dry leather. ferg

Phew! Lot's of questions. LOL Enjoy your machine, I think you got a bargain even if it does have a clutch motor. LOL ferg

GoodsJapan ferg

Probably a personal preference: Try next time to keep your design inside the boundaries. That is: don't make the design look as though it is bleeding into your edge wrap. Mark the piece with dividers so the design will stay inside a swivel knife cut. ferg

I realize what you are attempting here but I have a problem with "dinged up" pieces of one of the world's finest leathers. Do you intend to sell first rate also? ferg

I have used Horween Cordovan Shell for many years. Bought some last year, just haven't gotten around to using it for those special items. I went to their Tannery Row site and to say the least, there isn't much there. No way to see cost, size of hides, weight availability. Sent Eric an e-mail, maybe will know more if I get an answer. Wondering if anyone has ordered from them lately. ferg

Don't know how new you want info on. My 206RB-5 is about a year and a half old, actually was made in Japan, probably by Seiko. There are many accessories available and it is a fine machine. I have never used 207 thread since I am happy with what the 138 does for me. Large "M" style bobbin. I do have a servo which I definitely would not do without. With some tension adjustment you can go from heavy thread to 69 no problem. I have straight and roller guides, another very much needed accessory. Bob Kovar sells them. ferg

I have a variety of edge guides. Soft/thin leathers I use a straight guide that is 1 1/4" long. For stiff I use a roller guide. Also use the roller on curved edges. ferg

I watched that movie the other night, I was real bored. LOL ferg

French edger is perfect for this. While you are learning how to do this, measure the thickness of the leather you wish to use. Draw a line on the backside a distance equal to the thickness. Lay the leather on heavy piece of glass or better, marble. Allow the edger to ride with one edge on the marble while the edge on the leather will be on the line you drew. The cut wants to feather to practically nothing . This will give you a 45 degree angle. ferg

You use a cording foot. They come in different sizes for different sizes of cord. The foot has a groove in the bottom that rides over the cord and material that is wrapped around the cord. Look at the cuff on the glove. The top piece of material is only 2 or 3 inches toward the palm. It is also sewn at the palm but not often with a cord at that pointThe needle is guided into the space at the side of the cord. This is possibly a better than average quality glove, cheaper would not have the cord. ferg

The edge is rolled over and sewn fairly close to the edge, that is the inside layer of the glove. The overlay or top layer is sewn right next to the first stitching but not over it. Makes a very serviceable and wear resistant edge. ferg

I am more moved by some things now that I am an old man, if this doesn't move you, I'm sorry. http://www.youtube.com/embed/GBaHPND2QJg?rel=0 ferg

Jake, One of the problems with this scenario is there being some differences in the machines. Act of sewing not much different from one to another. We visited an Art Fair couple weeks ago where a lady had a gazillion purses, wallets, etc. None were tooled, she uses expensive leather and does some fantastic stitching, most French Seams. I spoke with her briefly. She will be using Italian leather for all her products soon. This lady had done a lot of practicing. ferg

The one from Italy is exactly what I have been wanting. I am going to stick with it. ferg

If you find someone that can read Italian etc. and you decide to order the knife I want one also and I will split the package of 100 blades with you if you wish or I will take a full package. I sent them an e-mail in Italian, I forgot my Mac has a translator. Asked for cost and if they ship to USA ferg

Mike I have the magazine you are looking for. I have the fold out with the pattern also. I don't wish to get rid of the magazine or to cut it up but I will send you copies of the pattern, Photo Carve and included on this post is a reduced size scan of the front cover. Please let me know if you want them via PM with your address. Sorry, I forgot to flip it over. LOL ferg

Don't get too upset about this. The first Remedy? Don't look at or read it. The Admins take care of most of this stuff anyway. ferg