Ferg

I have a C S Osborne 609-8 pricking iron. It is 1 1/4" wide (32mm), eight teeth which are 3.5mm wide set on the correct angle. I have never used it because after paying a little over $100 USD I just couldn't bring myself to grinding it down to a better tooth width. I hunted for them for a long time. Finally decided it was time to learn to use the diamond awl and a stitch marking wheel. Managed to get pretty good at it, then decided to purchase my Consew machine. Haven't done any hand sewing since. ferg

I spent all my life in a Farm Family. I know how frugal folks can be. Good luck with your venture. Ask the folks you see at your table what they would most likely buy if you had it. ferg

Wow! I must be using a lot of oil. I check my machine every time I am ready to do any sewing. Any surface that appears to be the slightest bit dry gets oiled. Machine has a metal pan to catch drips of oil. I watched a lady sewing chair covers. She started the machine about 1/2" (3 stitches) away from the actual edge of material. She done three reverse stitches from the start then sewed forward over those. I have been doing that and find that I have less problem with cutting the thread. Larger needles, such as you are using, probably compound the problem. Are your stitches tight inside the leather layer or layers? If machine is sewing with insufficient tension the thread that was first applied to the needle hole may get caught when you reverse. You do hold onto the thread that is in the needle when you begin your stitching I assume. ferg

I find that my machine doesn't tolerate Barge cement too well when I am sewing upholstery leather with a pre-glued seam. Assuming that the thread gets caught by the adhesive so as the needle withdraws it is sticky and causes some problems with the tension. In my experience you should not need to reset tension simply because you cross a seam with additional layers. You may need to adjust for "Middle of the road" tension. ferg

I would need to vote for Al Stohlman books, any and all, depending on what you wish to work on at any given time. Some of today's professionals smirk at Al's artistic and carving ability, I think there are literally thousands of folks doing excellent leather work just because of this man and his wife. ferg

Tandy's new Leather Library site has this pattern set for $3.99. Be aware: there are 48 pages. Unfortunately they have included "Tiled" pages in among the very large pages in the .pdf. Sort out which you want to download before hitting the download button. ferg

You will need something besides pictures if you expect to get any measurable business. My wife and I have been selling product wholesale for 35 years. We tried everything you can imagine to get business. To be successful in the leather business or any other entity that requires you to manufacture a product, there must never be any thing but your best out there. Sometimes your best isn't good enough, get used to it. We have been manufacturing one particular product for all those 35 years. We sell more than even the Chinese. We found a niche and have played it to the hilt. On-line companies request our product. Items have been in every major retail and catalog store in the USA and Canada. Quality and on-time shipment is the golden egg. ferg

Love the knife, don't care much for the sheath. Strictly my opinion. ferg

Round holes already punched weren't they? Also that big fat thread to sew it with. That is the problem with a lot of kits. The manufacturer has decided what you can do with certain aspects. You done a credible job on your tooling, the stitching leaves something to be desired. Not entirely your fault I am sure. ferg

Go to one of the cabinet hardware sites and checkout the miniature hinges, hasps, etc. We used to use them in our wood shop business all the time. Van Dyke's Restorers may have a lot of what you are looking for. ferg

View a photo/image of the end of a belt you like, replicate it by cutting with an Exacto knife. Done that many, many times before buying the chisels. ferg

Daughter's cat prefers my sewing machine chair. Haven't sat down on her yet. Cute pic. ferg

The only time I ever use rubber cement is if the connection is temporary. Barge cement is my choice, I am sure there are others. All adhesives need to have time to acquire the optimum adhesive strength, as you know. Many folks, myself included, get in a "rutt" to get something finished and hurry the process, not good. I glue and sew. When I done filigree years ago I glued all of the fine cuts of leather with Barge cement. ferg

I apply directly to the leather. Also: I finish coat the piece, not on the edges, before burnishing or applying any glycerine soap or saddle soap. ferg

Always sorry to hear anyone closing their business, whatever the reason. Unfortunately, I wouldn't buy any of the items you have without photos and prices. Telephone is great but in this type of situation I do not think it works. Just my .02 ferg

Very nice, neat and well done. ferg

Wanting reversible doesn't matter. Do not gouge the back side, just learn to hold the punch in a perfectly vertical manner. If you are hand sewing learn to hold the awl perfectly vertical. Concentrate on doing this and before you know it the process becomes automatic. Take it slow and check the tool before each punch/awl hole. ferg

Probably needs a speed reducer, that is a "step down" pulley. A servo motor would do the trick completely, about $150. ferg

I guess I have had my Consew for about 6 months. Wife felt about the same way but since I have made several things requiring sewing she is enthused also. LOL ferg

Personally, I would forget the Tragacanth. I cannot upload a pdf from Bob Park on burnishing edges. Name of file is "Finishing Edges .pdf" You have most of what you need. ferg

I didn't pay any attention to the date of your original post. You have improved measurably. Nice job. ferg

Have you been burnishing your edges? Doesn't look good and you are having a problem with your "spots". I think Ray has the correct method for the spots, sell your Tandy Press. ferg

Well, I am always the one to throw cold water. Your photos are a little small so difficult to see most. I think you selected a great pattern, doesn't matter if it is an original or not. Your work is excellent except for the Basket Weave. I hope your customer is not as picky as I. That is not a good job. Appears you didn't make a straight line mark, maybe you din't intend the weave to be straight, it should be "ALWAYS" in my opinion. I also realize your photo may be a little skewed. If that is the case forget what I said above about your BW. LOL ferg

The brush sounds like a good idea to try. Only other way to get excess shoe polish out of crevices is with a tooth pick or something similar. You mentioned buying some supplies from your friend the shoe repairman. Trust me, that is not the best source for you. There are many suppliers listed on this site, visit them and do some shopping. I believe you will be surprised at what price points you can obtain some items. If you have a Tandy store anywhere close, visit it. Most Tandy's have free classes and a lot of the managers are very benevolent, especially when it may mean a new customer, even if down the road. Don't hesitate to get all info you can. ferg

I have used Neat Lac for over 50 years. You can still buy it, has a different name because if I remember correctly, Tandy had the name Neat Lac Copyrighted. The product is called Clear-Lac and is , as far as I know, available from LCI (Leather Coatings Inc.) I bought a can from them recently. Tandy and numerous other companies elected to discontinue most everything we used in the past because it might harm an unsuspecting child with an idiot for a parent. The great fathers in Washington have made it difficult for manufacturers to make anything much that is worthwhile in the USA so China manufactures our goods. Sorry for that little Rant. People are the problem with products that get discontinued. They pour old oil and gasoline on the ground and bury burn anything that won't pour. BTW: Old Neat Lac is very difficult to use. LCI makes a thinner for it. Have not had the occasion to use it but have no reason to believe it doesn't work. You can actually thin either of these products to achieve less gloss if desired. ferg