Ferg

Hi Dink, Personally do not care for the scrolling photos, I suppose I could get used to them We quit using any advertising system of anyone. Our sales increased with an obvious increase in pocket money. Make sure you have the full name of the site/your business in the first line of your front page. Robots love it. ferg

The auto primer could be lacquer based, solvent/water. Either way, I think you have a nice chap painted gray. ferg

Mike, Pricing is quite often decided by your clientele, at least the ones you are aiming at. If you want to get into high end belts I would suggest you practice your work and consider some more expensive/classic hardware. Your selection of hardware design is okay. Understand that Bobby is a top of the hill craftsman. His belts are beautiful, finely detailed, expertly carved and finished. ferg

A Merry Christmas to you too. Nothing wrong with your tooling that practice will not improve. Beveling a little rough. You need to put a finish on the edges of your belts. You have selected appropriate hardware but IMHO these are not $100 to $200 belts. Tandy hardware is cheap Chinese, 'nuff said. Take a look at one of Bobby Park's belts. ferg

I'm sorry, I don't get this "Non Leather" people bit. Plus I don't see where the leather from a steer that has died a natural death and drug home from the prairie, is such a wonderful deal???? Guess I am missing something. ferg

I certainly do not agree with another posting. I think your antiqueing looks spectacular. Great job with design and tooling. Be proud!!! Merry Christmas fewrg

Hi Kinsey, Welcome to the forum. You will be pleased with the folks and information available here. ferg

There are folks on this forum more informed than I but I think you have the style of needle in your machine that sews exactly as you describe and from your photos I would say all you need to do is change the style of the needle. I would call this a western style stitching. Did I miss something? ferg

Is there any other piece of Choral music that is more moving than this. Have had the utmost pleasure to have sung in several choral groups that sang this piece at Christmas time. Thanks, Ray ferg

Tim, You need to use tools to make the groove for your stitching. Gives you a line to follow as well as placing the thread below the surface just a tad. This prevents immediate wear on same. ferg

Linda, I have worked in Sublimation for about 10 years. The entire image may have been sublimated onto leather but it would have probably been white leather. Screened maybe. I think that screened image would have trouble with the movement of belt leather. Third alternative would be "Direct Printing" onto the leather. The printers necessary to do this are very expensive and use pigmented inks including white. May give you some ideas. ferg

For starters: I would sew the lining pieces together as a unit then apply to the "Cover" with contact cement followed by stitching around the outside edge of the cover. That enhances the appearance of the item. Looks like you stitched with a machine? Personal preference with thread color, I think it would have looked better with white or natural thread. Realizing that having it in a truck most of the time it gets handled a lot, I can understand your choice of the dark color thread. When you make another, consider a magnetic catch on the closer. Nice idea. ferg

I don't see the "Drip". I know how you feel. If I was doing it for a customer I would do the whole project over. Drives my wife to near insanity when I throw what I consider blemished goods away but there is a level I wish to accomplish and maintain. ferg

Did you try removing the belt and run the motor? I don't know much about the clutch motors, if I were you I would spring for a good 3/4 Horse power Servo motor. You will have better speed control. ferg

Nice work. It is definitely not garish to me. ferg

Tina, You do very nice work. This one is just a little too busy for my taste. ferg

There is an edge kote for heels. I would imagine that would be what you need. I have seen it on sale from one of the companies that I have googled but don't remember which one, sorry. ferg

I agree the strap is a bit too long. Beautiful rendering of your subject matter. You have a problem with the liner at the "spine". You should check the archives for suggestions on how to make the lining stay taut when the piece is closed. ferg

The main thing I notice is your background. You need to have an even touch with your mallet or whatever you are using. Look for yourself and see the uneven impressions. Practice your "walking" the beveler around the outside edges in particular. Nice design. ferg

Tracy, If you haven't done so as yet...... Remove the belt from the pulley. Some machines have two screws with either a slotted head or hex head to loosen from the shaft. There may also be a bolt/screw inside the pulley that threads into the end of the shaft. If the pulley has not been removed in along time it may also be "seized" onto the shaft, be careful in removing if true. Your manual should have a parts list. If so reconstruct how the pieces are put together, that might give you a clue as to how to remove. I wasn't inferring that you were lazy, simply offering a suggestion that you may have not tried ferg

Very nice, NEAT workmanship. ferg