Ferg

That doesn't make it sound as though you have much more than fire wood. That's a shame. In good condition they may be worth something. Ferg

I am just East of Dayton. Wouldn't do anything without seeing them. If they are in the condition I think they are, not worth much since most would need refurbishing at best. Are they under cover now? If they are open to the elements and the varmints they are losing value by the day. I could maybe make the trip to see them. We are very busy right now, a little later perhaps. Ferg

Again, How much do they want for them? Ferg

BTW: I may be interested Ferg

How many are there and what is the price? Are they in pairs or have you even got that far? Ferg

I agree. Italian leather is the tops. Only problem I have is after using it I have difficulty with some of what is tanned in the US. Ferg

I have a Cowboy CB 8810B I can sew two lines of stitching with my single needle that you would be hard pressed to know it wasn't two needle. Mine has top and bottom drive wheels. I have stitched within a Millimeter of the edge. I can only hope I really learn to use this machine. It is a "honey". Very quiet probably due to all the sealed roller bearings it has. Only a few spots to keep oiled. I sewed some 1/4" leather, (two pieces) the other day. Only thing you need to do is adjust the amount of down pressure on the upper drive wheel. Didn't try it with 138 thread. Had #40 on the machine set up for shoes . Size 12 needle had no problem with piercing the leather. Ferg

I haven't watched it completely. You are right, it is mesmerizing. I love to watch other craftsman with the skills he has. Ferg

I have no experience with an RB-1. I wouldn't trade my RB-5 for anything. Noisy? Never heard that before. When oiled properly, it sings to me every time I use it plus it has reverse. Ferg

Since I am older than most of you, eighty six in January 2020, I remember a lot of those things first hand. My only connection with the Prison System was a number of years ago. One in Southern Ohio made wood Pallets. They weren't getting them out fast enough so they were looking for a small wood shop to make the parts for the pallets. The material would be supplied by a prison farm sawmill and brought to our shop. The material would be Cottonwood. Grows where it can get lots of water and is obviously dripping with moisture. Later, they decided to supply "Junk" Treated material. When still wet from treatment this stuff can rust most any metal it is aligned with. We were very close to taking it on until I checked with some shops that were using the material. Ferg

I don't see your pic either. kJ is on the right track. You probably are not using the correct machine for the job. How many layers of what thickness material are you trying to stitch? Ferg

It is a great machine if it has been taken care of. $300 makes it worth looking at if you can, try it with some leather you will be using. I wouldn't trade mine for anything. Don't degrade it. That machine is equal to a CowBoy, Ferg

It was originally intended to be just a Data Base program I believe. I needed to count letters of different colors in personal names, it required one short line of code. Definitely not for everyone. It has gotten too expensive as most of the older software is these days. I just continue to use what I upgraded to several years ago. lol Ferg

You won't like my answer but this is a different twist to your question. I have used "FileMaker" since it's inception many years ago. Not free but if you wanted a program that will even talk to you. this is it. I have written every Data Base we have ever used with exception of the very first, using FM. Have written billing invoices with hundreds to thousand of entries that populate whatever I need. While it is automatically doing that everything is totaled for anytime I wish to access the info. It essentially does my taxes for me. I know, not the answer you were looking for......... Ferg

I know, I have been called more than crazy for having all the different use equipment I have gathered over my 70 years of questionable adult life. I am not counting the 16 years before I supposedly became an adult. LOL Try anything you wish. Some times that works, some times it doesn't. Ferg

I have the building, I have maybe $1000 in tooling and equipment, probably have four or five thousand dollars worth of dies for various and sundry items. I can make whatever I want at any time. I have a CNC two head router and write my own programs. Seems that is called convenience. Ferg

I have an old rejuvenated bender for steel rule. Don't get the idea that this is a piece of cake. High learning curve and expensive. I bought my bender at a good price, it weighs about 50 pounds. Dies are expensive and you need quite a few to make much of anything. Specialty router bits for cutting the grooves. A die cutter to cut accurately. Steel rule resists bending, Several thicknesses and widths available. I enjoy doing the dies, no intention of doing it for anyone but myself. Ferg

Kinda playing on Bob's business isn't he? Ferg

All I can say is...you haven't looked very hard. BTW: It is Toledo Industrial Sewing Machines, LLC Bob Kovar is one of the most honest dealers you will ever confront. I think my trip last Saturday to get another machine from him was either my fourth or fifth time buying from him and his son. Ferg

RYAN, I know mom and dad and your siblings are all very proud of you. First out of the bag, you are a fine Artist. My wife and youngest daughter fit that expression also. I can see very few problems. Having never taken on a Saddle project I don't know a lot about it. You done a fine job in my old eyes. Ferg

I believe your main problem is that you are wanting a machine to do two extremes. Sorry, but you need two machines. A flat bed that will handle #69 - #138, and a cylinder arm with an accessory flat bed table that will give you #92 - #207. #69 will be okay for most interiors of wallets and the like, you need to use minimum #92 for exteriors while #138 is better. Back packs and the like need at least #138. You utilize both machines in this endeavor. Sorry if that doesn't help your problem. Ferg

Some extra thoughts on your needs. I noticed you want to use the machine for making shoes. Your best bet for that is a "Post Bed" machine of at least 7" in height. Same machine is good for making bags among other of similar builds. The Cowboy post bed: Post height: 7" Gear Driven Top Feed Roller Foot Gear Driven Bottom Feed Roller Feed Needle Feed Maximum Roller Foot Lift: 7/16" Max Sewn Thickness: 5/16"+ At least two machines with different capabilities I think is ideal, the post bed if you wish to do the above, or a cylinder bed with the addition of an accessory flat table. I don't like needle feed machines. Cowboy 3200 will not handle thin leather well, it is a walking foot cylinder bed. I have a Consew flatbed, walking foot I wouldn't trade if my life depended on it. I am not familiar enough with other cylinder beds to give good information. I imagine my info will either help or confuse the situation for your even more. Lol Ferg

Bell Skiver won't skive more that 1 3/4" and maybe 2". Most gussets are wider than that, with some exceptions of course. You can run them through again by turning the leather around, it doesn't work well very often. Lot of money when you would be better off getting a skiver that is intended for your use. Ferg

I think you should rethink a Bell skiver if you are intending to skive purse etc. gussets Ferg

I wish to sell my Singer 29-4 complete with custom built stand and Servo Motor. Machine is in excellent working order, has been refurbished and painted. Will stitch up to seven or eight spi depending on material. I will sell the head only for $850.00. Complete set-up $1100.00 Ferg