SkullCanyon

After 12 years in the Arizona desert I am moving to Live Oak, Florida tomorrow. Wish me luck in the new digs.

Yes I thin the Createx. It is water based and that is what I use. You do not need to thin it much, do some practice tests on scrap. I usually run my Iwata brushes between 15-30 psi. It depends on the paint and desired effect.

I use Createx with an airbrush and seal it. No flaking or color loss and I have painted hundred if masks this way. Good luck

Hey Steadybrook, This machine was a local craigslist posting. I contacted him and suggested he post it on this forum. He is in the Phoenix, AZ area. Kenny

Bill Shanor, Bill has a nice shop located in Ashland, OR. His number is 541 951 0952 and a real nice guy. Good luck

I use 138 polyester on my mocs, machine sewn. Polyester for the UV protection and 138 doesn't make a huge hole but is plenty strong. I double sew the upper to the sole gemini making it 277 in that section that is not visible. I know of others that use 92 or 207. To me it depends on what look you want in the end. I only use bison or bull hide for the feel and longevity at around 8/9 oz. Hope this helps.

https://hidehouse.com/products/index.html?Category=SB&Product_ID=1408 I do not wash this leather over and over, usually a couple times a year for my moccasins in sufficient. They sell in a lighter weight as well but I use 8/9 oz. myself. There will be some initial bleeding too. If you want I have some scrap I would send you to try. Lower 48 only though. Small pieces that will give you an idea if this will work for you. Not to be machine dried and use woolite to clean. PM me if interested and we'll go from there.

I make custom moccasins out of buffalo and bullhide that I source from the Hide House in Napa, CA. It is machine and hand washable and looks great. I would highly recommend this for you. Nice leather to work with too.

The Cowboy is a great machine for me. I kept my flatbed Highlead as well and go back and forth between the two. I would hold out for the 16" arm cylinder if I were you. You'll need the reach at some point.

I also tried to trade with that company, ( begins with R), on a perfect Highlead machine I have. They did not respond after the initial conversation. I sent them a boat load of pictures at there request and never heard back at all. They lost a sale as I found what I was looking for on this forum and had to make a trip to pick up the cylinder arm Cowboy 4500. I guess I would use them for repair work as they seem to be the only game in town. They are Juki dealers and apparently that is all they want to deal with. Your Artisan is a fine machine and I would put it on craigslist and see what happens. Keep your eyes on this forum, good machines come up for sale fairly regular. You might have to travel some for a good deal.

Hey Miggo, I sent you a PM with the information that you seek. Hope this gets you in the right direction. Best regards, Kenny

I use this stuff a lot, nasty toxic mixture that it is. The rubber I get is more of a flour or sugar consistency though. I tried making my own once but the rubber was too lumpy to get a smooth finished sole.

Not sure what you are looking for specifically. Some use Horween which is high dollar, they have cordovan and lots of pull-up leather. Hide House is in Napa, CA. they have a wide selection of leathers from nice buffalo/bull and more. Currently they are in clean-up mode due to the recent earthquake but you can check them out. Hope this helps.... I know a custom shoe maker in Oregon that would be able to direct you if I knew what you sought. He does it all from cowboy boots, moccasins, hiking boots, fine fashion shoes etc.....

Thanks for the compliment, I appreciate it. The moccasins are made with the Highlead, A lot of the finer art work I sew with a 31-20 Singer with a roller foot and 69 thread. I just got a Cowboy 4500 that I will now use to sew my bottom soles to the uppers as this is really thick material at around 1/2" and was pushing the limits off the Highlead. The speed reducer is an extra wheel and belt that you mount to your table and slows everything way down. You can find these through any of the sewing machine dealers on this forum. They are around $130.00 bucks or so. Initially I went with a servo only but even at the slowest speed it was still too fast for my liking. Personal preference really, I just like to sew slowly.

I don't know about the Tacsew but I own the same Highlead and it has worked real well for me. I put a servo and speed reducer on mine and have complete control with it. Good luck.

I saw that Consew on CL too. You got a good deal and that one was made in Japan. Wish I had some spare coin laying around and I would be interested in some of the other stuff up for sale. Looks to me that little piece is a feed dog but I am no expert. Did he have any spare parts laying around? I have a Champion Redline model out in the shed that needs some parts, looks a lot like the Peerless he has. I have a Highlead model similar to that Consew 206 rb-1, I put a servo and speed reducer on it and love the control. Good luck with it.

Good information to know. Thanks again

Thanks Wiz - I got it on and adjusted, works great. Now I won't have to bother Bob on Monday. Those two set screws on the presser bar were a bear to loosen, I thought for sure I was gonna snap the slot off. I replaced them just snugly.

Thanks Wiz - I have the two piece set. I knew about the alternating crank adjustment. New to this machine though so I will have look at the Manuel on how to lower the presser bar. .

I have to admit that I do miss having the Pearson around here. Since I don't ride MC's anymore she was kind of my shovel head old school iron. Great machine. This Cowboy model gets the job done though, I like it. Just received an inline foot system from Bob Kovar for it. Any one have a heads up on the adjustment needed to make it work? I tried to install it and got frustrated. The presser foot and walking foot are binding and the presser foot is not securing the work at all. I put the double toe back on and reset for it because I had a job to get sewn up. I want to try this foot out though. Anyone using this inline foot?

I use a Highlead model YXP-18 it works great. Not too difficult to adjust these machines and sure is easier than hand skiving with consistent results. I also use a curved skiving knife "Acciaio" made in italy. I was turned onto these knives by a master shoe maker in Oregon. Baltor and sons in SF carry them. Good luck.

I just got one in Texas that I took apart and it fit into an economy hatchback easily, room to spare........ Someone is going to get a steal of a deal on this one. Nice machines for sure.

Well last Monday I picked up a Cowboy 4500 in north Texas that was as new for a good price. Put it through its paces and it sews flawlessly, nice machine Bob Kovar. Thanks. Then on Wednesday I got a call on my Pearson #6 that had been on the market for quite a while. Sold it to a very happy saddle maker here in AZ. Great week for machinery, happy days. Now back to work. Kenny

SOLD

I have two of them, one on a 31-20 boot top and one on a 618 walking foot both with speed reducers. Had them for 3 years and they work great for me. No problems at all.