Northmount

Is it for a large man, or is he adding a bunch of padding to get to that size? If he is really that large around the waist, I would seriously consider using 2 layers. Reminds me of my grandfather many years ago. He asked for a belt for his 56" waist. So I added the 4" for the buckle end, and 8" for the tongue and took it to him. It just met, could not be worn. I didn't have another strip long enough, so he never got his belt! Tom

Really fantastic work! Tom

That's known as a bar grounder. And yes they take quite a bit of practice to keep it even. That is one of the 2 backgrounding tools I started out with many years ago. Tom

A higher quality contact cement should hold. Read the label and follow the directions. Don't stick together until both surfaces are dry. You may need 2 coats on the leather if it absorbs all the cement. Thin coats are better than heavy. Good quality contact cement will grab as soon as you bring the 2 surfaces together. No chance to re-position if you get it wrong. Press, use a roller, or tap with a hammer to get good contact and adhesion. I also like the idea of upholstery tack/nails. The decorative style. Tom

For me, the larger diameter barrel fits my hand better. But after watching people show how to make fancy curves, tight curves, I think a smaller diameter barrel is what I should be experimenting with even though I don't like the fit. So really, the only way is to try each and see what their performance (and yours) is like with a bunch of practice. Cheap handle, good blade would do you well for a couple years. Then you can get the fancy handles, ball bearing swivel and the whole works. Tom

@Zonker1972 first pointer is to not hit submit more than once. Slow server or slow internet connections result in multiple posts. I have deleted the extra post. Tom

That happens. I'm not sure if it's because the server that LW.net is on becomes a bit overloaded at times, or because the internet connection between you/us and the site gets bogged down at times. Once you hit submit, the command goes through. Multiple hits can go through and produce several posts with the server responding to each one. I saw 8 repeated posts one day! Like our parents told us many times, patience is a virtue! Tom

There is a pulldown list next to the box you enter your search in. Change it to "all content" instead of "this topic". I got 3084 hits for "neatsfoot oil sun tan". Or if you like Google searches better, try "site:leatherworker.net NFO neatsfoot oil sun tan" without the quotes. The "site:leatherworker.net" limits the search to this site. Is usually faster and better than the site's search function. Tom

@Silverd Wow, 4 posts! Please give the server and internet time to respond instead of hitting the submit button over and over. I will delete the "extra" posts. Tom

Check out some of the other posts here about using neatsfoot oil and sun tanning. Search button is near the top right of the page. Tom

When you seal with an acrylic or lacquer finish, oil cannot soak through so no need to try oiling after the finish. But, you can use wax based conditioners to spruce up the surface and help prevent further wear. Tom

I see lots of reflections and shadows. Try using a light tent, or photograph outside in the shade. You want diffused lighting to reduce reflections and provide the same amount of light overall. Take a look at this thread There are others that you can search out both here and on many other websites. You need good resolution on your camera, but don't need high resolution (large file) when you post. In general, skip the smart phone as you have less control. (But some are really good too!) Make sure your camera is well supported, no jiggles, especially when taking photos without a flash. Tom

@BestbargainsewingUK Moved your post to Marketplace > Items For Sale > Machinery -- Sewing and Stitching > Used Please post your selling price, shipping, etc. as per marketplace rules http://leatherworker.net/forum/forum/70-announcements/ Tom

This is a very old thread with last post in 2013. Mike hasn't visited this site since May 2013. I'm sure you won't get any response from him at this late date. Tom

There are several posts about changing the stock pulley/hand wheel on sewing machines here. Not all of them are replacing the pulley with a pulley from a sewing machine supplier. Some even bolt a pulley onto the side of the stock pulley. you cn search for them here. As for your 2nd last paragraph, how would changing a pulley on the outside of the machine change the timing of something on the inside of the machine. As long as you don't loosen any set screws, etc. inside, or over stress anything, timing won't change due to changing an external pulley. Tom

@dprezgay You have people interested in tools you listed. Should I close this thread and move it to old/sold? Tom

Market place rules require photos, manufacturer, model etc. Thanks for giving back to the community! Tom

What happened to November? I didn't sleep through the DST change did I? Tom

@Barnettworks moved your post to Leather Sewing Machines. You may get more answers/responses here. Tom

I have to disagree with this statement. I worked in a company for the past 20 years that employed people from all over the world. Often friends called it a little "United Nations" as many nations were represented. A number of my co-workers were vegetarian and it really does come down to their culture and nationality as to what they define as allowable or not. Chicken and fish were definitely allowable for some. Tom

Just a little note: Vegetarians and Vegans are not necessarily the same thing. Vegans won't touch anything that is assumed to harm an animal during its production. For example, they wont use wool because some sheep have such heavy 'coats' that maggots will grow in the folds around the sheep's neck. They wont eat eggs or chickens because the chickens are cooped up in such small places and not allowed to range free. I'm more in favor of the older farms and ranches where animals have space to live. I don't really agree with warehousing animals. I guess a lot of it is what you have grown up with. Vegetarians just don't eat meat. Depending on their culture, that may or may not include chickens, fish, eggs, milk, cream, etc. Now obviously you will find vegetarians that have developed into full blown vegans. It can happen in any family! Just less likely for either if they were raised on a farm or ranch. I know of others that are allergic or have health issues that have forced them into being vegetarian, and most are not happy with the change in their life. Tom

Poster is from Vienna, Austria

Belt is at the correct depth on the top pulley. Bottom pulley belt should not ride in the bottom of the groove. Is that bracket or guard just to the right of the belt rubbing on the belt? Tom

That looks better than my post. I missed the double bar! Tom

Item 1 You should reverse after the needle has risen about 1/4" from bottom of its stroke. Stop before you reverse so you have control. If you reverse too early, the hook won't have caught the loop and you have a missed stitch. When starting a line of stitching, you can start in reverse about 3 stitches before the beginning end of the stitch line, then switch to forward. Same rule as above applies. Item 2 By hand-wheeling and adjusting the reverse leaver/stitch length to hit the target. Item 3 When starting a stitch line, hold both tails to keep tension on them for the first few stitches. When doing your top stitching, don't pull the seam too tight. When reversing, don't lift the presser foot. You might need more top and bottom tension. Item 4 - belt dust Could be rough spot on a pulley, or misaligned. Possibly over tightened might do it too. Should be able to depress the belt about an inch by pressing with your thumb midway between pulleys without having to exert a lot of pressure. There is not a heavy load on these belts, so doesn't need to be really tight. Do you have a belt riding high above the rim of one of the pulleys? Tom