Northmount

Here is something that works with some contact cements. Pour out some contact cement on wax paper or something you will be able to peel it off or and let it set. Wad it up and press it repeatedly against the cement you want to pick up until it lifts it off. As the surface gets dirty or less tacky, knead it some to bring new material to the surface and keep going. Works similarly to using a wad of tape to remove sticky tape residue. Tom

Take the one you are currently using apart and use the stiffener (and clip if any) in your new one. Sometimes the lowest cost is to purchase a cheap ready-made item and use it for parts. Provides examples of how it was manufactured and you get the parts that might be hard to find otherwise. Have done that for 3" 3 ring binders. Tom

Only the USA and two other very small country have not gone metric. http://gizmodo.com/5786004/these-are-the-three-countries-who-dont-use-the-metric-system There used to be the complaint that mechanics would have to buy new sets of tools, and on and on. Now when you work on a car (and many other mechanical devices), you need both sets of tools anyhow. There are certain items that will never change even under a metric system. Look at house construction. All materials are for 16" or 24" centers. Plywood will continue to be 48" by 96" other than what is available for cabinetry and such work. Pipe will always be measured in inches. Three are standards for both metric and English units pipe dimensions, but most usage defaults to English units. For conversions of inches to or from metric units, your only need to remember one number. 1" = 25.4 mm. The rest is grade 3 math. Tom

Ambassadors welcome new members and promote the site. When you begin a thread, you have the option of adding "tags" to the thread that the databases or search engines use to index and locate subjects or main topics contained in a thread. For instance, if I was making motorcycle saddles, I might add the tags motorcycle, saddle, and type or make of the motorcycle. A blog is a regularly updated website or web page, typically one run by an individual or small group, that is written in an informal or conversational style. It may be sort of an online journal about a person's daily activities, trips, or some other favorite subject. A gallery is a place to store pictures. Tom

Welcome to the forum. There sure is a lot to share and learn. Keep enjoying and share your work. Tom

Looks like a great idea. Do you have a brand name? Is it non-slip? I see some that is textured, is yours? Tom

Hi Mrs Hicks, see question for you. Tom

I'd check out the cost of blades and spacers first (and any other accessories you may need) first. Buying them separately may cost you as much or more than a new machine with a warranty. Tom

Shouldn't sand the grain (finished) side of the leather. Tom

If you click on the red dot left of the post title, it will take you to the latest unread post in that thread. Hope this helps someone a little. Accidentally found it a few days ago when the mouse cursor was hovering over the dot. Not so obvious on tablets. tom

There are about 50 bikes on display and lots of vintage cars and trucks. The whole exhibition is called Gasoline Alley. Includes a lot of the old fashioned gas pumps where you manually pumped the gasoline into the top glass reservoir, then drained by gravity into your gas tank. Lots of old oil company memorabilia too. Gasoline Alley is a permanent display. Just the bikes are leaving Apr 24. Then a number of vintage cars will be brought back out of storage and put back on display. Tom

Add to the same thread instead of starting a new one by replying to your post. Merged the two threads for you. Tom

Visited the Vintage Motorcycle Exhibit at Calgary's Heritage Park. Exhibit closes Apr 24, 2016 so if you live close and want to see it, there is not much time left. I thought you might like to see the work someone has done in restoring this bike and adding saddle bags and saddle. (This is definitely not my work, just my photos. Credit goes to the owner.) Many of the bikes in this show belong to Canadian Vintage Motorcycle Group, Rocky Mountain Section. Tom It's as old as I am. It's in a lot better condition than I am!

Very nice work. Welcome to the forum. Tom

It would take an awfull lot of hemp. No or next to no cannabis in hemp. That's why you see it being cultivated legally again. Tom

As JLS says, use copper or brass nails. Iron nails in vegtan leather will turn black due to the tannin and iron chemical action. I prefer molds and clamps. Tom

Are the zippers just difficult to pull, or something else. If you rub some beeswax on the zipper, it will help make it much easier to pull the slider back and forth. As usual, very nice work. Tom

The machine in the ebay ad link above does not have reverse, so one with reverse would likely sell for a little higher price, my guess, maybe worth a $100 more, at least to me. Tom

Tandy sells embossed cow hide. What are you looking for specifically, and what part of the world are you in? Knowing that, someone is more likely to be able to give you more and better feedback. Kind of sounds like you are from Germany according to your username. Tom

Pictures, serial number, etc would be a great help for people that want to be able to help you. Tom

Take a look at this thread Tom

The brake shoe is inside the outer end of the motor, same end your linkage hooks up to. There are a couple threads about it somewhere here. Do a search, or as Wizcrafts, a member here. Since a number of photos haven't been revived yet since the software upgrade, the older threads may not show enough of what you need to see. Tom

Are you using a spool or a cone of thread. Cones are usually setup to pull the thread vertically off the top of the cone, not having to turn the cone. ANd yes, if a spool adds more resistance, it increases the top tension. Tension needs to be consistent. Sounds like you need to reduce the bottom tension. Go slow, little adjustments each time. Tom

Top tension pulls the knots up, bottom tension pulls the knots down. Too much bottom tension or not enough top tension will leave the bottom thread laying on the bottom, not being pulled up into the leather. Doesn't matter what type of lockstitch sewing machine you are using. They work on the same principles. The two tensions have to be balanced against each other. There should be some tension on the shuttle thread, but easy to pull, and smooth. I would first increase the top tension some more, unless it is difficult to pull the top thread through the tension assembly. Tom

Really nice bag! For the Consew, sounds like it its the motor brake. Either remove the brake shoe, or press the peddle just enough to release the brake, but not hard enough to start the motor. For the Cobra, there is (should be) an adjustment for how far the presser feet can drop. I will let someone else describe how to fix as I don't have a Cobra. Tom