Northmount

Maybe Wizcrafts can chime in here, or Trox or Constabulary. I don't know the old machines that well, only know that I can get a much better quality machine for that price, even some real nice antiques if that was what I was looking for. Tom

Deleted extras Tom

Did you try Longview Leather? http://leatherworker.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=54135&p=346649 Tandy in Calgary often has saddle skirting, haven't looked at its quality. There is a place in Edmonton I came across on google as well sometime ago. Tom

Keep your knife perpendicular to the leather. Just a slight lean could put you off a mm. Tom

Nice! The old bag is pretty good, and has developed character. Tom

If you give your machine make and model number, someone will be able to help you. Tom

Need to repost the pics or provide a link that works. Tom

Looks like a very high price for unknown condition, poor looking machines, and by the description, 3 phase power. Tom

Bound buttonholes are used on higher end coats, jackets. The long sides of the buttonholes have extra material added to give a rolled edge. I have a really nice leather coat with this style. I remember my mom doing coat buttonholes many years ago. And of course, for the most part, they are done by hand. http://rhondabuss.blogspot.ca/2012/10/bound-button-holes.html http://www.sewalongs.com/anise/anise-tutorial-bound-buttonholes http://www.uniquepatterns.com/education/sewing-insider/71 http://sewaholic.net/bound-buttonholes-my-favourite-method/ Tom

Probably part of the reaction between iron and the tannin in the leather - helped along by your humid climate. Like vinegaroon. Do black/dark blue/grey spots form on the surface of the leather inside the sheath against the steel blade? If so, I wonder if chrome tanned lining would prevent it. I think you have the opportunity here for a few experiments. Let us know what you learn. Tom

Moved to "Suppliers" and pinned. Looks like a good resource list for the UK. Tom

Apple IOS knows the orientation of the camera from the XIF data stored with the picture. MS and some other OSs don't pay any attention to the camera orientation data so photos could be any orientation. IOS users need to determine which way is up for their device so other operating systems can display it correctly. Alternatively, MS could get some smarts and use the XIF data to help their displays. But that is probably too much to expect out of MS. And yes, that's a fine animal! Tom

The raw edges of the leather need to be burnished in my opinion. Take a look at this thread. Again, good start for just getting back to leather. Tom

Doin alright for just getting back into it. For the lacing, I would either use wider lace, or reduce the distance form the holes to the edge. Tom

Welcome to the forum! Tom

Moisten (water) the leather before you do tight folds. That should avoid the cracking. Looks pretty good to me. Tom

Hey, looks like you did a great job! Tom

Look for used books on the web. I have one that I bought in the 60s that is great for someone starting out, and would be a help to others with a medium level of experience. General Leathercraft by Raymond Cherry (1955). I have seen copies available on Amazon and at ABEBooks.com. Just had a look and there are a number of 1945-46 printings. Also look at FO Baird's books, especially for patterns. Watch Tandy's sales for Leather Secrets Tandy has promoted Al Stohlman's books so we see more of them. I have several and refer to them frequently. Tom

There are lots of leather machines around. You need to know the manufacture and the model number for anyone to be able to answer your question. Tell him you need the name and model and to provide photos of the front and back of the machine. Old Singers (domestic) are frequently listed on eBay and such as industrial strength capable of sewing 1/4" of leather. They are not. Industrial machines have the motor under the table, not on the back of the machine or inside the housing. Those that are "leather machines" have been modified to handle leather without damaging the surface of the leather. They are walking foot machines, so have two feet that operate in sequence with the needle to move the leather as it is being stitched. Tom Edit: See the banner ads at the top of the screen for various sewing machine dealers that support this site and provide excellent service to the community. Each time you refresh the page, you will see a new set of ads. Look at their machines and descriptions to see what a "leather machine" looks like.

There are several threads here on bleaching leather using oxalic acid, lemon juice and possibly vinegar. Use about a teaspoon to a pint of water. Bleaches out dark spots from iron fillings too. I have a book General Leathercraft by Raymond Cherry 4th ed. copyright 1955 that I used in the 60s that introduced me to it ... way back then. Has been very handy some days! Tom

Pictures and more description of the machines' condition would be helpful to your potential customers. Tom

I don't soak the leather in the solution, just wipe it on, get even coverage over the whole surface first, then if need be add more to any spots that you see haven't bleached enough. A little gentle scrubbing brings fresh acid to the surface to help with the tougher spots if any. Quick rinse after to stop further action. Thin leather will probably be saturated fairly quickly, heavier leather won't be saturated as easily and doesn't need to be. Rinse is just quick, not to soak the hide. If you are uncomfortable with this, try some scraps first to see how it behaves. To get some dark spots, just rub newspaper on it. I've learned to keep newspaper away from leather. Used to lay the leather on a newspaper to dye or apply finish. Gets the leather dirty! Tom

Looks pretty nice to me, even if it did give you some problems. Tom

Learn to slip the clutch. Takes some patience and practise. You can also do a search here for speed reducers and see what others have done to build there own ... If you are the handyman type. There are lots of posts here about various servo motors to. Look at comments by Wizcrafts. Tom

Good place to be Chief ... Grandkids are a lot of fun. Have three of them overnight last night and tonight too. See what trouble we can get into! Tom