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Northmount

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Posts posted by Northmount

  2. My First Industrial...

    in Leather Sewing Machines

    Posted

    A few things you can do with your clutch motor

    1. Switch to a smaller pulley 2"

    2. Adjust the pedal to clutch linkage so the pedal has to move further for full stroke

    3. Put a speed reducer pulley set between the motor and head

    4. Practice slipping the clutch

    And like Ferg said, press the pedal a little to release the brake so you can hand wheel it.

    CTG

  6. Edge Guides...do They Work?

    in Leather Sewing Machines

    Posted

    Hello

    do edge guides work on thin leathers ,or very soft leathers ?

    Running a stiff section of veg tan along a guide is pretty simple,but do the softest or thinnest leathers scrunch up or are there more sensative rollers on them ?

    I was thinking of on a machine like a pfaff 335 or similiar highlead etc

    thanks

    A

    With very soft thin leathers, they are more a reference point. Same as if you were sewing cloth. So you have to, in general, keep watching and adjusting your feed to keep the edge stitching even. The guide won't push the soft leather over. For long straight runs, a long guide can help more than a short guide.

    CTG

  7. Learning How To Sew With A Machine

    in Leather Sewing Machines

    Posted

    I think a video could be very useful. It could show what the various parts of a "typical" machine are, how the top thread is controlled, how the loop is formed under the feed dogs/ plate, how the hook comes around and grabs the loop to pull it over the bobbin, how the top thread is pulled back up, how to adjust the tension, how to start a stitch, how to back tack, how to turn corners, follow curves, etc.

    Comments could be made about timing, walking foot versus not, how to adjust presser foot pressure. For specific brand names threading, timing, and that sort of stuff, viewer should be referred to the machines manual.

    More could be added to following segments on using edge guides, a little about routine maintenance, oiling, etc.

    One of the first things in the video should be how to correctly install a new needle.

    Charts don't need to be in the video, but reference locations (urls) should be given.

    Some good and bad examples of sewing should be included. Wrong tension, wrong needle and thread size combination.

    We could start off with an outline, followed by a text write up with photos. That could be followed up using it as the basis for a script to do video segments.

    There are a number of photos in various posts that can be used for illustrative purposes, both in a text document, and later for video either as direct insertion or guide for action in the video.

    What do you think? Will it get support and input, enough to make it worthwhile, or a good idea that goes off the rails and never gets finished.

    Some of the vendors here have done nice shorts promoting their machines and showing how to thread. Would they be interested in formally supporting, or taking over the actual video production?

    CTG

  8. How To Mix Oxalic Acid Crystals

    in How Do I Do That?

    Posted · Edited by northmount

    1346648481[/url]' post='262889']

    I have searched several pages in the forum about oxalic acid and read a few different recipes for mixing up Oxalic acid. I have a 4 strand braid of unfinished veg tan that my kids dog decided to mark as his.

    I have the crystals I just need to know how much to mix into water to make a cleaner for leather stains. I've seen add 1/4 cup to 1 quart water, 1 teaspoon to a pint of water, even make a paste for tough stains. Can someone tell me what is the best mixture to use for cleaning stains from leather and just cleaning leather?

    Thanks

    Take a look at this post. How to mix. I would start with the suggested amount. If it is not working, then mix it stronger and go again. I did some once about 4X this ratio, makes instantaneous visible change. You may need to treat the whole braid so it all looks the same after, not lighter only where treated.

    Good luck with the clean up, and don't shoot the dog, just the person that left the braid where the dog could get to it. :)

    CTG

  9. copyright infringement?

    in Leatherwork Conversation

    Posted · Edited by northmount

    1346671347[/url]' post='262907']

    G'day,

    What an interesting, but very serious topic.

    I have often used ( Australian) beer bottle tops and turned them into fridge magnets, with or without some sort of leather fob or surround. ( I am a consumer of such beverages, hence the good supply of bottle tops)

    Apart from being creative, I also see them as a recycling initiative , as well as art.

    Any thoughts??

    HS

    As long as you are using their product, re-purposing what they have sold, there isn't much they can do about it, even if they don't like it. The only caution I (not a lawyer) see is not to make something that defames the company. Heck, they probably want you to buy more so you can make more art! :)

    CTG

  12. Snaps, Rivets, Posts, Studs, Ligne, Oh My!

    in How Do I Do That?

    Posted

    Nice bit of research. Now "line" makes a little more sense to me. I've always had a selection of snaps, so just grabbed the one that looked the best for the article I was fixing or making.

    There are some other posts in the last couple months about setting snaps and how long the post should be so it doesn't bend over and collapse, making a crooked mess. Do a search, should be easy to find if you limit the search to a couple months.

    CTG

  15. Straight Lines

    in Getting Started

    Posted

    You can make a leather strop very easily when you want. There are posts here with instructions and how to use.

    Some people use cardboard, poster board, and even newspaper to strop knives. Probably takes a little longer than when using jewellers rouge. But the main idea is to polish the blade so all those little rough stirations are gone.

    CTG

  18. Rub Off Rub Off Rub Off

    in Leatherwork Conversation

    Posted

    Thanks for all your thoughts TwinOaks! I e-mailed Kevin from Springfield leather and he offered that acriylic finishes like Resolene need to dry in low humidity. Well, I live in Portland so that is a little bit impossible here.

    Try a heated box, hair dryer, heat lamp, just don't burn it to a crisp. Kitchen range ovens may not be able to set the temperature low enough. Do some searching here for how people are drying their projects. I have seen lots of posts.

    CTG

  19. Newbie, Newbie, Fresh Outta Da Box Newbie

    in How Do I Do That?

    Posted

    And yet, this 50 year old man wants to start making leather bags, pouches etc. (ala Saddleback).

    Where do I begin? Online courses? Good books? Simplest and strongest sewing machine?

    There is a set of 3 booklets by Al Stohlman - "The Art of Making Leather Cases". They are available in print from a Tandy store books, or as ebook downloads at eBooks.

    There is also a booklet on Handsewing Leather by Al Stohlman. sewing leather

    And as mentioned, there is loads of info here. Use the advanced search feature at the top right of the page here. I suspect you are not interested in tooling yet, so these books are a good place to start learning what tools and techniques are needed, and some simple to advanced projects.

    When you are doing searches here, search for "wet forming" as well.

    Enjoy

    CTG

  20. History Of Neatsfoot Oil?

    in Dyes, Antiques, Stains, Glues, Waxes, Finishes and Conditioners.

    Posted

    1345647966[/url]' post='261383']

    I am trying to research the history of Neatsfoot oil. Mostly I am tryingto find what are the earliest references available. So far it seems that the earliest records of its use date from the 18th century but I am finding few details of how it was discovered or made. In addition any information on alternate dressing that would be used in the absence of Neatsfoot Oil would be very helpful.

    Thanks

    Joe

    Try Wikipedia, they have a good article.

    CTG

  21. Wallet Folding Problems

    in Purses, Wallets, Belts and Miscellaneous Pocket Items

    Posted · Edited by northmount

    There are some liners that are basically 3 pieces, the two ends, and a central piece that floats in slots in the end pieces. The central section is not glued or sewen to the wallet back. There is a pattern posted here that I noticed a while ago that could be adapted to the style of interior you want. Then it can open flat and fold without bunching up.

    You will need to search for it. I would say it came up within tha past month or 2. Try wallet pattern.

    CTG

    Edited: found it. Pattern

  25. Wallet Inserts

    in Suppliers

    Posted

    1344695304[/url]' post='260081']

    Interiors

    You can buy one, use it as a pattern to make more. If you still have the one that is too small, use it as a base pattern for the idea and arrangement, and modify to fit what you want.

    Note that for folded wallets, the liner is typically 3/8 to 1/2" shorter than the back so it can fold without bunching up. Don't sew or lace the interior to the back across the fold so there is room for it to move. Make some paper or light cardboard mockups, staple the pieces together to see if they fit the way you want them to. Staples are easy to pull out and redo parts that don't fit or meet your satisfaction.

    The interiors can be sewn on a home sewing machine since they are quite light weight. A leather point needle will help with stitch line and appearance. Keep the good side (exposed side) up when sewing.

    CTG

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