Art

Have you tried Fiebing's Resolene in Black? Cut it by at least half to spray it. Kevin at Springfield should have it. I wouldn't bet on Tandy, I just haven't seen it there. Art

I've dealt with Tippmann since the '80s in the Paintball industry. In the fairness category, they have always come down on my side. I've returned guns that look like they have been piddled on and run over by a truck and got them back brand new. All they have ever asked from me is to tell them what happened. I think you have been pushing the envelope expectation wise. When you bust something, you should expect to pay for a new one, you broke a part that has been working in those machines (and quite a few others I might add, at much higher speeds) for decades. Someone makes those shuttles for Tippmann, and Tippmann sure had to pay for it. Now you are complaining because you got it for free? Art

Hi Bruce, Ohio Travel Bag Catalog P210 page 187. http://www.ohiotravelbag.com/FlipBook/hardware%20catalog%20p210/index.html?pageNumber=187 Art

If it is for a Leo, I wouldn't worry about it too much. Let me explain. Most Leos are not gun fanatics. Since their weapons are not used that much, they aren't really maintained that much. They do however oil, with what the department recommends or provides, or just whatever. Some say they over oil, but quite often it is a quick spray down and wipe off, occasionally the weapon will be disassembled for cleaning. What I am getting at is that there is going to be plenty of oil on the inside of a holster, and a little more isn't going to hurt. With any penetrating lube, you just have to be sure it doesn't get to work on the ammunition, it can deactivate the primer. I like the advice on the Johnson's Wax. I use it on everything metal in the shop (garage) and it sure keeps the rust down, even in our humid climate. Once a year does it. Art

The 900 Bull was built on a Consew 754 as I recall. Art

The Wiss shears # 8BLTN are also good and Gold Seal 176 or 179 pattern if you like a knife edge cutter. Diamond Needle would have those. http://www.diamondneedle.com/pdf/S97.pdf Art

Use Silicone thread lube from Clearco. Works great. You buy it in 5 gallon (or more) jugs, it is not terribly expensive. The Silicone product is what you want. http://www.clearcoproducts.com/sewing_thread_lubricants.html I think Ed Santoro may have some he can sell you for you to try. Art

Someone is feeding you a load of crud. The heads for the Artisan 4000 and Cobra Class 4 are made by Zhiqiang Sewing Machine Company, Hebei, China. Zhiqiang does put their own label on their product for the Asian trade, it is the Zhigong grand extra heavy duty lock stitch sewing machine series, Zhigong being the blue and white label that is plastered on the front of the head. The heads are custom manufactured for customers like Artisan and Cobra and are a little different. I don't know where the Kingmax comes from, but I would find out before I bought one. Both Cobra and Artisan also do about 4 to 8 hours additional work modifying these machines for leatherwork. They also replace or modify several parts in addition to checking the machine to make sure it is right. Quite often it is not and has to be repaired or adjusted. Art

The Reliable MSK-8400B can be made to do the job reliably, however, you will have to modify some (source and install parts) and primarily get a slower motor system. You can buy a Cobra 18 for a better price and get a machine set up for leather with speed reducer and servo motor for less. And you have Steve on the other end of the phone if you need him. Get a good machine, have it for life, and give it to your kids when you are gone. Art

The machine looks fairly new (in the old iron sense) but it worries me that the belt is not attached. Run it off before you buy. Then there's the price, about $300 too high. You would have to put a variable speed motor and a speed reducer to make it a worth while endeavor. Note that reverse turns you on, this one doesn't have it. The machine is a 153 or variant but you should check the plate to see if it as a w101, w102, or w103, the 101 being the best of the bunch for leatherwork, hope it is not a 102. 103 is like the 101 and the 102 combined, sort of. I wouldn't expect to pay more than $400 for the 101 machine. Art

Hi Scott, HO will have an occasional hard spot, but otherwise mighty consistent and high quality. Ditto Wickett and Craig, both good quality. Bullhide may be a little more dense to start, but after tanning and finishing I can't see much; you usually get a bigger hide though, good for reins. Art

How about that clutch, I just love old iron, but getting a little old to be lifting it. Art

Contact Nick Pittman at Nick-o-Sew in Tenn, He has a ton of parts. His numbers are 1-800-526-4256/(731)-779-9963, or his email is (sales at nickosew dot com). Any dealer can look it up in the Superior catalog maybe and order it for you. Art

Hi Al, C-1413 899 C-1154 C-1854 C-1862 OTB catalog P210 on or around Page 183. Take a look. Art

I generally use the 1900 clip corner buckle from Weaver. You have to set up an account before they will talk to you. Ohio Travel Bag has some unique items in center bars in the 1 1/2" size. Most selections are in 1 1/2" no matter who the supplier. Art

The Denster is giving good advice. If I can make an addition, get a cast iron Boss and don't short stroke ANY Boss. Set it up to sew 346 thread and don't mess with it. Other than that, you'll make more holsters with the Boss than any of the other machines you have questioned about. If you want a powered machine for holsters, a 441 clone is your best bet, if you are doing cowboy holsters with bullet loops, a long arm (16.5") and a needle positioning motor is a nice option. Art

Hi Joe, Everyone has pretty much given you the lowdown on those two shows. I like both, but the IFoLG show will be a miss this year. Two shows, the IFoLG and the Boot and Saddlemakers roundup in Wichita Falls Texas were in the past on consecutive weekends. This made it possible to roam around the mid to West see some folks and cover both shows in about two weeks, sometimes a little more. However this year someone decided to schedule two weeks between shows. This just makes it too much time to waste, so the IFoLG won't see me this year. The show in Wichita Falls is a little different and refreshing format, and I have more friends in Tex/NewMex. Art

Hi Bruce, One of the reasons is that only a rare few if the sewing machine purveyors do any leatherwork. Also, they are extremely hardheaded, and don't see why we would need the control up on the desk. Btw, these controls are available, but unfortunately none of the purveyors are good Chinese speaking folks and haven't a clue how to source anything. Also, none of them have engineering degrees and the kind of imagination that comes with it. It doesn't help them much when the customers and the competition are pressing for lower and lower prices. Another point is why should someone do (time is money) the engineering and then have the rest of the machine sellers copy them. The Chinese factories are loyal only to the Yuan (dollar), and will sell to anyone who knows how to transfer money. So one guy has to do the engineering and take the risk and the rest ride for free. Any wonder why we don't see more innovation? Art

A rubber collar on the die retains it. I bought mine for about $90 (with dies) from Rochler a couple of years ago. I like it because I can take it to a boat to install snaps on a cover (tie a cord around the tool). Art

Press-n-Snap They have a bracket to bolt it to the bench. I have 2 one for each side of the ligne 24 snap. Handle works from the front, I like it better. Sets grommets pretty good too. Art

I don't know that you should pay $350 for it. You can pay a little more and get a 29K62 or 70 which might do a better job for you. There seems to be a good supply of parts as these things are hanging around a lot of shoe shops. At some time or another, most leatherworkers wish they had one. especially for repairs. They can be a bit cantankerous until you get them adjusted, and even switching colors of thread can cause the adjustment blues. Art

Hi Eddie, You might want to try adjusting for higher presser foot lift to start. A call to Steve would be next on the list. Art

Sure would give the owner a call...... Art

That is not what I said. I said a particular cut, the back, which is designed for cutting straps would be a little wasteful for a holster maker, a side would probably be better. Harness backs from W&C or Sedgwick are beautiful pieces of leather and anything made from them will look fantastic. Art

Well, you have to live in a community and own the local gun shop/gunsmith/hunting/fishing store. You have no idea how quickly you can become the black sheep of the community. I had a CC permit in MARYLAND for ghod sakes, driven snow was dirtier than I was. Local Leos knew I was ok, let me speed and everything, I always knew when the wife or kids got a ticket, even warnings (almost always warnings). Worst ones were the church folks. They just don't like firearms. You know, it never stopped them from coming into the shop when they needed something for the church or uniforms for the little league. Art