steve hansl

Hi Karol.Tandy has an outlet in Surrey onthe King George Hwy.,which runs right through Surrey always worth a try.I am in Nanaimo on Vancouver Island which is a short ferry ride from the mainland,give me a call if you want to 250 756 6619.I also blacksmith and do shoe repair as my day job.Steve.

Try Labelle Supply Co. Ltd,they are in Burnaby,BC. 1 800 663 9893.I have dealt with them for 20yrs.

The soles look like they are made of crepe rubber to me,probably preformed soles.

I got my side of 8/9 oz today and I am very pleased with the Thorobred brand.The side is really clean,cuts easy and the piece I dyed took well.I didn't try any tooling but I am sure I won't be disappointed.One thing is for sure, when I need more I'll be calling Maverick Leather.To top it all off they saved me at least $70 from when I bought Hermann Oak out of Calgary.

I ordered a side of their Thorobred veg tan to try.I was having a problem with my credit card and Mary was so patient and courteous.If the leather is as good as their customer service I'll be real happy.I tried to get her to charge me $5 extra for the long distance phone calls but she wouldn't go for it.Thanks Mary.

Try googling Power shoe finishers.The brushes on my machine I believe are horse hair.

Don't believe the customer telling you their waist size,measure it yourself,alot of folk don't know for sure.They like to think they are a 36'' when in reality it is more like 40''.I have had it happen just recently,I was told 42'' and it didn't fit his actual 46'' waist.

Tandy sell them.I have seen it used to line belts that are real" fleshy ".

Try LaBelle Supply in Burnaby, 1 800 663 9893,I don't know what colours are available but they might send you in the right direction if they can't help.

Tell him you don't want to insult him by offering too low of a price and ask what is the price he will take.Usually most people have a figure they won't go below.If the price seems too high then you can low ball him and work from there.

Acetone will work,I don't know of anything else but there probably is.

Try oiling it then after it sinks in for awhile rub it down until the color stops rubbing off,by then most of the metallic look should be gone.The final finish coat should leave you with a deep navy blue.I did a belt today,first navy one,and it turned out pretty good for a rush job.I usually don't finish a belt in one day.

It is unbelievable how much paper and cardboard is used in the majority of footwear these days and at least 70% are made not to be repaired.

I would ask around to find a good shoe and boot repair,from the pics they seem to be repairable.Too bad for the both of us that we are so far apart,I'm sure I could help you out.

What kind of boots are you going to work on?

I've had mine since March and I think it is a good machine.I had a bobbin thread tension issue but a little tweaking the spring solved that.Other than that it runs real smooth and I like the reverse.

After reading your post again I thought about sewing the velcro to a piece of lining leather and then glue that to.I assume,the flap and that should hold up without visible stitching.

I always sew my velcro on,it never stays glued for me and I've sewed lots that people tried using the self stick stuff also.

Is the thread lifter lifting the thread off of the needle correctly?The needle and awl might be out of adjustment.To set the awl I loosen it up then feel for it on the backside so it is flush with the holder and tighten.I too set the needle roughly a nail's thickness away from the awl.

Unless I need a different size,I only change when they break.

I like dealing with Ken as well,Igot a couple of nice HO sides from him,also the Calgary Tandy people seem alright as well.I have received good quick service from both places.

Thanks John,that really helps me out,much appreciated.I guess it's going to be a belt day at work.

I got a totally cellular debit and credit card machine through Moneris a month ago and I wish I had gotten a machine alot sooner,this one you can take anywhere.They increase your cash flow,my sales are deposited daily.Being in shoe repair it is nice to be paid up front,it doesn't matter then if people do not pick up their stuff.Over the years I have sent a lot of things to the local charities.

I am making up some belt blanks and was wondering if there was a good average length to cut them to?

I am going to do another test strip at work today and leave it over the weekend,hopefully there won't be any odor left by Monday.