GDouglass

I'm just trying to keep this up on the "Latest Posts" list so people will see it... Thanks!

Hey everyone, I'm a college student down here at Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas and I've got some customers that are interested in some braided rawhide bracelets. I have looked at quite a few of the neat designs and ideas on here and know exactly what I want to make. I've been braiding with paracord and kangaroo for a while now, but I haven't done much with rawhide. It seems that beveled rawhide makes for the best-looking finished product and I would like to buy some. I'm sure someone on here sells exactly what I'm needing, so if you could, please let me know! Thank y'all very much for the time and effort you spend making this site what it is. I have learned SO much over the past 8 months of reading the posts on LW. Sincerely, Grady Douglass

Got me curious... Go ahead and add me as well.

Bevan, Thank you so much! I really appreciate it! I'll be in touch. God bless. -Grady-

Thanks for the information! I appreciate it! Thank you too!!

I've read quite a few of the threads about Maker's Stamps/Marks, but I was hoping to see what y'all think is the best place to get a maker's stamp built? If y'all could point me in the direction of some of the places y'all have used so I can compare prices, turnaround times, and such, I'd greatly appreciate it! Thanks, Grady

Spinner, I do believe you nailed it!! The whiskey on there looks EXACTLY like what I'm trying for. I think I'll get that shop to go ahead and order it and see what happens. If it isn't right, I guess we'll try again! Thanks a lot! -Grady- Thanks Beans!!

Mike, I took a look at the Tandy precut lace and it wasn't NEAR the same color as the lace I've got. I'm going to keep looking for a bit to see what I can find and if it all comes down to it, I might just have to get a CLOSE match and not quite exact. This edge braid is something like a modified 8 strand that would resemble one of the braids in Bruce Grant's encyclopedia the closest, but is still a differentiation. I've got LOTS AND LOTS of hours in them so far, so I'm going to try my best to not have to start over haha. I really appreciate the advice and guidance, though. If I have any other questions, I'll be sure to let you know. Thanks again. -Grady-

I am doing some edge braiding on some chinks for a shop here in town using "Whiskey" colored kangaroo lace that originally came from Hidecrafters. The shop gave me what was left of the lace on a spool, but it is not enough to finish the project and I need to order some more. Hidecrafters does not actually make the "whiskey" color anymore and when I called them, they told me to order another color that was supposed to be the same. When it arrived, it didn't match the old lace. Can any of y'all tell me where to get some of this "whiskey" colored lace? Thank y'all, Grady

Hello everyone! I've got a Singer 241 with a new motor and good stand. It runs great! I got a larger machine and I'm not using this one anymore. Great for sewing boot tops or other thin leathers. I'll throw in the needles and bobbins that I have as well. I'd like to get $250 obo for this machine. I also have another older sewing machine for sale. Please message me with questions and inquiries! I'm located in College Station, Texas. Thanks again, Grady

B, Thank you so much for your advice! I really appreciate it! With that being said,.... I'm not a seasoned braider by any means, but I have been learning a lot through Bruce Grant's Encyclopedia over the past year or so. I was reading another thread about what the best books are for braiding and such and have some good ideas of what I need to look at, BUT what would you suggest for me to look at to be able to do something along the lines of what you posted for this axe handle? Thanks again, Grady

I had a customer call me last week about doing a handle cover braid over the last 18 inches or so of an axe handle. This guy is a firefighter and will be using the axe on the job. He wants a strong leather lace, so I'm going to use a dark brown or black kangaroo lace to do it, and he wants a "whip handle" type braid. What would be the best braid to use? Feel free to add any other info you'd like about this topic. Thanks! -Grady-

Handstitched, Thank you very much for taking the time to give me some advice and voice your opinions over these machines. As you said, I have done plenty of research and hear more info than I can probably process, but I feel like it's all led me in the right direction. I'll definitely take a look at the machine you mentioned before I make a purchase and see what it's all about. Thanks again! Gig 'Em -Grady-

Great. Thanks a lot for the information. I've got it narrowed down to the CB4500 and I've talked to Bob a couple of times now. Hopefully I can make the purchase today. It's reassuring to hear more good things about these machines. Thanks again.

Wow, thanks!! I'll be more than happy to take that off your hands. I appreciate it! -Grady-

Well after looking back through the forums, I saw two more posts asking very much the same question as I am and LOTS of replies and comments. I'll keep an eye on those other posts, but I'm still deciding what machine I'd like to get. It's narrowed down to the CB4500 and the Cobra Class 4. I'm going to make some phone calls tomorrow and go from there. Please feel free to continue posting comments and giving advice - every bit of it is greatly appreciated. -Grady-

Kevin, Thank you so much for your input. I really appreciate it! It's also nice to hear that the folks with the CB machines set everything up and run it before you get it. I'd imagine other places do that as well, but I'm not sure. Sounds like Bob is taking care of you. That's a great selling point! The only reason I've been curious to get the old Singer going correctly would be to sew some boot tops in the future. I've been contemplating going to a boot making school to learn the trade and add another set of skills. Thanks again. Your advice is very helpful.

Thanks Luke! I appreciate the info. I'll look into the Adler and see about taking my machine somewhere around my neck of the woods. -Grady- Thanks! I'm glad to hear about you and that machine getting along well. I think I'll be in the same boat with you in terms of "novice sewing machine" user. From what I found, the Cobra Class 4 and the CB 4500 ARE very similar, but I wasn't completely sure. Thanks for your input.. Gig 'Em! haha What was that Adler going for?... I'm glad to hear about the success you're having with the CB 3500. The only reason I'm thinking of the 4500 is the future possibility of needing the longer arm. Thanks again!

Hello everyone, I'm a student down here at Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas and I'm interested in purchasing a heavy-duty leather sewing machine. I have been doing my research for the past couple of months and working on getting the funds together to buy a good, solid machine the FIRST time. I have read just about all (or what I managed to find) of the threads posted about sewing machines and choices. I build everything from thin bracelets to heavy harness leather saddle bags and also do some saddle repairs, so I am planning on buying a machine with the capability to do all these jobs and more, should I eventually get into actually building saddles. I have only used a sewing machine a number of times, but I feel confident in my ability to learn and handle a large machine relatively quickly after reading the numerous posts of people new to leather sewing machine usage and their quick learning. I have also learned a lot from these posts about the fundamental questions to ask yourself when purchasing a machine, so I am hopefully pointing in the right direction in terms of a good machine. While here, I'd like to point out the merit I put in the opinions and advice of such members as Art and Wiz as well, so I'd greatly appreciate any and all advice and guidance. With that being said, I have managed to narrow my options down to three: CB or Cowboy, Cobra, and Ferdco. I am definitely not opposed to other machines that may possibly suit me better, though. I just left a message with Bob Kovar at Toledo Industrial Sewing Machines asking about the CB4500 and its pricing, so I don't know exactly what the price range on it is, but it seems that many people have spoken very highly of this machine. I also have heard some good things about the Ferdco Pro 1010 machine and it's priced at $1995.00 for a complete unit. A saddle shop here in town uses these and said good things. Lastly, I have read more posts than I can count about the superb customer service and machine capabilities of the Cobra Class 4 machine. Priced at $2495.00, it's getting into the highest range of my budget, but I wouldn't be opposed to spending that money if it's truly the best machine. Can those of you with experience with any or all of these machines please give me some advice and tell me the pros and cons? Also, please feel free to point me in a different direction if you feel there is a better machine for around $2500 or so. Lastly, I have a used Singer 241 that was built in 1942 (give or take a year or two) that I swapped for. From what I understand, it was used to sew boot tops with the previous owner, but when I got it, the timing was off and it wouldn't catch the bobbin thread. After many hours of watching Youtube videos, making some phone calls, and taking the head of the machine apart, I got the timing set correctly and was ready to begin sewing. Being new to the sewing machine world, I was told that this machine would sew "wallet and belt weight leather" without too much of a problem. But, after spending the money to get the proper needles and thread for the machine, I was terribly disappointed to find that the belt slipped and the needles were breaking when trying to sew two 4oz layers of leather together. What is the maximum thickness this machine is capable of sewing? Also, when I push the pedal, it stitches a lot faster than I want it to. What can I do to fix or combat these problems? Thank you very much, Grady