simontuntelder

I think the minimum order is 100 sets. Either 1 buckle plus 2 or 3 keepers/rings. They don't come in brass, as far as I know.

When you're using the pricking iron, do you punch all the way through or do you just tap it lightly and make the hole using a diamond shaped all? If you punch all the way through, you should either get a different clamp that sits right in front of you, instead of being tilted to one side. Then you can actually see both sides of what you're sewing. You could also modify your clamp, but that's quite abusive and not a good idea when it's an expensive Blanchard. If I were you, I would also consider switching to a slightly thicker thread, 18 thickness/weight and possible 2, 3 or 4 ply. Lastly you can finish off you stitches using a shoemakers hammer (just tap it gently) or use a bone folder. Having an awl in your hand is a bit uncomfortable, but the handle on your awl, could be too long for your hand. You could have it altered, if you know someone who works with wood. It should be fairly easy cutting the tip off and rounding it again. And maybe you could take a picture of your stitches. It may not be as bad as you think they are. Or someone may be able to tell you, what you're doing wrong.

I have my functioning methods as well. I just really curious about other and alternatively better methods, as I'm always striving for perfection. I walked to a couple of stores today, and none of them had it in stock, however there are some more, that I'll check out, once I find the time and I'll try to report back, if I get any good results. In Denmark we have a type of milk called Kærnemælk (if I remember correctly the translation is something like buttermilk) and shoemakers tell their customers to put it on their leather shoes in the winter in order to remove stains caused by salt, as streets are salted in Denmark during the winter. I never do it, but I've heard that it works.

Hi guys, thanks for your replies. I should probably have been a lot clearer about my specific situation. I live in Denmark in Europe, so ordering some of the great cheap presses from Harbor Freight is out of the question. They're too heavy and out of the question. I have the option to buy some rather cheap hydraulic clickers here in Denmark, but I live in a small house in the inner city that I share with some other people (we're all students), so I can't have any machinery - besides a Dremel. So everything has to be made using man power and nothing else, which is why I'm interested in some mallet dies. I would only be using it on leathers up to 3mm / 7oz at most - in most cases a lot thinner.

I quite interested in trying this. I'm definitely hitting up a health food or whole food store in order to find some pure soy milk. But I am a bit worried about the results of the milk expiring. In Denmark soy milk isn't that cheap... What have your results been, since you last posted (old thread, ya' know)?

Couldn't have said it any better.

My operation is quite small due to lack of space and lack of machinery. But my collection of leather accessories is quite developed, so now I've started thinking about getting some mallet dies made. Especially for something like watch straps and smaller key fobs, in order to be able to make them faster and make them more uniform. But I have absolutely no experience with mallet dies, so my question is basically how big a piece would I be able to cut with one? Lastly who are the good or cheap makers? I haven't read much about any makers, besides Texas Custom of course. But I'm sure there are more. Thank you for any input.

I can't help but wonder, how a piece of Danish-made machinery ended up in New Zealand. I think, it would be better if you returned it to it's country of origin. Just let me know, if you need a shipping address :-) The word that was unreadable due to scratches was "Maskinfabrik" - A factory where you make/produce machines.

Contact Scovill/Dot company, in case you're talking about snap buttons.

Just came across this, and couldn't help but wonder, if you ever made more? That is absolutely beautiful!

Hi Wizcrafts, just the answer I was hoping. Well sort of. The problem is, that these modern machines aren't readily available in Denmark, meaning I would have them shipped from either Germany or the UK. Making it super expensive. Therefore I have to keep searching for some old machines. Do you know anything about the 7-25? From what I can understand it was used for making harness. Thanks for your thorough response.

Hi sewing machine experts, I'm looking to buy my first real leather sewing machine. I already have a 29K, but I'm looking for something, that will handle thicker leather, make longer stitches and use a heavier thread. I'll mostly be making leather accessories such as bags, but would like to use as heavy a thread as possible. I'm only a hobbyist at the moment with limited experience with leather sewing machines (I've used different sewing machines for textile quite a bit), so I don't have a fortune to spend and options are scarce here in Denmark. I have however come across two machines, that seem useable, but I would like your opinion, ideas, recommendations on either of the two. First option is a Singer 7-25 and my second option is a Singer 132k6 Basically they both cost the same, so I haven't got a personal preference, so whatever you guys recommend, I'll follow your advice. I'm hoping some good advice here. Thanks.

I know Horween and I love their leathers, but there is a scarce availability and it's so much more expensive here in Europe. Furthermore I would like to find a European source, as it makes sense buying from Europe, as much as possible. Horween sells through an agent in England and one in Germany - the English being the best of the two. Their stockists are not sellers of their leathers. It's more in terms of users or sellers of products, which include Horween leathers. Paraboot is an excellent maker of shoes - very famous. And French Trotters is a fashionable retail store, which sells Alden shoes for instance.

Hahaha :-) From having seen the movie ParisTexas by Wim Wenders, I actually knew that. But it says "Made in France" on the stamp. I've added a picture of the stamp, but just found again in my big archieve of pictures

I saw their stamp on a piece of leather used by an Asian leatherworker less than a year ago. I have a hunch, that they are tanning horsehide and even cordovan. Which is why I'm searching quite intensely for some contact information.

Hi Sylvia, thank you very much for your help. I'll see, if your links give me any new clues. How hard can it be to find this tannery?? :-)

Hi fellow leatherworkers, I'm not sure, if this is the right place to post this, but I'm looking for a tannery in France, called Sueur Paris, but nothing comes up, when using Google. Does anybody know about it? Is it still up and running? How can I get in contact with them? Any help is much appreciated.

Wow, that looks great. I have long been looking for similar hardware. Though this is used on garments and was initially used by firemen in a century or so ago. Here is a more modern example of a similar fitting. http://www.oipolloi.com/Store/OiPolloi-DII-279-147-nigel+cabourn+.html