Leather Guru

Hello Don, When you bought your laser did it come with the software on a disc , which you then downloaded into your computer and is there storage capacity in the machine itself ? I suppose that one would have then to learn how to use the drawing program ? Would you recommend such a machine for the faint hearted ? Sounds like you are somewhat of a computer geek in addition to being a leather worker . Can you please describe in a little more detail your procedure the modus operendi ? Thanks

Hi Bobby, That point off to the side is called in French , " pointe à cheval " and translates to stitch on horseback . It is often used in bridle making and things horsey . Try sewing a buckle with a strap using that stitch and you'll see why it adds to the strengh (and of course it's pretty ). And bravo for a noobie to have noticed ! I'll tell you I got plenty machines and even though I'm 64, and lazy, I'll always finish by hand and do lots of small things also by hand . Never burn your threads or use super glue this is only for people who ain't seen the difference . Try to find ingenious was to hide the thread ends . I did and so can you . Write me any time and I'll try to find some more pics for you .

Hello Bruce, I've got at least 15 different edge shaves and plenty of dixon's I had to sharpen every one . I've seen some edge shaves on the Osborne web site and I wrote to them but received no answer . Do they still make those types that have holes (bisonett ) and who stocks these tools for sale ?

Hello Boys, I've been sewing for 30 years on all types of machines and I must agree with LES NO6 . If you want your project to be top quality and beautiful & strong , bite the bullet and back sew by hand . After sewing try to hide the threads to the inside of the project or between the seams . Or , try back stitching manually (not using reverse ) and look to where you place the needle in the previously stitched holes . This only takes slightly more time and you will never mess up your project . So you ask why have reverse ? The photo is of some work sewn by machine and finished by hand . When you get used to this finishing it goes quick and you won't have to be ashamed by doing shoddy work or undoing your stitching .

Do you have more photos of the roller guide on your machine? I like the style that swings down a whole lot more than the ones that bolt on next to the needle plate, but I've never seen one on a 441 before. Cheers. Hello Man, Sorry for the delay in sending the pics but my PC was funky after I tried to install software for a printer and I'm just now back up . When I ordered the machine I asked the guy to make sure it had a swing up guide and alas it was so delivered . I'll be doing a blog soon with Luke Hattley about what I think are some definet musts for a sewing guide. Good luck in finding one . By the way I also ordered 3 extra sets of what you guys call blanket feet and made my own left and right and double. I also ground off the teeth on the big one . Now two years later I see them feet can be ordered but I don't like a small foot with a hole in it , can't see where the needle is going to hit

Good morning, I bought a techsew 5100 some years ago and it's supposed to be a copy of a 441. The 205 is similar in function as the 441 . You know triple entrainment . But the main difference is the lenght of the arm. You could drive a truck through the opening. Anyway all those machines are made in china these days. I changed the type of needle on mine (put in a shorter one cause the shorter the needle the less flexible and better regularity in the stitch lenght when using finer needles)

Hello man , Welcome aboard ! Do you have your own laser ? I've done some work with lasers and water jet cutters but I still like a good sharp knive for cutting . I don't like the burned edges but it's fun. Also , hello to brother Luke. I'll be writing to you soon.

Hello boys, I'm sorry that Blanchard is not making the same quality as before. I bought mine 35 years ago and I saw in their shop in Paris a collection of tools they made for the Paris exhibition circa 1900 . They were to die for. But , I see that osborne are not really the same stuff as before either. It's amazing that so many people are into leatherwork in the states. Nobody wants to touch it here. By the way Bruce , I saw on your website some really beautiful draw knives .If you could send me your bank details I can send the money by transfer . If your ok with that I'll pick one out from your site. Do you have a model with the hand hold offset ?

Try in England www. abbeysaddlery.uk . They also sell dixon tools. You can also find brass belt buckles of all sizes and good for you the sizes are in inches

I believe he is using latex adhesive which looks white when wet and dries almost colorless . Also if you want to stitch a bag , try cutting some styrofoam to the right size and put it inside the bag. You will then use your knees as a stitching pony

Nice job on your work. The idea of making your knives with high speed steel is a good one. I've been using those saw blades for many years and they are the best ! Try making those plastic boning tools from bone,feels much better in the hand. Keep up the good work !

https://picasaweb.go...169773478/Tools Sorry about this I can't figure out how to post photos on this site This is only a small part of my collection. Have a nice day

Hello man, Just look on that website www.vergez-blanchard.fr . That compass is called a" compass rainette" in French

Hello brother, Try looking at the website www.vergez-blanchard.fr . They got tons of beautiful hand tools and all hand made.

Hello you guys, I'm gonna jump into this discussion and hope I'll give you some good info. I have 8 sewing machines and they are Pfaffs and Adlers and they were used when I bought them. Some were in good order and some were abused. I had to adjust almost all of those babies. The adjustments are in a way complex but completely within anybody's capacity if you posses the minimum of mechanical skills The important things are: the maximum depth of the needle travel and the moment that the hook passes to take the thread. The hook should arrive at the needle as the needle begins to go up between 2-3mm depending on the machine.The hole in the needle should be below the point of the hook about 4 mm . You will see on the needle a sculpted area and the point of the hook should pass in the middle of that area as the needle has started it's upward movement. If you have an electronic motor the stopping point when the needle is in the down position is also very important . Make sure that the hook has taken the needle thread, if it doesn't you can experience missed stitches especially when turning corners. I recently bought a Chinese clone and the motor is controlled by computer. I had a hell of a time adjusting the needle up and needle down position as the instruction manual was impossible to understand. And, the machine itself was not the same quality as an Adler. I don't know if you can order different styles of feet but there are left handed, right handed and double plus other kinds and you will need these to do a variety of work. The tension screw on the bobbin case has much more influence than the screw on the machine head. You will almost have to change the tension on all the the different kinds of leather and thicknesses. Try out a piece of leather before you tackle the work

Hello brother, The best thread ( nylon ) for sewxing by hand would be braided and you can also get it prewaxed or not in which case you can use some bees wax and wax it yourself Look on the web for www.serafil.de

Hello Galileo, It's a small world and you will be surprised to here that I've made plenty of watch straps when I was working for the society S-EN-CIEL . I now have my own society , Ralph Baggaley Leather Creations, and my atelier is in Rhode St. Genese. Not too far down the road from you. If you feel like coming to visit just give me a call. I used to live in Ghent and know it well. Ralph Baggaley Leather Creations SPRL GSM; +32 (0) 475 98 95 99 Mail; ralphbaggaley@gmail.com Website; https://sites.google.com/site/ralphbaggaleyleathercreations1/ Chausée de Hal, 153/101 B1640 Rhode-Saint-Genèse

Hello you guys, Where did you get all those plow knives Bruce ? I only have 3 and I'm jealous. Anyway, it's my girl friend who takes pictures and she's at home at the moment but as soon as she is here I'll do the photos.Lots of those old tools have ebony handles ! Vergez-blanchard are still making these tools in the same way as before. I am going to see their atelier in August and I'll do a reportage for you guys. Later, Ralph

Hello Knut, you're right man, they are Dixon tools and you can still buy them in England http://www.abbeysaddlery.co.uk/ See you, Ralph.

Hello Dear people, My name is Ralph Baggaley, I'm an american and I work in Belgium since 1972. I have a large collection of leather tools that I bought over the years in markets and in Paris. The tools I collect are made by www.vergez-blanchard.fr Some of my tools are at least 100 years old. If you would like to see them send mails and I'll take photos and post them. Let me know, Leather Guru.