daleoffshore

Right now i just work as a hobby.I also have too many hobbies.I want to do several things,leather ,and also after 40 yrs Hand Saws[sharpening]and branch into crosscut saws.As a welder,I also have an interest in repair of Cast Iron;I just want to keep the old arts alive. Be it carving Leather,at the Forge,or filers bench;to be good in fields like these require craftsman in their own right.For now I just hope not to lose money,make things for Relay for Life or other fund raisers [gets your name out there],and reduce stress.Wife notices difference when I'm working on a leather project. So... I'm in the 97% bracket,but I do have a dedicated leather room;all of 6ftx11ft. This has been an interesting topic,worth the time.

I would agree on a cylinder bed w/table attachment.I have a home machine for light material,and a heavy duty cylinder bed,which is very useful. The only machines I watch prices for is a 25-30 in longarm and a post machine.I have room for neither right now,and would have to get rid of numerous toys to fund them. Good luck finding a machine that suits your needs and price range. I would talk with the dealers on here,service is very important when you have problems.

'm going to get someone to help me,[ other than wife ] so my gifts remain a surprise. I have problems with camera,I have a digital,but need to learn to download and file [ also delete ] to post on lw site. I'll get it one day. Other Family members are wowed by my projects,just have to keep eye for detail and always thing of doing better.

It's the holiday season,and many of us will be making things that we may not sell due to cost and time. I wanted to make my wife a pair of riding gloves for xmas,and bought patterns from slc.I started by making me a pair to see how they go togather. I felt confident enough to go for it! Even with following directions [ well, Kinda ] You are goint to have uh oh or worse in your vocabulary. I hade nerve to cut the tobacco deer hide,and use chocklate brown horse front for cuffs. [ It might be the time to mention that using horse leather can bring you under hot toung cold shoulder] I tried to use machine to sew,maybe with a post [or if you're a lot better than I am ] but I decided to hand sew. RECOMENDATION: USE OSBORN NEEDLES [GLOVERS ] OR YOU WILL BE USING BAD WORDS! I'm not sure where slc glovers come from,but I was busting thru and getting ME,Osborn needles are much better and worth every penny. Basting tape is very useful on fingers,tacking w/thread is also helpful where needed. Stitching: As I worked my way,I found that using a glovers needle to sew around [in sections/fingers,don't go too much at a time] I buck stitched first pass,leave thread long enough to return and sew back using a harness needle;opposite sides just like you would use two harness needles. This way you make holes first pass ,and return ,be sure to lock the end before returning. I started using v69 on glove and cuff,changed to heavier dacron for glove and v69 for cuff. Right? Don't know. Looks good,two tone really stands out;and I doubt I will have anyone ask to make a pair paying for my time to hand sew. This will be a pair of gloves that my Wife will love, high quality,stand out,and can't be bought anywhere I've seen. I did photo ,and will post one day[just as soon as I'm smart enough to] Hand Made gloves are a good gift this time of the year,just takes time, [ like 2 weeks worth of breaks to keep hidden from wife] Good thing She does'nt look at this site!! Dale

Good Luck! It's something many of us hope to achieve but the water always looks cold.I hope to find my nich and have wonderful things said about my work.

Being a "newbie",well away from leather work for 40 yrs,I would be hand stitching everything except My Father bought a Luberto's no9; [ new ones are classics ] and I have it now.They're not commonly sold and Tony is gearing up for production again. They're a needle machine,can sew leather and fabric, and heavy.Dad set this one up w/motor and clutch,and I love using it when I want to Get-er-done on a project.Nothing but straight lock stitch but I'm not complaining.

I purchase leather from Matt at Maverick Leather in Pengrove ca. It's about 4-5 hrs drive if I go down south,but brown is 2 days to ship. I've been to Matt's place of buisness,it's like a warehouse,and all He sells is leather. It works well for me,I'm a hobbiest and will take blems,and use /work around defect and incorporate brands into items.He now carries Herman Oak as well,and if I want to pick out leather,I can go south and back in a day. Hope You find your outlet. I buy most of my other supplies from Springfield Leather,and to give them credit...have no complaints,and I'm treated well by employees on the phone.

Did you intend to sew w seam out? [ Cuff is sewn opposite ] I have no answers,but will be finding out the work involved,as I just got patterns For gloves,mittens and Gauntlets. Most are sewn wrong side out then reversed,and I have an older sewing machine w/metal gears for light work ,and an industrial cylinder arm harness stitcher;[ which can go down to size 19 needle]. Please keep me posted how it goes. oops! maybe cuff is correct.

I hav'nt called them [ Philip Machine ] in several weeks.I was supposed to get a couple of samples,but they have two employees in sales.I guess we could get a group effort,and I hav'nt found anyone else in usa.A private caster,or a foreign market ,I hav'nt given up completly.

I was in fishing mode as well,different knot. I was talking of Pacific Halibut eariler today.

Catskin, I stand chastised. I did try another approach.I found a website in Sonora Ca ,Budget Casting Supply.I sent an E-mail inquireng about a backyard/home caster that would be interested in filling this market. Surprisingly enough,there is quite a bit of info on furnaces and Home Casting.

When I started this quest,I knew I had to work at it;but one would think with building the economy we would have something in the usa. I'm still waiting to hear from philip machine,I could make buckles fron brass rod/wire, since I weld for a living. It would take time,and would add to cost,but it could be done.If I really wanted to antique it,make them from Cast Iron Gas Welding rod;not too many use that process anymore. I have a shipmate whose Dad was a pattern maker/foundry worker,maybe I should call him to see how much of His Dad's stuff He has. I'm not sure if I want to start this kind of buisness,but there seems to be a need;bad part is Kali environmental issues that might arise.

I had someone make a comment that there is someone in Idaho making buckles,anyone know where and who? The Amish are supposed to be casting brass as well. Looks like a small owner ran foundry is in order,maybe they would'nt have all the Red Tape a big company does. Safety should be a big concern if someone attempts this.

I called again about aweek ago,still no samples. [ABC3 maybe you would be a large enough order] I'm willing to buy a gross but that will be a large order for me. Guess they have been flooded with calls,now ,if we can get things rolling.

I talked to Joshua today. I had'nt recieved samples that were to be sent. NOW,FOR WHAT I DID'NT KNOW! Drop center buckles like I want are CAST and NO BRASS CASTING IN USA ,due to regulations. If you want a buckle that has to be cast,it's cast from a Zinc alloy,still very strong according to Joshua. He also commented: I don't know what you did but we have been swamped with calls. Guess there is more going on with this topic than meets the eye. I'll look at the cast buckle and the formed [ brass and steel formed from wire ] buckles and go from there.I find that any buckle that will be around a Horse should be a center bar,it will take more for them to work it free. I would like to get buckles in other sizes,but not more than a couple of dozen.If anyone is going to buy a quantity and can let some go;maybe we can work something out.

I'm not going to infringe on saddle makers or retired LEO's making Holsters.You have room to store all the molds etc,and sounds like you have a nice shop. Never thought of thr repairs that way,though most Women wash their horse blankets before giving it to me. I would'nt mind making a few Scabbards though,I do want to be selective though. Take the Haybags for instance,I've made a few proto-types,and each one has improvements.I have no desire to compete with the 19.95 nylon that easily rip [ why I started this quest ] .I have one that I feed my mustang in twice daily;and He finds the weak spots.When I have a final bag that will hold up,I will try to market a few.Cheap? no, but will hold up to all but chewing and severe treatment. The one I've made most is'nt for hanging on the side of your trailer,it's for hanging on a pen or corral for daily use.I made one for my Wife's horse double 18 oz canvas, [ He's the ultimate test expert ] after he ripped the back of a brand new one after My Wife tied it down w/lower D-ring. I've made one w/single strap for horse trailer use,untested though. I may just have to make them now and then for fundraisers "CBCH" and gifts etc;time will tell. A good way to find out is to get a few out there for others to try. Also,I live in Humboldt County,where carbon footprint,organic,recycled are good marketing terms. I need to get someone to show me how to post photos,I finally have a digital camera.

I know not to get in over my head. If it was/is possible,a large layout table would be good.In my area,you don't have much to choose from if you want heavy sewing done;and it could be anything from leather,canvas ie tent repair,or tarps for a trucker. There are only a few choices here.

Right now, I need to work on honeing my skills,and to find a place to rent cheap in my area[humbpldt county] as my leather room is 6 ft x 11 ft. I feel that if I really make an effort that I need an 8x 16 layout table. I will also have to be flexible,as repair work could be about anything. I don't want to have a shop/store,I would rather be a shop of custom and semi custom items and repairs.I hope to find a couple of places to sell from and let them deal w/sales tax in ca. I guess internet is also req in this day and age,and if things go well,I'll have to get buisness wholesale #. I've been a Heavy Equipment Mechanic and welder and want to semi-retire in sept 2013.Burned out on wrenching,but enjoy making things;and the Relay for Life donations should be a good way to get known [ I hope ] . I have too many Hobbies,but they do blend togather.

I'm a newbie on this site.I did leather work when in Scouts at home and got away from it for a long time. When Dad passed away,I had an interest and wound up with Dad's Luberto no9,which I'm getting the hang of,and keep pushing to improve my skills. I'm now working with canvas and leather[no tooling yet]trying to find a nich to fill a small market .For thos ewho have horses,I've designed a haybag using 18oz canvas,I've learned that all will be trimmed in leather at opening;[My Mustang and My Wife's horse are my quality control specialists] and I'll be putting a copper rivit in top corners. I'm working on a few other things,and learning from mistakes and use discount leather,but like to make a few things higher end ie hand laced w/tooling to follow. Since I know many people [incliding a few relatives] who have had cancer in one form or another,I made three Pink Leather Satchels[ briefcase size w/sholder straps] for Relay for Life Fund raisers,and want to push it up a notch next year with a few tooled items. I intend to have a few stamps made just for Relay/cancer, As some of you may have seen,I try to buy USA materials.Canvas comes from India and not much choice,but I try to stay away from China made unless I NEED it. For the last two yrs Wife and I have been USA first and china last,and fill in w/other countries products as needed. [For those wanting canvas,Textiles for you is about the cheapest;but 100 yd rolls]

I use snaps on 4-5 oz leather[ well maybe 6],and bought stainless for boat cabins[soft fabric type] as I'm tired of cheap snaps pulling apart. I got 3/16 in,and I'm aware of longer.Also if you order online you can get: Light,normal, heavy,and extra heavy sockets. for different level of hold. Even the Durable Dot Snaps are far and above the cheap[well made cheap] ones you buy in the 4pkg. Thanks for letting me know about tools.

I just started using some of My Snaps from Perfect Fit aka Dot nickle plated brass. I learned something: I will be buying better tools.I have the pliers type from JoAnn Fabric and to crimp dots I have to use my big channel locks to assist. Question: Has anyone used the visegrip type? and how well do you like it? Do I need to buy the 100.00+ tool . I hav'nt even tried the stainless steel yet.

Joshua told me there are a lot of buckles not listed on web site,You have to e-mail,and probably call. They make thousands of 1 in and 1 1/4 harness buckles . If You're computer savy you can send photo of what you want. I also found a place to buy usa DOT Snaps 100 pkg or 1,000. I'm using Perfect Fit in Portland Or.

I talked to Joshua ,at Philip Machine today. He quoted me a price of 1.14 per buckle for 1 in centerbar drop center, roller,quantity 1gross. He's sending me a couple of samples so we are on same page. It looks as if prices will be reasonable if you stay with a popular item . This thread kind of died,hope this helps anyone still interested.

I sent John and Joshua an e-mail to follow up what I started. My Wife says that paying for US Labor over import is ok,and if the price is within 1.00 of import it won't affect purchase;and It can be marketed as All USA hardware.