Doug C

Kathy, I am interested in finding some unwaxed linen thread, so I called Beiler's in PA and was told the smallest spool they had now was a 2 lb. for $48. I am wondering if there is another supplier I could purchase a smaller amount from. Thanks, Doug

Ed, I cut the gusset material plenty long. Next I gouge the fold lines (5 fold gouges on a gusset with one divider). Case the gusset and set the fold lines with a round faced hammer and bone folder. I then temporarily fit the gusset with binder clips and mark for length, allowing 3/8 extra on each end for a folded edge. If everything is square and you clip everything in tight you should have no problem. Doug

two more pictures of the inside and the handle. I did gouge the gusset lines 3/8" in from the side and then in the center for the partition. Doug

Ed, I really like your bags also! How do you hold the gusset in place for sewing? Doug

Thanks, for the complements from everyone. I've been gone most of the day, so I have not had time to take any more pictures of the insides and handle but I will try to do that this weekend. The gussset is 2/3 oz vegtan, which I also used to line the inside with. I have one divider in the center that goes down to an inch and a half from the bottom. I'm not sure I'll do it that way on the next one. The gusset is not lined. I just drew up some plans on butcher paper. I'm sure most of you could too. The bag is 16" wide, 12" high, 7" flap, allow 3" for top. The gusset is 4" wide, but the cutting width is 5 1/2" to allow for 3/8" to sew on each side and 3/4" in the center to fold around the center divider. The carving patern I also drew up myself. I'm kind of new to drawing my own carving patterns. I learn something every time and see where I can make improvements. like they say, practice, practice, practice. Doug

Tom, The Handle is made from a pattern in the Stohlman cases book. I think it is handle no.10. Scouter, I used the traditional Sheridan finish, which is: Neatlack, wait 24 hrs, followed by antique paste stain (I used Sheridan Brown on this one) and then a light coat of Tan Coat. I didn't keep track of my time on this. I did the carving and tooling all on one Saturday and then a number of evenings during the week when I could find a little time. I would guess about 16-18 hrs. Doug

This is a project I finished this evening. Time for bed. Doug

where do I find Master's? Thanks, Doug

The artist, Loren Entz, grew up about 10 miles from my house, East of Newton, Kansas. I went to school with his younger brother, John. If I remember right, he also did a painting of saddlemaker, Chas Weldon. He and his brother both cowboyed in Wyoming and Montana. Doug

Thanks to everyone for your help. I think I'll go ahead and grind off that "bump". Doug

Ed, That looks like my setup except you have a right hand presser foot on your machine in that picture. I may need to call Artisan tomorrow and ask about the walking center foot. My machine has the "bump" I was talking about on the bottom of the walking foot, I assume to push the stich down tighter. I am not in my shop now, but if I get a chance tomorrow I will try to take a picture of what I am talking about. Doug

Ed, I am using the standard needle plate with the left presser foot. Is the center presser foot called the feed presser foot? It has a small "bump" to the rear of the hole the needle goes through. If I try to make a 90 degree turn this bump will mark the leather or if I try to make to short a radius turn, say 1 inch radius it will lay a mark to the outside of my stiching groove. Doug

I am relatively new to using a sewing machine. I have an Artisan 4000R which works great and will sew most things I need to sew, however, I have a problem when sewing around a tight radius curve with the center presser foot groove maring (sp) the leather and sometimes pushing me out of the stitching groove. Does anyone else have this problem? I'm sure the answer is simple and maybe my inexperience is the only problem. Thanks in advance. Doug

clint fay Try this web site. Doug

K-Man, who made your knife. looks good, I probably would need a little shorter handle. Doug

Who's round knife do you use? I am looking for a good round knife. I have a very good round knife from Ernie Grosspich (SP) but he is no longer making them according to his web site. Does anyone have a knife from Dozier? I see them advertised in the LCSJ. Any favorites out there? Doug

Some 4-H projects. If this works. 1st Year project 2nd Year project 3rd Year project 4th Year project Doug

First meeting try to determine what each kids interest level is. The first year is the hardest. Next year you will already know skill levels of eveyone except new students coming in. I also use students who have been in the leathercraft project to help me with the new students. I have a list of tools that they need to puchase for themselves if they want to continue in the project. The basic seven, mallet, divider, square. I will purchase them for the students if they want me to and then am reimbursed. The first meeting is a chance for them to learn very basic information, like casing leather and making good impressions with the tools. Next meeting I like to make a small project such a s a key ring or even a belt. Something we can do in several hours and they can take home. Then we try to come up with a project that is do-able at their skill level we can work one-on-one that can be exhibited at the county fair. I will try to post some pictures of individual projects done by my 4-Her's in the next day or two. Doug

i've been the Leathercraft leader for our local 4-H club for several years. I usaually have 4 to 8 kids. Sometime its hard to do group things because of the wide range of age and experience. I usually try to do one or two group things a year and then work individually with them on projects. Doug

Bruce, Thanks for the help and information. I found Melanie Machine's Web site and called them. They don't currently have any used Fortuna's however they do have the new imports that they can put the steel roller and roller presser foot on for a price. Artisan doesn't carry the steel roller as a option. How often do you need to put the stone roller in to sharpen the knife blades? Doug

Bruce, I am thinking about getting the Artisan NP 4 Bell knife skiver. I do mostly breifcases, notebooks, chaps and chinks. I have never been around these skiveres. How hard is it to learn to operate. Is the set up complicated or slow? Is it hard to find a steel feedwheel for the Artisan? Thanks, Doug

I also would be interested in picking up some of those William Henry type belt clips. Would it be possible to name a supplier. Thanks, Doug

Hello Ashley, I'm located near Whitewater, 40 mi NE of Wichita. Where in Missouri are you lacated? Doug

Ashley, I admire your work. I have a question about the order of construction of your dayplanner. Do you put the finishes on after sewing? Where do you purchase the conchos? Thanks, Doug

Thanks for the suggestions and help. I've been using the template material you can purchase at Wal-Mart in the sewing and quilting section. It is hard to cut very acurately so I thought this x-ray film might do the trick. Doug