Sylvia

Ah Thanks, Wiz. I finally found a chinese trade site that gave a little info. The seller calls it a "walking foot machine." But I trust your expertise Wiz. Here is the picture Dirtclod. http://images.craigslist.org/5Fb5Hb5J23I13M43Lac73fa823ca5f55a197a.jpg http://images.craigslist.org/5N45Lf5T43G53M23Jdc73a3661d7464301f84.jpg Oh... and my other option is a Ferdco 440R. Opinions?

Hello Friends I've ran across a GA3-1 walking foot "heavy duty" leather machine with table and motor for a decent price. I've done my best google-foo and for the life of me I can not find a single thing on the machine. I thought I had seen a forum thread on here about this machine but for the life of me I couldn't find it even after several searches. Soooo... Does anyone know anything about this machine or where I might find specs and such? The thing is unusual to me because the pictures show it sittin on the table on the LEFT rather than the typical Right... of course that could be a problem with the type of camera used (mirror image, etc.) Any and all help is appreciated. Thanks! Syl

That's exactly what I was thinking Aaron. A nice random stack with holes bored through might make a nice water feature too.

I'll throw in with and adjustment guide if that helps. http://www.parts.singerco.com/IPinstManuals/42_CLASS.pdf

Very sad news. I don't think I had the pleasure of "meeting" him but I'm sure he will be missed. Condolences to all concerned.

Get the best one you can afford that is the most versatile. I got a Paache VLS (dual action) set with 3 needles and haven't looked back. I found the best price on Ebay here. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Paasche-VLS-SET-Airbrush-Double-Dual-Action-Paint-Hobby-/390436559010?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item5ae7d518a2 You want to be sure you have a decent small compressor with a regulator and a water trap in the line between the compressor and the airbrush. Have fun shopping.

LOL Put a pot on your head and wear trash can lids on your torso front and back. If nothing else they won't mess with you too much.

Another thing I do is I keep the back side toward my dominant hand. (right handed, back side to right side) I don't know if that makes a difference or not, but it may be helpful

Hmmm.... hard to tell from those pictures, but it almost like your "back" side is looser than your front. I use a punch rather than an awl to make my holes... But are you using an overstitch wheel to or marking your stitches prior to using the awl? If not you might try that. Also when I do stitching I perform the same exact movements over and over.... often pulling the first thread out of the way while I put the needle through for the second thread. I do this the same way ever time.... then pull both treads snug.

Here's a source for a printed manual. http://www.campbell-...product_id=1414 Here's another source http://www.proleptic.net/products/index/10?page=3 Not much help right now... but I'm sure it is something you will need eventually.

Cheryl What are the ingredients of the bag balm? Do you have any idea? To the Original poster. I use PURE Neatsfoot oil before and after I dye. I've also used the compound but I found that the compound stuff can sometimes play havoc with the color of the dye. (orangy browns turning yellow-ish) I apply it by hand and work it in and flex the leather toward the flesh side if I want to keep the hair side smooth. Then allow it to "equalize/dry" for several hours before I dye. Patience is a virtue in leather working... many projects have been ruined by hurrying.... so don't.

Dang! I hope you took an extra suit case for all those Japanese leather working tools you SHOULD be bringing back for us. LOL Have a safe trip.

Cheryl: People will almost always buy "Quality" or perceived "Value for the money." BUT...They also have to have the disposable income in order to afford the item. Think about some of the "brand name" purses that were originally made in the USA. They were perceived as Quality purses and people paid a premium price for them. Then all of a sudden "Dooney and Burk" started having their purses made "over there." So the Quality that was once perceived is now more a "perceived value " thing. http://www.horsekeeping.com/Dooney/Dooney-Bourke-char.htm A friend recently said... Sell to the classes.... eat with the masses. Sell to the masses... Eat with the Classes. Meaning sell many, many pieces for a modest profit and you'll be more successful. I can see their point. BTW... they are selling over 100 pieces of their product per month. I don't know if they are eating with the classes yet... but they sure are busy.

Hi I couldn't find a cap pattern... but here a site that explains how to make your own pattern. http://www.coonskincap.com/coonskin.htm

That's interesting, Allen. I wonder what they would do if someone came with a huge flat bed trailer and wiped out their scrap?

May I suggest investing in a 30X jeweler's loop? They are Very helpful for seeing those dastardly Gs which look way too much like Os. OOMPH!! <tea spew> ha ha ha ha! Very cool tool and lucky find. Congrats.

Pssst. Go to the granite counter top place and ask to rifle through their off cuts and stuff they are throwing away. A kitchen sink cut out is ideal.... and I got mine for $10. I also got a bath sink cut out for FREE. You can also get head stones from the stone workers who do that... Those are heavier and may cost a bit more... but typically they can be had fairly cheap if you have a sturdy truck and a couple buddies to help you load and haul them.

Grumble Grumble >bark!< >bark!!< (pick up in Atlanta... dog gone it.)

Plus one on the sharpening jig. Keen edge is the one Tandy sells. The difference I suspect is that your Stohlman blade is tool steel a much harder metal. The good news is once you have the blade where you want it... it will stay sharp with little maintenance.

Springfield is still considered a favored leather supplier. I like http://www.stecksstore.com for tandy products (cheap fast shipping and good prices)

Oh I don't have one of these yet. My knives are Barry King, Al Stohlman and a couple of Craftool Deluxe adjustable ones. I use the Barry King and Al Stohlman the most for cutting and the Deluxe ones from Craftool I have my beveler blade and beader blades in. I'm saving my Cash for a sewing machine so this Tangleboss will have to wait. The difference is that the blade swivels instead of the whole barrel. It allows for tighter turns and more control for hands with issues. Look it up on Youtube... there's a couple videos on how they work.

LOL If they go to walmart... they will be back. I have a few acquaintances who don't want to pay my price.... but plenty of others do. I figure they will come around eventually. There's a saying I learned when I was an Avon lady... "Some will, some won't, some are waiting."

Oooo hadn't seen this one yet. Very nice.

Hi Chavez: There is a UK fellow that did a side by side comparison of different finishes. Here is the video. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zyTg_hfpNUM