jcuk

Hi i use 5/18 Linen thread for stirrup Leathers using Pricking Irons 6 stitches to the inch. From the images it may not be clear but, the stitch marking is done on the flesh side of the leather rather than the grain side. Hope this helps JCUK

I also only hand stitch stirrup leathers imo safer and stronger stitch. Hope this helps jack

Hi yes i use Abbey too for my stirrup butts they are nice but there are alternatives, although one maybe more expensive - had a price list for them from about a year ago not sure where it is or if it is up to date, email them for a quote, never used leather from but never heard a bad word about them other than its not cheap J&JK Baker. The other is Metropolitan leather, which i use a lot, near enough for me to drive and select the leather i want - they do two weights of bridle butt the heavy one is 5mm which possibly could be used for stirrup leathers, again email them and asked their opinion on this. I do know on one old review on the 5mm, the saddler had said it was ideal for stirrup leathers this maybe a cheaper option. I have used both weights in various colours and have been happy with it makes lovely bridles. As for laminated stirrup leathers, yes have used them when working in horse racing, the quality varies - some have been ok but they can become very scruffy if not maintained and looked after the stitching on the laminate can wear and look very unsightly, not to mention safety - although the better quality ones do seem ok. http://www.jfjbaker.co.uk/equestrian-leather/stirrup-butt/ https://www.metropolitanleather.com/Buy-Leather/Buy-Vegetable-Tanned-Leather/Coloured/Coloured-Old-English-Bridle-Butt Hope this helps JCUK

You could always let sit there for a while no real harm should come it, and you could purchase some lighter weight leather or get some scrap leather to practise on and build up your skill level and then use it to make some of horse tack you want to get onto making. Hope this helps JCUK

If it was me the long term health implications to my families and myself would take preference over every thing else this kind of thing may come back and haunt you and your family in later life. I know you have have said you have tried other adhesives i would for sure would for look something a lot less toxic and work out a way to a make it work. To be honest i don't glue much of my work and if i do always open my workshop door and leave it to set and then go back to work, most of my work in lightly tacked together prior to stitching. Hope this helps JCUK

I had a good look at this one but after someone gave me the heads up on here i steered clear cheers Matt.I did contact the seller recently to see if they would budge on the price no deal even said to them i would have to get a compressor to run it, no chance. Anyway since then i think i am into a deal to get the machine that's suits me a lot better. Hope this helps JCUK

Did you go to there showroom. I also have a Singer 45k but its in storage i am looking to upgrade soon got my eye on something a bit special just have a few things to sort out. By the way nice work. JCUK

Hi here is a link to there website, i have been to there shop they also have The Cowboy Outlaw their although not listed on their site did not have a test on one should have because i own Tippmann Boss. https://www.franklinco.co.uk Hope this helps JCUK

Interesting Round knife on eBay - for decoration only! eBay JCUK

No worries as i said just remember only use it for a cutting board only it will scratch your work once worn. Hope this helps JCUK

No not at all, its what we used when training with a master saddler - there no real drag all, i don't sharpen my knives much just a good strop before and after work. Like you i also own a knipschield knife Texas Rosebud had it 2.5 years never seen a stone, also own a Osborne round knife not the greatest but once i got it sharp strop and go may have to sharpen every now again also have a unbranded single head knife which i got when i finished my first course 25 years ago same with that one to cost £13 quid great little knife. Hope this helps JCUK

You might want to check returns policy who pays that. Hope this helps JCUK

I use MDF works great, just remember its a cutting board - once you have used it, will get cut up so don't do any other work on it because it will scratch your work- its cheap too, got mine from a DIY shop just off cuts they gave them for free. Hope this helps JCUK

Hi Is this decision coming from the top ie the executives of F***book? ( We all know what that four letter word sometimes could mean - hope we are all adults reading this). The ones that drive round in high end German cars with with lovely leather trim?!!! All the best JCUK

Found this on Ebay, never seen this splitter model before, does anyone know the maker? I don't need another splitter, and looks like it needs some work, maybe a good restoration project for someone - just not me. Click here to see the item All the best JCUK

I brought an 86 splitter about 25 years ago it served me well, every time i used it. It still has the original blade in it, but the lack of being able to do lap skive with it was the only thing it lacked. So last year i saw an 84 splitter on EBAY it was a good price, so dived in and brought it. I can get it to do what i want it to do, but it can be pain at times and the quality is no where near the quality of the old 86 splitter. I was going to sell the 86 glad i didn't, if had room on my bench they would both be there and i know which would get the most work. Hope this helps JCUK

Why don't you take it apart and have better at and see if its worth doing plus as you are taking it apart there may be some techniques in the construction of the saddle you may not have seen that maybe useful to you at a later date that's what i do a lot. Hope this helps JCUK

I totally agree with this, sadly a lot of the techniques a being lost as time goes by. This is not just the case with tailors, its also other crafts and trades.There may come a day when a lot of these skills will get lost in the mists of time. Modern techniques have a place if they improve and understand upon what's gone before. Too many people in todays world cut corners and costs which equals less quality and job satisfaction. JCUK Also agree with this, especially the part about masters being good at their trade, but that doesn't mean they are good teachers/ communicators. This is a separate skill - teaching and coaching. How many tops sportsmen have become top coaches in their field? Of course there is the odd exception but this is not the norm. JCUK

Hi Only piece of advice i can give you, is grow yourself another hand and give yourself a big pat on the back ! GREAT FIRST PROJECT Hope this helps JCUK

You could do lot worst for £15 quid, plus postage still cheap not sure what that would be, bet there are a lot of head/round knives for a bit more money not good as this. Some call this a single head knife including me others call it a head knife. https://www.abbeyengland.com/barnsley-single-head-knife-552.html Hope this helps JCUK

Good to hear was tempted but was not sure if i had a good enough reason and space for another machine. JCUK

Maybe a little to much not so fine Cog-Nac JCUK

Hope you are going to keep some tools just to stop you stop getting itchy fingers, also continue with your feed back here. All the best JCUK Here in the uk the sad thing is, unless there is an app for it, it seems most kids are not interested in training or working at things.