jcuk

Dwight has rightly shown you the right tool for the job. When i set copper rivets i turn the rivet setter as i hit it seems to work for me. you can pick up a good one from a good hardware store. I use a mini anvil to set on funny enough got it from Tandys works for me. Sometimes after i have a dome i use a light flat head hammer just one tap, gives a nice finished look to. Hope this helps Kind regards jcuk

I use my screw crease to stitch loops hope this has not confused this topic. Have noticed some cheaper metal loop clams can bend out of shape. Kind regards JCUK

Hi Glendon not tried this myself but seems to make sense. http://www.johan-potgieter.com/ll/?tag=strap-cutter Not sure about quality but cheapest i have seen new Plough Gauge http://www.leprevo.co.uk/photos/plough-knife.htm Does this help? JCUK

Hi Jake, can't comment on Al Stohlman brand head knife from Tandy for about 50 to 60 dollars - they have over here on offer not sure if they have same offer there.What I can say is I use a Osborne round knife and would not be without it, just looked at their site for a few dollars more (yes I know theres a film title in there!) you can get one of them I know which way I would go... Others here may have a different view on this. Have heard there quality has waned a bit don't know about that hope not, had my Osborne tools a while. One more thing, the reason I chose Osborne over Dixon - just the way it felt in my hand.That might be something you may want to consider. https://www.osborneleathertools.com/category.php?cid=5 On this link above look at the sheaths and knives... Hope this all helps, JCUK

Sorry one more thing as for quality, a head knife/round knife are a tool you will more or less use it everyday so get the best you can afford even if it means wait a while to save it will be better in the long run. JCUK

I own both a wooden strap cutter and draw gauge much prefer wooden strap cutter you can use it ways both push or pull towards you which ever way you feel more comfortable with and the blade is not as exposed as the draw gauge.Easy to use and cheap great tool. Hope this helps king regards jcuk

Not sure if this will help, in the uk we can get a single head knife slightly cheaper than a double head knife will be much more than a stop gap knife. As for cutting curves get as much scrap leather as you can draw odd shapes and just practice as much as you can hopefully you will get a feel for your knife strop and sharp and please mind fingers. http://www.josephdixon.co.uk/products/Single_Head_Knife.html ( not sure if this available in the U.S.) Hope this helps, JCUK

Thanks people for your thoughts and advice will try to go and see the leather for myself if i can get time. Hope its not to stretchy but will try anyway.

Hello I see Tandy have a special offer on Burgundy Latigo Leather. Does anyone have any experience with this leather? Having never used this type of leather before - its not often used in the UK as far as I know. As it is quite a good offer I am tempted to purchase some, but wondering what it is best used for - I currently make horse saddlery. What is the quality anyone comments greatly received! Thanks JCUK

Hello friends I have managed to purchase a Tippmann Boss machine this side of the pond - 2nd hand. I ordered some parts and thread through an American friend - on a US airbase here in the UK.- which saved me a few pennies! However they are no longer here in the UK and so I am needing to purchase thread, here in the UK. Does anyone know where I can purchase such thread? Any help would be welcomed! Thanks in advance JCUK

Hi folksCan anyone please tell me if a Tippmann Boss would sew rubber rein grips as used in the horse racing industry reason i ask there i a private seller here. Thanks again John.

Thanks WizcraftFor all your help here, yes back from dealers should be very vital to anyone buying such expensive item myself included as i said to Spinner Think i will pass this one by Good to i see maybe able to find a 441/205 clone this side of the pond. Thanks again John Sorry Wizcraft should read back up from dealers Thanks again John

Thanks SpinnerFor your help yes i suspected it was only the head getting table,motor not a problem set up yes a will be but do know a guy who will do this i think.But back up from the company maybe so may pass up on this one.Glad to see i am finally getting to find 441 clones this side of the pond.Just have to find right one.

Thanks Andrew For your help here as you may have gathered i maybe out of depth concerning sewing machines,so please forgive my ignorance thats why i joined Leatherworker.net.To get good advice everyone so far has given me food for thought which all will help in the long run. Kindest regards JC UK

Hello again everyone,I have been searching high and low during the last few days for a 441/205 clone. I have found this : Could you please confirm this is what I think it is and does anyone know about the company or machine. Here is the link >> http://cowboysew.maxtrader.eu/uk/1,2,1,32596,3,0,-1,-1,0,33907,0/Best+saddle+and+harness+sewing+machine.html Any further feedback would be greatly appreciated. Thanks again... JC UK

Thanks everyone, for looking at the link and your input to my problem. There are lots of things to think about. Does anyone know of a 441 or 205 clone this side of the pond ( England) - names and manufactures. I can maybe source here in the UK which would cut shipping costs on such a heavy item. I know highlead maybe a 441 clone, not sure of any other names here have tried searching online but not sure of another names that are 441 and 205 clones over here. Thanks again JC UK

Thanks Wizcraft, for your advice... I did suspect that it would be possibly better to try and sell this machine. I think I had already come to this conclusion myself but needed some good advice... Anne thanks for your imput, I think you are right about it being a good machine, which is why I purchased it several years ago. But have never really got on with the machine, and I also know that it is a highly regarded machine here in the UK as well as around the world with saddlers. The reason I am looking for a newer machine is the fact I am hoping they will be easier to use and control. Could I trouble the pair of you or anyone, to look at the link below and offer their opinion of this machine. The price with shipping is around £150 pounds ( $239) more than the Tippmann Boss with all the attachments and accessories Which I would order with the machine. http://www.ebay.co.u...=item35baab6034 Thanks again, looking forward to your response JC UK

Wizcrafts, Thank you so much for getting back to me so quickly.... My Singer machine is currently in storage, although hoping to get it out soon, have it serviced and I will get the guy to maybe implement the changes you have suggested. Or do you think I would be better trading this old machine in and purchasing something newer?

Help with leather sewing machine decision - Please! Hello everyone! I need some help deciding what to do about a machine. As I already own a Singer 45K which tends to sew too quickly for me. I have read on this forum about SERVO motors - So I looked on Youtube and watched some video and quite like the look ot them. But even though I own the singer machine, I am still very much a novice with regards to threading and setting the tension. Would a Servo Motor work on this old machine? And I am also considering purchasing a Tippmann Boss - which of course I can control the speed it sews and it seems a good machine to learn on - threading and tension. ( although I have read on this forum some people have had issues with this...) I am based in the UK and my leather work consists of: Re-rubbering reins ( horse racing) which takes two hours by hand....But need to speed this up... Stitching and making bridles/ head collars (halters) - currently hand stitiching repair of race exercise saddles etc.... I have also seen various powered machines mentioned on this forum, ie TECHSEW, COBRA, COWBOY, etc... Being in the UK I am not sure about customer service and backup. If anyone has advice for me I would be very greatful - or any other sugestions about machines I have not mentioned.... Many thanks JC in the UK