kayw

I just have to add a couple more things to this topic. Rocky Minster, who I made mention of does in fact have his saddlery in operation up in Prescott, Arizona. His shop is located at 21235 El Rocko Ln. Paulden, Az 86334. I also wanted to mention another of the saddle makers/stampers a father and son combination who were both very good: Louis Ringlero and his son Mervin Ringlero. I noticed that there is one of Mervin's nice saddles for sale in Tucson on Craigslist. Many of the best saddle makers got their start at Porters in Phoenix, including Don King who put the Sheridan Style on the map. KayW

Here is one of my favorite machines for sanding edges on holsters, etc., as well as touching up and improving on some stamping tools. A one by 30 inch belt sander from Harbor Freight. Small, portable and very useful. Also cheap!

My experience using tancote and antique is that the first thing I put on the finished work is a light neatsfoot oil then rub on the antique and then finish with tancote. If the tancote goes on before the antique it will block the antique from penetrating well into your impressions. I would take Lexol or some other leather cleaner and wipe off what you have and start over. I really like your design and work otherwise.

Here are a couple of ideas: Check your local Tucson Tandy store and find out from them about some of their local customers who are doing leather work. Also, check Craig's list for people selling their leather products. I noticed that there is a guy there selling his leather sewing machine and his other leather shop tools who might be a good source. Check for local saddle makers also. I am in the Phoenix area but I notice that there are some others from here on the Leatherworker.net. I am sure there are some in your local area who would be glad to help out.

One of the best things I have used in making holsters or knife sheaths are old or new manila file folders. These are thick enough to make great patterns and where they are unfolded you have a center line to work from. If you take your handgun or knife and lay it down relative to the center line it makes it easy to trace a good design. then, you only have to cut it out on one side of the center line, then fold over the part you have cut out then trace the outline of your pattern on the other side. Also, it is easy to make the pattern right or left handed by just flipping it over on either side when you place it on your leather and drawing the outline. I have a large collection of these patterns over the years of all kinds of revolvers and autos that I have made, and when someone asks me to make a holster I often already have the pattern.

I have seen many Mexican made embroidered belts, gun belts, and holsters and they look very nice. What machines do they use to do this kind of work? Mexican embroidered belt & buckle.pdf Charro leather embroidery.pdf El Charro silver embroidered belt.pdf

As a teenager I was enthralled with cowboys as several of my uncles were cowboys and I recall going into the Porter Saddlery in Phoenix where I bought a bareback rigging and a hemp bullrope thinking I wanted to be involved in rodeos. My rodeo life was short, but I have never forgotten the smells and sights of a real saddlery. I later came to appreciate those men who did leather stamping for Porters. One of my favorite stampers, Ray Pohja (pronounced poyah) was featured in one of Al Stohlman's books: the Lucky Eight Belt Book. One of the other young stampers just starting out at that time was Rocky Minster who is currently residing in Prescott, Arizona and still making beautiful saddles and other leather gear. In 1995 I acquired a book by Dan & Sebie Hutchins entitled: Old Cowboy Saddles & Spurs; 5th annual in which they wrote this about Newton Porter: "Newton Porter was born in Independence, Missouri. The Civil War left him an orphan. A kind Aunt took him to live with her in St. Louis, Missouri. While still in his teens he served his apprenticeship with a St. Louis saddler. In 1875 Porter opened his first shop in Taylor, Texas. In 1881 a fire wiped out his prosperous business. He then moved to Abilene, Texas and stayed for 7 or 8 years. After a brief stay in Everett, Washington, he settled in Phoenix, Arizona and established the N. Porter Saddle & Harness Co. in 1895. The Porter guarantee became famous. After Newton Porter died in 1906, Earl the oldest son took over managing the business with the same traditions his father had instituted. After Earl died in 1925, his youngest brother Fred took over the management. This company is family run and still in business today (1995). Swastikas were extensively used by Porter's until 1933. The swastika symbol or design was used by the Navajo Indians before the cowboy took a liking to it. The Navajo name for it is "nohokos". Porter's were also known to have used a steer head trademark." There is so much leather working history associated with the Porter's Saddlery that I would like to see more written about them and those who worked for them. Perhaps a great grandson could add more.

Thanks to mikesc and Constabulary for the info! KayW

Does anyone have a pdf copy of a service manual for a Juki 441? KayW

The lighter one you use may be the noisiest as if you are stamping on 10-11 oz leather you will need to hit the stamp harder. For me, I use the one most suitable for the weight of leather I am using. KayW

The spring I was referring to is the one that opens the bobbin out from its housing when you depress the lever. I have to admit that I don't know all the parts terminology as I would like. That is also one of the reasons I need to find a tech manual that lists them. Hey, thanks for your suggestions. By the time I get more into my machines I am sure I will know much more. Right now I am much like the Stohlmans as I do most of my stitching by hand. I am getting more interested in sewing with my machines now as I get older (76) and my joints, etc. get more painful when I sew or stamp on leather. KayW

I would sure love to find a copy of a tech manual with a schematic of this machine. I happen to own it and the bobbin housing needs a new spring. Thanks for the info and the website. KayW

This seems like some of the old Singers I have seen, and it is foreign either Japanese or ? The bobbin is the same size as my Luberto #9. KayW

Thanks mucho! I will give this a try and let you know how it comes out KayW

I bought the braided horsehair several years ago so I won't be trying to re-braid it. I appreciate your suggestions on shampooing it but I also was thinking of perhaps using a steam kettle to soften it and then as you suggest maybe tie a weight on the end of each piece and let it hang until it dries. Thanks much for your suggestions. KayW

I have a large amount of braided horsehair that has been stored for some time and am trying to use lengths of approx 3 1/2 ft. for making bolo ties. Does anyone have a suggestion as to how to relax the hair so that it hangs straight without curling? KayW

thanks to you guys for these good ideas. I'll let you know how I come out! KayW

Thanks to you both Mark and Tom. Yes, I do live in Mesa, Arizona . I posted back in 2012 about knurling but then I got distracted by some of my other hobbies and I am spending more time in my leatherwork now thanks to grand kids and others. I have also been getting my sewing machines back up and running again. Have a Luberto #9 harness stitcher and a Juki clone. I have gotten almost as much fun out of making stamping tools as in my leather work. One of my fun activities is to find old machetes from South America or elsewhere and make scabbards for them. I usually give them away to friends. KayW

I am looking for a knurling tool to use on my stamping tools that I have inherited or made from stainless steel bolts and nails.

Hey, thanks mucho for your response! Nothing seems to me to bring out the beauty of a piece of leather like a "little" pure neatsfoot oil finished with a good lacquer. I have enjoyed your posts as I have begun to get acquainted with this great website. KayW

I've been searching around this website and I think I've found my own answer. Wyosheen and Clearlac are apparently the current names for the lacquer I'm looking for. KayW

Hey Jon, where do you get your neat lac? I can't seem to find it here in the Phoenix area. None of the Tandy stores handle it anymore as due to some Fed regulation. Also, I wonder if there is some substitute that works as well. I don't care for the acrylic stuff, but sure would like to find some lacquer that works well on leather. KayW

Hi Clay, say - how did you do the knurling on your tools above? It looks very professional. KayW

Thanks you guys, you've given me some good ideas. I'll post the results after I get the belt made. Thanks again! KayW