Ken Nelson

This splitter is still for sale and I have a landis model D coming in really soon. It is similiar to an American splitter. It will be rebuilt and offered for sale. PM me if interested. Thanks. Ken

Several sets of Stohlman flat plate rigging hardware, several more sets of rear flat plate hardware. Email me for prices and be warned, they are for sale, not give-away. Thanks Ken

Might I suggest Ebay, Craigs List and yard sales. Tools cost money but about any hobby does and if you are looking to start a business, you are looking at a sizable outlay.

I have never gone to Weavers auction. I watch the market, and have a leather supplier that also is a machine dealer, dealing in many used machines both saddle shop and boot shop. If you have a supplier of high quality bench machines at a price you are happy with, good for you. However, why would I sell a high end machine for less than the going price? I had a Champion crank skiver walk into my shop 2 weeks ago and got told it was a real deal. Cost $90.00. A new blade later,getting the top and bottom rollers redone at local machine shop. Main shaft repaired and he could have bought a rebuilt one for $300.00 and been even with the board OR AHEAD. Kinda like buying oats. If my price offended you, find one at a price you like, or better yet buy a 925 osborne skiver and box of blades and enjoy all the time you are skiving leather to the thickness making sure no one makes any money selling crank skivers. Be patient, you may find someone down on their luck and sell you one cheap or take pity on you and give you one.

I pay piece work when I do have help. I work out a percentage of the labor on repairs. I let them work on projects of their own when they have the time. It helps me out when I am swamped and gives these college boys a place to hang out and make a little beer money. Besides I enjoy having them around. Ken

I will take 2 more, completely rebuilt with a brand new blade professionally sharpened at your under $700 price. In fact, one of my wholesale suppliers will take all you have at that kind of price. Thank you for this offer. Ken

I have a customer looking for a manual for a Sutton-Landis SL71 Patcher. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks Ken

The price on this splitter is $1200.00 + shipping. It is as close to a new one as I think you can get. It needs nothing. The blade on it is razor sharp and it comes with a new one as well. There is a Pilgrim on a post in used that is priced at $1000.00 + shipping. Thank you. Ken

I had a 267-373 about 10 years ago for 4 or 5 years, bought it used, it had some issues but was a really good machine when I finally found a mechanic that got it right. It would sew an honest 7/16" of chap leather and 3/8inch of veg tan all day long. It worked good with 207 on top and 138 on the bottom. I really liked the machine but I had a lady working for me building chaps that kept complaining about it and I traded it for a different machine she wanted but the adler was better. Great machine, but feet, parts etc are very expensive. Hope this helps. ken

My Take, I lost my occupation as a rancher from an accident in 1994. When I started building saddles, NO ONE from the government gave me a dime. Some friends of mine and some people that knew me did help me a lot with learning, finding me bargains on tools etc. and mostly lots of encouragement. These freeloaders don't have to have any ability, talent or dedication to get started, in fact most of them have no abilities at all but they are instant experts as soon as they get their grant. They never sold the best saddle horse they ever rode to buy a sewing machine and a hand full of tools to get started. Never sold their grandfathers shotgun to buy leather for the first few projects. Never built saddles for $50.00 over cost just for the experience. They have never windmilled all day and I mean 12-14 hour days and then worked in the leather shop for another 6 or 7 hours. I am thankful I have had the determination and grit to do it on my own. I am thankful I have what I have and that I don't have to thank any politicians for what I have. There are a lot of people on here that I look up to, admire more than words can express and there are OTHERS.

This post is so well stated, I wish I had written it. You, sir have said it better than anyone I have ever heard respond to this situation, PERIOD. Thank you very much. Ken

I would suggest you read the pinned posts by wizcrafts at the top of this page. How "tight" is your budget? Unless you get lucky, one sewing machine that will do all the things you desire it to do is going to cost some real money. Unless you are experienced, I would suggest you purchase from a dealer like those at the top of the page, or a local person that can work on the machine. I have had several locals here buy a "bargain" off of Craigs List or Ebay, then bring it in wanting me to work on it for free because it won't sew or cannot do what they need it to. They have ussually ended up spending more on getting it fixed than they could have bought a good used machine from a dealer for. New is good and super good for the first time buyer. Being set up for leather sewing is the key. Hope this helps. Ken

Walking foot, compound feed, currently 3 of them as I swap on sewing machines as a hobby. I would look for one that will sew a minimum of 3/8", have reverse although you can live without it. Servo motor is nice and a speed reducer behind it is extra-nice. Wiz seems to really like the servo with the built in speed reducer but I have never used one so I cannot in good faith comment on it. I have a like new 31-20 Singer that is a bottom feed with roller foot that is super good on light weight stuff. Also, if I only had one sewing machine, I would like it to go 207 on top and 138 on bottom. I don't know much about the lighter weight cylinder arms as I have never used one. In an ideal world, you would be able to try different machines before you purchase. If there had been Leatherworker when I started, I would not have made several expensive mistakes buying sewing machines I did make. Hope this helps. Ken

I am looking for a supplier of Coats Dabond Peasant Beige Thread. I used to get it from Ferdco but have not been able to find a supplier for small orders since they closed. Need 346 and 277 right away. Thanks Ken

most saddle shops I have ever been in have at least 2 sewing machines. A heavy stitcher and a flat bed walking foot sewing machine. I have a Luberto's Classic that will sew 2 layers of 3 oz and will do an honest inch of skirting also. It just takes a lot of time when going between the two to get it adjusted just right. That is why I bought my first "chap" machine and would not be without a heavy sitcher and a chap machine both. My 2 cents worth. Ken

The owner of this machine has found an Adler long arm patcher stand complete this machine can be mounted on. With Adler stand, it will run $800.00. Thanks Ken

If I may, without offending anyone, what would it cost to purchase a servo that will do what so many are wanting one to do? In other words, have the range of speed control that seems to be a problem? If I remember correctly, when I started, the price of a closed needle machine capable of sewing 3/4" was give or take around $4500 + shipping, with a clutch motor, speed reducer and no attachments. If you had problems controlling your sewing machine in those days, you were basically told there was a learning curve and in time you would master it with a lot of practice. At that time, gasoline was $1.00 a gallon. A side of Hermann Oak skirting was $110.00. This afternoon gasoline in our town is $3.49. Monday I got in some Hermann Oak skirting and it cost me $175.00 a side. I wonder how many people have bought sewing machines the last 3 or 4 years because they are so much less expensive than they were 12-15 years ago. I think if you would figure in inflation on every thing I buy for my shop, a good 441 clone would cost at least $6000.00 in 2000 dollars. SO my point is this, if you want a better servo motor, you can spend quite a lot of money on one and still be ahead of the game if you compare 2000 prices with the prices of today and figure in inflation. It would seem to me, if there is enough demand for an improved servo motor for sewing machines, someone would build it. One benefit I really see on my Class 4 is the ability to set the top speed. I have not had a problem at all controlling the speed in the 3 years I have had it. That said, I will agree that the Chinese do have a problem with quality control on some of the stuff they manufacture. I get told on a regular basis that these 441 clones are a pile of junk. In fact, recently I was told it was apparent that I use a hook and awl machine to sew the skirts on my saddles. They were sewn on a Cobra Class 4 machine. Maybe the "expert" talking was not as all knowing as he thinks he is. POINT- I think they are a good machine! I really think there is an opportunity here for someone to do himself or herself a lot of good by improving on the servo motors being widely used today. Next question is how many people are ready to pay the extra for an American Made servo that is doing what so many need or want it to do. Ken

I use a Tandy glue bottle with the brush in the lid. I use thinner. I used a metal glue pot for a while but have better results with the bottle/plastic jar. The lid screws on tight and seems to keep the glue fresh better. Ken

We have a singer 29-60 in the shop for sale. This machine is on a treadle stand but it is not the correct stand for it. Priced at $700.00 on current stand or it can be bought with a pedistal stand complete with servo motor and speed reducer for $1100.00 More pics if interested. Prices FOB Portales, NM.

Still available for $1000.00 + shipping on the splitter. I would be interested in trading for hand tools, including bag punches, strap end punches, spring punches. I would take $75.00 each for the rotating nail trays and $45.00 for the tray without the stand. Call me if you are interested. 575-356-3628 Thank you. Ken

I had one at one time and give it to a guy I didn't like. I use the original wood one. I have tried a couple of the Tandy Knockoffs and they didn't work nearly as well as the original one. I bought a like new old stock one off of Ebay for $10.00 a few months ago for a friend of mine. I wouldn't waste my money on the metal one, which Tandy sells. Hope this helps. Ken

My experience 1. If you earn a chance, it is hard to quit without giving 110% 2. Give someone a chance, you will become a "sucker" before it is over 3. Struggle, seperates true dedication from fantasy 4. Every person I have given tools and instruction to has been a disappointment to me and ussually to themselves, the people that have earned instruction and traded work or favors for tools have ussually done pretty well and are still friends. Some of them are better than I am and I am proud of the them. 5. If you want to learn it as bad as you want your next breath, you will learn it. If you are dedicated in learning, starting a business and being a success, you will find a way without handouts. Mentoring, teaching, rewarding dedication, and encouraging is giving a helping hand. Sending money, tools, patterns (free) are handouts. Ussually you will be considered a "sucker". When people earn your help, they respect you for sharing it with them. My 2 cents worth and I hope I don't offend anyone but I have been through this a lot of times since I started my first shop and experience has made it pretty hard to "help" very many people. I hate that but it is the truth. Ken

Total price, shipped to Portales, NM 88130. Thanks Ken

saddlemaker that taught me, always had us use an awl as you do not want to remove material so the slit will close up behind you. If you are using two needles, making the harness makers stitch, the advice above is really good. If you are using a jerk needle, making a 301 stitch, it takes some practice to get the lock in the center of your work and both sides the same tightness. HTH. Ken

I have a good CS Osborne patent stitch groover I will let go for $125.00 shipped to lower 48. I can send pictures if anyone is interested. It has a good small blade in it. Works great. Last one on Ebay broke $140.00 Thanks Ken