brianevans

Am I going to wish I would have bought a bigger machine a year from now? I'll give Bob a call tomorrow. Toledo is only 5 1/2 hours from me and I could do that and back in a long day. Maybe they have a used machine or two around that I could buy. Thank you for the confidence about dumb posts.

I am hesitant to post because I'm not sure I won't be laughed off the board. I'm not exactly sure what I need. I would like to move from hand stitching to machine stitching. I use primarily veg tan in the 6-10 oz range. I make bags, holsters, and other small goods. I know I want reverse as I hate sewing cloth on my 1939 Singer without reverse. I have around $1500 to work with. Any other ideas are welcome. I'm in central Illinois. I can drive to pick up a decent machine. Open to suggestions. Thanks all.

Treed, do you have a website or pictures of those bags. Interested to see what they look like. Treed, do you have a website or pictures of those bags. Interested to see what they look like.

Thanks Bill. Also thanks for the compliment on my knife in the other thread. I can't seem to make them fast enough. I keep getting orders and making knives is cutting into my learning leather! No pun intended. Haha.

Thanks for the help on my other thread. I have another question. Which type of gusset should I use on my messenger bag? I'm leaning towards the left one, as it would mean a whole heck of a lot less sewing for my first bag. I am concerned though that it would make the bag fall over all the time if not leaned against something. What do you all think?

And sorry for the messed up spelling. My phone hates me.

Guys this post might be a bit eclectic, but I'm not finding what I need to know otherwise from all my searching. I've done a bit of simple work and I'm ready to try something a bit more difficult/involved. I would like to make a basic messenger bag. Seams out, single gusset, single front buckle, pretty basic. I'm a medic by trade and I want to be able to replace my current nylon day bag that sits in the ambulance holding personal gear that I use to make my life easier, i.e. books, notebooks, protocols, stethoscope, extra pouches with odds and ends, etc. It would also be used for a day bag out and about. However I wouldn't be carrying it all that much. Mostly into and out of buildings for appointments and meetings or into and out of the car going places, but left in the car while I'm in the store or wherever. Basically a portable carrying device, not a purse/always on me thing. I am hoping I can get some overall advice. I make knives and I see brand new people post silly questions all the time in forums. Rest assured I'm planning on sticking around for a while. I'm good with my hands and I follow instructions well. If you're still with me after all the back story, now the questions. 1. I only have experience with veg tan. Is there a better leather type to go with for a bag? 2. There is no such thing as paramedic/fireman/police officer proof, merely resistant. With this, and me being a big guy, I can handle a heavy bag. I want it bomb proof, so to speak. It seems like 5-6 oz would be too thin, but it's what I see some people advising. However, I basically only have experience with 8-10 oz leather from a Tandy special sale. It seems awfully thick for a bag. I think if I could see different sights of leather I could pick an appropriate weight. What do you think? Also, see next bullet point. 3. Lining. First, is unlined ok or am I going to wish I had a lined bag? I want to do this is a workman like manner, even if it takes twice as long. I don't cut corners. If lined, is it ok to use two pieces of 4-5 oz veg tan flesh side to flesh side, or is pig better? I like a lighter inside of bag so it's easier to find stuff in it. I like my sun tanned, oiled then waxed book covers, so that's how I want my bag to look. Probably wouldn't sun tan the inside off I used veg tan, just natural with a finish off some sort. Or should I use 6 oz for the outside and pig for the inside. What about deer? 4. What cut of leather? Shoulder, bend, etc? I'm coming from sheath and knife stuff so it seems everyone there uses shoulders, but I've not found a definitive answer. Brettuns Leather has a double shoulder in maple amber color which looks nice, but I'm not sure if it would work. Whew, I think that's it. Thanks for helping me out. If anything is contradictory in my message, it's purely unintentional. Only ignorance, not on purpose. I look forward to seeing what everyone has to say. My latest knife, in case anyone was wondering.