toxo

Well I'm glad I'm not the only one. I think the others are using smaller needles than JJ#2s. Two 1.4 needles going through a 1.5 hole has gotta be atight fit. I'm gonna get me some of those #1s

Well that's interesting! I understood "artificial sinew" to be a colour. I bought it as flat waxed polyester which it is. I wonder what makes it different? And I wonder why they sell the stuff at all without making that clear. I should add that I bought it as 1.2 mm. The problems I mentioned in the first post was getting two needles through the hole at the same time as per recommended by Atkinson, Armitage etc.Not because the thread was too thick. I quite like the thread except for the splitting of the strands after a long length of stitching which I'm hoping extra wax will help with. I'm certainly not gonna toss it. I've got one and a half rolls of the stuff.

I quite like the flat All I've used so far is the Tandy flat waxed artificial sinew which is reasonably priced. Just didn't like the fraying. Hoping the extra waxing will help. I have used the stitching chisels but mostly a hole punch cos as you know that's how Tonys patterns are laid out so you know the're gonna match at the ends. What I do is put the first needle through and then hold the needle and the incoming thread on the other side so I can pull them both up to make the maximum space before putting the second needle through if that makes sense and then snug together. I have something similar to your picture with just one hole on it for awkward places. Very reasonable from JT Batchelors.

Sorry guys. I meant to reply yesterday but got sidetracked. Firstly consider me suitably chastised and I promise I won't do it again. Fred and Wizard: I'm confused now. I'm using 2.4 leather and I sometimes have to resort to putting the needles through one at a time in a 1.5 hole. Maybe I have wusses for fingers. I hadn't thought of the extra wax. Should make a big difference. Thanks for that. Zulu: I actually emailed JJ some time ago because someone else mentioned the 002 2/0 thing. I was confused as a newbie because everywhere calls em #2 or #2/0 but even on the JJ website the image used is clearly #002. They eventually came back and said they're all the same. To be clear my needles are 1.4mm as mentioned by Fred. As far as the thickness of the thread goes, up until now I've done mostly Dieselpunk.Ro designs which are for the most part predicated on the steampunk movement and sometimes the thickness of the contrasting thread is a feature of the design as are the rivets and fastenings. If you haven't looked at his stuff yet he does some weird stuff that many people seem to like. And no one has said whether flat or round is easier?

Come on guys I know this is mainly a machine forum but no-one has anything to say after 78 views?

Hi guys. Up until now I've been happy to use flat thread when hand sewing but on a longish run I've noticed it gets a bit scruffy and the individual strands come unstuck and sometimes one strand doesn't pull up as tight as the rest. I've been using John James No2 needles and 1.2 waxed flat thread and it's been a struggle to get those needles through a 1,5mm hole. Before ordering more thread I thought I'd ask you guys if I'm doing something wrong. What's the concensus regarding thread/needle/hole size amongst you guys when sewing two pieces of veg tan?

Dieselpunks designs are relatively foolproof spud and he's a nice guy that always helps his fans when needed. He's got a great facebook page (and I hate facebook. won't go there for anything else). He's just issued a free pattern to his fans to celebrate 40,000 downloads. Two of my daughters wanted one. The lighter coloured one is not finished yet. These two bring my tally of projects to four. As you can see, more practice needed but they are usable. Note that on the darker one I put the front on the outside which gives a rounder design (but a nightmare to sew) with two JJ#2 needles and 1.2 thread going through a 1.5 hole). On the lighter one I put the front to the back which gives a different look and much easier to sew.

Well done zelix. My first was the Motoko3. Like the mod to the handle. I see you didn't go with the lozenge. If I were picky about the design, I don't like just one rivet on the strap which is holding the whole weight of the bag. (easily remedied) and the handle. Otherwise I love all three of the Motokos. Good job on the tote also, did you just glue the lining?

First time I've seen your work Bear. One can only marvel that such things can be done to a piece of leather. Stunning detail!

I can see that. A bit like the Household Cavalry using a heated spoon to supershine their boots.

Come on Mike! That's only half an answer. We wanna know how it was used don't we Fred?

I would say an iron of some kind?

Why not just install into the first layer before gluing up all three layers?

Thanks Brian. I'll look at the links later. Here's something to chew over... I'm an ex fabricator/welder and the light I think is way stronger than the laser? The green screen was always glass. Also, modern screens are what they call auto dark. They work with a battery and the screen is clear until you strike an arc when it goes dark automatically (strangely enough). The other point with the modern screens is that they're adjustable for darkness to suit your eyes. You had to physically change screens in the old type. What all this means I have no idea but I just throw it out there for you genius' to chew over and come up with the ultimate solution

Thanks Mike. I should be able to shrink it on F\W. Ill try before bothering you. If you can simplify the image for carving I'd appreciate it.

Brian. I love the way you spend money to get the absolute tool for the job. Loving the box. I have to check where the dogs are every time I switch it on. What's the criteria for eye protection re: the panels? is it just the colour? Density? Mike. Re: the profile, of course you're right. Just started to learn to crawl, not about to start running. I'll put up some pics of the wallet that I want to print on. From what you've said I'll not need worry but but i might reduce the size and print on an inside leaf first just to be sure. I just wanted to show it from a design point of view. My wallet was about done and I was looking for a pattern. Then, whilst looking for something else I came across this wallet which I'd bought some years ago in a wholesalers. For me the thing is perfect. if you look closely it even had clear plastic pockets which I tore off. Clearly it's a commercial thing and an obvious spoof on Levi's but how do they get those edges so perfect on such thin leather?

Thanks for posting this Folker. I knew none of this.

My God, I'm surrounded by genius! You're an absolute wizard with that 3D printer Brian. That sloping card trick is a cracker. I find it quite hard to judge the focus point especially with my eyes being old. I'll certainly be trying that. How do you cater for a radiused profile? I'll look into another fan. At the moment I've had it running for 20/30 mins with a pedestal fan running with no problem. Don't know how long it would take to do the full size but I'm thinking significantly more than that.

How lucky was I to find someone like Mike who is as helpful as anyone could ask for AND has the same machine? Still fine tuning. There is a learning curve and if you change the height you have to remember to re-focus the laser. It's fairly slow but you can do a few lines and pause it to see if it's right then change the settings and carry on. I'm not artistic so stuff like this is a way i can customise my projects.

Not had time to look at software yet.

Will do mate. Will have to eat humble pie re the size boxes. Turns out the num pad isn't working on the laptop and can't get it to work. Can input using the top numbers.

I was looking on Goods Japan for some edge treatment. They sell a gum trag alternative in powder form and, amongst other things they advise making up small batches as and when needed because bacteria transferred from outside (from leather etc) can cause the product to "spoil". Has anyone come across this? Does "spoiling" reduce the efficacy?

Mike, you are one clever man. God knows how long this would've taken me. Burning as I speak. almost there on card. Extremely anxious about ruining a really nice wallet though.

You're as soppy as I am. She was a Westie. Maybe around 40mm width for my wallet constrain proportions. If you've cracked the text thing a name would be nice. When you say carton do you mean cardboard as in box?

Thanks Mike. Message sent. The sellers (laser) manufacturer wants a vid of the non input once you wipe the either of the size boxes. I'd like to be able to carve the pic one day but laser for sure if it'll look good. Which pic would you use for laser the photo or the grey?