SantaFeMarie

Thank you Dandton. What weight of leather do you recommend? Does the pattern come with instructions?

If they don't, you could try the "beige" from their other line of alcohol dyes; or you could ask them if you can mix it with the Tandy white Cova color or the "pearl" Eco-Flow water stain. I'm not sure if there are compatibility issues or not.

Here is a link to the site where that pattern is sold: http://www.lzpattern.com/leather-bag-patterns-catagory You could ask them, since they've obviously made it at least once, in order to create the item shown in the photo. If you do, and you get a response, could you let us know what they say? Because that is a nice bag!!

Have you tried blending in white instead of diluting it? Many blue pigments need a bit of white to "wake them up".

No, but I think I would like to get one.

Thanks for the info. Is it a "walking foot"?

Did the instructions say to dampen the leather? I'm pretty sure that when doing a hot wax finish on an edge with a hot iron you want it to be dry.

Kid, thanks for that information, very helpful. Do you wet the leather?

Wow - how great is that!!! Are you using the 42-5 with leather?

Nice start. Did you try hammering it down a bit? I amazed at what a difference that sometimes makes. Also, I've read that some people go over it with an overstitch wheel, but I've never tried that.

Ohio Travel Bag has these, possibly others as well - I didn't do an exhaustive search.

I know there are a few 31-15 users out there. I'd like to know: are you using the treadle? Or a motor? Do you need the added oomph of a motor? Also, what's the largest needle/thread size that you are using?

I'm trying to understand what you are saying. Do you really mean that if you make this you are a leather worker: But if you make this you are not?

"First of all, if other "leather workers" are asking to contract you for the tooling of their items then they aren't really leather workers. " I have to disagree. There are plenty of fully-professional leather workers who make exquisite items who don't do any tooling and have never bothered to learn it because not because they are lazy amateurs but because it doesn't suit their esthetic. If they have a customer who wants to commission, say, a messenger bag from them, but they want their name, the Harley-Davidson logo, and some Sheridan-style flowers added to it, there is nothing wrong with the professional saying "that isn't really my thing but I'll see if I can find someone to do it for you".

Wow, am I really being that unreasonable? I want a lower table. I don't have the ability to experiment with different heights. So I want to hear the the opinions of other people about what works for them and why. I will then process all that information and make a decision and what I am going to do. I like asking 10 different people and getting 10 different answers. Until tonight I had thought this was a very friendly place what was suitable for doing just that.

OK, then: I would like to know what heights people find comfortable so that I can decide how to change my set up; given that I do not have an adjustable table I have to make a judgement call about what to change it to and I would value other people's input about what works for them.

Yes, I meant: where should it be relative to the user.

Very old thread, I know, but what is a good height for a cutting out table? I'm currently using a workbench that is kitchen-counter height, or even a little bit more.

Nice! Could you tell me about your painting materials and technique? Specifically, I'm wondering it is necessary to use some kind of clear topcoat or sealant to keep the paint from rubbing off.

Awesome! Is there a single machine that can both split the full width of piece of leather and edge skive?

I'd like to make a pretty standard leather belt. Two loops, one fixed right near the buckle; one loose. With a two lines of decorative stitching running parallel to the edges down the full length. Pretty much like this: I want to do this with machine sewing. Can someone tell me how to deal with the fixed loop?

Thanks, that is very interesting and helpful.

Keith, what would be the minimum thickness of veg tan you could use to make a box-stitched item with that set-up?

Thanks, I certainly will. Have you got a personal opinion about whether or not a maximum of #23 needle & 138 thread is much of a handicap?

Wiz, I'm now looking at the Tech-Sew line. Their 2600 model has a very small dia cylinder arm (1 7/8") which seems like a nice feature for bag making. However, it tops out at a #23 needle, whereas their other models, with slightly larger dia arms (2.5") accept the #24 needle. The difference in max thread is 138 for the 2600 and 210 for the other. Do you think the #23 needle and the the 138 thread would be sufficient for most kinds of fashion bag and fashion satchel making? I'm not planning on doing holsters, saddle bags, biker gear, etc.