Colt W Knight

I supped up a Singer 66 - upgraded the motor, pulley, and feet. Never would consistently sew leather. I could get it to sew leather, but I always had feed issues, skipped stitches or other issues. I tried like hell to make it work, and it just wasn't up to the task.

Along those same lines, I get tired of the folks who think you have to do everything the traditional way or learn to tool flowers just like Bob Sheridan or Al Stohlman before you can be considered a true leather craftsman. Funny thing, when I look at their products on their websites, I don't see anything impressive or innovative. Just tired old wallet , belt and holster designs. I really enjoy seeing leather work from other parts of the world, because quite frankly I'm tired of looking at the same old stuff.

Same here. I have Henry Ford's philosophy on color, you can have whatever color you want as long as it's black.

I have the weaver dye roller for edges, and it's awesome.

There are some RFID tag systems that will do that, but they are expensive. Real time GPS trackers require monthly subscriptions that make them unaffordable for research.

Thanks

No, it punches the hole and sets the rivet in one action. Yes, the collars are available through the University of Maine. However, these collars just store data, they are not real time tracking. I'll, try to get that done

I make GPS tracking collars for livestock as part a part of my research interests ( I am a livestock specialist for the University of Maine). When I was a PhD student, I developed a way to make inexpensive GPS tracking collars for cattle, and that project has snowballed quit a bit, and now multiple Universities are using my collars. I got so many requests to build collars, I setup a Grazing Behavior Lab on campus where I can manufacture and sell tracking collars to other institutions. This provides my lab with some income to help further my research and work related travel expenses. One of the largest time sinks was actually punching holes in the Biothane and riveting buckles on with #8 copper rivets by hand. Plus it was killing my hands ( I have essential tremors), and making a ton of noise. I searched around, and called Weaver leather and they recommended their new steel construction Press with their autofeed rivet hopper. Man, this thing works great. I was able to attach 40 buckles in less than an hour. Something, that I would probably have taken me 12 or more hours with the hole punching and rivet setting. The biggest plus, no banging, cutting, or peening, and the tube rivets are corrosion resistant, Stainless Steel.

This one is just a groover. I normally cut and bevel the borders, but I am trying something new. I also just noticed the edges haven't been burnished yet in these photos. I did burnish them before I sent it out.

A friend from high school recently contacted me and asked if I could make a leather cover for his composition notebooks that incorporated the pipe fitters union symbol and some basket weave. I agreed because I know him, but I don't normally do basket weave or such small symbol tooling because I am not that great at it. Anyway, I like the way it came out. Cover is 8 ounce veg tan, interior lining is some really nice gray chap leather I had left over, and the pockets are 3/4 ounce veg tan. I dyed it with British Tan, antiqued with Fiebings black antique paste, and colors are brushed Angelus. I used mop n glo for the resist and clear coat, and the leather was thoroughly washed with saddle soap during the casing process. I really like cleaning with saddle soap during casing because it gets rid of all those nasty oils and grime left over from tanning and handling, plus it conditions the leather. That way I don't have to worry about oiling it after I get done tooling and dying.

To the best of my knowledge, no one makes a new one for that price, but you might be able to find a used Consew 227 for that

Anyone make an electric branding iron with interchangeable numbers? I am building GPS tracking collars for cattle, and I want to get some branding irons to permanently mark the collar number on the black Brahma webbing.

I airbrush on full strength mop n glo for that super shiny look.

That's cool

Is there a machine capable of setting strong enough rivets in Brahma webbing for livestock GPS tracking collars?

Have you tried a larger needle size?

Thanks yall

I recommend mixing it 50/50 with water. I spray mine on with an airbrush in 2-3 thin coats to get the best results, but you can wipe it on as well. Just like any finish, you risk smearing when you wipe a finish on. If you apply mop n glo at full strength it goes on really glossy. I have been using it for years, and I haven't had any negative experiences with it. Much cheaper, and readily available.

I made this padfolio for my fiancée to take to her dog grooming conference in New Orleans later this Spring. 8 ounce vegtan leather lined with red deer skin. Angelus Red paint and Mop N Glo clear coat with some fiebings antique black.

I would also consider the venerable Consew 227

I have a consew 206, and I can't get it to sew #207 regardless of what I adjust.

No, I have only airbrushed Fiebings oil and conventional dyes. I have sprayed them full strength and thinned at various levels with alcohol. They spray no problem withere my Iwata brush, but clog in my cheapo brushes.

I really like using the Angelus 2-thin thinner when I am airbrushing Angelus on something like a coat, cowboy boots, or a purse. Seems to flow out of the gun better(probably has a retarder to keep it from drying to quickly) . For simply coloring or hand painting, I use distilled water.

Have you contacted the Hoffman Brothers? Hoffman Brothers 1795 Birchwood Avenue Des Plaines, Illinois 60018-3005 Toll Free - 800.323.9120 Fax - 847.671.1320 Email - hoffmanbrothers1@aol.com They own Ferdco now. Maybe they have the part you need.

Lowe's and homedepot sell metal rods.