Regis

I understand the "There are some folks who just shouldn't own machines and have nothing but problems and even catastrophies with perfectlly useable equipment. " I lived it when I ran an IT tech support department. Happily bow to the wisdom of this. Regis

Art, Quote: "You guys are of course doing the guy thing (I know I R one), you're comparing instead of sewing; just buy something and don't look over your shoulder, if it don't work, sell it and get something that does." I like that! I will order today! Hopefully you won't see it on ebay in 6 weeks. Regis

Ed, I just read the TuffSew site about their 9" straight stitch walking foot machine and they support larger thread like you want. Here is what it says: "THREAD Size: 69 Bonded Nylon Thread Recommended (but will handle 46, 138, and 207 weights" Here is link: Tuffsew walking foot Regis (still procrastinating)

We all purchase tools and equipment and have varying experiences with them. There are also tons of questions here on the forum about which is better or worse. Could we have a section for personal review of tools or machines that we've purchased and used. I was thinking "freestanding" review without replies. Any questions would be in regular forum or PM as the review would stand (in its date and time). More than one person would likely review the same products, sometimes differing in experience. Some of the review sites allow anyone to post so the credibility is often questionable (competing salesfolk). Just a thought, Regis

Michael, Appreciate the info. #69 & #92 will work fine for me. Have you found leather needles in 135X17 or are you using 135X16? Is your machine pretty much standard or did you get heavy hand wheel like Sailrite offers? The PW-500 is a couple hundred $$'s less than Sailrite (that's a whole side plus some liner). Do you use your strckly for leather or do you some other work? Again thanks, Regis

Glad to have you join-up Chuckboy. There are great and talented folks here that are actually willing to help us newer leatherworkers. Tool some leather and jump right in with questions. Pictures help. Regis

Cindi, Good looking site. Looks like you are making the belts with no hardware components. Is that correct? Welcome, and looking forward to your posts. Regis

Welcome Don. Looks like you'll be bringing lots of experience to the table. Looking forward to seeing your work and advice. Regis

I had somewhat hijacked another thread so, I'm moving discussion over here. I asked about portable machine and then went heavier and heavier and want to get back on track. Art had pointed out the Sailrite LSZ to me and it looks like it will fit the need but, I also found 2 Consew portables (CP206R & CP146R) and a local home machine dealer wants to order a Thompson for me. There is a span of several hundred dollars so, I'd like to know if anyone here is using these for lighter leatherwork (up to say 6 oz total). I'd like to be able to carry it to my daughter's home when we stay there for week or so. I'd appreciate hearing experiences from folks using any of these. Regis p.s. I do have a great Artisan for heavy work

Soooooo, wherer is dis famous spell checkker hiding?

Pete, I burnished last night after reading your reminder. Sure see a lot more in those LARGE photo's. Thanks Bruce. Haven't made anyting meaningful yet. My shop went into complete renovation shortly after receiving my 3000. 4 week job took 4 months so I'm just getting started back (still can't find everything). Thanks, Regis

Art, Well said and thanks for the help. That's about how I bought my 3000. Searched and searched, procrastinated, and then just bought the best I could. You convinced me to save my pennies for the LSZ. In the mean time, I'll take my brother up on the offer of a "like-new" 15-91 for 20 bucks shipping. Thanks, Regis

Here's a case for my phone that I mixed british tan into Bicks4. Followed that with brown antique and Super shene(probably not needed). I do like the more even dye coating I get by mixing. I don't get the streaking that I used to. I've done a few other projects this way but, didn't photograph. I don't like this type belt clip because I had to line the back.

Welcome Curt. You'll be a natural in leather with that background. Looking forward to seeing some of your designs transferred to leather.

Thanks. I do have an Artisan 3000 that isn't convenient for some of the light work. And I have a cheap singer portable with walking foot attached that technically works but, skips, coughs, chokes, and won't last. So, I'm looking to buy something I can pick up, put in the trunk. and take when I visit family and want to do some items there. Tabletop use is important. Thanks again, Regis

Are you aware of "any" home style portable sewing maching that is fairly reliable for the occasional sewing of 4-5 oz (total) of leather? Perhaps a walking foot one like pfaff? Using suitable leather needle. Thanks, Regis

Vandy, Indeed, welcome to this great forum. Most everyone here sells something. Many of us have a lot to learn about leather (especially quality and treatment issues). Regis

Welcome Tom. Very neat work!

40% humidity would be a wonderful break. It's so humid here on the Florida gulf coast that we don't case leather, we just tool it and put it in the dryer before applying a finish. :biggrin: Regis

Ed, You've got a great looking bag there. Do you line all your straps or sew for decorative purpose? Regis

Welcome Steve. You'll find a number of talanted saddle makers here and there has been quite active discussions.

Thanks everyone for the tips. Kate, I have the same X-acto and will give it a try. I like the idea of stropping that x-acto blade too. Are you using it for pattern or leather too? Regis

I'm having difficulty cutting/getting perfectly smoothe inside curves. This really shows up much worse when I mark a border or sewing grove. It seems that no matter how slow or carefully I cut, there are small irregularities along the edge of inside curves and on tight outside curves. Then running an edger seems to make those irregularities "pop out". What do you use to cut these curves? Are radius punches the only way short of a clicker? Any tips appreciated. Regis

Looking for any neat ideas for attaching belt clip to cell phone case. All I know is to make long enough sleve to fit the clip and wide enough to sew outside edges to case. Sew everything up except end of sleve to slide over the clip. Then stitch closed. All tips appreciated. Regis

Micah, You got some expert views here so I'll just say "Welcome". I liked the question and the answers.....helped me too.