BDAZ

I line with suede.. cu Bob

I purchased a 3200 on Wiz's advice and am thrilled with the machine and the direct support from Bob Kovar at Toledo. The machine was within my budget (just) took an hour to set up and start sewing. A small glitch developed within a couple of weeks which was immediately sorted and a defective part replaced by Bob with no down time. I have been able to launch a leather business based on this machine. At the moment sew a double layer of wet formed 5/6 oz veg tanned with two layers of glued suede lining which drops down to a single layer of veg tan and suede and the machine as no issues what so ever. I have also sewn decorative stitching on 3-4oz, again with no problems using a 207 thread and minor adjustments of the tension. Great machine, Great support, Happy Camper. Is it an Adler? No. Did I have to mortgage my house No.. Cya! Bob

Diamond is essential for setting the edge on ceramic blades. Cya! Bob

It was my first show and I made a number of excellent industry contacts which will help get my business off the ground. Saw a lot of interesting hardware which gave me some ideas for making my products more cost effective. I did not attend any of the work shopos which were not relevent to my business. Cya! Bob

FYI for the US guys..Harbor Freight has their belt / disk sander on sale for $59, less than half of what I paid for my last swivel knife.. Cya! Bob

Must have had jet lag! Cobra Steve of course was there but not Cowboy Bob.. Picked up some quality tools and made some very good contacts. Will be back next year for sure. BTW The BBQ at Prescott Brewing Company was to die for. Cya! Bob

Great show! Got to meet Cobra Bob as well as other members of the site. Will be back next year. Cya! Bob

Wiz, that response should be a sticky.. Cya! Bob

I'm going..will be up on the 5th. Anyone know of any music jams in Prescott? Cya! Bob

A lighter carefully applied. You are preventing the micro fiber suede from fraying. There is also an anti fray liquid you can get at any fabric shop. Cya! Bob

Since it is a small piece I would probably us Barge cement, not spray adhesive. Cut to a larger size then trim and singe the edges with an alcohol lamp (no soot) Cya! Bob

Not sure if this would add too much bulk but check out microfiber faux suede at your local fabric shop. It is much thinner than the real thing and is indistinguishable from the real thing at first glance. I use headliner spray adhesive available at the local auto parts shop. Cya! Bob

If I had a similar problem I would use the tumbler I have for cleaning brass for reloading like this one at Harbor Freight. Use crushed walnut shells (available at your local pet shop) and tumble until all the crud is gone. This process should avoid any damage to the business end of the tool. I would only tumble a few at a time and it will probably take a few hours per run. No chance of ruining the tools with caustic chemicals. Cya! Bob

I received my 3200 a few weeks ago and I am about to go into full production. The machine works like a champ. It is my first serious sewing machine and so far have used up to 346 thread. Bob at Toledo is great to deal with and a couple of minor glitched were dealt with immediately. I am making instrument cases and banjo straps. Here is my first custom strap guitar made on the 3200 a few days ago. The customer was thrilled! I also bought it with the 4500 stand. All arrived in perfect condition and I was sewing within an hour of getting the boxes open. Cya! Bob

Great Stuff! I sometimes sit in with a local band called Puca which is the name of a mythical Celtic horse. I sent them a link to the pic. www.pucamusic.com (I also did their web site) Cya! Bob

So I don't get it! If you are making custom straps make a custom strap!! I think this patters is just ugly and I wouldn't put anything like it on my guitar. What I do is find the exact measurement of the current strap from point to point. If there are two buttons, then I make it as attached. If it is going to the peghead, then I will make a small strap that will fit under the strings and stitch a buckle on the other end or just use a latigo lace. I usually add the first name on the front of the strap and the full name on the back. so I also get the measurement of where the strap crosses the shoulder. I do have a number of attachment options on both ends the button to button style which will give a few inches of adjustment either way without the ugly woven widget. (See pic) I make mostly banjo straps and have started making guitar straps on commission. Custom is custom! Why compete with The Guitar Center? Cya! Bob

A while ago I checked out the MSDS of all the Tandy dyes, cements and solvents. (I hold some patents on soy based solvents.) The primary alcohol appears to be ethanol so I would assume that denatured ethanol would make the best solvent. One of the standard saying in the solvent industry is "Like dissolves like" Cya! Bob

I started off with a Singer version of that Janome and with a leather needle and walking foot accessory, it IS useful for somethings including stitching light weight veg tanned and garment leathers. You are limited to home sewing threads and needles and the stitch is far from decorative. I recently purchased the Cowboy 3200 from Bob Kovar at Toledo and it has changed my life. Attached is a picture of a recent comission for a guitar strap made on the 3200. If you can't afford a good used walking foot machine that won't mar the leather then hand stitching is in your future. Don't waste your money on anything less. Cya! Bob

This is my first custom guitar strap. The customer wanted something very simple, with his name and NO metal or plastic parts. He also wanted it as supple as possible. He has a prominent mustache and wanted one on the strap! The strap was lined with goat suede and machine stitched. The client's guitar is a 1961 Martin D-28. I'm afraid the pics were quick and dirty and I didn't have time to re-shoot. The guitar pic was taken by the customer who lives on the East Coast. Cya! Bob

I just received some samples from RJF sales and they all stamp beautifully. I intend to start using Drum Dyed Veg Tan which will be a big time saver for production work. Cya! Bob

I believe both the Scotia (A much poncyier version) and Sandy Bells are still going. I played in SBs a few years ago. Cya! Bob

Welcome Jimmy!! I used to play with Hamish Imlach in the 70s and played a folk club in Greenock many times. Also the Scotia and Sandy Bells. Cya! Bob

I also recommend Barge. I believe it's available in tubes as well. Cya! Bob

I have had good luck with a fine diamond needle file in the hole and then I push the "groover" along the edge of my strop with green, then white "rouge". It cuts effortlessly. Cya! Bob

I have taken your idea and adapted it for 3D stamps and 3/4" Alphabet stamps for belts, straps and the cases I make. Instead of plastic, I took a piece of 7-8oz cased leather exactly the width of my item (2 1/4"), lined up the letters vertically on a center line, laid a straight edge over the name and put it in the press, leaving a number of 1/2" circle impressions down the center. Then I used a 1/2" punch and when dry, the leather acts like a template. It holds the stamps aligned and in place. Then I simply line up the template and stamps on the cased item, and use a piece of steel over the protruding stamps and use the press to give an impression in the cased leather. While not enough to pressure to give a deep impression, it is deep enough to allow me to fit each stamp and press individually to the desired depth. I have also made a horizontal template with the correct spacing for an I which should be a big help and time saver in getting that little sucker aligned properly. Thanks for the idea!! Bob