Russ

The posts for the Chicago screws, even the short ones (3/8's? I can't remember) are a little longer than the posts for snaps or rivets. So, once the buckle end is folded over, the post length (3/8's or whatever) requires that amount of leather for it to lay flat against itself. If you don't have that thinkness of leather with the skyved part and the belt itself, there's a gap. I always forget that, and skyve it too thin It's really just an aesthetics thing, I guess. If none of this makes since, I'll dig out one of my "oops" and take a picture of it.

One thing to remember when using the Chicago Screws, don't skive the belt as much as you do with snaps or rivets.

I use a utility (razor blades) knife almost exclusively. I have a couple head knives and several other leather knives, but I don't think I get significantly better results with them. Plus, I got tired of sharpening them constantly. I use the knives for special purposes, like the head knife for trimming around a saddle horn. I use scissors for light leather.

Well, if you really wanted to be part of this community, I doubt you could have come in and made a worse first post. Well, maybe if you'd criticized Kevin King's wallets.....THAT wouldn't have gone over too well either. If you really did read the posts here, you would have known the folly of attacking Aritsan here......cliquey or not, the compliments on this board far outweigh the complaints. Plus, whenever you read here about a "problem" with an Artisan machine, you almost ALWAYS see the follow up of "....I called Artisan and what great service........" and the problem was solved. I also have opinions about equipment, competitors, and politics, but I'm polite enough not to walk into someone's house and start spewing them about without listening awhile. I certainly wouldn't walk into your saddle shop and immediately start criticizing your work. If I did, I would expect to have some venom spewed at me as I was hustled out the door. The free exchange of ideas on the internet is what makes the internet great. The absence of common courtesy is what makes it not so great. No doubt I'm wasting my typing here, since you've left to do your saddle work, but perhaps you can return some day and start off by introducing yourself in the proper sub-topic, post some of your work, and compliment someone else's work. No doubt I can learn something from you, besides your distaste of Artisan. PS: In regards to your personal message to me, I'm already on speaking terms with the Lord. But thank you for your suggestions. Russ

I got some names to call Artisan......... amazing, astonishing, astounding, fantastical, incredible, marvelous, miraculous, phenomenal, prodigious, stupendous, unbelievable, wonderful, wondrous, fantastic, helpful, courteous, considerate, terrific. I just hope the troll doesn't smear Adler's name by recommending it.

Pull the dot snaps are very popular on commercial law enforcement gear. Personally, I hate them, as I can never seem to get them to open when I want. Maybe a snap that's been installed by someone like "us" that takes care to do it correctly opens easier. These days, I generally replace mine with 24's if I know I'm going to be opening the snaps regularly. I've done the same for some of my fellow officers. When I construct an off duty holster, I always ask the customer if they really want the PTD snaps. Some like 'em, some don't. On the other hand, that's a great use for the PTD snaps on that sheath. Well thought-out.

Michael is a great guy, always available to help, and he puts on some of the best workshops I've been to at a Tandy Store. I'm sure that store is going to be very successful, even if it is off the beaten path just a bit.

Jon, that's great work. I too love the stamping, but I'm most impressed with the cantle binding stitching and the perfect wrap at the ears....shows great care and expertise. I wish my cantle binding stitching was so good. Great job. Russ

Here's #2 attempt, finished it yesterday......Actually it's #3, as I got ticked at #2 and tossed it. Every one is a little better, so I'm happy.

Don; Oh yeah, I'm sure that would help. I used my Toro with 207 thread and skirting needle. Not exactly set for fine work!

Since I'm currently without any saddles to repair and I'm still awaiting a tree from Bowden, I decided to take a hack at Kevin's tutorial on wallet binding. Since I don't have any lambskin and I have no idea what garment cow is, I just used some scrap that I use for belt linings for the binding. Oh, and I didn't know how to build the pockets, but I'm positive I did them wrong. I used lining for the pockets too, and that didn't work too well. I'm sure the proper material (and knowledge) would have produced better results. Thanks to Kevin, the binding was easier than I thought. Any double stitching you may see was from sewing the pockets to the leather (instead of a liner, as instructed....I didn't have any cloth for lining) and won't exist on the next effort. It was something to do for about 4 hours while I watched the Big East tourney games......and I learned something too.......I ain't no wallet maker.

This is usually when the "lead time" for a custom saddle for the customer becomes about 9 - 12 months. Someone that doesn't take care of their equipment won't have the patience for that. She'll forget about you and your name and move on to someone else, but no harm to you as you didn't refuse her....

Another vote for Grey Ghost Graphics. He did my M2 Saddlery Makers stamp, and I'm very pleased with it.

I appreciate this post as much as the top one..,thanks for the lesson!

I have actually had the same problem with my work and home 'puters....both running XP. Just cropped up about 2 weeks ago. I casually checked into it a bit, but I usually just go ahead and log back in each time.

There's several suggestions in this thread http://leatherworker.net/forum/index.php?s...=sewing+machine There's been some other discussion about different machines in a few other threads in the Leather Sewing Machine section. Many times you can get those suggestions, then search the internet to see if they are in your price range. Russ

Kevin; I'm curious, is the seam tape that you use the same seam tape that is used on cloth? Do you have to heat it to bind? Russ

That was a nice tutorial, I wish I'd kept it rather than just bookmarking it That and the "favorite suppliers" thread......... Nice work Kevin, as always. Russ

That is some incredible work. I need to go practice now....... Thanks for sharing that site.

Jeff; Here's a topic on how folks dye their belts.......and what they use for finish. http://leatherworker.net/forum/index.php?s...1&hl=oiling As for when to dye the edges, I dye after the belt has been dyed and before I put the final top coat on, whatever it may be. Russ

Johanna; The poll also wouldn't let me vote....so I played around with it a little and noticed that it would only let me vote if I voted on ALL the questions. The last one, if I left it blank (since I've never worked there) would cause the error. Just for your info. Oh yeah. The poll is screwed up now because I lied on the last question! Kinda like people lie about which presidential candidate they're gonna vote for!

Mine is from http://www.greyghostgraphics.com/

Ed;I've had not trouble at all lining 7/8 oz belts with calf skin and/or Tandy's "mission grade" leather. I've lined 7/8 oz sheaths also (no inlays, yet, I haven't figured out how the pro's do that!). I sewed 4 of those Tandy CD cases with the inserts for Christmas presents, I imagine they are about 7/8 or so. I also used the machine to put in a decorative stitch for a couple Christmas cards I made, and they were thin, probably 4/5 or 5/6 oz. Some folks may have felt the needle was too big for that size leather, plus the 277 thread, but I was just playin' and in a hurry to get something done. So for me, I'd say 7/8. All of it has been done with no changes to the initial setup for saddle skirting, except for some minor tweaking of the main thread tension, just to get the stitches buried nicely on the backside.Russ Geez, Art, do you EVER sleep? :D

I have to echo this. It's my first machine, and it's very forgiving yet does everything you'll need to do. I've sewn saddle skirting, sheaths, and belts with no adjustments. Stretch your $ a little and buy it, I doubt you'll ever regret it.