LoyalNine

Everyone -- Thnaks for the replies and pm's I received. I am going to sign up for a beginners sewing class so I can hang out with a bunch of old ladys and make paisley quilt pieces and cloth Xmas ornaments... BUT I am sure (CERTAIN) that they will have a thing or two to teach me about using a sewing machine. Like anything else a bit of basic knowlege is sure to go a long way. This I bet will make my purchase and startup a but less taxing. Cowboy... Cobra... who knows. I will get the bigger one (4500?) as that seems to be a recurring theme of advice. Ill do this class first and at least then I can do some basic sewing at home. Then I can join my moms quilting club, and eat their cookies, and get fat, and start selling my quilts at the fair... Ill keep you posted. Thnaks Again. -Joe

I am considering getting a sewing machine. I am doing all my stitching by hand now and think in the next 6 months ill like to get a machine. Problem is this... I have never used a sewing machine let alone one to sew think pieces of leather and such... Question is this: How hard is it to learn? I am worried Ill spend the money and get completely frustrated with little to no knowlege on the matter. Likely will get a Cowboy 3500 or similar.

I am considering getting a sewing machine. I am doing all my stitching by hand now and think in the next 6 months ill need a machine. Problem is this... I have never used a sewing machine let alone one to sew think pieces of leather and such... Question is this: How hard is it to learn? I am worried Ill spend the money and get completely frustrated with little to no knowlege on the matter. Likely will get a Cowboy 3500 or similar.

Awesome man! Fantastic work. I am a WWII aviation buff. Keep tgr Hx alive!

I finished my first fire shield today. Working a 32hr per diem medic shift today in an area of the state that does not see much action between rafting and snowmobile seasons. Good news is I get to catch up on my sleep and I brought my leather stuff to work on. I am happy with it for my first try. It feels as though my tooling kind of didn't stay as embossed or deep as it initially looked. Or maybe the dye reduces to look? Either way I wanted a deeper look. I think I need a piece of granite next time and put a little more ummph into my impressions. 2 layers of leather cemented and saddle stitched with Maine Thread Co. thread I got in their bargain bin for 50 cents. The back is medium brown. Finished with acrylic resolene. I would like to say I saved money doing my own shield but I keep buying leather tools and accessories making this the most expensive piece of fire wacker gear I've ever had...

Does using this beat dying the edges then burnishing?? I used black oil dye and burnished and the color stays very dark. I am not sharpshooting it's use - I am just wondering how it looks different or wears better. I am interested.

I want to make a fire shield for my helmet I use at my Volunteer Dept and have fount that the only fonts that I like are a bit to advanced for me to carve. I would be able to paint the letters on like some of the custom helmet shield makers do but really dont know how to go about doing it. I guess I am trying to figure out the best way to transfer the lettering oulines to the leather to then be painted. Any thoughts on the best way to go about this would be greatly appreciated. The shield is going to be dyed black and the lettering will likely be white with a red outline or shadow. What kind of paints should I use? The acrylic feblings dye I have feels a bit thin but I guess I could make it work. What do I use to transfer the font from printed paper to leather? (I have Photoshop and Aiso I can print it out exactly the way and size I want it if that helps..) Thnaks for the help! Joe

Fantastic! Love the finish. Mind if I ask how and what you used toy finished those and get that brushed effect?

I am jealous of these leather guilds I read about. Here in Maine where I live I don't know of one other person with the leather hobby. Would love to have a leather guild nearby to learn and exchange ideas.

...never mind. Google was my friend.

What is a snap protector?

Finally got tired of trying to hold stuff between my knees. Made from mostly scraps. Less that 10 bucks invested... Can't wait to use it. https://flic.kr/p/ouqzfd

Benlilly - Wow do you have a link to his/her website? Love to see some more.

Thanks for the replys. I emailed Maine Thread this is what they gave me for an answer: Approximate: 2 ply = .5 mm 4 ply = 1mm 6 ply =1.5 mm