25b
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About 25b
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Leatherworker
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I thought we used to be able to download our private messages as a text file so that we could save them offline and empty out our inbox. Is there no way to do that anymore?
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Hello...I'd like to ask folks for some advice please... I have acquired some really neat and very old Swiss military saddle bags. I've tried to do as much research as possible of reputable sources to learn the best way to help clean them and replenish oils lost over the years. They were made in 1938. So from everything I've read so far, the consensus seemed to be to wash it thoroughly using saddle soap. The Fiebings liquid saddle soap was recommended because it's easier to get into crevices, behind stitching, etc. Then use a soft bristle brush to scrub clean...then rinse thoroughly. I did that twice to each of the two bags. I let them dry indoors overnight until they were mostly dry, then took them outside to heat up (out of direct sunlight), along with the pure neatsfoot oil...then I used a chip brush to apply the oil and rubbed it in with my hands, working the leather as I applied it so it would be better absorbed. Anyway, sorry for the lengthy explanation. I did all that to both bags and one is now great, but the other one, the outer flap is stiff as a board. On the stiff one, I tried a third application of neatsfoot oil...while it was outside in the heat (it's 97 degrees in the shade here right now)...and when I did, the flap was very nice and pliable. The oil stooped getting absorbed, so I brought it indoors to finish drying -- and the flap is very rigid again. So is the back panel, btw...same as before. Any recommendations on what to try now? I'm not really interested in experimenting...I really need suggestions from folks that have restored old veg tanned leather like this and gotten good results. So...if anyone could please tell me what to do next to soften this leather, I'd be very thankful for that... Thanks for any help here...
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I'm selling my Sailrite LSZ-1 machine. It's a backup machine and I really need to free up funds to buy other tools that I need. Comes with everything the "premium" package from sailrite comes with except for the integrated thread stand and their dinky little LED light. It also comes with the following which sailrite does NOT include: a leather foot, a sliding edge guide, a fixed 3/4" binder, a right angle 1" binder, several leather point needles, extra standard needles, about 15 bobbins with a nice plastic case. Works like new as it has seen very, very little use. Comes from a smoke-free and pet-free home. Price is $1125 (firm) and includes shipping within the continental US. Please pm me if you have any questions. Payment by PayPal "friends and family" or US Postal Service postal money order only. Thanks for looking!
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This place has longer posts for both parts of the snap... http://www.fasnap.com/index.html I happen to like the text on the pull the dot snaps so the customer knows what direction to pull to open the snap. I also put a divot right over the "o" in "dot" on the snap so that they will know exactly what direction to pull to open it.......but that's just me. I know everyone doesn't want or need to do that.
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If it is ANYTHING that will be exposed to UV (e.g. sunlight) light on a regular basis, I would VERY STRONGLY encourage you to use bonded poly thread instead of nylon. I've switched to only bonded poly on the outdoor use gear I make to ensure the items I build hold up as long as possible for my customers.
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You'll have a lot better luck with the "inexpensively" piece if you contact a local high school with a good shop class or a college with a machine shop...I've had some nice, metal tools made for me that way. You usually just need to supply the raw material, a drawing of what you want, and postage...it's better if you can go in person, but email works too if it's too far to drive.
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This is the second thread I've seen you post this link in...is this your own shop or something?