25b

I have a feeling I know what company sent you that...ummm..."stuff". Whenever someone comes on here asking where to buy leather and twenty people reply to buy it from that company, I always take a minute to send the original poster a PM explaining why they should NOT order from that place. I do the same when certain people post wrong answers or bad advice too and the people I've PM'ed in those cases are grateful I steered them clear of the bad info. Anyway, if I neglected to send you a PM (BobHall) warning you about this place, I apologize. I try to catch all the ones I see, but sometimes I miss a few.

Yeah...don't we all...you and everyone else.Sewing machines aren't going to look like hand stitching. The only thing that looks as good as a saddle-stitch is saddle-stitching. The only machines even close are needle and awl machines...and even then, people like me that hand stitch are going to tell our potential customers how to tell the difference and why our way is better. Sorry...I have a terrible headache right now. Please insert smilie faces and lol's where needed to suit your taste as I do not mean for my post to sound derogatory. I only meant to say that there's no shortcut to good looking stitching. I have a CB3200 (441 clone) and the backside stitches look like garbage. Everyone I've asked about it just tells me that's normal and to get a needle and awl machine, so I just kept hand stitching the items I sell.

I'm looking for a good, used skiving machine...I'd really prefer a used Fortuna or one of the Italian models. Prefer somewhere near Houston to avoid shipping, if possible. Doesn't have to be perfect as long as the price reflects its condition. Cosmetic flaws are fine...I just want something that will work well with thinner chrome tan leather and shell cordovan...don't really need it for thick veg tan leather at the moment. If you have anything like this available, please send me a PM with your best price and I'll reply ASAP. (I've never found haggling to be "fun", so I generally don't participate in it...sorry...I know it is fun for some people, but I guess I don't have that gene or something... ) Not interested in chinese machines, thanks.

Well, I have been looking for a good, used Fortuna or Italian make skiving machine for a while now and there have just not been any available. I've almost broken down and decided to order one of the Consew models, even though I've been told they do not skive thinner chrome tanned leathers very well at all. I've read just about every thread on here that deal with skiving machines and have absorbed a lot of information from those. I guess I will go post a WTB ad and see if anyone replies with a decent machine... Really depressing how difficult it's been to find a good machine to buy.

Where do you buy your Clayton shell cordovan, please? I've been trying to find someone who sells it for a very long time, so I'd appreciate it very much if you could please tell me where you bought it. The Shinki cordovan also, please.

Where did you buy the Shinki shell cordovan?

I figured it was clayton, but I was asking where you buy it from...you don't buy it directly from Clayton do you?

Thanks for your reply...I've tried Clayton before and it is pretty nice...I cannot find a website for Hardtke, but I emailed two of the guys (I think they were the late Mr. Hardtke's sons)...they haven't replied back yet though... Thanks again...

Where does everyone buy their shell cordovan? I sent an email to the Tannery Row people, but they have not replied. Honestly, I'd rather find a retailer that has shells instead of trying to deal directly with Tannery Row and wait 4-5 years for it... Also would like to know if there are any good sources for Shinki Hikaku shell too. I also sent them an email (a friend fluent in Japanese, actually), but haven't heard back from them either. I tried reading other threads on here about shell sources, but all the ones mentioned do not sell it anymore. Thanks for any leads. I just have one left right now and would like to pick up a few more in the next couple of months. Preferably in some other colors than black or brown.

For anyone else trying in vain to find the youtube page referenced, here is the guy's correct name: Johan Potgieter The other one wasn't even close, so it took some effort to find it. Wanted to save others some time.

Where do you get your shell cordovan? Looks like you ended up with the navy hide I was looking at getting last fall...

Thanks for the reply...Campbell-Randall doesn't have any refurbed Fortuna units. Apparently, they are difficult to get since they're in such high demand. Thanks again for sharing your knowledge here...

Ok, well I've been trying to do some research and am wondering about feed types now...can someone please explain these to me? I know Art said before that to do soft and firm leathers to get a top and bottom feed machine... Is this one both or just top feed? http://www.auctiva.com/hostedimages/showimage.aspx?gid=1016927&ppid=1122ℑ=843775822&images=843775814,843775822,843775846,843775842,843775837,843775834,843775829,843775849,843775856,843775860,843775863,843775867,843775871&formats=0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0&format=0 I know it's old and looks like some parts may be missing, but right now I'm just trying to figure out which model(s) I should be looking for. I'm going to see if I can find some videos on these to try to learn more. I've also read quite a few threads on here about woes people have had adjusting their machines. Also, I have been very strongly advised to stay the heck away from the Chinese clones. My understanding is that while they may be ok with the 441 clones, they have a lot of work to do to get their skiving machines up to par. Looking forward to anymore info on these machines...in particular older Fortuna models as that's probably going to be my price range. Also, does anyone have any recommendations on using two different motors on these? I read in one of the threads to try a clutch motor for the feed and a servo for the knife...or maybe reverse that. Sounded pretty complicated. I know it would just mean two separate motors and belts, but...still sounds hard to set up that way. Thanks for any help on these machines..

For everyone's info, the bomb with lit fuse emblem is of the Ordnance Corps of the US Army...just so everyone knows what that means... It looks like this:

I guess you haven't gotten into a car after its been sitting in the hot Texas (or iraq) sun, but I guarantee you it gets a lot hotter than that. I've heard multiple stories from people that left their kydex knife sheaths in their car that came back to find they don't fit tightly anymore. So go ahead and use it if you want to...I won't.

I've been cutting straps and belts with my Blanchard plough gauge and it's wonderful. Beats the heck out of cutting long strips any other way, in my opinion.

You can brand with a stamp just fine...just make sure it's steel or brass.

Any other thoughts on these machines from those with experience with them?

Leathercrafttools.com has better prices than goodsjapan, cheaper shipping, and I haven't been charged any import duties when I've ordered from them...fwiw...

The comment you quoted wasn't directed at you, johnggrg...

Sorry...I don't do metric... Any of these work? http://store.jontay.com/MetalRectangularLoops.aspx

Stay away from the delrin stamps...won't hold up to heat to brand with...

Kydex can be heated and shaped repeatedly. It would not hold up as a stiffener if the end product will ever be left in a hot car during the summer.

Jody...sent you a PM...Highly recommend you read it carefully before contacting anyone for clicker services.

I'd recommend learning how to cut your own lace from a rawhide round, kangaroo hide, etc. The pre-cut rawhide lace I've bought from springfield, tandy, etc. has been straight up garbage...it has frequent breaks in it, extremely inconsistent thickness which makes it difficult to split...just impossible to use. Good luck...