caroleb13

Thanks all for the tips and information ! For gunsteel bluing, I've got a more or less satisfactory result following Chuck's method. I've also varnished with a car body varnish to make sure I don't have issues with rust... Yes, I understand a bit more about anodizing, thanks Biggundoctor (wow, sounds like you keep yourself busy !). Still would have liked some original colored belt buckles. I found titatanium coated buckles but very expensive and not commercially possible. Have a nice weekend, Carole

Thanks for this tip Chuck. I looked high and low for gunsteel parts with no luck. I tried using the super blue but it just ate away the nickel coating. By cutting it with alcohol and following your procedure it works reasonably well I'm now wondering if the buckle would rust as the nickel coating has been modified ? Also, does anyone know if it's possible to anodize a nickel coating ? It would be really nice to work with unique metal parts...

Yes, the Bellac Gal Tannery are specialized in vegetable tanning "cow/calf" leather, but but but I did buy some really nice goatskins from them, so it's Worth giving them a call ? You ask for Patrick and should get a good deal. Other than that, I will be going to a Tannery near Montpellier soon to check out their vegetable tanned leather as they seem to have quite a good stock, but will have to see the quality and they appear to be more chrome tanning. After I've been, I'll let you know my thoughts. (rubbish as the Freddie the fox would say)

Yeah ! Constabulary ! Just gone through the references and I can live with the sizes they advertize. thanks. Looks like the horses will be cosy this winter after all ! I'll call them on Monday and sort out an order with them.

Yes. When I order from the US I usually count the price of dollars as if it was euros. The difference in the exchange rate usually covers customs duties, VAT and transport. As I have an EORI number, even if the amount is less than 150 euros I still have to pay all the taxes.... Yes, I found the range of 794 needles with the LR point I needed at Advance Enterprises in the UK who were really helpful. They're still looking for the round points and I have about 30 horseblankets to repair, winter's coming and I really need them ! I'm going to phone College Sewing on Monday. I didn't come across them before when I googled the problem. Thanks for the tip. By the way, your English is really good (if you're german), no excuses if an expat !

Thanks Wizcrafts and Constabulary I did look at the banner advertisers' shopping area but didn't find exactly what I was looking for, so I will email them, you never know. Thanks for the explanations concerning the 7x3 and 7x2. Another new thing I learnt today ! and Yes, definitely I'm in agreement, I need to stick with one system. I'm not very good or patient when it comes to fiddling with nuts and bolts (but very patient with knots and needles). I'm located in France, but it's six of one wherever you buy nowadays. Shipment from the USA sometimes is quicker than the UK, depending. Shipment from Asia must come by boat

Can anyone help to sort this out ? I'm really confused about the real difference between the 794, 7x3 and the 328 needle systems. From what I understand the different manufacturers have the same system but the variable very slight different lengths of the needles can damage your machine. My machine is the Global WF 9205 which is a copy of the Durkopp Adler 205. The 9205 uses the 794 system. It is very difficult to find the needles in packets of 10 and in different sizes / points. I have found the sizes with the LR point but can only find the 328 with a round point. I was told that it is not interchangeable and that adjustments need to be made to the machine. Can't do that everytime I start a new job. Apparently the 328 singer needles are slightly shorter/longer (?) than schmetz or Groz Beckert (or should I say Going Bezerk). I would be happy to just stick to the 794 system but have to buy 100 needles at a time instead of 10. At 70 euros a time x 4 different sizes that's a lot of dollars... Would anyone be willing to sell a selection of the 794 in P, S, LL, R in sizes 130 to 230 ?

Hi Mike, the only link I found, you have to pay about 5 dollars on the Juki site. My supplier is coming on Monday to sort out the new machine I bought and my problem with needles. It's not Goek Beckert it's Going Bezerk ! Anyway, he sells Juki so I'll ask him. Thanks for the link. I'll try them, haven't heard of them before... Depending on where you are exactly in France (Brittany but where ?) I have a delivery system from the UK every second week. He brings over beer from GB for my brother in law and horse food in that order. He actually brought my second hand machine from somewhere near Villefranche but charged a little extra... Anyway keep it in mind, it may help. Really hope your Juki works out well for you. I've come to the conclusion that there isn't the perfect machine and you deal with what you get... I thought I was doing a good deal on mine by selling the adler only two years old to switch to a Global. But now I have to add a servo motor and buy the needles from the UK... A link which might be interesting is the tannery in Bellac called Gal Tannerie. This is where I get my leather from. I go from time to time and also go through their bins The offcuts from their preparation for stirrup leather work really well as bag stiffeners ! You have to get to know them a bit and then can get the leather delivered. A couple of times I haven't been happy and they have resent free of charge. Most of my hardware I get from Ohio Travel Bag. They have a great sales service, very friendly and eager to help. The pricing is good and they have a wide selection. Some brass ware I get from Japan. Very nice, very expensive (custom's duty, tax etc)

Hiya Doug, Yes that wouldn't be a problem. I have been living in France for more than 37 years now (but now have a strange mixed accent apparently !) Yes, the general feeling of the leatherworker.net is really friendly and I have read nothing which comes across as "big ego" The american members seem well ahead particularly in the technical domain, so you get the feeling the more you know, the less you know ! So, anything I can do, bring it on ! Thanks King's X !

Hi Mike ! Nice to "meet" you ! I was brought up in Scotland and we could see Irland from the island. Always said it was a sheep's throw away I've just exchanged my sewing machine with one that has just arrived fresh from Brittany. The needle system is the 794 type. Do you know of any good online suppliers in France. I found a wonderful topic somewhere in this forum with a supplier in the US. There seemed to be a much larger choice of needle tips and as I didn't toggle it, I can't for the life of me find the link.... grrrrrr. Anyway, if you're in the Bordeaux area, let me know !

Hi, I love reading the different posts on this forum and wow, from the gallery I have a long way to go ! Today, thanks to Wizcrafts topic about sewing machines, I think I have finally been able to make the right decision (hope, pray ....). Anyway, thanks all for sharing your knowledge and expertise and hope to contribute some time. Nice weekend to all, Carole