Tramps Leatherworking

It looks like you have been very busy and having fun at the same time --- nice job!

Very nice --- great job! ~Tramp~

Roller feet are for straight stitch, single foot machines only, not walking foot machines... ~Tramp~

There are several options available for those machines --- I would suggest you give Bob a call at Toledo Industrial Sewing, or Nick at Nick-O-sew --- both are forum sponsors and will be able to get you fixed up with what you need... ~Tramp~

I use an Osborne #54 Stitching Awl for hand stitching and I find these to be very good quality --- they polish very nicely and with some care remain extremely sharp. ~Tramp~

I am curious as to why you want to install a roller foot on a walking foot machine? ~Tramp~

Michelle, My guess would be because Nylon thread has been around since the 1930's and at one time had the reputation of being more sewable and stronger than Polyester thread. At one time this may have been true, but the formulations used for both nylon and polyester threads have evolved over time to the point that Polyester is just as strong and sewable as Nylon, plus you get the added benefit of better outdoor durability in the Polyester threads. I use Polyester mostly because I work in the Motorcycle/Biker genre and outdoor durability is a concern. (Motorcycles are meant to be ridden, not kept in a garage). Also, in some cases Polyester is actually stronger than Nylon of the same thread sizes. ~Tramp~

Thanks, I would rather make my own than alter someone else's product, but money is money... Do you have a Patcher machine? ~Tramp~

Thanks! Yes, on this vest I did since I had to modify the lining and gun holsters extensively, it was quite easy. The machine is a Singer 127 treadle (Vintage 1922) and I use it every day, I can use #69 bonded polyester threads and it sews like a dream --- I love using it. I have done so many vests that I can take the lining loose and sew patches on with a flatbed very quickly… I have two of these old Singer treadles and enjoy them both. I have a Consew 227R-2 that I also use for making vests, chaps, saddlebags, etc., and it also works well for sewing on patches… ~Tramp~

You might try these guys also... http://www.brettunsvillage.com/leather/parts/rivets.htm

I reduced my pictures down to about 1 MB (2000 X 1500) and they uploaded fine... ~Tramp~

Thanks, the customer wanted to be able to put expander panels in the sides so it would fit over a leather motorcycle jacket --- I did all the patch work also... ~Tramp~

I just finished altering this vest for a customer, they wanted it to have lace up sides... This type of vest is not available with lace up sides. ~Tramp~

Thanks Wild Bill, I find massed produced leather items are too generic --- I like things with their own personality... The leather items we make --- like the motorcycles we ride --- should be an expression of the creator --- no two should be exactly the same... ~Tramp~

Nice Job!

I made a pouch out of microfiber cloth with a drawstring at the top and I just put my glasses in the pouch and slide them in the leather glasses case --- plus it gives me something to clean my glasses with...

If you are looking to buy a new belt, try this company, I have bought several things from them... http://shop.sew-classic.com/Belt-Treadle-universal-3-16-diameter-P60013.htm You can also buy belt material in bulk on eBay...

I have two Singer treadle machines, the oldest being a 127 model made in 1922, and I use the traditional leather belts --- I think it adds to the nostalgia and character of the machines. When I install a new belt I rub it down with a good leather conditioner before I put it on the machine and I stretch it slightly, then install it. Once installed, I use violin bow rosin on the belt to give it a little more grip. ~Tramp~

So why does leather have that strong leather smell? Should it smell at all? Is there a bad smell you should be careful of? Well I’ll try to answer those questions in a short and sweet way! Anyone who has gone into a leather store has noticed the smell of leather. For most people it’s a pleasant smell. Leather is organic, it use to be living, as it was the skin of an animal. Anytime you take a hide from an animal it starts to break down. Now, if you just let a hide rot in the air, it would smell, but not in a good way! It would smell just like a dead animal, maybe not quite as bad. When they make leather they start treating it as soon as the hide is off the animal. There are many steps in treating a leather hide. You need to preserve the hide so it does not start to rot, like it naturally would. You also break down the fibers a bit so it is not really stiff. All the dyes, treatments, leather bathes and chemicals most leather goes through all have their own smell. Because all these liquids soak into the hide, they leave their own smell, mixing in with the leather smell. So some leather may smell stronger than others, depending on how it was treated. Some leather has almost no smell at all, while others always seem to have a strong odor. Leather also breathes, and always is letting out a little bit of the animal hide smell.

I disagree --- you would never get a consensus on that question... In judging music, as well as any piece of art, beauty is in the eye/ear of the beholder.

Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery --- how many motorcycle manufacturers don't make a Harley clone/lookalike model?

Isn't this like asking who are the best guitar players in the world?

Ditto... That is where I buy most all the thread I use, I use only Bonded Polyester in my machines, and have had no issues at all...

Google, Alvin professional cutting mats… I have a 30” X 42” and love it… If you shop around you can find some really good prices on these mats. I bought a cheap Poly cutting board from Wally world for pounding, and I also have a wooden 12” x 14” butcher block cutting board that works great. In addition, I also use a piece of hard rubber conveyor belt material for punching holes. I use an 18” X 24” Granite slab as a base for punching and tooling. I know this is a lot of info, hope you find it useful… Tramp

Just purchased a new machine (Consew 227R-2-LTHR Package) from the great folks at Nick-O-Sewing --- Nick was great to work with and the transaction was very professional. Check them out the next time you are ready to purchase a new piece of equipment, or supplies. No, he did not give me a discount for posting this... David (Tramp) ~Tramps Leatherworking~