Tramps Leatherworking

There is also a method using heat sublimation...

2012 Heritage...

Welcome to the forum! Remember --- Vincent van Gogh never sold a painting while he was alive --- beauty is in the eye of the beholder...

The reason for tempering/slicking your leather is to compact the fibers and take some the stretch out of it --- rubbing leather with a glass slicker when it’s wet will compress the fibers and compact them. You will typically temper stirrup leathers on a saddle. Why? Well, because they are going to carry some of your weight, and if you don't they will have a tendency to stretch out on their own. Tooled belts that are single ply are good to temper as well, since when you stamp them the will have a tendency to stretch --- not only in length but also out of shape. And it does seem to give stamping a crisper appearance, but it will usually take more pressure to achieve the desired results. I do not use a slicker when tooling, nor does anyone I have learned from and most of their stuff looks great, so I think it just comes down to personal preference.

Is this a walking foot machine? How much tension do you have on your presser feet? On some machines I have actually had to lift and lower the presser feet after each stitch on sharp corners to keep the machine from distorting the bottom layer...

Nice job!

I use Osborne --- it's hard to beat them for the price...

Very nice, I think those will fit on my Harley...

Very nice!

If you have an electrical extension cord and someone close to your shop has an out of doors electrical receptacle, well there you go --- problem solved...

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!