YinTx

Something the artist only notices. All the rest of the cats just appreciate the fine work! If you printer is connected to your pc, and you can scan, often you can manipulate the scanned image. Your artwork is great, I've seen lesser quality sold for good $$. Don't be afraid to hang a shingle and put a price on it, a lot of us would be more than willing to spend some to save time. I have things I've wanted to tool out, but get 10 hours into the drawing and then it sits for years and never gets tooled because I'm not happy with it.

They came out absolutely fantastic. How did you do the lettering for the "Surly Joe" lyrics?

@Tim Schroeder, Your art is fantastic. Do you or have you ever considered selling patterns?

I realize this post is a few months old, but I did want to mention a different style of sharpener that I've used with some success: https://www.amazon.com/TrueCut-TC-01-1345-TrueSharp-Linear-Sharpener/dp/B07ZWGX3DH/ref=dp_prsubs_d_sccl_3/133-5690165-7664204?pd_rd_w=zRq1I&content-id=amzn1.sym.be3a2f09-77ee-4ba3-b2da-1b73c76c3fe2&pf_rd_p=be3a2f09-77ee-4ba3-b2da-1b73c76c3fe2&pf_rd_r=DZ721CH81TF02JS63SM7&pd_rd_wg=WZGeF&pd_rd_r=63833c2a-5555-465e-8890-9635e3c15f1d&pd_rd_i=B07ZWGX3DH&psc=1 You pretty much just roll the blade through it as if you were cutting something, no need to remove the blade or anything.

This! The sample you show looked a bit loose. Another trick I've learned is to make casing solution with some saddle soap, it really helps to lubricate the surface and allow for cleaner/smoother more controlled cuts. Give it a try. Also, sometimes I'll run a glass slicker over the surface a bit to help even the compression of the fibers. At any rate, after I've cut for a bit, almost inevitably material builds up on the blade and I will begin to feel a bit of drag, so strop again... and again. Casing solution done right can help prevent any mold forming. I live in a very humid environment, and have had work on the bench for days with no issues. Heck, the first thing I ever tooled got interrupted by a hurricane, stayed in a zip loc bag with no air conditioning in hot conditions for over a week before I could come back. It is now a 3 ring binder with an eagle. Do some experimenting with scraps to see if you have any issues.

The image you show looks like a "T" pocket shape design, and the stitched edge is only 2 layers of leather thick: one pocket and the backing. Leather I've used for pockets is generally around 1.25-2oz. Edge skiving helps a lot.

Thanks, I'll start down that route. Technically it is a BGMC, but they are no longer around and have't been for some time now. I tried contacting them when I first started this thread, but they were already awol then.

Ferg, Sorry to hear of your current situation. It has been a pleasure seeing your works and all, I pray for your improved health.

I did finally manage something, not entirely happy, and will adjust for any future designs, but it worked well enough.

That's an incredibly detailed design, well integrated! I really like the texture you used on the background for the perimeter of your floral work, and I can only wish my decorative cuts were as well placed as yours. Nice work!

Well, been a long while since I posted here, life has a way of keeping you busy! I did finally clean up that rats nest, and have been trying to get the machine back in correct timing etc. which has been a real challenge. I feel like the timing belt is quite loose: anyone know how tight it is supposed to be, or is a large amount of slack normal? I have not found how you are supposed to adjust the feed dog timing (vertical timing is not quite right), so if anyone can point me in the right direction there I'd appreciate it. Only videos I've seen are for the 226, which this is not. The Techsew 2700 instructins have the following: 22. Adjusting the timing of feed (Fig. 19) Standard position: When the feed dog appears from the needle plate and begins to feed, the needle should move downward, and is nears the needle plate and aligns with the hole on the plate. Please adjust the position of feed cam and rock shaft crank to adjust the timing of feed. 2) Install the feed cam At first, adjust the stitch length to zero, and open the up. per cover, turn the balance wheel counter clockwise by right hand; divide two screw of the feed cam equally as the oil hold is bisector. Anyone care to translate what that even means??!!? Consew 227 instructions are not much better, and I am not sure they actually relate to the feed dog vertical timing: TIMING OF THE VIBRATING PRESSER FOOT This is the normal timing when, turn the balance wheel toward you, after lowering the presser bar lifter, the vibrating presser foot should reach the feeder earlier than the needle eye comes to, and when the needle raises, the vibrating presser foot should leave the feeder after the needle eye has left the feeder. This is due to the reason that the vibrating presser foot must tightly hold the goods while the needle is passing the goods for avoiding irregular stitches. To adjust this, set the lift of the alternating presser feet to equal, loosen the two screws (3, Fig. 27) and adjust the rotating position of the cam (4, Fig. 27) faster or slower as may be desired, and tighten the screw. Any help is greatly appreciated!!!

Metal zips mostly for aesthetics, but also my perception that they will last longer. I'll let you know what I finally end up doing, hoping for more opinions and suggestions before I dive in again.

I've been trying to make a zippered portfolio gusset for a 3 ring binder, but have not been having luck. Tried using the instructions from the Making Cases by Stohlman, but it is resulting in really tall dimensions and a zippered gusset that just won't open all the way up. Most commercially available portfolios use a single side of the zipper tape, resulting in a "U" shape at the top. However, the metal zippers I have (riri) will not function with only one side of the tape, as the shape of the teeth will not mesh universally. What type of zippers are you all using to accomplish this, or is there a better way? It has been really frustrating for me, and resulting in a lot of wasted leather and a very late delivery for a customer. I've tried contacting Buckle Guy regarding the types of zips available, but they seem perplexed and fixated on the fact that the image I have is of a plastic zipper, which obviously I don't want for leather, but was the only thing I had around to illustrate what I am trying to do. Thank you all for some help! YinTx

Merry Christmas to you, Ferg, and to everyone else as well. I pray you have a full recovery. Each day is a gift, something I get reminded of all too often. YinTx

Also, I've probably stitched less than 10 yards with that machine in 10 years. Feeling like I didn't get my $ out of it, lol!