MADMAX22

And there is probably more then one.

Thanks Wiz Ill look into that or try the drill method. I usually only have one large spool of any one color (gotta get more thread) but regardless the bobbin always pops away from the tab that engages to turn it on my 4500 so I end up sitting there with slight pressure on the bobbin to keep it engaged and turning. Ive tried playing with things but it still does it about 50% of the time.

Congrats and enjoy. Wish the 4500s came with the separate bobbin winder. Makes stitching items a heck of alot less time consuming.

Thanks Wiz. Finally found a few threads with some more info (not much) once I figured out how to search for it, think most of it is stuff you have posted. Kind of surprised these arent up on the various dealer websites over here. I guess the price over the 4500 would subdue the sales.

So saw this on the hightex site, 7205 and its various partners. Just curious how this compares to the 4500. I noticed the head of the unit is arranged differently but the overall casting is similar but some differences there as well. Anyhow can you guys fill me in. Thanks.

Yeah hopefully he got the other sets that usually come with them, Ill admit what did come with his is pretty nice compared to some of the stuff I have on mine. His slotted plate is fine to run with the other parts its just he is using one of these which is catching in the slotted plate groove.

Your center foot has the thread line bottom thing (forgot what its called), that is catching on your slotted plate hole. Put some leather under it and see what it does. Dont run it "dry" like that if you can help it.

Same thing with WC, either way if you can swing it order from the tannery. Every place I have scene with the exception of getting rid of old stock (probably low grade hides or returns) your going to pay 30-60 dollars more per hide no matter who it is.

Very cool, most of those tools look brand new. That edge for instance you dont see old ones like that looking that unbroken in. Enjoy.

Well Dwight as a member that has been here a little longer then you and knowing there were skulls here well before either of us showed up I dont see an issue with suddenly making it a offense. Skulls have been a part of art work for thousands of years and I dont see any reason that should change if it is what the individual wants to either purchase or create. Sure actual pornography or "foul" language can be moderated but as far as the other pieces of art work I dont see an issue. But thats just my opinion, like everyone else it probably varies from 99% of the population but then again 80% of statistics are made up on the spot to further liberal campaigns or so I heard.

Oh no, Its vegtan (vegetable tanned) that you want, its called tooling leather or skirting leather. Vegan "leather" is plastic and is bad for our environment

If your doing long straight runs unguided a round/head knife IMHO is the way to go. I have a few and a couple are larger (5-7") and a couple are pretty small (3"). The larger ones I use for straight longer runs and skivving edges. The smaller and inbetween size I do the finer detail turns and what not. If I was doing filigree I would have some scalpel type knives. The thing with the head knives are being able to sharpen them properly or however works for you. I like the fact that I can cut out a bunch of stuff, flip to the other side cut out a bunch more stuff, then strop it and be ready to go again. Personally I rarely cut along a straight edge and thus the box cutter type blades give me issues with wanting to wander while I cut. I personally can keep the head knife on a marked line pretty easily.

Not a watch strap maker so.... What was the issue with the HO? Was it the type of leather, was it just a low grade hide (which seems to be issues with resellers of HO). In my experience WC has some very nice tooling leather, you can get there tooling/bridle/skirting all split to the thickness you like. In my limited experience the HO is naturally a tad darker then WC, the HO tools very well but finding a good clean quality hide from any of the resellers of HO is difficult. The WC also tools well but have found sometimes cutting WC is a tad more difficult with there tooling leather. All the hides I have ordered straight from WC have been very clean, WC tooling leather is lighter in its undyed state.

I would have to find the picture of a few sheaths I made with a ostrich knee outer layer. Similar to above but I will glue the exotic to the vegtan lining material. Stitch the portions that will not be at the edges like the top of the knife entry point. Wet the vegtan liner and mold like normal. Stitch the outer edges like normal as well. One of these isnt really overly wet formed, the others are hopefully also good examples of what your looking for.

I would not bother with it, the leather has been tanned a certain way and changing those characteristics is going to take a lot of time and effort that will probably not work. Ya dont really see much if any suede type holsters. You will see the rough out holsters sometimes if that is the style they are shooting for however they are still using a vegtan type leather.

The issue with HO seems to be the low end hides you get from the resellers. If you get a good HP side they are great for tooling. If you can afford 5 or 10 hides depending on type of leather they are worth it IMHO. WC has some nice leather, I prefer there skirting leather split down to the thickness I need.

I use that fiebings chocolate on my edges, really like it. The stitching is excellent IMHO. Couple/few hours of stitching ya got there.

True Greywolf, I was just saying if the machines are rediculously expensive that it is worth looking into the initial cost of ownership by having one shipped out. I have no idea of the shipping charges so it would be something the OP would have to look into. I agree its nice to have physical support when available but even here in the states that is difficult. The closest physical person that sells a 441 clone in my case is well over 1000 miles away. I depend entirely on phone or forum support to resolve my issues. I would have spent more money to buy locally if one was available at the time but no such luck and to have one of the "seattle" shops order one of these machines basically would have been difficult/lack knowledgeable support/ and cost an arm and a leg.

Your a lucky man, enjoy and post some pics of stuff ya dont know what it is. Sure plenty of people here do.

Scoure craigslist for leveling plates. I picked up a 24x36x4" one for $100, a little bit of a cost but in the long run its great to work on, just sucks to move.

Nigel that is one nice looking workbench behind Dave. Logs like this as mentioned are a pretty valuable addition for punching holes and various other task. Even if you dont have to be quiet. They are cheap/free in most cases. Using it like Nigel also acts like a cutting board in a way because of the grain orientation which helps prevent dulling of your tools. Even with the harder woods although you dont want too hard of a wood. Most any of the fruit trees, maple, walnut, oak, madrona would all be good choices.

More time consuming but depending on thread size I will leave the beginning and end threads a little long and do a saddle stitch by hand for 3 or so stitches and finish with both threads out the back of the project. Makes for a nice clean back stitch that doesnt jumble up like what happens sometimes with backstitching using larger thread.

Guess both those "companies" order there belts from the same place and have there logo added to it.

I started with a mallet and ever since I got my mauls the mallet has not been used for tooling since. They are different and take some getting use to but once you do its like night and day difference IMHO. I have a few different weights but the I think it is about 11oz and the 20oz get used the most with the 14oz on occasion.

Uwe that is great. I think any industrial machine should come with the bare essentials labeled on them, like the old school lathes. Ofcourse the new ones your on the computer so it doesnt really matter anymore.