LumpenDoodle2

I would love this site to have a thanks button, and possibly a smiley tongue in cheek emoticon.

Many thanks, I shall try that later today. I'm afraid I was having a neandertal day yesterday, with banging the rocks together being overtechnical.

Just joining you in the gallery, Constabulary.

We've got a lot more old junk........I mean historical antiques, kissed with the patina of the centuries, if you want anything else.

It it apoears to be a clone of the Highlead GC-0318 (which is also a clone, I believe). I have included a couple of pictures, which may (or may not) help.

Having a problem with one of my machine, which for some reason I cannot get my head round. The small/inside presser foot will not rise. I can lift it with the lever ok, but while sewing, it just sits there, so the stitch is tiny, as the material doesn't move properly. Yesterday, I dismantled it to check the parts, and I can see wear on several pieces,but I seem to be having an extended brain burp, as I can't see how to fix it. As I have said, I just cannot see how to fix it for some reason (my mind is obviously on higher things). Any ideas/suggestions greatgully received.

Can I put my order in now? How about crowdfunding.

Call that a curve? I have a set of original cheap tools that I bought to start me off, and most of them have quite a jaunty curve to them. If I use them, I have to keep tapping them straight. In fact, two snapped in half after being straightened too many times.

I've been guilty of floral language in my descriptions, but if it works............... In my previous working life, I had been known to use lines such as 'character', and 'patina of centuries'

Very nice rigs, with nothing over the top to detract.

I swithered between a cheap new knife, and a badly treated Dixon round knife. Fortunately, I plumped for the Dixon. Thanks to the advice I received on here, I tackled the sharpening myself. I am now the proud owner if a lively (and sharp) knife, although I am still learning how to use it properly, I use it at every opportunity. Just to add, I bought myself a Geo. Barnsley & Son quarter knife (new, old stock). Tidied up the edge, and am pretty happy with the results. As madmax22 says, learn to sharpen them yourself, as this will allow you to maintain them.

I have a pair of winter socks I bought off ebay. Apoarently, they were hand knitted by a grannie in Moscow, in pure Yack wool. I bought them because they looked lovely and warm (and the grannie story tickled my liking of the slightly unusual). If telling your 'service' history, or where the item is made floats your customer's boat, then fair enough, go for it. But the thing that gets my money is (1) how the thing looks, (2) quality for price (3) What do other customers say. ( 4) can I justify to myself (or the hubby) the price asked. Everything else is just advertising, and unless it is pertinant to the item (ie, leather used, advantage of that style/stitching/etc, or possibly the historic relevance of design), then it is just that, an attempt to convince the buyer that there is a 'justification' to the purchase other than the item itself. Confidence in your product means telling the story of the item you have made, and after that, it's up to the customer. If they like it, they will come back, and usually bring another customer with them. I think what I'm trying to say here is, that you should stand by your product, your product shouldn't have to stand (or be supported) by you.

Just to add, I've had a couple of opportunities to sell to a dealer/shop, but only did it once, never again. You sell at a discount so they can get their cut, and end up assembly line making an item for them.

I know I don't charge enough for my things, most of my customers tell me so. :-) Thing is, I consider myself as still an amateur, and price accordingly, but I cover my costs, and make enough money to be happy about it. I have also had the irritation of a customer complaining about the price. Apparently, he could have bought the same item, and saved more than half the price by buying from China. A load of tosh, I know that (and he knows that), but there are some people in this world who would complain about the price, even if it was free. Get a few reviews from happy customers to do your advertising, and don't pander to the meanies out there. If a dry spell happens, use it to work on a new idea/item, it might be the thing that carries you over the next dry spell.

Said it before, but LeProvo for me every time. The website is a bit 'old fashioned', but don't let that put you off. Also, they are happy to chat on the phone, and send out a sample to you. I just put an order in now, confident that they will send me the right stuff, and the right quality. Absolute stars, IMHO.

I have gone into my little workshop 3 times today to get the tool numbers, and 3 times I've ended up involved in something else instead.

I fully agree with you, but as you say, it's how people think about the American West. It's the same way that we never used to see anyone shot dead, sprawled in horse poo on the streets of a Hollywood western. Rose tinted watsits. I do like to make my usual rigs out of less than perfect leather though. Those marks, knocks, and scrapes reflect real life and every day wear much more accurately to me. It also lets the re-enactment folk walk out there on the first day of the season, already 'worn in'. But there again, the rigs in the pictures were fun to make, loved by the owner, and I've just sold 2 more of the brown one.

You've done the right thing having your work home based. I gave up my full time business completely, as it was getting too much physically, and way too many hours. I took up leatherworking, with the plan of working part time only, but am pleased to say that I am a busy bunny. What I earn allows us to pay for the luxuries in our life, but if I had to rent a workshop, and travel to it every day, I think I'd just give up. Sure, having more space would be great, but at the moment, I can have a break from work, see to the laundry, nip out for shopping, etc, and generally arrange my day to suit me and the hubby. I do have to start taking more time off, but not just now. I need to get these orders out first.......

I have the same disorder myself. Most of my Singers are domestic, and 'decorate' the livingroom now. Funnily enough, I've managed to 'shuffle' my little workshop about, and got enough room to fit in yet another sewing machine. So yes, there is mo hope for me. I succomed........

Scotland - where god got his best ideas.

I think the problem with 'useful' pistol gcode files, is the blind panic everyone got into when they heard that you could 3D print a gun. Being new at that sort of thing, I'm very grateful that someone has gone to the bother of designing even a basic file and made it available for anyone to download. Downside is, the files available are fine, but certainly not extensive, and with the best will in the world, they all have to be tweaked. I think we need someone who knows what they are doing to get files out there which actually could be useful. Imagine if you had a special order, and you just downloaded an accurate gcode file, and printed it out prior to starting the holster. I love the idea of printing out your own mould for wet forming leather to any design you want.

I can't claim to have done the hard work. Some very kind folk on thingiverse did the work on constructing the gcode files on a couple of prop guns, which I found I could make use of. The parts are printed out, then you glue everything together. I googled the proper dimensions, then scaled within the software. Not a perfect solution, and if an alternative exists, it's a lot easier to take it, but it allows me to have a 'blue gun' which is adequate for my very basic needs.

Just did a quick google. I had seen the ads for his patterns, but didn't realise how much great info is on his website. He really knows what he is doing.

Many thanks, chaps. That's the thing I noticed about the pictures of holsters from the 1800's that I've looked at. Although some of them were quite heavily decorated, the tool range used, wasn't as extensive as we use today. A lot (not all) of the carving on a holsters were basically that, a carved design with limited, or non-existant shading. I think it helps that I've never seen a 'proper' holster in the flesh, so to speak. Makes me more than happy to try out the ideas a customer has.

3D printer. Solved the gun thing for me.