LumpenDoodle2

I'm interested in those stamps too. I need to upgrade mine. And your rig is very nicely done, good choice in colour too.

I've read the opinions of a few folk who own a Sailrite, and they are very happy with it. I agree though, if you have the space, get a full sized industrial machine, and when you do, the first thing you should do is fit a servo motor.

Praise the gods, and sacrifice the goat! My book arrived today, and it was worth the wait. Now I just need some time to get a chance to read it

I was just about to post what gottaknow said. My first industrial machine had been fiddled with big time, and the timing was way out. It was when I removed the top plate, and looked at the screws holding the camshaft in place, that I found out how much tinkering had been done. The head of every screw was chewed, and some were not even tightened down properly. No wonder the previous owner couldn't get it to sew. I had no idea what I was buying, but it only cost me £30, so I didn't mind taking a chance with it.

If it was me, I'd pass the threatening messages on to ebay, as what he is doing is against ebay policy. You also don't know how many others he's bullied like this and got away with it. Pass it on ebay purely to let them know what is going on. They need to know about this sort of thing, as otherwise, all they see is another seller, and a faulty item. It keeps yourself right if nothing else. What I find slightly worrying is that someone has allowed this bampot with way too much unjustified aggression to have a gun, Leaving him in charge of a sharpened stick would be decidedly iffy for the world (IMHO).

Welcome. If it's surface rust, get some 3 in one oil, or sewing machine oil, and very fine wet and dry sandpaper. Be generous with the oil, then a gentle rub with the sandpaper, it should do the trick. Once you have wiped the tools down, then If you have access to a grinder with a buffing wheel, just give the handles a bit of a buff.

I'm learning to sharpen my tools, and maybe these punches were at the bottom of my learning curve. I'm not entirely ruling out cheap metal being part of the problem though. I have gently sharpend, and mainly polished the punches, and the ones that haven't died, work well. As to using an arbour, I bought myself a 1/2 ton arbour, and it certainly does the job, but for the moment, I'm enjoying releasing my pent up frustrations and inhibitions, by hitting things with a hammer. :-)

One bent, and two others have a distinct 'list' (I obviously don't know my own strength). Another, after punching just 4 holes, the end crumpled inwards.

Many thanks, I shall now commune with the great god google.

Having small hands, I have difficulty using rotary punches, so have been using the one's you hit with a hammer (what are they called again?). Biggest problem I have is the quality. Although I use a dead weight plastic hammer, and a big lump of end-on grain tree trunk, they don't last my abuse for long. Does anyone know a good make of punches in the UK (or EU) that I can buy, and sneak past the husband.

I did a google (ooh er, missus) and came across a US patent 1921/22 which claimed the heated presser foot 'ironed' the seams. Could these machines have previously been used to iron on stabiliser to the back of a fabric seam.

Be happy, the same stamp from Tandy in the UK is £28.07.

Just give him his money back "he aint wurf it", and get your holster back, if possible. If it is so unuseable, then he shouldn't mind. You could always take another tact, by mentioning that you need to see the damage to work out how it happened and prevent it happening to other holsters. If he's honest, he won't mind sending it back, if he's coming the cowboy, then he'll be reluctant. Especially if he has abused the holster in some way. As to ebay, take no nonsense from them. I had a case of someone bidding on an item, and not taking the time to read the details. Their opening gambit was to aggressively demand a part or full refund or they would leave negative feedback (something ebay say they do not tolerate). I spoke to ebay, and explained the situation, and they agreed I was not at fault, but unbeknown to me, a couple of hours later, the decided to refund the buyers money and get the item sent back to me. I blew my top at them, as the buyer had broken ebay rules by threatening me with negative feedback. Ebay backed down and let me keep the money and the item. Still annoyed that they took no action about the buyer, but that's ebay for you.

I looked into the idea of converting an air compressor powered descaler tool into a leather tooling thingy, just out of curiosity. Again, it's the noise which put me off going ahead and trying it.

That's great, thanks, I shall give them an email and see what happens. I am having difficulty justifying paying almost £200 for a new book, however good it is meant to be.

Sadly, they are the US suppliers who posted the book which got lost.

Ok, so I treated myself to a used copy of this book in January, and waited patiently for the 2-5 week delivery from the US to UK. After 6 weeks, we have come to the conclusion it is not going to arrive. One refund later, I bought another used copy. It suddenly became unavailable, so refund later, I am still looking. I have emailed a few US suppliers but they do not seem keen on sending a book out to me. Does anyone one out there know someone selling this book, and are ok to post it to the UK. A long shot, I know, but I was so looking forward to getting my grubby little mits on this book, and I am known for my impatience when it comes to books. Maureen

Not in the same class, but I once bought an 1880's domestic sewing machine from fleabay. I contacted the seller, and specifically requested that they added extra padding inside the machine casing, and not rely on the little catch which holds the machine on to the base. The buyer ignored my request, and after a final 'hefting' into my hall from a height of 2 feet by the courier, I opened the parcel. The lovely 135 year old wooden case had 'exploded' because the machine was bouncing around inside. More importantly, the casting on two areas of the machine had broken. The only good thing was that it was a very cheap machine to buy, and for display only, so I was able to live with the damage. So well done you two for really caring for the machines. I just wish that other people would take the time to do the job well.

Zuludog's right, you can do a lot with a dremel. Another thing, if your grip isn't too good at the moment, get some of that neoprene pipe insulation, and either pad out the tools for your left hand, or make a removable grip. Not only will that save the tool bouncing out your hand, but let you make the most of the grip you have.

Freewebstore is a pretty good system for a webshop, and is already set up for sales. Again though, someone then has to take the time to list, describe the items, and update stock. Proper webshops with basket facilities aren't the 'big company only' thing they used to be. It's also something you kind of get used to, so when you come across a company whose webshop lists all their items, then asks you to phone them to order, it feels a bit old fashioned. Sorry, back to subject, I agree, try a different foot. The variations you can find in generic parts can turn buying them into a bit of a lottery.

I'm afraid I have no idea, but I do sympathise with you, It's the sort of thing I do.

Put it this way, I spent 1/2 hour today crawling along my livingroom carpet, using my strap cutter to cut out belt blanks (and the knees don't work as well as they used to). :-) I'm just a bit jealous, I think.

Join me at the 'deprived' table. In my case, I cut leather on my little work desk. After cutting, I then spend a good five minutes picking up all the stuff which has been swept off the desk when I dare to move the hide even a fraction. Oh for a 10 x 5 foot workroom, never mind that size a cutting table.

Scissor Putter-togetherer......What a wonderful job title. Also love the wear in that hammer handle.

This looks a fascinating project. I'm not a very techie nerdy, but I can appreciate nerdiness in others. I would love to hear more about this.