LumpenDoodle2
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Everything posted by LumpenDoodle2
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Don't panic about changing the tension on the bobbin of a sewing machine. Just keep two things in mind. 1/ Make sure you're about to turn the right screw. 2/ Turn the tension screw no more the 1/8th" at a time, either to loosen or tighten bobbin tension, then check the stitch. Under normal circumstances, one adjustment, maybe two is all that should ever be needed. And just like the Spanish Inquisition, here's the third thing. 3/ Take note of what you've adjusted, so that you can put it back to the original setting, if changing it makes no improvement.
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Do you have a bookbinder supplier near you? They usually stock (approx) 0.8-1mm leather. I am fortunate in having J Hewit & Son 5 minutes down the road from me. I have been able to buy lovely fine veg tan leather scraps from them. Mainly goatskin, and pigskin, and pre-dyed, but that's the only source I've come across.
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Thanks, but I think I'd prefer a gin and tonic. I did purchase a very cheap and cheerful setup from China. It consiss of two loupes fixed onto a spectacle type frame. I removed one of the loupes, as two loupes were unusable, but it's pretty good bit of kit, and has two little super powerful led lights built onto the frame.
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Ok, I've just tried the superglue. Houston, we have a problem.........
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Trust me, watchmaker's loupes are failry cheap, but I can't keep one in place for about 10 seconds at a time. Get one of those visor/spectacle frame magnifiers.
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Many thanks for the reply, I do like the idea of using a felt tip pen. I did once look at the blade with a 20x loupe, made the edge look like the Pyrenees.. Scary.......
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My question is in the same vein. I bought a French pattern head knife last year from fleabay. It was quite 'tired and emotional' and really needed a lot of work to get it to the point of being useable. I admit to having minimal knowledge on sharpening knives, but it is improving. My one thing though, is getting an equal sharpness over the whole of the head knife. It's at the point now where it will cut through 4mm with ease, in fact a couple of times I've thought it was making heavy weather of it, only to discover the knife cutting deaply through my mat under the the leather. As I've said though, not all of this knife is equal in sharpness, and I just can't get the technique quite right.
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I would second the Aussie Conditioner, lovely stuff.
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I was wondering about the inner foot adjustment. I've fiddled about with it a few times without it having any noticable effect. -
Lordy! I just googles Shop Fox mallet, and the cheapest I could find it was £50. I may have to lie down now.........
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Wierd Convergence Between Software And Leatherwork
LumpenDoodle2 replied to centerisl's topic in Leatherwork Conversation
Yes, it's too tidy. -
I have treated myself to one of those 1lb dead blow hammers (under £7 on fleabay). I figure if it's no good for my purposes, then the hubby can go hit things in his mancave/garden hut with it.
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Sadly, I have googled to find one of those this side of the pond, at that sort of price without luck. Nearest and similar, is in Italy, for £39 including postage, and although it looks lovely, and no doubt a joy to use, I don't think I could slip that past the hubby.
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I have one of those little wooden handles mallets, and for all it cost, it does the job, abd I really like it. I have small hands, so it is perfect for me. Interested in that 24oz one, though.
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There are a number of very good instructional vids and blogs out there that may help you. I use 0.8-1.3mm leather, and still have to skive the edges. One thing you have to consider with thick leather, is what happens when you try to open the book. Too stiff, and the spine will crack. Check out a company calld J Hewit &Son, they are based in Livingston, Scotland, and do a great little newsletter covering a lot of info on the practical side of bookbinding. They also stock the neccesary tools and leather, so should give you a good idea on what you need. I have made covers using cut out cardboard shape glued onto the boards, then moulded the leather over the shapes, then added gilt decoration, but never tooled the covers any other way.
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I did a google, and the list of things you can do with peanut butter, is quite amazing (we may be moving into 'adult section' territory here). Someone pointed out that it's probibly the veg oil that's doing these wonderous things, not the peanut bit. Apparently, it will also attracts Deer. I did ask the hubby if he would take part in an experiment, and smeared some peanut butter on him. It's been an hour now, and no Deer have appeard in our street. Maybe I'm using the wrong brand.
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Hi, sorry, but can't open pdf.
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Yes, It's for flint knapping. You use it for things like putting the notches in arrow heads.
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Being a cheapskate at heart, I buy the refills off ebay, and pop them into an ordinary ballpoint pen casing.
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I do know someone who had an elderly neighbour who had been a Singer engineer. When he died, they removed 600+ sewing machines from his basement. I have been led ti believe that Glasgow Council have them in storage.
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Yes, his site is a fascinating read, and a store of really helpful info for the lineage of vintage machines. His work's really appreciated by us sewing machine nuts.
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There again, if Wikipedia is to be beleived, Singer still done good on the mass production side. ;-() "From its opening in 1884 until 1943 the Kilbowie factory produced approximately 36,000,000 sewing machines. Singer was the world leader and sold more machines than all the other makers added together. In 1913 the factory shipped 1.3 million machines. " I thought it was only 16,000,000 machines, I must do another google to check. :-()
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There are several very good and informative websites covering the history of the sewing maching (including ISMACS), and Game of Thrones sums it up perfectly. I think one of the reasons Singer is seen as the 'wellspring' is that they perfected the mass production earlier, and produced a reliable, and affordable machine that you could buy on 'tick'. Ok, it would still cost you at least 6 months wages, but less than a number of other machines out there. Singer was also more willing to produce specialist industrial machine for the trade. There is an online vid of the Singer sewing machine collection held in Glasgow. Some real drool inducing machines there, and compared with other manufacturers machines, the parts are almost fully interchangable, but what machine came first.........
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First Three Stitches Loose On Topside
LumpenDoodle2 replied to TinkerTailor's topic in Leather Sewing Machines
Could the needle height be a fraction different, or bent? Pop an old needle back in and see if it cures it. Also, this is a longshot, but have you checked that the feed dog and presser feet screws are tight. As you've said, you've checked everything else. Good luck. -
A Western Gun Rig For A Celt
LumpenDoodle2 replied to MattW's topic in Gun Holsters, Rifle Slings and Knife Sheathes
That is excellent work.