LumpenDoodle2

I'm not a machine guru, but...... Could it be thread/needle size? Could the back stitching be making the holes just that bit too small, causing the thread to get stuck underneath. The reduced space may be gripping the thread, and not allowing it to tension properly. Does the same thing happen when you do a row of reverse stitches only. If you then stitch forward on that row, is it ok, or does it birdnest underneath.

You're nearly at the fun part now. Hang on in there.

To increase the friction on the bobbin winder wheel, you should be able to loosen the screws that hold your bobbin winder onto the table, and just shove the whole unit along a bit. But if when put the spool on the winder, press the tag/lever which shoves the tongue looking thing up onto the bobbin, I take it it doesn't spring back when the bobbin is full?

Don't worry, there's always a gremlin waiting in the wings. You mght need to lift the machine just clear of the table surface, then slide the plate in from left to right. Sometimes, with the machine hinged over on its side, you can lever the plate spring into place with a screwdriver, then push the plate home. Other machines, you have to feed the plate into the space at an angle fron right to left. Problem is, I've got so involved in reading about your belt, and winder, I've forgotten what machine you have.

May I suggest, for the sake of your safety, that you remove the screwdriver after giving it a bit of a wiggle to open up the splitty bit on the shaft. Otherwise, make sure you have health insurance. ;-() (or have the camera running for a good bloody youtube vid).

I have bought a couple of stamps off ebay, from a chap in the Czech Replublic (bit nearer to home for you), and I believe he makes his own stamps. It might be worthwhile to talk to him to see if he could make the tools you need. Message me if you want any more contact info.

I'm just a beginner with this leather carving myself, but I do like your leaf.

I bought an ancient dremel style engrave/embosser from ebay. Renewed the 50 year old wiring, and gave it a go. It seemed to work ok, but too noisy for my liking.

See, great minds think alike. ;-()

Lol! You could just do what I do. Take a bit string, put it round the two pulleys, just like the belt, then measure its length. I can guarantee from personal experience, it is idiot proof. :-()

My husband has just made me a floor standing stitching pony. It's a lot more useful than my old one, but not as nice looking as yours. The area I call my workspace is tiny, so the floor standing version is ideal.

The last time I saw any of those was in the Kilbowie Singer Sewing Machine Exhibition, at Clydebank, Scotland. I would love to try any one of them out.

Don't know about lying awake at night, but I've always found that mentally going through the steps of an upcoming job, or project, seems to make the actual process go smoother. I'm also a great believer in having a lie down if I can't sort a problem out. That little space between awake and sleep just seems to open the imagination up. (Good excuse for a day time nap too.)

I bought a Joy's pf-5318 from a local upholsterer. Ok, not the greatest machine for leather on the planet, but it was cheap, and does sew what I need to sew (up to 6mm leather, webbing, and canvas). I can also quickly stitch up prototypes on it to check pattern accuracy/viability. I sew leather belts on it (again, limited by thickness), and anything thicker, I hand sew. In truth, because my budget is limited, I have found it's better to have a tool to do some, if not all of the job for you, than wait to afford the best, while struggling along just now.

I bought one of those tools, and the stitch groove tool is not too bad, and I do use it on occation. Although no doubt the quality varies from tool to tool, the edge cutters on mine do a good job too. It will certainly give you a chance to try out several tools without having to fork out a lot of money. But I can guarantee that as soon as you really get into leatherwork, you'll be upgrading to better, individual tools.

It's the end of a project look. Then comes the 'big cleanup'. You just get everything back in order again, when 'BANG!!! And it all starts up again.........

That is very nice, I've just got the husband to make me a new stitching poney, but a tall one that can sit on the floor. I'm very happy with it, but will also refrain from showing you pictures of it (made out of unfinished scrap wood, and it would be embarrassed to be next to your lovely version).

Go for it. At that price, you are getting yourself a handy machine, which will easily sew 1/4 leather (it looks similar to the Joy pf5318, but better, but don't quote me on that). It may not be perfect, but for $400, it's increasing your options. As to the feed dogs and feet. You can pick up another set of feed dogs easily enough, and what I did was grind down the teeth a bit to stop them marking the leather. Smooth feet will solve marking the top lair. Later, if a more suitable machine comes along, you already have the servo to swop over.

I'm the same. I probibly couldn't resist buying it just in case it came in handy one day (I have a hut full of 'just in case' stuff). It also looks nice.

I agree, hang on to them just now. The other tools you need won't cost much, and has been said, if you sell these ones, then get into leatherwork, you'll regret it. Have a bit fun with them, then make your mind up.

Yes, maybe a small offering to the spelling god just before you start work next time. Commiserations.

It's the spelling gods having a laugh at your expense. Been there, done that, got the T Srith.

It appears the directors (brothers and a cousin) fell out, and possibly it was easier to shut down the factory than deal with the problems.

I got the husband to turn a burnisher for me. I've also mounted it to one side of a grinder (a very cheap one)' using the cone threaded shaft thing they use to keep polishing wheels on with. I did see on youtube, someone who made one of these burnishers, who nailed on a disc of heavy leather with a hole through it. The leather gripped the cone, and seemed to give it a more exact fit.

Bartering has its uses, and is always worth a bit of discussion. The last 2 trades I made was a metal detecting holster for 7 lovely big trout from a fly fisher/detectorist I know, and a finds pouch for 2 delicious pheasants (had to pluck and clean them myself, though).