UKRay

http://steampunkworkshop.com/organ-cockpit-desk Enjoy... Ray

As Luke says: sometimes the only way to know if something will work is try it on a test piece before hitting the important stuff. This is much harder to do when you are starting out as there never seems to be any scraps of leather left when you need one. After a while it gets easier... LOL Practise pieces make perfect! Ray

Now how did you know I was about to ask that question? Many thanks, Noah. Useful info and very timely! Ray

Steve, I had to use some silicone lube this week on some very dry 8-9oz veg tan leather that was 'snatching' at the needle as it pulled up. The lube eased the job and speeded things along no end. I tend to use 138 thread on my flat-bed Highlead machine pretty well all the time as it saves me adjusting tensions if I change thread color. I believe the issue here was the very dry leather, not the thread thickness or type or even the needle size which can occasionally cause some hassles. Like Luke, I sometimes use lube when I'm using a very hefty thread size on really thick leather. The silicone I use can be squirted very easily onto a little felt pad that then lubes the thread as it passes under it. As the pad is located directly over the needle it tends to lubricate the needle pretty well too. Ray

This thread seems to run and run... I finally got a great system together for dealing with antiquing that includes elements of all of the above. I now have paper on the bench that can be removed when it gets dirty, I have vinyl gloves so I can keep my hands clean and I have a range of applicators to make sure the filthy stuff stays on the leather and does not reach the dog. Personally, I find that mixing antiquing with Tan-Kote works best for me (thanks for that one, Kate) as it tends to dilute the antiquing and doesn't turn the whole project black. I just take a good dollop out of the jar with a spoon and drop it into a jam jar. Pour a healthy splash of Tan-Kote on top and stir until it feels about right - kinda like the consistency of thick custard. Okay - who doesn't know what a jam jar is? Who doesn't know what thickness custard is? We have a whole different language over here in the UK... I'll happily translate if required! Then I spread it around the project being careful not to get any on the back of the leather. I then leave it overnight - which is why all my antiquing jobs are left to the end of my work schedule. It makes a nice 'finish' (pardon the pun) to a busy day... LOL The following day I buff the surplus compound from the job and give it a final wipe over with some neat Tan-Kote to seal everything into place. Job done. Ray

This stuff is incredible. Thanks for posting, Dave. The clockwork tortoise is outstanding! What an amazing idea... Ray

Very clean work. Now try a few more of your own designs! Ray

Hi Reuben. You have some interesting things going on there but I'm unsure what you want from the forum? Are you looking for people to experiment with your new product? If this is the case then I'd want to know more about the cost of the process to the craftsman - and a lot more detail on light fastness and durability of the images. If you are just looking for someone to say - hey nice website then I'd have to agree with Dirtclod and say I had a problem reading it. Also it was very slow to download but maybe that is because it had to come a long way... LOL It is good to see new ideas and I think the images you have on the site are very exciting. It might be an idea to give us a better idea how you expect the product to be used and how easy it would be to get our designs printed onto leather. Also what sort of leather is it suitable for? I'm looking forward to hearing more. Ray

You don't need Twitter, cousin, you've got this whole forum to waste your time in! LOL However, I've just got a very nice job thanks to Twitter. Somebody who decided my tweets were worth following (did I say that right?) has just given me a nice order. I call that a result! I'm not sure I'll get any more business, but at least I feel my time wasn't wasted now. Ray

I've tried both sorts, Russ, and neither work! I can't see to thread the needle threader through the needle either! LOL I have two machines, Suze, one takes small spools and the other takes large ones - unfortunately they don't seem to be interchangeable. Honestly, guys, I need a stand alone bobbin winder! No, really I do... LOL Ray

That would be my question too, Tim. I use both big bobbins and smaller ones in my machines - I was looking for a winder that did both. I can dream! Ray

Not sure what you mean by hanging another spool off the machine, Art? The belt driven winder won't work because my belt is covered by guards and i don't want to remove them (I like my fingers LOL) This looks very similar to Ken's design, Crystal, and would work pretty well - but I still like the look of the ones I found! Somebody must have used one!

Welcome, John. It is always nice to know someone who I can send people too when I can't help them. Enjoy the forum and do post pics of your work when you can. Repairs are one of the hardest parts of this business and you have a good reputation. I'd like to learn from you - and I have a 29k58 too! Ray

Best put me on the picture list too. I want to see one of those Bo-Ho Funkies for myself! Ray

Hey, cousin, maybe someone on Twitter will know? You'd best start tweeting... LOL R.

I'm afraid you are behind the times, Mike. Its been 'out with the old and in with the new' around here for a while now - at least where sewing machines are concerned! (Okay - I won't part with my lovely 29k but the rest are modern). However, I'm happy to have a treadle bobbin winder if you are prepared to come along and power it for me - how's that? Ray

Impressive work as always, cousin - now if you had a Twitter account you could... okay, I'll stop now. Ray

Thanks for the help, Tim, could you possibly post a picture of your bobbin winder and perhaps let me know the make? I'd be most grateful. Ray

It sounds like there may be some value in Twitter, but I'm keen to hear other people's experiences of it. Has anyone actually got any work because of it? Does anyone feel it brings in any serious interest? How many people think it is a complete waste of time - other than Luke! Ray

I knew I was expecting too much... LOL Still, pics of a winder I can make myself sound great (thanks, Ken). All I need now is a second hand domestic sewing machine motor! ...or maybe one of those nice shiny dedicated bobbin winders that don't need building. Has anyone ever tried one? Ray

You'd think so wouldn't you, Al? <grin!> I started doing that when I first got the machine; however, I switch colours pretty regularly and it never works out quite right somehow. Nope - I definitely need a dedicated bobbin winder! LOL Ray

I'm with Tim - those spiral daylight bulbs are amazing! Ray

All good ideas, Russ, thanks. I hadn't thought of a cordless drill winder, but given that my cordless drill is shot, it would probably be cheaper to buy the right thing than replace the drill! LOL (I'll still check out Tippmanns - thanks). However: I've got a stack of filled bobbins but I never seem to have enough filled with the right colour thread for the job I'm doing. I accept that I regularly use five different colours of thread so I'm probably making life harder for myself! I un-thread the needle because I don't want the loose thread end whipping around when I'm filling the bobbin - is there a better way to do it? I always buy my thread spools in pairs for exactly the reason you outlined. It works for me. Ray

Superb PDF, Terry. Very interesting reading. Ray

I have come to the end of my patience with the bobbin winder on my Highlead GA2688-1. No, there is nothing wrong with it, in fact it works perfectly. The problem is me. My eyes are deteriorating quite badly and I have problems seeing well enough to thread the machine needle, but every time I need to fill a bobbin I have to un-thread the wretched thing before running the machine up. I really need an alternative to the winder on the top of the machine. Has anyone invented a workable solution? Before you ask, My drive belt is covered by a protective metal casing and I don't want to remove it. I get into enough trouble without sticking my fingers into moving machinery - hence the 'bolt-on' type of bobbin winder isn't going to work for me. I really need something free standing like this: click here for the link Has anyone tried one of those neat looking electric bobbin winders you see advertised on eBay? Do they work properly? Is there a make to look out for? Thanks folks, Ray