dikman

Trying to diagnose something like that when you're not in front of the machine is always difficult, which is probably why you haven't had any replies.

Yep, needle size was mentioned earlier in the thread.

Gezzer, feel free to use it (but if you sell any I want a cut!) DT, the real thing. I noticed that when we started shooting Single Action most of the shotgun shells were just discarded, which seemed pretty wasteful, so I started collecting them. I made a simple tool to separate the brass bases (still a lot of work!) and then decapped them. They go into my brass collection box, eventually I will melt them down or just sell them as scrap. I cut the rim down with a Dremel so it was almost flat then punched the leather and glued a shell each side. I'm thinking I might try something with .44-40 cases, I have quite a few as they damage easily when reloading!! I'm also toying with making a belt buckle with the .44-40 cases in a round pattern so it looks like a revolver cylinder.

An idea that popped into my head so I just had to make it!

I used it once on leather, it reacted and gave off some pretty bad fumes that made my eyes water! I haven't tried again.....

Post beds being something of a rare animal at $150 I'd just grab it! Worth the risk, in my opinion.

Visually very impressive, a lot of work went into that.

If, as others have said, it's a 441 clone (and in the brochure it certainly looks like one) then you will NOT be sewing 2-3 pieces of paper - unless it's bloody thick paper!! If you fit the modified needle plate/feed dog combo then you will be able to sew fairly thin leathers comfortably with #138 thread and if you can find suitable needles possibly #69 thread. While it is not a do-everything machine the modified fittings do make it pretty versatile.

Your clamp covers look cute.

Merry Christmas to all on here, may you keep safe and well in the New Year.

It looks like you are going to stitch across the billets? Never a good idea as that will then be the weakest point. Love the spalted maple, it's almost as nice-looking as antler (almost, but not quite ).

That's a very neat little unit, I wonder if it could be adapted to the bigger shuttle bobbins?

Yep, never heard of it and don't see how it could work. Casing requires damping the leather and then letting it partially dry, oil doesn't dry out. Feel free to try it, however and post your results to let us know what happens.

Eucalyptus oil is very good for removing adhesive and "shouldn't" harm the leather - also good for clearing the sinus! As for the holes there are three options as I see it - sew more patches over them (!), re-use the holes for decorative stitching or do nothing. That is the downside to sewing on leather, the holes are permanent.

Wiz, why would I want to shoot you? You're far to valuable on here.

Thanks mate, I couldn't be bothered trying to translate it. Why must people post in a different language when it's obviously an English-speaking forum? Presumably the poster understands English to be able to comment in the first place?

Well, there you go. The one in the OP's photo is certainly a bit the worse for wear (hence my home-made comment).

Looks like a home-made edge burnisher to me.

I think you'll find that a 550w with a speed reducer will be more than adequate for that machine.

Ye olde wooden strap cutter is hard to beat, it's simple and works well. Don't be in a hurry to replace it.

550w will be more than adequate for that machine, but having said that often the 750w don't cost much more (and bigger is always better ).

A lovely piece of old iron! What a great Christmas present.

That workbench should work although it will take a bit of faffing around to sort out the foot pedals. Don't forget to post a couple of photos when you've finished as it may provide ideas for someone else.

Olde-style customer service is becoming increasingly rare these days. Nice to hear it when it does happen.