jeeperaz

Your first machine should be a post bed with a roller presser foot.... you can make a simple platform to get these machines to work as a flatbed as well. Singer models: 51w or even better a Singer 236. But Consew,pfaff, juki and others make good postbeds as well. Don't take my word for it, read what the experts have to say about what machines are needed to make shoes/boots: Read the post from Friday, December 26,2008 and the answers from the next 2 or 3 days. http://www.thehcc.org/discus/messages/4/1386.html?12566782253

you might try this place... she states on her website to email her if you need help finding shoe making supplies: http://www.shoedo.com/shoecomponents.html

Taken from another forum: "burn a small piece(1/2" x1/2"). If the resulting ash is turquoise blue or green there is no question that chrome salts were used in the tannage. If the ash is pure grey or black(from the burnt sugars) it is a pure veg tannage.

Eye catching work. Nice job. What did you use for the 'liner'?

Love it! Very nice work.

I don't see anything on your website. Am I missing it?

I'm looking to find out what options I have for post bed machines (single needle, roller foot). I am familiar with the Singer 51w and less so the Singer 236w. Finding these at a reasonable price, in good condition is proving to be difficult. Anyone have a source? How about other brands, Pfaff, Consew? I'm not familiar with the newer chinese makes. I can't believe I'm actually asking about them because I'm typically first in line to avoid chinese equipment but my options are smaller than I had initially thought. Do any of these makers have a post bed machine? The machine will be used to sew uppers in boots (not westerns). 7-9 oz total leather weight with 69-92 thread. Thanks!

The Capgun Kid... Welcome to the forum. Are you the same one who wrote an article on hand sewing leather on gunfighter.com? If so, it is one of the best tutorials I've read.

Nice belt. Love the concept. Did you source the leather locally or did you order direct from M.S.? Regards from your fellow Phoenician, Lars

I like 'em. Nice work!

I think I have the same problem. My 31-15 seemed to work fine with the normal presser foot ( i never sewed with it in this configuration but a sewing machine tech did). I then switched out to a roller foot with a single dog feed. Since then, I have'nt been able to get it to stitch properly. The needle thread gets wrapped up around the shuttle. No idea what is causing this. Sound like the same problem?

Dag, Here is a link you may be interested in... although it is not specific to your question. This guy blogs about reproduction medieval footwear: http://wherearetheelves.blogspot.com/

Are you going to use a last to build the boots?

I'm with you on this one. I actually purchased 2 awl blades from Bob Douglas but will not use them until my skill improves. I'm afraid I'll break one. So it's the Tandy blade stuck in a crude, homemade haft for me right now.

That one is very low quality and in my case, completely useless. My blade pulled out of the chuck in less than the 10th stitch. It will not tighten properly to hold the blade.

The F-15's are from the 58th Fighter Squadron (Eglin Gorilla's) based at Eglin AFB, Florida (I lived there for a short time). They really do/did not add much of a clue to the location of the photo as they are deployed all over the world at any given time.

Janne, I'm another one that would be interested in a California(or western US) class. Regards, Lorenzo

Thread is 69. I'll have a look at it in a bit and see if I can get a short video of the issue. (edit: That is after I successfully and gently hammer that plate flat.)

From a few days ago... http://leatherworker.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=17242 I cannot get the machine to work. The needle thread is getting stuck in the shuttle/bobbin area.

I posted this on a sewing machine specific site a few days ago but it must pass through a moderator first and they have yet to 'approve' it... so I'll try here. Please have a look at the attached image. This is the 'bobbin case plate' from my Singer 31-15. It is bent and I need to know if that is the way it's supposed to be or should it be flat. Hope the pics are self-explanatory. Thanks!

Thanks. I'm not much into tooling but your piece caught my eye.

I like it.... a lot. What tool did you use for the inner tooling?

I looked on their website and saw one but it's discontinued... along with what seems like the majority of the items in the catalog. But a picture would be great if you find the time.

Thanks. Marlon, I was looking at primarily 6,7 and possibly 8. Julia, I'll save the link.

I'm looking for a decent overstitch wheel(s). I'd like to avoid buying the craftool item at tandy. So can anyone suggest a decent source?