Handstitched

I, embarrassingly have a pic of me somewhere after I just had a hair cut for one of my first jobs , I was a wee lad. My fringe is shockingly poor, not to mention very embarrassing . Looks like someone put a breakfast bowl on my head and cut around it.. ....baring my inner most here HS

They are really good. Don't much work with ' hair on ' leather, but they are nice. The stitching stands out nicely. I also love the images on the press studs. HS

My machine is set up for 277 M10, #24 needle.

@chuck123wapati " land rover is one of the best trucks ever made.. at least the old ones were" I have x 3 . A pair of 68 LWB's ( one being an ex military) and x1 62 LWB . All original. They all have stories. They just need some TLC...and a few cans of AeroStart ( ether) get them going again LOL . HS

Its actually me and my damn curries , sorry 'bout that. Its been over 25 years since I last jumped in my Landrover and disappeared somewhere in the bush . I admire what you do There used to be a shoe repair kiosk at a shopping centre where we regularly go in Perth . I'll stand there and admire his machinery , but just last month, he was gone. Don't know why...he just left and the kiosk has been removed. Now theres no-one to do repairs. Shoe & boot repairers are a dying breed here. Sad. HS

Yep, I have a belt , my very first one, that I made almost 18 years ago. Never touched it. I just put it on every day, still good to this day With the exception of horse saddles & tack, I don't think I've ever spent 1/2 hr on maintaining leather. HS

Is that any good with upholstery thickness leather? HS

I like that. Not much into guns, but thats nice. Its about time I made a few more holsters, mainly cos they look good carved and for the experience and make good ad displays at markets etc. HS

Funnily enough, we really do have whats called an annual ' Fringe Festival' here in Oz . Arts & culture etc. HS

We used to have this company called...um .. Tandy?.. here in Oz I should have bought some while they were still open . Ended up making my own, just me and a very sharp knife. HS

Where & how are they stored when not in use ? If the place where they are stored is damp , no wonder you have mold. You could try a damp cloth with a mix of vinegar & water or rubbing alcohol & water. Don't soak the leather . You need to kill the spores that cause the mold. Just a few ideas. HS

I have a ' speedy stitcher' awl with a #24 needle from my 441 clone in it. That pic reminds me of it. Only used on particular repairs or projects. I also have other awls that have smaller needles in them , thats all I ever use for my handstitching. HS

Great minds think alike . I have seen something similar on a brow band on a bridle. HS

Its a needle that steals your last beer and eats the last slice of pizza I haven't heard ' jerk needle' before, but I have a few speedy stitchers . I have used them on rare occasions, depending on the project or repair I am doing where appearance isn't an issue . I guess, with practice, they can be used to do a nice stitch. But I still continue to use the ' two needles & thread' set up. HS

Another idea, mix a little black dye into some white leather paint, just experiment with it until you get the colour you want. HS

Thank you friend. Those ' few glasses' turned in a few bottles...o'h dear HS

DITTO !!! Its roast pork this time , and a few glasses of champers, and a few coldies to wash that down . I reckon we should celebrate....something, anything . We're alive, have a roof over our heads and food in our bellies ....and beer in our fridges Peace HS

Or crusty fresh bread for that matter . For $300 , plus it comes with a stand. Man thats cheap, 2-3 times that here in Oz . Even with travel costs, its still cheap. Well worth the 4 hr trip. HS

This is one of two search results on googly woogly regarding pen marks on leather, not sure if its what you're after: "Permanent markers can be easily removed from leather surfaces using distilled white vinegar. Let the vinegar sit on the stain for a few minutes to ensure that it penetrates. Then try to wipe off the stain with a damp cloth in circular motions." "Apply the cotton ball with rubbing alcohol onto the leather ink stain. In a circular motion, gently rub the affected area, using a circular motion. Do not scrub. You should begin to see the ink stain gradually disappear." HS

My shop is only 20 x 20 . When I first got it, I thought " wow ....look at all this space !! " . It wasn't long before it was filled up. I now need more space. I wish you well on your shop build HS

Ditto ditto , its what I use in my clone I love the blue too .I have a few half spools of 207 in blue. HS

Whats a ' Mills Cartridge belt' ? Any pics ? HS

Its not 3 phase by any chance? Its a bit hard to see the whole pug, but the power plug looks very similar to an Australian 3ph plug . HS

Doesn't look too bad to me. Maybe give it a good clean up and oil up and service . I'd leave it as it is. Its looks won't affect its performance HS

They're the same machine, give or take a few accessories perhaps? Take into account price, freight etc. . Perhaps what sort of deal both sellers can offer ? Both machines will do a great job, and no doubt both companies will look after you. All I can suggest is , toss a coin HS (Chevy or Ford?? I like both )