Handstitched

@fredk Theres hope for me yet . I've heard of hand models, so I wonder if theres ' beer gut models ' ? ' What does he wear under his kilt?' Nothing, its all in perfect working order. ' This is going off topic now . HS

Just seen the " stimulus package" on the news. I was right, people like me, 1000's of self employed & sole traders don't get a brass razoo . I don't have employees , I don't have any assets to right off , nor do I earn up to $50 mil per year . I know a few chords on my guitar, perhaps I can go busking , and with a face and a gut like mine, modeling is out of the question HS

If we don't do firebreaks, we can get fined $ 250- . I have an old Fordson that does ours But between our town and the next on the ( shire) verges, the grass is 10 foot tall and theres dead/ fallen trees all the way along. One ciggy butt in 45+ deg heat and we're f****d , go figure? As far as the shire council is concerned, a ' firebreak' is merely a formality , thats why I make ours so much wider. I'd be happy to plough the entire paddock next time , and I think I will. . I also slash, even though its not required for our property , but thats for our own peace of mind . But you're right, 1.5 mtrs will do nothing. HS

I've already seen quite a difference in trade at the markets I attend. Numbers are way down, and all of us stall holders were thinking the same thing, that people are frightened to be in crowded places. Seeing is believing when I see actual $$ go into my bank account , ' tax breaks & holiday incentives' don't pay the bills, but will I get any help from ' Mr Bulls**t' bag himself? Not in a pigs ear !!! I'm not in his electorate Hear hear There are no fire breaks in residential areas, although not a bad idea, say on vacant land etc. but they are compulsory in regional areas for those that have acreage like us. They are supposed to be a minimum 1.5 mtrs wide( that varies from council to council) , but I make ours 2-3 times that . In the town centre, or 5 acres and under, its compulsory to slash weeds, tall grasses etc. Pity the local councils don't follow their own rules. HS

G'Day, heres a bit of an update. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-03-10/couple-who-lost-everything-shocked-at-recovery-grant-rejection/12038166 Not only did they suffer the loss of their leathergoods business due to the bush fires, but then it rained so much they were flooded out. God knows rain is a precious drop down under, but....... I've just seen a report on the ABC ( Australia) in regards to the financial fall-out from the bush fires. This business, like so many, had to go through a lot of governmental red tape just to get access to financial assistance & grants. During the registration process, the 'powers that be' said that their leathergoods business was listed as ' untouched' ( as in, it didn't burn down) so they had to prove that it did FFS !!! Now that process is to be ' simplified' ....apparently. How much hardship do businesses have to go through just to get help? Also according to the report, people( fellow leather crafters) kindly donated leather & tools to help them get back on their feet. Thats some saving grace HS

I have a similar machine and I've always use Schmetz 130 size 21 needle with 40 thread, mostly on rip stop horse rugs, but medium leather also . Not saying that will fix it though, might even make it worse. But does sound like worn parts may be the culprit. It'll get there I'm sure HS

@fredk yes you're right, it was the client that posted the item not me, so its Australia Post that will be held responsible for the loss . She's had hand tooled belts off me before so I was happy to be accommodating . I quite liked that particular belt too, I even impressed myself . I will be helping the client anyway I can . I'd be happy to make her another one, but the injustice of losing, what I considered something special, will remain. Time will tell. HS

Wasn't sure where to air this grievance . Perhaps others on here have had similar issues. I made a hand tooled belt , monogrammed for a repeat client, about $100 worth. It was a surprise birthday gift for her family member. It was just a simple task of her posting it and a few other items in a ' Post Pak' just 5hrs south of Western Australia , with receipts, tracking number etc. ....but....the client told me today that Australia Post lost it!!! , what the...?? . Its bad enough to lose anything, but it was a birthday gift , whats even harder that it was part of an initiative for tacking the ' Black Dog' ( mental health), the element of surprise is gone . I'm so &^%$#ing annoyed at our postal service Oz Post are trying to trace it, if they can't find it,and although she can make a claim, the client will come back to me to have another one made, no doubt with a heavy heart. But I will do the right thing and give her some discount , or even donate the next one as she's already paid for the belt plus what ever P&P she paid. In hindsight, I guess it would have been easier, and quicker, to drive the 5 hr trip . I really feel for her as I've had stuff like dyes, hardware etc. go missing myself . HS

@Constabulary thank you so much for that So I was pointing in the right direction. That would be handy for repairing horse rugs , instead of manually fixing the bindings by hand. Yes, it is a twin needle, but never had the need to use twin needle, perhaps in the future, I have all the bits. I should just try it anyway to see if it all works . This 54 year old machine has been so reliable ( touchwood), I just don't to mess with it too much . Thanks also about the manual I 'll have a look around . Theres a few knobs on top that I have yet to learn about .But I don't dare touch them , the machine is working just fiiiine HS

On my Seiko machine, theres a few bits & bobs on it that I have no idea about.And since theres no manuals available* for my machine, I can only guess. Like this metal plate, just to the left of the shuttle . It has a grub screw in the centre that needs to be loosened , and theres nothing under it. Each and every time I clean & oil my machine I remove it to clean under it. I'm guessing thats its for an attachment for a binder? or some other attachment? given the 4 threaded holes , and 1 other in the centre? * I have searched quite a bit for a manual . I only have a Consew 226 manual with limited info. Still searching. Thanks for your help HS

@shoepatcher I did mention that it is definitely a 53 a few times. I know the brass plate looks like it says ' 55' from that blurry angle , but my ol' happy snappy cheapy Samsung camera can't quite pick up the ' 3' clearly enough, as much as I tried. I'll try taking another pic if you like, but from a different angle . HS

Under my marble slab, which is approx 14" x 12 x 2" thick , I have a piece of foam carpet underlay . Its approx 15- 20mm thick, I double that over so its twice the thickness, 30-40mm thick, that seems to absorb the noise quite nicely . Would it be of any help to put some rubber under the feet of the bench ? Nice bench Hope that helps, HS

Now now , be nice , I know , W.A. stands for " Wait Awhile" , but what I meant to say was..?..o'h never mind HS

I concur. I had a look at that site, very comprehensive. 96 years old, I'll give it a birthday when it gets to 100 , might even buy some new decals and get the few missing bits as a birthday pressie @dikman Thanks for that. I live in the bush, nothing happens in a hurry out here

Yup, what he said All my belts do have that ' stiffness' to them. I oil them, dye & seal them but then simply run them through my hands to loosen up the fibres when they are finished . Over time, and with use they will soften up . HS

I keep reading your post, now I've gone all misty eyed . HS

I forgot all about this. It wasn't until I was doing a search on boot patchers that I noticed it. Anyhoo.... This is that machine today. I haven't restored it at all, but I have given it some TLC. It works perfect, its well oiled and does 4mm stitches, I'm happy with that. The bit of leather in the pic is 3mm . And its definitely a 53 The only gripe is finding parts here in Oz. Parts are a ' dime a dozen ' everywhere else , except Oz. I just need a couple of bits to complete it .I'll go O/S if need be. The manufacture date is around 1921 or 1924. The serial # is Y1648149 , if someone can enlighten me? A stand would be the ultimate, but to be honest, I have nowhere to put it . The head sits just nicely in a spare bit of space. It'll keep going long after I'm gone HS

That lovely picture belongs on a post card. You could sell those too HS

Another trick I have used, is dampen the area, and using the ball on a ball pein hammer, ' indent / thin out the leather, like thinning out a piece of steak . Its pretty crude, but it has worked for me in the past, but try it on some scrap first. I've been down this path before, spend hours making a nice belt only for the press studs to be too short. HS

The holster looks great. But to answer your question, I use long stem press studs on pretty much every thing. They go through up to 5mm in thickness. They are available . HS

I agree . I am quite comfortable with what I have worked so hard for, independence, being my own boss. I am also glad I had the sense not to pursue having a shop/shop front in town. I reckon I'd be out of business a long time ago. Its a blessing that I can work from home, I can even enjoy a beer with my lunch if I want to Getting back on track: for anyone thinking of turning their hobby into a business, ' test the waters first' do some basic market research. I know my town, so I just asked myself one simple question, " What does this town need that it hasn't got ?" as the business opportunities here are very limited, I soon got the answers. 16 years later....? HS

I know laws are different in each country, but thats just bat s**t crazy . Thats like someone asking me to make a saddle, and I refuse, because I don't make saddles , ( I really don't) , but I get taken to court anyway? WTF...?? So I guess that bakery would have stepped up their advertising, "WE DO NOT MAKE ICED FRUIT CAKES " We make bread and just bread....got it ?? " We all know our own skill levels, and we all know what we like to make....and what not to make . This craziness is something that would sit comfortably in "The Dept. of Works" in the movie " Brazil" . But this ' craziness' played out here in Oz a while back over the use of the word " Ugg" ( as in Ugg Boots) , but thats another story. And I still won't make any of that ....'stuff' HS

@Bert51 Look familiar? Super reliable Seiko STW-28B. Built in 1966 . Its a twin needle, but I only use it as a single. Never had the need for a twin, although I still have all the bits for a twin. Happy sewing HS PS: I can never find a manual for the STW 28 B twin needle , so I use a Consew 226 manual.

I too was asked if I was interested in making some of that....' stuff' a long time ago. I flat out said "nope!! and never will." The response I got was " but you'll make a killing!! " That maybe the case , but I do live in a small country town with around 1700 people,around half of which are elderly and where everyone knows everyone...and everything. Reputation is everything in business . Hate to think what would happen to mine if I started making that ' stuff' . HS

I prefer a meat pie & a coldie*. *( thats a beer in case you're wondering )