Handstitched

I think this would be considered a ' weird job' . Anyone seen these ?? I was asked to make a ' pendant' for this ' WiFi'....thing . Well, according to the client...what sense I could make of what she was telling me.....its sorta like a ' WiFi ' ....repellent ?? You wear it around your neck and it protects you from the 5G .....alien... ....thingys I wished I hadn't asked, cos it took 20 mins for her to explain it. When I removed the paper from the adhesive backing, I saw a ' criss cross' of wires , like on a circuit board on the back . I just charged her $20 bucks for it , too weird for me mate . I did make a black swimming pool for some actual witches once , that spooked everyone from sales to manufacturing ( me included ) , so this falls in the same category of weeeiii..eerrrd !!!! HS

I haven't got a pic, but I have made some singles for .357 speed loaders . Simple one piece templates. Just think of the shape of a ' crucifix ' to give you an idea , because thats what my template looks like .It was helpful to have a fully loaded speed loader with me to custom make them. I hand stitched them . Its up to you or your client how the belt loop goes . HS

Got this from LW: Hi Handstitched, Today is the first day of *Spring*, and another day of uncertainty around the world with unprecedented shut-downs and closures. So here we are with 10,000 year old skills and lots of time. Do you need a break from pandemics and politics? Pour a cup of coffee and visit the forum for inspiration, for improving your skills and knowledge, for looking at the fabulous pics of work of everything from everywhere, and engaging with other leatherworkers who can teach you how to start a business, thread a sewing machine, find the latest tools and leathers, understand why your hands are dyed 4 different colors, and anything else you want to know. Laugh and learn, we are here for each other. Leatherworker.net Education, entertainment and fellowship We hope to see you soon! Leatherworker.net Handstitched Joined 08/18/2008 Last visit 03/16/2020 Total Members 82496 One particular bit made me smile was, " understand why your hands are dyed 4 different colors" . I used make fibreglass pools in a past life, and my hands really were a different colour each day. Mostly light blue, but dark blue, white, black or brown . Fast forward to today, my hands are a different colour...... again I'm just a colourful person I guess now is the time for us to hunker down , get our creative thinking caps on, and even work out what we're going to do with all those scraps. Or even finish those unfinished jobs ? Or maybe how to rectify those ' dummy spit' jobs, you know, those jobs you lost your temper with and threw across the workshop ?? But we don't do that....do we ? But I really do love the last bit : " Education, entertainment and fellowship " (* In all honesty LW, we only have two seasons here in Oz, ' alive & dead' Ha !! ) HS

@iron1951 You are much braver than me to pull the whole thing apart . No doubt you have good knowledge of machines to do that. But can't wait to see the finished product though . Good luck HS P.S. Can't help but notice your " secret stash" of toilet paper in the last pic.

With all the concerns with the c/virus atm , so many events are being cancelled all over Oz . So I contacted my local shire to see if I can still have my stall in town, mainly to cover my neck... and my P/L insurance, and the official word was "I can see no reason why you can't continue " Pheeeew !!! When I saw the Shire Council heading in my inbox , my heart was in my mouth, but it was good news, some saving grace in all this uncertainty . But they also said to " practice practicable social distancing" .... thats fair enough....... I guess that means don't kiss my customers when I close a sale Ha !! just kidding Stay Safe HS

We've all done stuff that we regret no doubt, and I think we can all learn from this. There was a brief passing ' thought' of me completely stripping down my 29 K 53 boot patcher, shortly after I bought it a long time ago , but I'm so glad I didn't after reading that. I think my intuition was on my side back then I gave it some love and a good dose of oil and it works just fine . I'm happy with that. HS

@spurdude101 I have a very simple saying, ' the only person I compete with is myself' . I never have and never will try to compete with anyone else . I'm forever learning, and I do my best to do a better job than my last one , even if I do make the odd mistake along the way in trying HS

@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