Handstitched

Is this a hint ? : https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/392481182519 Its not the same, but it gives you a clue? HS

@machineage when I saw the pics, my immediate thought was, ' the one in the middle' , but when I scrolled down, I noticed that @Matt S had a similar view, great minds think alike I guess. I have a Seiko STW 28B, ( converted to a single needle) super reliable. It turns 54 in July this year If it was me, I'd keep all 3 . You could set them up for different applications, textiles etc.If you get rid of the other two, you may regret it later, just a thought ? HS

Theres two types of boot polish I have used, ' Nugget' & Kiwi' but currently using 'Kiwi Parade Gloss Prestige ' which is quite good . And when the tin is empty, I don't throw out the little hard bits in the corners of the tin, I use those as ' fillers' . The ' Johnson & Johnson ' liquid floor polish' ( sometimes traffic wax ) is what was applied to the mold before making a fibre glass pool, it was stored in a ' hot box' so it went through the spray guns...... but that was in a past life HS

One advantage I have is that my business / workshop is on my property ( approved by the local council ), I work from home, theres no rent and no mortgage .And its taken years to develop the goodwill from the locals , you can't buy that. No fancy advertising, just word-of-mouth, and its worked. My workshop isn't a 'shop shop', like a shop front .And like you, I wouldn't have time to just chat all day ( although my Mum would ha !! I've nick named her ' Pringles' because ' once she pops she can't stop' shhhh ) Anyway.... My market stall is my "shop front'" at regular venues where orders are placed, sell stock, and its a chance to show off my wares a bit . I have picked & chosen which ones are worth while and financially viable . HS

It would be handy if you knew someone with a saddle machine, like a 441 clone.They can sew through the thick leather you are using . I have used my machine to punch the holes through thick leather prior to hand stitching on rare occasions. HS

I have the roll of thread in one hand, the end of the thread in the other and just spread my arms out...and thats it, simple Any large-ish off cuts can be used for any small projects, minor repairs etc. so nothing goes to waste. HS

To perforate the leather all the way through would weaken the leather, and perhaps tear along the perforations , just a thought . HS

G'Day, I do have a small business and I work from home ( I do markets as well) , both leather & horse rug repairs .The only down side is that I don't always have enough time to make stuff for myself, I'm mostly filling orders. I'm just a short drive from the town and even without any advertising, my customers still find me quite easily, word of mouth works best for me that and the markets . I had thought about having a shop in the town but all the shops in our town are over 100 years old and not worth the rent they are asking. And besides, even when no business is coming through the doors you still have to pay the rent and all other expenses . So many '"businesses" have come & gone over the years . They may last a year at best. ( except the bakery that does lovely hot meat pies) HS

Thank you so much << see what I did there ? We're having another ' bout ' of extremes again as I type, but we're supposed have some cooler temps towards the end of the week , hopefully But I do still keep all my threads, machine, h/s, & waxed etc. in a wood desk drawer away from heat. HS

G'Day from a fellow Aussie, and welcome to the world of leathercraft I know you're new to leather, but I have achieved a ' two-tone ' effects with an air brush, so two contrasting colours are ' graduated ' (?) Another technique I have learnt, is the base colour is say, yellow or saddle tan or something light,( let dry) with a coating of whisky or brandy antique dye on the top. That has resulted in a similar effect. Just doodle and experiment on some scraps first. HS

I agree. I have also learnt from experience never take a measurement from an old belt. Using a tape measure around waist is best and most accurate . If trophy buckles are to be used, that alters the measurement too. Theres 2 - 3" between the bar & the pin, depending on the size of the buckle. HS

Also, once I have cut the thread off ( machine or hand) , I get a cigarette lighter and ever so carefully burn the ' tail ' thats left behind, just close enough to shrink the ' tail' being careful not to burn the work . Just a thought HS

G'Day, I have an old-ish USM Hytronic 20 T press. I cant use it ...yet*. Its been sitting in my workshop for many years . It does work, I've seen it work at the sellers house, but he had 3ph.. But while its sitting there collecting dust, although I do dust it occasionally, I have been giving the seal on the hydraulic ram at the back an occasional squirt with some WD-40 to hopefully stop the seal from drying out as its get pretty warm during summer. Is this a good idea? or is it necessary at all ? I have much to learn about these machines . *Theres no 3ph in my street. So when I win lotto, I'll buy a serious kick-a**se 3 ph generator to run it Thanks, HS

HaloJones nailed it. Bevel the outline . Thats something I often do , its a bit fiddly, but effective .Dying or painting them in a prominent and contrasting colour will help too . HS

Ok , on the one hand I would use 5-6mm harness, thats what I use on stirrup straps etc. , something that takes the weight of an adult, however, I'd be very worried about the liability . So why did they go out of business? hope it wasn't a liability issue? HS

@HondoMan I had a similar issue with some buffalo hides, 5- 6mm , dyed black . I got them cheap , ' on special' . I had a such a difficult time sealing the leather when making belts, dog collars etc. The black kept coming through. Every sealer I used didn't work . So, I ordered some lacquer from NSW ( Australia) , an equivalent to ' Neat-Lac' . But, because of ' Dangerous Goods' laws it couldn't be transported by air , road transport was too costly, more than the product was worth. So , much experimenting later, I now use a water based varnish I got from my local hardware shop . Its mainly used for wood etc. Its not the ' be all & end all' , but it works, and it flexible . And as its water based, it dries quick . I just had to think outside the square . HS

I'm going to feel like the odd one out here, but I have never used trag, or any edge kote of any kind. After I have dyed the belt or whatever, and , while its still slightly damp, I just use a slicker ,( of which is just a component from a roller door ) and use the wood handle one of my bevellers to finish , and seal as normal , comes up a treat and nothing rubs off If I think about it, I'll take a pic of a belt I'm currently working on . HS

I know this is a different machine,but similar issue with voltages, I do have a USM 20 T Hyptronic press,but its 3Ph, I can't use it . We dont have 3 phase anywhere in the street . I also considered a converter, but, the power going to my workshop comes from the house, its 10A ( 240v) , and the converter requires 15A ( 240v Australia) . The next option is to have 15A installed in the workshop at great expense, with no guarantee of success . Its the ' start up' that will draw the most current as the fly wheel inside the machine is massive and very heavy, and I don't think a converter will cut it. I was once quoted over $ 1000- to change the motor to single ph. I'm thinking the same. I'll just buy a cheap 3 ph generator, when I win Lotto HS

@oyvindbl You have a great selection of machines there, but I think the vote is unanimous Keep them all I would. Otherwise whichever machine you sell could well be the one you need in the future ....and you'd kick yourself " DOH !!! " And, since they belonged to your Mother, if it was me personally, they would also have sentimental value , which is priceless. HS

I have had a look around, but no luck. ' Vintage tools' did have one, but it was sold. https://www.vintagetools.net/craftool-co-usa-no-z952-bucking-horse-and-rider-874n No harm in contacting them though, they may have contacts. I do have one, but its not for sale, sorry. Good luck in your search, HS

We all seem to have our own techniques on making belts. Everything I have learnt is self taught, but also with some help from ' Al Stohlman' . On my belts, I use a template to mark the holes, so from the tip of the belt to the first hole is 100mm , the holes are 30mm apart, but the measurement is taken from the 3rd hole, or centre hole, as per Al Stohlmans instructions Works just fine. HS

It looks well used so it could just be a natural ' patina' from general wear & tear. HS

Sorry to hear about the barn fire, hope no-one was hurt . Never knew about the onion tip, I'll remember that I also wonder if lemon juice & bi-carb soda, or just bi-carb will help?Thats known for absorbing smells. My ' good ol' Mum' used bi-carb for many uses. HS

I keep looking at those photos of the leather goods business. So, where do you start the recovery? Well, after a damn good cry, , firstly I would try save the tools, a very long painful and arduous task of picking through the wreckage to find them . Hopefully, the stamping tools, 3D's etc. survived, they can be restored . The tools with wood handles, the wood handles can be replaced. The sewing machines? We've seen ' boat anchors' restored before, so there is hope, hoping the casings aren't warped or cracked, same goes for any manual presses etc. Theres always hope. HS

@Rockoboy Your are exactly right. Fire breaks are compulsory in the Wheatbelt( and many other places) for those that have acreage . They have to be 1.5 mtrs wide, but that varies from one council to another. But I make them 2-3 times that width. Also slashing is compulsory for 5 acres & under. We have much more than that, and although its not compulsory for me to slash, I do it anyway for my own peace of mind, we also burn off & prune branches etc. during cooler months, and spray, but thats still no guarantee that we'll be safe, its just reduces the risk. But one '" saving grace'", perhaps, is that we don't have tall gum trees anywhere near the house, where so many owners do. HS