Billroy1

I work as an engineer, but have decided to spend some of my free time escaping to the basement workbench to learn a new leatherworking skill or repair one of my machines. I have had a long standing interest in wood and leather, mechanical equipment and product manufacturing which has made me appreciate the breadth of this hobby. I like the sight of japanned iron, enjoy the smell of a leather store, and the crunching sound that happens while making a rivet hole with my hand-me-down CS Osborne punch.    I own four machines:

1913 Singer 66 redeye on original 6 drawer treadle.  

1924 Singer 16-141 med leather sewing machine.  

1938 Singer 201-2 

1973 White 690 (Japan) 

I keep the White for the zig zag, but don't use it much.   It was my seamstress grandmothers replacement for the 201, but was a weaker domestic machine.  Thankfully complete, because parts are not easy to find!  

Once I get the -141 fixed I plan to sew leather items like cases and toolbelts, sheaths, and maybe wallets, shearling hats, mittens, and perhaps Civil War reenactment gear.   Just got some harness needles and a stitching pony so we will see how that goes.  Right now I do repairs and keychains, free carving and tool practice on scrap.  

More soon

Bill