badger

I agree completely; When all else fails you really can't beat good old hand stitching. Meanwhile, as you guys sweat, bleed and enlarge your blister collection I'll be exhausting the big toe on my right foot depressing the Singer's 'Go' pedal Badger

You guys are just jealous...... Badger

Try Brenda, right here on the board. Great service and great prices. Badger

Thanks Ray, Bought it. Badger

Paul, Interested. Can you email me a pic?: karl@karlderrick.com Cheers, Badger

Hi Kieth! The Number 6 project is on the backburner, but alive and well. The old girl will ride again, fear not. Been busy with work. I'd appreciate a photocopy of the manual if you wouldn't mind. Cheers, Badger

Johann, Price is usually per side or shoulder. I pay between 3.15 and 3.90 Pounds Sterling per square foot plus shipping, depending on thickness. The sides are BIG. They sent samples to me when I requested them. Cheers, Badger

Welcome, Nice utilitarian stuff. Personally I love things who's form is dictated by their function. Need anything from Blighty, lemme know. Badger

I buy all my Veg tan leather from this company here in the UK: J T Batchelor Ltd https://www.google.com/accounts/ServiceLogin?service=local&hl=en&nui=1&continue=http://maps.google.co.uk/maps%3Fclient%3Dfirefox-a%26channel%3Ds%26hl%3Den%26ie%3DUTF8%26q%3Dbatchelor%2527s%2Bislington%26fb%3D1%26split%3D1%26gl%3Duk%26view%3Dtext%26latlng%3D13169620778518652464%26ei%3DWx4ySsa2NqSTjAeMw7j9AQ%26dtab%3D2%26action%3Dopen' rel="external nofollow"> 9-10 Culford Mews London, N1 4DZ 020 72542962‎020 72548521‎ The have very soft, very, very clean vegtan sides and shoulders in 1mm-1.5mm, 2mm-2.5mm, 3mm-3.5mm, 4mm, 4.5mm and others grades thicker. They also do all the buckles, tools, rivets and finishes you could want. They do all kinds of chrome tan as well as splits and suedes. They are an old fashioned company with no website or email. They do take credit card payments and try and ship orders fast though. I don't know about overseas shipments. Cheers, Badger

Brenda's service and value can't be beaten. I've had 4 or 5 stamps done now. Top stuff. Badger

That looks like John Bianchi's work. The belt is folded. That is, a double width of leather folded down the centreline and stitched along one edge. To make a neater appearance on the inside, you could stitch the bullet loops through just the outer layer while the belt was still unfolded, same with the billets. This would leave the inside 'blind', not visible stitching. I think it's classier. The belly band on the holster could be secured behind with a simple snap, like a line 24. It's up to you. Remember to cut the pattern for the belly band on the bias, curved, or it wont fit around the tapered holster well. Hope this helps, Badger

As an ex Firefighter, I know what these shields will go through. You'll need some kind of commercially processed leather, maybe even patent leather, to stand up to the heat and the constantly alternating wet and dry conditions of the job. I would avoid Veg tanned leather as it'll suffer. Leather is probably the very worst choice of material for the job, but tradition being what it is.......... There are plasticised and rubberised leather used for certain military applications around. Also, shoe leather suppliers may be able to supply waterproof leather in different colours. You won't be able to burnish the edges very well on these, so I would cut them as neat as possible then sand the edges on a belt ad dye them with something permanent, like a Sharpie. I would also avoid natural threads like linen, as they'll just rot, and go for a synthetic. Hope this helps. Badger

The Pearson will never be second tier Ray, but always in a league of it's own. It isn't relegated, but has it's own special place in the workshop. The new machine will be the workhorse and the Pearson will live a happy life of semi retirement. Because of the way the Pearson stitches, the look will always be right for certain kinds of work. Badger

Now that, I like! Nicely understated. Classy. Great job John. Badger

Thank you so much for your time and indulgence everyone. I really appreciate and recognize the importance of the resource of this board. Many, many thanks, Badger

Got any pics, Troop? Badger

According to Francis, the guy who sold me the machine, Singer wanted to introduce a more contemporary heavy duty machine and simply contracted the Seiko factory to produce the '45B' on their CH-8 production line. As far as I can tell, and I've looked into this a bit, the Singer 45B is a Seiko CH-8. Different paint job, nothing more. Does anyone have an idea where I can find accessories like presser feet and roller guides and things? Cheers, Badger

Me three. Badger

Water chemistry varies enormously with geography. I live in London, hard water area. It's tough to get soap to even foam in the water. When we visit Deb's relatives up north near Scotland, the water's so soft you can't get the soap off your skin in the shower. Badger

Oval punches are the business. I never punch a round hole for a buckle pin. I love mine. Badger

Neil, Big thanks to you for pointing me in the right direction on this. I had a conversation the day before yesterday with the infinitely patient Steve Brambley. I'd told him I needed a contemporary machine which cater to all my sewing needs in one package. Steve knows the kind of work I do very well. I'd mentioned the words 'ideal world' and 'if money were no object' and he'd said 'Seiko CH 8' without hesitation. 'Course, this is dreamy time. I'll never be able to afford a Seiko, the Swiss watch of leather sewing machines. I was resigned to having to settle for a 'Typical' or a similar machine, due to budget. As I'm prone to do, I spent time drooling over pics of a CH 8 and got familiar with it. I saw your reply to the thread and followed the lead to quick-sew, intrigued that you mentioned a Singer which looked like a Seiko. Francis and Sue are lovely people. Although marked as a Singer 45B, it has a 'made in Japan' sticker and comes from the Seiko factory. It's a Seiko CH 8. The machine came from the original owner, Falmouth University, who bought it new. It has the needle position motor sytem already installed and looks to be in very good shape indeed. The University traded it for some lesser machines because their new health and safety policy stated the machine was dangerous and the students could get hurt using it, so it had to go! The machine, complete with the needle position motor, stand, and delivery is 1,800.00 Pounds Sterling. I got a deal! Now, does anyone have, or have access to, an owner/user manual for a Singer 45B8BC and/or a Seiko CH-8B? Cheers, Badger

I think our resident experts will need a little more to go on Can you be more specific? Badger

I'm so glad to hear no one was hurt. Other things can be fixed. All the best, Badger

Thank you very much for your advice and input. Especially poor Steve Brambley for letting me bend his ear all afternoon I just bought the Singer from Sew-quick, thanks Neil! It doesn't just look like a Seiko, it's a Seiko CH8 with a Singer badge on it. I'm very pleased. Cheers, Badger

Neil, Thanks very much indeed. Badger