kgg

I agree the only thing I do different is I use 100 % pure organic JOJOBA oil first then dye then re-oil. I have gotten away from using a dabber, sponge, brush and dipping for the dying process and have converted to airbrushing when dying. I am also experimenting with airbrushing the JOJOBA oil. You may have some success with heating the Red shoe polish with a hair dryer to get it to suck into the leather and then apply the mink oil. I haven't tried this myself so I don't know if it will work. kgg

Quick thoughts: i) what is your budget? ii) Flat items like dog collars are probably best done on a flatbed machine. iii) How thick of a collar will you want to sew? iv) What size of thread do you want to use? v) For your first machine I would suggest going to a industrial sewing machine dealer. That way you know the machine is in working order. Be wary of machines being sold on places like Facebook unless you have someone to go over the machine for you. Sometimes you get a great machine other times you get a boat anchor. kgg

I think on the internet with the so called "Experts ", "Influencers" and "Doctor Google" it is difficult for a lot of new people to get the necessary solid information. The days of mentorship within the dog fanciers / pure breed breeders / dog show people has long gone by the wayside. This has only gotten worst since the China Cough with a lot of people lacking common sense, being more demanding and entitled. That maybe just me as I'm an old geezer. kgg

I know nothing about horse related items other then to say the workmanship is very nicely done. I see the same type of "cranky" comments about prong collars for dogs. kgg

My take away is never ever trust someone else's measurements unless you get in writing and tell them if it is to short or long it's on them. Otherwise it is just too much wasted time / effort/ leather particularly something personalized or tooled should it go south. kgg

I would go to your local hardware / auto store and see what they have. If the new one is to short / long exchange it for another. kgg

Just to add to this. @girlscout4 1. The needle has to be installed so the Groove (long channel on the shank) on the needle is to the left and the Scarf ( indentation / cutout ) on the right hand side as you look at it when sitting in front of the machine ready to sew. 2. You need to use a 135 x 16 x # needle for sewing leather. I think you maybe using a 135 x 17 x # needle which are made for fabric and will give you blowout on the underside. 3. You never said what size of thread and needle you are using. What size??? 4. A good thread to needle size chart can be found here ( https://www.tolindsewmach.com/thread-chart.html ) kgg

I don't think it will but that brings up the point is the needle bent or there is a lot of slop or a bend in the needle bar. Frankly I am surprised the hook is catching the top thread at all. The only thing I can figure is the top thread has so much slack the hook is somehow picking it up most times. kgg

A couple of problems I found with your threading of the top thread. Without these corrected you will never get good stitching. 1. The needle is installed backwards. 2. Needle bar thread guide is missing. kgg

I would suggest taking a couple of photo's showing your top threading from the spool of thread to the eye of the needle. I figure it is incorrect threading of the top thread or a top thread tension issue. kgg

Looks very good. Making it smaller may reduce the torque at the head. Neater will that is in the eye of the beholder. I think you did well it is clean and most importantly functional. Job well done. kgg

Nicely done article, your products are natural and sold in CAD funds. kgg

This was a female spaded English Bulldog about 60lbs. There seems to be more of the Bull "dogge" type dogs like the American and Olde English around then the English Bulldog. What appears to be creeping in is the unpredictability similar to Cocker madness and Springer rage. kgg

Damn nice job. You will certainly stand out at the pub with that hat. kgg

As a inlay it looks really good and is standing the test of time. How thick is the salmon leather? 1, 2, 3mm? kgg

Very interesting. What products have you made with the skins? kgg

My understanding is the class 45 will take needles having a diameter of 2.5 to 3 mm not 2.5 to 3mm thread, reference ( https://maxandshed.wordpress.com/2020/12/23/une-singer-45k-par-mscr/ ). That makes sense as the class 441 machines take a 7x3 needles having a diameter of about 2.5mm. The max size of thread for those machines is usually around V415 thread which has a diameter of just a touch over .7 mm. A reference chart for the size of thread ( https://www.tolindsewmach.com/thread-chart.html ). I know of no sewing machine capable of sewing a thread with a diameter of 2.5mm. kgg

Most machine these days are clones or hybrid clones. The typical brand names are Juki, PFAFF, Dürkopp Adler. Even with the brand names you have to familiarize yourself with what models are made where as not all Juki's are not made in Japan. The Juki DNU-1541S and your Juki Lu-1508 NS are made in Japan while the Juki DU-1181N is made China. I can see between my 1541 and the 1181n there is a build quality difference. The 4800 you have is a hybrid clone of the Juki LS-341, the LS-1341 and the LS-1342. Some people on the forum have bought machines directly from China and seem to be pleased both price and quality wise. However that is not for everyone for many reasons. kgg

To get that feature in a new brand name it would be a Juki TSC461 in a cylinder arm or a Juki LG-158-1 in a flatbed. Then there are the clones which Consew is that aren't going to hit the pocket book as hard. Have you considered a used long arm Singer or buying a new clone directly from China??? kgg

Glad to help. kgg

I found those on Temu similar to ( https://www.temu.com/ca/1pc-stainless-steel-tube-length-500mm-304-stainless-tube-capillary-tube-4mm-5mm-6mm-8mm-10mm-12mm-g-601099551644232.html?_oak_name_id=9010104525789703535&_oak_mp_inf=EMi0gKqm1ogBGiBhOTk2N2RhZTNiM2I0OGEzYWIwN2I0YTA3MDFlZWYwOCDCu5j%2BkDM%3D&top_gallery_url=https%3A%2F%2Fimg.kwcdn.com%2Fproduct%2Fopen%2F2024-03-11%2F1710136714348-0dee0bda551a4502a37d030446db1c83-goods.jpeg&spec_gallery_id=601099551644232&refer_page_sn=10009&refer_source=0&freesia_scene=2&_oak_freesia_scene=2&_oak_rec_ext_1=Mzgx&_oak_gallery_order=2123497396%2C1416546653%2C1556706142%2C2030261482%2C639126929&search_key=stainless steel capillary tubing&refer_page_el_sn=200049&_x_vst_scene=adg&_x_ads_sub_channel=shopping&_x_ns_prz_type=-1&_x_ns_sku_id=17592387188379&_x_ns_gid=601099558219698&_x_ads_channel=google&_x_gmc_account=695390730&_x_login_type=Google&_x_ads_account=6910707695&_x_ads_set=21445371984&_x_ads_id=163985514426&_x_ads_creative_id=705187068636&_x_ns_source=g&_x_ns_gclid=EAIaIQobChMIh8-XxtqJiAMVckp_AB0yLi9TEAQYBiABEgKM5PD_BwE&_x_ns_placement=&_x_ns_match_type=&_x_ns_ad_position=&_x_ns_product_id=17592387188379&_x_ns_target=&_x_ns_devicemodel=&_x_ns_wbraid=Cj8KCQjwoJa2BhC-ARIuAK-YPyAPBRiMisytKWY4gCe42YwLmzWGnnz3z3Cv-X8BXZO0JO9OMpk78c8fmBoC3BY&_x_ns_gbraid=0AAAAAo4mICGOP3XszhHdJ9mfoJkEYI7ia&_x_ns_targetid=pla-2322529874778&_x_sessn_id=m1vl5lgo1t&refer_page_name=search_result&refer_page_id=10009_1756906266410_lxtn1pj9ik ) kgg

Maybe some stainless steel capillary tubing as it comes in some real same sizes??? kgg

My something like this may work. If so check out places like Temu. kgg

Bags are best done with a Cylinder arm machine while flt items like belts are best done with a Flatbed machine. A good all rounder to cover off round or roundish items and flat items would be a Cylinder arm machine like a brand name Juki LS-1341 or clone with a flatbed table attachment. There are quite a number of clone machines available at various price points. The thread V69 T70 is the largest thread your Domestic sewing machines typically can handle and pretty much the bottom end of what an industrial sewing machine can use. A Cylinder arm machine like the Juki LS-1341 (~$5000 USD) or clone ($2300 USD) can handle just over 3/8" thick leather which will cover off your projects. kgg

Very nice DOMESTIC sewing machine not suited to leather work. Since you are interested in that machine which costs north of $3000 USD you can afford a proper machine capable of sewing leather. You need to tell us what you want to sew, belts, wallets, bags, holsters so you can get good suggestions on the machine that would suit your needs. kgg