stelmackr

Don't know how to really ask this question, so here goes. I have three sewing machines FERDCO Pro 2000 (a.k.a Juki-441), FERDCO 1245 (a.k.a. Pfaff 1245) and a FERDCO Pro 206h (a.k.a. Consew 206). They all have analog (non-digital) speed setting servo motors. Two of the machines (2000 & 206h) stitch when the pedal is pressed on the toe and stop when the pedal is depressed on the heel of the pedal. When the pedal is not depressed the servo motor stops me from using the hand wheel. The same "locking" of the hand wheel occurs even when the servo motor is turned off. I have to depress the pedal slightly on the toe side to make the hand wheel turn freely. If depress too far--it starts sewing. I was told that this is the way the servo's were designed and mimic the old clutch motors. I am no expert, so I might be wrong here. But, the third machine (1245) does not lock the hand wheel when I step on the heel of the pedal or when the servo is off. I like this functionality. OK, OK, now the question(s): "Is there a place to purchase servo motors without the brake action? Can the servo motor be modified or adjusted to remove the brake action? Do digital servo motors have the brake action and can that brake action be removed? Can the brake function be removed buy some mechanical linkage adjustment?" Bob Stelmack www.pslac.org

http://www.sealeatherwear.com/

You could call these people and ask what the sizes are and what hey are filled with: http://www.ssww.com/product/?sku=W2379&cm_mmc=Paid+Search-_-Google-_-AdwordsProducts-_-W2379&aid=GOG&cid=2499#p1 Stitching order is in one of those juggling "how-tos". If you are asking how to stitch or what kind of seams, just buy one from www.ssww.com and tear it apart. Sounds like fun. Be sure to post your prototype. From the pictures I see on the Internet the seams just look like a simple seam. You could stitch a double line to make it more secure. These look like the old fashion ones: Other than experimenting--I don't have the exact size or where or how deep to put the stitch. Good luck. Bob Stelmack

Try juggling ball patterns: http://sewfun.wikispaces.com/Toys+2+-+Juggling+balls+patterns http://www.pjb.com.au/jug/leatherballs.html http://www.ehow.com/how_6684187_homemade-juggling-balls.html Hope this helps Bob Stelmack

I tried one this weekend at the Pendleton Leather Show, put on by the Sheridan Leather Outfitters. I got a chance to try all the tool bits and the entire set-up. I do a lot of figure carving--no Sheridan style. The tool appears very well made and operates smoothly. I was able in a very short time to use the knife tool to cut a flower outline with only a few mistakes. The bevelers on hand were all Sheridan steep angle and didn't suit the way I work, but the tools collars will fit whatever tools you use. The leather for practice and the leather that was used by the owner was very thick--saddle skirting. After using a pear shader, and all the other tools available, I found the knife, beveler, backgrounder and pear shader the most useful. I believe the best use, in my opinion, is on thicker leather. Leather 3/4, 4/5 is what I use and the power would over power the project. This tool also is ideal for the physically handicapped and with some assistance from the man who sells them could bring tooling capability to the impaired and physically challenged. Anyway--that's my opinion. Bob Stelmack

Check out PSLAC at www.pslac.org

You can use letterpress type and here is a place to purchase new type: http://www.arionpress.com/mandh/catalog.htm 60 pt is approx 13/16 72 pt is approx 1 inch 84 pt is approx 1 3/16 inch Hope this helps.

Well, I found it best on thinner leather--up to 3/4 ounce. Thicker leather made it difficult (for me) to make the deeper smaller radius cuts. The thinner leathers let me be more fluid with the knife. I preferred a regular swivel knife for the main cuts (outlines and places were I would bevel) and the Tangleboss for the decorative swirls and flourishes. I found it does take some practice and some "out-of-the-box" freehand ideas to make it fit in with the other cuts. Hope this helps. Ask SWFLholsters after they have had a chance to play with it.

SOLD--Thanks for looking

Cleaning out and downsizing leather hobby. On offer is a red Tangleboss Swivel Knife w/1/4" angle blade. Details are available at: www.tanglefoottraders.com/#!__knife-sales-page Original cost was $140. Will sell for $79 and free shipping. Bob Stelmack

Simple answer is to ask Chan for permission.

Ask the author http://www.facebook.com/pages/Chan-Geer/300249408816

http://www.tools4leather.com/01_ma_series_III_clicker.htm

Aaron, I've seen your work up close and I can understand how you won best of show. Congrats. Bob Stelmack

I have bought several of these dies. They work like a clicker die. I used them with my book press on leather--up to approximately 5 oz. Very happy with quick delivery and how well they work with leather. I guess they were used for cutting paper forms and even got one shaped like a "Rolodex" card, so now I can imprint leather with my letterpress lead type and make a leather contact list. Bob Stelmack

YES. IMHO. Bob Stelmack

Sylva, Cheryl said the FERDCO parts were patented, so I'm sure replication of the parts will be under some license arrangement. Bob Stelmack

Note sure what kind of picture you want, but here is some information. As I understand from Cheryl, from the former FERDCO company (they closed in june 2012), the major difference between the FERDCO Pro-2000 and the machine it is cloned from (JUKI-441)is the following (taken from the www.ferdco.com page: PRO 2000/ PRO 2000HH/ PRO 2020: Juki 441 and any of the knock off models of the 441 parts will work. The attachments, the Lower Needle Guide and the Throat Plates we special made by FERDCO Corp and can not be found anywhere else. You can replace the throat Plate and the Lower Needle Guide with the original Throat Plate and Feed Dog from the 441 models. You may try contacting Cheryl at ferdco@live.com for more information. Hope this helps. Bob Stelmack

The only project that was ever returned to me was from a customer that acted like yours. I now have turned down a few customers that started the same line of communication. They seem more interested and confused with the process and product. I had to overcome the overwhelming need to satisfy everyone. It is getting easier to turn away a potential customer, but it is done with tact and respect. That lets me sleep at night. Bob Stelmack

I wonder if solid brass is not "springy" enough to work. Maybe that is why it is difficult to find. Bob Stelmack

If you are interested in a good price, check out FERDCO for some closeouts: http://www.ferdco.com/content.php?page_id=1 Bob Stelmack

Abbey in England also has what you want, if this is the same thing you were asking me about earlier: http://abbeyengland.com/Store/tabid/77/txtSearch/clam/ProductID/69189/Language/en-GB/Default.aspx Hope this help. Bob Stelmack

Access to the stamping database is at: http://pslac.org/extras/extras.htm The username access is: guest and the password is: guest Hope this helps. Bob Stelmack

As Aaron said, look for letterpress type and eBay is a good place to look. When looking for the letterpress type use Search Words: - printers type, letterpress type, metal type, metal fonts, hot stamping fonts, hot stamping letters, metal letters. I also use the point size that I am looking for to narrow my search. Here is some information to help you get the right size of type: Points are a measurement of the Block Height which the letter is on. So the letter printing is smaller than the block height. When these were manufactured at the foundry they were cataloged at the block height. The below conversions are the block height: 12 pt is approx 1/8 inch 18 pt is approx 1/4 inch 24 pt is approx 5/16 36 pt is approx 1/2 inch 48 pt is approx 5/8 inch 60 pt is approx 13/16 72 pt is approx 1 inch 84 pt is approx 1 3/16 inch You can also also purchase brand new type at: M&H Foundry ( http://www.arionpress.com/mandh/catalog.htm ) For some description of using letterpress type on leather try this: www.pslac.org/download_area/Typography%20in%20Leather%20Article.pdf Hope this helps. Bob Stelmack

I see that I did not answer your question. I asked FERDCO (now out of business) to put a larger hand wheel on my FERDCO 1245 and they used (I believe) a Juki 441 hand wheel, but had a bushing placed in it to match the shaft diameter. I do not know where the hand wheel was obtained from. Since FERDCO is out of business they are still selling out some odds and ends so check their website ferdco.com and send them an email for details. They also modified my FERDCO PRO 206 (Consew 206 clone) the same way. Here are two pictures for the 1245 and one of the 206: FERDCO PRO 1245 (Pfaff 1245 clone) FERDCO PRO 1245 (Pfaff 1245 clone) FERDCO PRO 206 (Consew 206 clone) Hope this helps.