stelmackr

I second the comment about FERDCO ( http://www.ferdco.com ). Ron, Cheryl and Rick have been more help to me than any other business I have ever dealt with. I own three of their machines: two new flat beds and one cylinder machine. I highly recommend their Sewing Machine Class given each year at the Pendleton, Oregon, Leather Show in November. It is worth the trip and you will also see: Oregon Leather - leather, Tandy Leather Factory- leather, , Barry King Tools- Hand tools, Bob Douglas Tools - Hand tools, Wayne Jueschke - Hand tools, Hansen Western Gear - Silver and silver jewelry, Bee Natural - Horse Care Products, Sheridan Leather Outfitters & Bob Dougles tools - Leather, tools and leather related products, Herb Bork & Son's - Cast Hardware, - Bronson Knives -Hand tools - Weber Stirrups - stirrups, - Chuck Smith Tools - Stamping Tools, Ron's Tools- Hand Tools, Y-Knot - leather lace, James Jacob - used leather tools and related products, Timberline Saddle Trees (pending - drew special Elk hunt) - saddle trees, Marlin Leather - deer skin glove and other leather suppliers. To me it is the "poor mans" Rocky Mountain Leather Trade Show

Google Search gives this: http://www.alibaba.com/showroom/bonded-leather.html

http://www.fabriconthenet.net/bonded-leather-leather-vinyl/?zenid=c408bcaa0c61dc72feaa92c1382e10d7

Bill Churchill showed me some leather that changed to a purple color when he had used oxcylic acid (wood bleach) to clean the leather before dyeing. Wonder if this may have happened with your processes. Bob Stelmack www.pslac.org

I'm sorry--I just couldn't stop laughing after reading and re-reading the title of this post ;-)

While I was in an antique store in England I purchased what you have described. If you are interested in purchasing, please contact me with an offer (without shipping, shipping will be added). It is 43" long. I'm back in the USA now. Hope this helps. Bob Stelmack www.pslac.org

I read thought the suggestions you have been given and the only thing that I wondered about was the statement about the registed trademark . I did a quick search of the trademark government database and didn't find it. If it isn't a trademark, don't pretend it is. If it is a trademerk, all you need is a little "TM" or circled "R" as the case applies. The long sentence about the trademark takes away from brochere. Otherwise, like all brocheres, they get better over time and through editing. Looking forward to the next version. Bob Stelmack www.pslac.org

Change the needle. Bob Stelmack www.pslac.org

FERDCO ( www.ferdco.com ) has taught a class for the last two years on the use and adjustments of industrial sewing machines. Ron teaches both a cylinder and a flat bed machine. He uses a FERCO machine as a demo, but gives addition generic information that applies to other companies. The class is shown how to make all the adjustments: tension, timing and proper selection of needles and threads. I learned more in the 4 hour class than all the readings through leatherworker.net and Google searches over many years. The class is held in November in Pendleton, Oregon during FERDCO's weekend Leather Show. Also a great place to buy from several tool and leather companies. Contact Ron or Cheryl at FERDCO for details: Ferdco Corp. PO Box 65 128 N Frederick Ave. Harrison Idaho 83833 Toll Free - 800-645-0197 Canada - 208-689-3006 Fax - 208-689-3008 Email - ferdco@live.com Website - www.ferdco.com Bob Stelmack www.pslac.org

Try http://www.wildginger.com/products/wildthings.htm Last time I used the free pattern program it had a simple pattern for backpacks. Bob Stelmack

I have two FERDCO machines. The FERDCO 1245 I have had for three-years and uses 207 top & 138 on the bobbin. I use it every day and it has never skipped a stitch making leather slip on book covers with it. The other is a FERDCO Pro-2000 that I use for heavy material belts, holsters and the like. I've had it for one-year and uses 346 top & 277 on the bobbin. It did skip a stitch once, but I was forcing the project. For me, I listen to Ron & Cheryl and do exactly what they say. I use bonded polyester thread with one size smaller on the bobbin than the top. I oil after 8 hours use and if the machine sits for any time I oil it. If the stitches start to look different I change the needle. They have links to people selling used machines and every time I've call Ron or Cheryl I feel like they have stopped doing everything and gave all their attention to me. www.ferdco.com Bob Stelmack

Very nice tutorial. Here is an alternative way to place/impress letters on leather and even how to make the letters curve: www.pslac.org/download_area/Typography%20in%20Leather%20Article.pdf Hope this is helpful. Bob Stelmack

There are some Internet and some local Leather groups that have created their own libraries of Books, DVDs, Doodle Sheets, etc. for loan to their members. Might I suggest the http://iilg.org group as a group to look into. I am sure there might be local groups in Europe that also have some resources. Hope this helps. Bob Stelmack

Try a GOOGLE search with "leather belt patterns". Bob Stelmack www.pslac.org

First, I'd ask the dog. He looks a little to guilty to me. ;-) Really, if you say the leather received no light and the temperature was constant you could take a section to someone with a microscope to example the surface closely for mold spores, but I would guess just plain old oxygen on the air could be the catalyst to cause oxidation of relative exposed areas over long periods of time. It looks like one side protected the other side and the discoloration in the center could be where a space was formed in the rolling allows air to reach the center. This is all a guess. I have stored leather double shoulders laying flat, under a bed with a cover over them, and even then the edges start to change color. I wonder if the massive use if particle board, in a home, and its formaldehyde content could be the culprit. Was the latigo rolled in the same roll? Or was the latigo laid against the two skirting side? Maybe the extra content in the latigo caused the problem. Testing might be the only way to find out. Take some sample cuts from the three different sides and store them differently. I buy veg tanned sides and double shoulders and use right away if need a light color. Those that remain rolled and stored on cardboard shipping boxes I know I will have to dye and/or cut a little waste from them. Don't have too much problems--I live in dry side of Washington State. Bob Stelmack www.pslac.org

Hummmm, the last time I brought a flame near steel wool, it burned with an intensity that was frightening. Maybe there is a technique I am unaware with the "blow torch". Or maybe the resultant burned steel wool is what is used. Anyway -- it was HOT! Bob Stelmack www.pslac.org

SOLD--thanks for looking.

Update on the remaining thread left to sell: Item Manufacture Type Size Color Quantity 2. Rice Nylon 415 Dk Brw #451 18.8 oz 4. Rice Nylon 415 Black 16.9 oz 8. American&Efird Poly 92 White 20.2 oz Cost is $19 per spool plus shipping (I can get 3 spools into a USPS 2-3 Priority Service Flat Rate Box for $11) See previous messages in this suject for a picture of the threads. Bob Stelmack www.pslac.org

Ferdco PRO-801 Leather Skiver Complete with table stand and 110 Volt motor – little use, like new. Priced at $700. The Ferdco PRO-801 Leather Skiver is precision designed for edge skiving and whole surface skiving of leather for shoes, boots, saddles, harnesses, chaps, bags, belts, sheaths, holsters, wallets and more. It is used to skive and thin out the edges of leather to create clean and consistent ends. Precision designed for simple and smooth operation Built in blade sharpener Adjustable skiving width Adjustable skiving speed Equipped with power stand and 1725RPM industrial motor 1200 RPM Rotating Speed Skives light to medium-heavy leather up to 10oz 4-15mm Skiving Width Includes maintenance manual and custom dust cover. Also includes special tools to sharpen the bell skiver blade, and three different feet for different skiving forms, including a roller foot. Original cost was $1,245 with out shipping costs. Selling because my business has taken a different direction and machine leather skiving is no longer part of my manufacturing process. Please contact your favorite crater & shipper to arrange crating and shipping from ZIP Code 99352-4117 ( suggest cratersandfreighters.com ) with the following information: Approximate overall measurements: 48” high x 36” wide x 24” deep Estimated weight: 200lbs. (weight is just a guess) Bob Stelmack www.pslac.org Location: Richland, WA

For some description of using letterpress type on leather try this: www.pslac.org/download_area/Typography%20in%20Leather%20Article.pdf Bob Stelmack www.pslac.org

That's what I do. Bob Stelmack www.pslac.org

Please see http://www.belltype.com/Equipment.html Bob Stelmack www.pslac.org

Just grind the toe off of one pressure foot. Bob Stelmack www.pslac.org

What about some super glue carefully put into the pulled apart sections? Bob Stelmack www.pslac.org

Sent a Private Message that you could read in your message area. (Top right hand of the page, pull down arrow, messenger section.) So I tried the email section on your profile page. If all this fails you will just have to put your details here so I can contact you. Tag -- you're it.... Bob Stelmack www.pslac.org