JoeS

Hi Joanna, I received an automated reminder from Kate yesterday that I have until the 25th to renew my domain. I sent her a reply and tried calling her Studio 2-Dawgs number but it seems to be disconnected. I'd like to renew without losing my site and I'm afraid I won't get ahold of her before it expires. Does she still do hosting? If not can it be tranfered to someone here or do it myself? Any help you can give would be greatly appreciated as I'm afraid of losing all those files and having to start over. Thank you, Joe Sifrer jcsLeather.com joesifrer@comcast.net 1-708-533-5690

So it looks like the SewPro is what I'll need to sew veg tanned straps on my old 111?...(BTW, great article on machines Wiz)...now I'm interested in what modifications should be made to it to sew leather better. You mention a 2" pulley and stiffer springs but I'm in the dark about presser feet. Mine has smooth feet but a grooved feed dog, should that be changed out? Thanks, joe

Hi, I have an old Singer 111-154 I'd like to use more and am also interested in reviews of servo motors from users. Would anyone recommend a Reliable or an Artisan or are the motors mentioned the top brands these days? It seems there are a lot more choices since the last time I was looking a few years ago and I'd like to make sure I get one that can push this thing thru what it and I can handle. I have a Boss and a 31-15 roller foot treadle and was hoping to use this one as a "tweener" for thread size and thickness. thanks, joe

Thank you sir, I called them both and swatches are on the way. joe

Hey dirtclod....I hear ya... no way I would take this in most circumstances. He's a good customer that pretty much cuts me loose as far as design, etc. The braids I can do, the 300 or so spots, not. The main thing for me is the general construction details and the leather. Not so much that exact bag but what these high end bags have that more simple ones don't. I understand the name thing and all that, in fact part of the reason I'm asking is from Johanna's post on her kate spade kindle post about chinese junk. There's a slick construction that makes the higher end things just sort of stand nice, feel nice, etc. that sets them apart. I'll try it anyway with the advice of the seamstress from the shop I was at. Just looking for tips and opinions. thanks, joe

Hi everyone, A good customer wants me to make a bag in the general style of a $2500 Gucci purse so he can gift it to his favorite cousin and I'm looking for leather sources. He is willing to pay for the "best" leather I can find so I'm looking at this as an opportunity to work with leather I normally would not have a chance or the resources to use. Whether I can actually make the thing remains to be seen, but I'd like to give it a shot. Here's a link to what he wants http://www.gucci.com/us/styles/263954ANG0G9907#263954ANG0G7506 I'm assuming it's chrome tanned and looks thin but my experience has been mostly veg tanned so I'm at a loss as to the feel/thickness/firmness and would like to have as much info and opinions as I can before I order something on his dime. A lot of high end bags came thru the shoe repair shop I used to work at and some of them had a real nice feel to the leather, but that's as far as my experiences are. The only source I have is Charles Hardke http://www.charleshardtke.com/ I think I saved it from a boot maker forum where they seemed to like the shrunken bull but the calfskin looks kinda nice for a smooth feel. I'm gonna call them tomorrow to see if I can get swatches but I thought I'd see if I could get some advice here first. I understand "stay" material is used as a stiffener in bags made of thin material so I was wondering if boot leather could be used. Anyway, if I could get some edumicated guesses about how this one was made or suggestions as to a thickness that would work or a good supplier it would be greatly appreciated. B.T.W. even if I had the skills and material to make an exact copy I wouldn't and have no intention of moving in on the counterfeit bag business...I have some strong opinions regarding the stuff that is currently flooding this country from "offshore" companies....I'm only looking for the way these things are made in general and with what material that gives them that higher end feel. Thanks, joe

Hi Ed, Old post I know, but I have a similar thing going, plus I'm new at this. First is, have you found a supplier you like for your #14s?. I'm finding my familiar places carry only the 9s and 12s. Also, I saw an old sheath that was nicely domed from a tool and set real nice so it wouldn't rub things that went by it. Is there a setup someone would be so kind as to recommend so mine don't look like my brother hit it with a 2 lb. brick hammer? thanks, spring is here, tomato seeds in, joe

mine didn't come with a threading wire either and I made one posted in another forum from #11 or #12 guitar string folded around a screwdriver and let it hang from a vice and twisted it tight. It's a little floppier than the originals but it worked for me. I hope you have less trouble finding bolts to fit the threads on the base than i did but it all works good for me, homemade belt and all....i like those old things

here's a pdf manual for the 29u172A....are you sure about the "K"?....this one is a big bobbin, long arm as well....they're pretty much the same after the 29-4 in my experience, there are folks here who know tons more than me, but i know you'll like the bigger bobbin....hope it helps....4th one down http://parts.singerco.com/IPsvcManuals/

thanks folks....and thanks for the link athena....a full hide is pretty pricey without a recomendation and if the scrap size is decent I think I may try some....nothing I have seems to look quite like braintan....8thsinner, do you mean you would like to see a red one made with the light pocket and white horse hair? I guess these are really styled from mirror pouches, not medicine, to be clearer. joe

A guy came in the shop asking if I could make him a medicine pouch and after some research, these are the first ones I liked enough to call him. Funny thing is I saw his truck outside first because it was parked sideways with "Coffins" on the side of it. Turns out he delivers them and was passing thru on his route....real nice guy, I hope he likes one. All comments are welcome, 2 are buffalo and one is horse and now after finding such cool info learning what these are I'd like to try some brain tanned deer. If anyone has a source they like I'd much appreciate any suggestions. happy season, joe

From a new guys' perspective and with all due respect to the guys/gals with much more experience than I , the 31s also came with a treadle base, if you can find one, and the one I have suits my skill level just fine, which is s-l-o-w. You can further adjust it's speed by cutting your own leather belts and fooling with the bigger or smaller wheel on the treadle. I'm not sure of the exact year brackets of industrial revolution machining and casting but from an untrained eye it borders on art to me. Maybe I just got lucky, but I had the time of my life taking those old things apart, cleaning them up and learning what made them tick. I'm still no expert, but I'd like to think that process has helped me get my Tippmann sewing right without some of the problems I've read about here. There was a guy on a shoe/boot making forum I used to read that used only a patcher to make his period boots and shoes at Williamsburg and made some really nice stuff and I've always liked a line from there that's something to the effect of.... no one will ever know what you used or how long it took you to make it....just what ends up as the final product. For the money, I wouldn't have been able to afford to make one stitch without these old dogs. If I can get to the point where I can justify and afford a new stitcher I probably will, but until then I've got what I have and enjoying every minute of it....just my opinion joe

my appologies pancho....I should have said the cobblers and stitchers I've seen and worked with....they don't oil them until they won't stitch, get bent and cracked when they're moved, etc. and was just trying to help someone from getting burned....I have a lot of respect for craftsmen like yourself shouldn't have generalized. joe

The 29-4s are what cgleather is referring to. I'd stay away from them unless you can test sew it yourself. Cobblers are well known for not taking care of their machines, I know, I work for one. You can get parts for the 31s and 29ks including the roller foot setup. You'll have to change out the feed dog to a single though for the roller foot. I picked up mine on craigslist for around $100 each but I had to go get them and clean them up, but I learned a lot about them doing that. I also learned a lot on this sewing machine forum http://needlebar.org/bb2/index.php Free to join and ask questions in the industrial machine section. I learned about 31-15s and the roller foot thing from an awesome boot/shoe making forum here. http://www.thehcc.org/cgi-bin/discus/show.cgi?tpc=4&post=9355 good luck