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

Denster, Thanks for taking the time to explain the various retention devices. The first thing that popped into my mind when I started reading your post was what a great project it would be for a retired LE guy to put together a book on the subject. The history of like "Packing Iron" or even a how-to like some of the Tandy books. Until then, I'll have to take your advice and study what is already being made and used. Offering these types of things carries a bit more responsibility than a knife sheath for the casual user and I won't be touching it until or if I can gain enough knowledge to feel comfortable with it. The detective that came in the shop was a real character that struck me as no stranger to situations like you explained and my hat is off to you guys who spend your working lives dragging all the crap off the streets in a job which seems to be getting harder all the time. Thanks, joe

Denster....he did mention that he didn't like belt rigs because of his belly....the thing poking him when sitting in the car....a big dude....and he liked not having to about take his pants off to remove it....don't know what level 2 and 3 retention is, and being that uninformed, I don't want to waste your guys time asking questions that I should try to learn about first. He sounded like a narcotics guy but what the heck, he could be anyone with a badge around here....I was more interested in the thought of making the guy a holster that fit right, but my search here made me think there aren't many books out there on the subject. Anything I can get from you guys who know helps a lot in whether I want to deal with these type of things. We get a fair amout of law enforcement in the shop for snaps and stuff and see a market for holsters for them but I'm not sure I want to until I know more. Thanks. Lobo....I had not thought about the liability issue....and it's not my shop so I'll definately run that by the boss....I have an opportunity to do all the custom work at a small shoe/leather repair/shoe retail shop in an upscale area here and got surprised by the demand for it. My good problem is sorting out what I can do/learn to do with the skills I have, for this market, in the given time I have available. I'd rather not grind shoes if I had the choice and I'm kinda packing in the learning curve here so as not to miss an opportunity, but won't do just anything for the cash. I was hoping to get some feedback from skilled folks and for that I thank you for. joe

Hi, We had a detective in the shop today that is looking to have alterations done on a holster for what he said was a new issue baretta px storm. He says they're having a hard time finding holsters with a snap strap that won't allow someone to get it out of his holster on him and showed me how the strap can be slipped by force forward over the hammer allowing it to be removed from a shoulder rig he uses. Seems odd to get issued a weapon without a secure holster but I don't have much knowledge on the subject and would like to learn more. Any suggestions to a flatlander for books or resources on modern holster making? thanks, joe

Nice sheaths....I also hope to get near that quality in workmanship at some point....are your construction techniques the same as what Paul has posting on the knife forums?

my knot book has one called a Capuchin knot, used by French monks, also a single strand. joe

Hiya Bodvar, I found this site a few days ago that deals mostly with old and new veg-tanned leather. The site says it's cool to link to it so I hope it's ok to post. I thought there was some good reading there. http://www.jarnaginco.com/leather%20preservation.htm

WooHoo....I think I'm back in business....it turned out to be the "Enable flash uploader" checkbox....I wasn't looking forward to reinstalling Java and maybe having to dig bits out of the registry like I thought I would and it turned out to be something simple....like my Grandma used to say, if it was a snake it woulda bit me.....a round of cool adult beverages for the house barkeep!.... thankyou everyone.... joe

gtwister09, thankyou.....I'll uninstall Java tomorrow and hope I can get it out of the registry....I didn't get much that I could understand in a search for stack faults...do you have a memory utility link you would recomend? noahdfear, thanks for the link....the site seemed to know I had win98....picked my update....I bet they could know my s.s. number easier....I'll look for that update.... thanks, joe

wow, you guys are awesome, dickf, I see you, browse box and all....and hey, my pleasure if I can get a smile outta someone....actually I have another machine I store my treasures on that is not connected to the internet....this is my original baby, with kerio firewall, spybot, avg (which recently quit supporting 98se) and a few various cleaners and such....brought her back from the dead many times....lol....thx Kate....I have Firefox version 2.0.0.20....the last one supporting 98 I think....they're at 3. something now I believe. thx Johanna, I have come to dislike microsoft and their swiss cheese software so much that I refuse to use IE....I have uploaded pics onto the site with Firefox before and if I can, I'd like to find out what changed....I like the underdog and I'd like to see if I can keep the ol' buggy running till I can afford another....thx Kate, I tried the Lo-Fi and it says that " You cannot manage attachments using the Lo Fi theme" thx gtwister09, my handy dandy Everest Home Edition tells me I have an Intel Pentium 3 with 450MHz and 512 MB SDRAM....not sure what you mean about page file size but the %CPU that Firefox is using right now is around 15%, if that's what you mean....in the last few days I've run scans in safe mode with spybot and Dr. Web Cureit and can't find anything....one thing though, when I tried to update Java thru the console I kept getting this error message.... JRE-6U15-WINDOWS-I586-IFTW_7319BB8D caused a stack fault in module JRE-6U15-WINDOWS-I586-IFTW_7319BB8D.EXE at 0167:0040379e. Registers: EAX=00000000 CS=0167 EIP=0040379e EFLGS=00010206 EBX=005e2096 SS=016f ESP=005e2000 EBP=005e2024 ECX=00001de6 DS=016f ESI=000070ba FS=515f EDX=000070d6 ES=016f EDI=006dc90c GS=7157 Bytes at CS:EIP: 53 8b 5d 0c 56 8b 75 08 8b 46 04 89 4d e4 8b 4d Stack dump: 00000000 00000000 00000000 00000000 00000000 00000000 00000000 00000000 00000000 005e2044 00409bf7 006dc90c 00000138 00001de6 00000fc8 005e204c I went to their site and downloaded the file manually but it says I already have it installed, so I thought I was good....I'm open to any suggestions except hitting this thing with a 2 lb. hammer....I'll try unchecking "Enable flash uploader" after I post this because I'm afraid I'll lose all this one finger typing.... thanks everyone, joe Tha

Hey dickf, Nope, no browse button....under the box I'm typing in now, on the lower left there is a grey bar with the word attachments in it, just like the pic you posted....just below that there's a black bar/button with Click To Attach Files in it, also just like your pic, but without the browse box in between the two....when I click it nothing happens and it acts like a dead link or type that has no link. I hope I didn't fall into a black hole.... joe

Hi Kate, I updated Java, restarted and dumped my temp files....still no go, but I did get a green "loading" box at the top of the page that never finished. Reloaded the page....no go. I went back to the Java site and tested my download and went thru their checklist to make sure everything is enabled and I seem to be good. I also thought Adblock Plus in Firefox might be doing something so I disabled it....no go....reloaded the page and still nothing. I wouldn't think it would have anything to do with my firewall but I'm open to any suggestions now. Any other ideas? thanks, joe