SilverForgeStudio

@slowmoguy For learning- learn the hand stitching gig- for holsters and belts its great practice... and look at it simply... You can crank out a TON of small goods and learn the principals easily and quickly with a older singer 15-9, a Japanese clone of the 15 series or a heavy old Kenmore. All domestic machines- all from a time period where rigidity and the ability to sew domestic "denim weights" were common. I mention these as they kept coming up in Craigslist searches fairly cheap- and on my area's Free-cycle web there are several without cabinets to be had as "curb alerts" How do I know they appear frequently? Because Im only a few months "older" than you in my search for a machine. And my mentality was the same as yours. I am "new" to this sewing thing as well... and if you are trying to do all things at once- you will fail. Learn small- then use those projects to fund/drive the "big boy" machine... but look around- many of the "Holster" machine setups are NOT everyday sewers- these are special use project machines that even the pro's only use for specific tasks. If you are looking to do Molle type gear then youtube "Jason of all Trades" and get familiar with his techniques. Below is a great webbing tutorial (using a domestic vintage machine) that is from a designer's angle and at a beginners speed. https://youtu.be/6IscVRgBdUo As for holster and belt sewing for thicker leathers- there are several threads on the "Chinese shoe patcher" style machines (Manual and rudimentary versions of the Singer 29K) that will perform well for your starting efforts. Enough to get you familiar with what you are doing, how to do it, and what the next step in your hobby needs to be. I personally wanted to get into canvas+leather bags and heavier things as well but found the chinese shoe patcher was- more affordable easily modified to suit my needs (going to add a motor like Polyfractal and Mainley Acres) it left $$$ for supplies and plenty of room to grow versus sinking my hobby budget in one purchase Here is a link to one of the shoe patcher series of machines. https://youtu.be/uNh4HpyqNbk You will hear it from Battlemunky, JLS, Wiz and many other "older, wiser and more learned and professional" folks than me- Learn by doing 10 of an item at a time... and sell the extras. But dont worry about a high end big money machine until the hobby can support/fund or subsidize the thing. My 2 cents... your mileage may vary, batteries not included, some assembly required, call your mother- all the usual caveats. Be safe and have fun!

Awesome- being softer/more supple- is it 4-5 oz or heavier?

Love the Kudu- did you wax the finish or is that natural? excellent stitching to boot- BRAVO

PM Sent

Very nice conversion- I have one as well- Similar results in stitching practice but have not converted mine to power yet- thanks for the video With the DC power supplies you can always visit an camper/RV store as they power supplies are all 24 or 12 volt for plugging into the towing vehicle.

You may want to motorize it- there are a series of videos folks doing it... Here is one example: I have purchased one of these machines- and will be mounting it on a block base- make a table for it with a piece of 3/4 inch plywood to convert it to a bed versus an arm machine. With the hand crank I have found it only good for short runs as noted above- but when I get my wife to turn the crank I am able to manipulate larger pieces more easily. These are "In Fashion" right now and among the prepping and homestead minded folks- and there are many you tube reviews- BE AWARE- Some reviewers and folks posting vids of these machines are AFFILIATE SELLERS for importers or Amazon- so they are biased- CAVEAT EMPTOR (buyer beware) Modifications that will help you use this machine better: A high power square shaped magnet to act as a guide please paint it to prevent rust (bad castings overall) Main arm and UNDERSIDE of the long arm are the most prone use a thread tower not on the machine (the thread spool being ON the machine the loops fall over the handle and vibrates excessively) put a washer on the handwheel- or a locknut- the rotation of the flywheel causes the nut to back off take a file and DEBURR the casting- the casting quality is dubious at best- file off the casting goobers that like to grab fingers and fabrics (and threads) Make witness marks where the bobbin shuttle is located- these will become handy when you have to clean the rack or threads get wrapped around the shuttle and you have to remove it to clean and then replace it- and wonder where the heck did this thing go???? Take a round or half-round file and enlarge the finger nick to take the bobbin cover off with. Hope this helps- be safe and enjoy.

No worries- Wix, Wordpress- pick your interface... Im glad it helped and Im certainly gonna be looking as you post stuff- thanks! By the way- was this all stuff from a fellow who had a trailer and did this at fairs and shows? Just curious

Ah Ha! Another reason to learn the airbrush... Thank you Mike!

@immiketoo - OK so I have tried to "fade" black to blue and an orange to black without much success- still learning... Love the bordering around the piece- do you do the red first then wash the black onto the edges? I am thinking multiple light coats of the black- but hoping you can shed some light on it.

Wordpress- its free to set up a "blog" and post the info, pictures and information- the free version is wordpress.org and although no e-commerce... its a great place to set up a digital inventory then just remove stuff when it sells. Just have a contact us page for folks who want to buy or get in touch. Then just hit the forums and send the hyperlink to anyone interested (Facebook, Craigslist, Nextdoor... you get the idea) Hope this helps.

Bravo- as always- awesome. I enjoy your work- Thanks for sharing this!

Charles- Given the machines' age and what it has probably been through... there had to already be a crack or a fracture line in place for that grey cast iron to split- perhaps a fall or it was hit at some time in its past- the vibration and fatigue finally caught up with it. The cool thing is its only fractured once in each leg- not in a lot of pieces. If you were closer I would say bring it over and we would do the fix at my shop- That machine is worth fixing in my book.

Strop or hone your Awl a bit as well- the cleaner the surface/edges the less glue you pick up. In another life I did some rope and cord work where the core fibers were rubberized- a smooth needle/awl would not stick or "gum up" as bad. We knew we needed to hone/strop when it became "Sticky" Just a thought

Nice looking bag- clean lines with the "rough" sinew look- Well done sir!

Looks great- again- awesome bit of stitching as well!

So are you selling in lots, pieces or wholesale? Any machines?

Doesn't offend- But is a bit cryptic to say the least- and at ONE post with no intro and a weak profile- creepy?

Tom- Thanks for the thread- that will definitely help! Im also dealing with a firewall issue with my ISP portal... So Im not sure what the problem is. Totally understood Bob- it was a bit of a gift so Im not complaining... Ive got my eye out for a few machines- Had a deal on a Singer 29K71 but it fell through. Ive got a Japan Clone of a Singer 15 and it will do a fair bit of denim- have not tried anything close to a 69 thread in it or the canvas/leather mix. Just learning and trying to find my way- I truly appreciate the assistance and help with not only the machines but the pictures!

Yes- and took the original under the scope- no visual difference from a new needle- not out of concentricity or turned tip... Going to switch needle styles next. Thanks! As always- thank you Wiz! I am holding the threads- and using a Schmertz round needle (what was recommended for the canvas)- Im a bit hesitant to try the Leather point needles as of yet as my first attempt with these was like a rabid porcupine on steriods eating my little strip of flimsy garment weight... I did NOT expect the pedal on the machine to be THAT sensitive... I not only had a birds nest- the needle mutilated the surface. As for the tension- Im going to have to play with that number a LOT it would seem. To your last point- I would hope the machine isnt out of time already- it was a new in the box item (not counting the delivery and shipping drops/dings and box hits it suffered before arriving). But that being said- If this continues Im going to be putting it in for a checkup! Thanks Kgg! On this machine its still a "domestic" so the flat face of the needle goes to the rear and that places the groove away from the operator. Had to confirm that and thanks for reminding me its different on other machines! Yetibelle- chat is printed and saved to go on the wall- thanks- easy way to get the info across to an analog/visual guy like me! OK folks- I have pictures but can not upload them for whatever reason... attempt #2 tonight...

If this needs to be in the "HOW DO I DO THAT" forum Apologies- Im not sure where to put it! Hello guys and gals- hope all are warm and dry-ish if youre caught up in the vortex! Got a question about a machine I am starting to use- Im trying to "learn" techniques and playing with lighter thinner 2-3 oz upholstery leather and upholstery weight canvas. So its not strictly about leather. But so far this forum has been the spot-on resource about everything else Ive done for research and investigation for machines so here goes! So I have a Singer 4411 (Domestic heavy). Like the machine but can NOT figure out the "birds nesting" issues- I will post more today including pictures- but to start: Re-threaded the UPPER side multiple times making sure thread is in the tension springs on the take-up arm and thread path. re-wound the bobbin as well and re-installed it to rotate counter-clockwise (per manual) tried holding tension on the threads when I start adjusted thread tension dial from upper to lower range (on this machine from 5-ish to between 2-3) went UP in tension as well from the 4-5 range to about an 8 (this just broke threads faster) using same thread weight on upper and lower- Coats and Clark extra strong 100% nylon that is "70 TEX" size or 3 ply 15 weight different colors in bobbin and top to see the difference in tensions/nesting using 18 needle size with "diamond tip" and its installed correctly (flat of needle to rear with groove on rear and threaded from front) Problems are: thread breaking in the upper take up arm and needle needle jams and will not advance- when I get needle out its a birds nest of top thread loops What am I doing wrong? (Besides trying to learn to sew!- HA!) Thoughts? Pictures when I can get to the camera later today!

Whats up Greg! Norfolk VA fellow here- Welcome the the madness! Wife and I head to DC/Baltimore some in the warmer months- Im pretty new as well here. Looks good for a start! If you havent found Nigel Armistead- look his saddle stitching vids up- Be safe and as always- have a great day! Kerri

I'm at work right now. I'll shoot you a PM later today.

@Northmount Roger that- it is to their advantage- but like I posted Im not down on Springfield- just the toolmaking- I know to buy the higher end now anyway. Caveat Emptor to some things. As for the offending item- Ive already dis-assembled the little bugger for the post-mortem analysis and re-grind... and although I am kvetching about it- It may prove a bit more fruitful in the long run. It is certainly a reason to get out the thinking cap and "DIY" off of a proven concept- and perhaps, just maybe- make some improvements? Here is what I have found- the thread on the adjuster is sloppy and loose- could tighten it up and add a 16tpi thread for easier and more concise "depth-control" the base is cinched into the handle- no way to remove and replace it not easily honed/sharpened with the threads on the base of the tool- the threads are soft and I've already nicked my knuckle trying to re-grind. The handle is completely round- no flat side to add a reference plane for your hand from- and it will ROLL easily once put down. So I think my work is cut out for me.... pardon the pun!

@JD62 Yeah- Im not downing Springfield- those folks did me right and well with every purchase so far and have been very responsive too when I had questions- Im a customer for life (bought the "replacement gouge" from them as well). Annnnnnnnnnnd- got a notice this morning my O-1 is on backorder thanks to furlough, tariffs, aliens abducting cows, shortage... sheesh! I may just cobble one up from some spring steel I have lying about- I hate using "mystery metal" for tooling- Oh well- LIFE goes on!

Very nice indeed. Bravo