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I usually wait until Siegel's has the 88 on sale and then buy enough to get the free shipping. I've just ordered the xl-8, made by the same company, from Zack White, who told me that the Duall 88 is being discontinued. Don't know if this is true or not. ed

Getting just the right semi-tubular rivets has been a chore. Thanks for checking the head diameter. ed

I'm thinking about special ordering solid brass #104 tubular rivets from Weaver Leather and want to be sure about the head diameter. I know the catalog states 5/16", but I have some other rivets that are supposed to have a head diameter of 5/16" but actually measure less. If anyone has any of these #104 tubular rivets from Weaver Leather, could you measure the diameter of the head and post the results? Thanks, Ed

I also find it pretty suspect the the public service announcements telling of the Feb 2009 changeover is because digital is better. It's for commercial reasons. The analog spectrum is full and can't take more stations broadcasting. But with digital there's much more access for corporate media to fill the airwaves with more crap. I watch two channels 11 and 13 (PBS) via rabbit ears. Though, now that a few other channels are coming in clearly, I find myself wasting more time. ed

I used one of those $40 coupon cards to get a digital TV tuner for my analog TV, as there is no way I'm going to spend money on a digital TV until the prices are dirt cheap. I got the digital tv tuner with analog pass through from Radio Shack. The brand is Digital Stream. I researched the brand and model quite a bit and thought I'd pass on the experience. Great digital tuner for $20, when you use the $40 discount card that the government has been sending out. Without the coupon, the price is $60. ed

Just got a response from OTB. They'll do a minimum of 10, 000 for $.18 per rivet. If by chance there is enough interest in these solid brass semi-tubular rivets I can place an order. Weaver has similar rivets but with shorter posts and smaller diameter heads. However, their prices are much better.

Weaver and Zack White both have an edge finish. I'll try it out and report back. I'm anxious to see how it compares to LCI's edge finish. ed

Well, I couldn't resist. I removed that spring and am very satisfied with the results -- more controllable and reliable tension settings-- especially on lighter weight leathers. Now I can use bobbins of varying lengths and don't have to worry about the added friction that that spring causes. The only minor drawback is that now the bobbin doesn't pop out when I open the bobbin case. Not really a big deal at all. Ed

Beautiful shop! Very, very nice work!

I just got off the phone with OTB. I inquired about getting their 350 Jumbo Rivets in solid brass and nickled brass. They're going to get back to me about the possibility of a special order. I thought I'd ask around to see if anyone is interested in these, as a minimum order of 10,000 to 20, 000 will be more than I currently need. Specs: Head diameter: 15/32" (.46874") tube diameter: 3/16" (.1875") tube length: 12/16" I'll also have to ask about solid brass caps. Ed

Thanks. It's good to be back and get back to work. I realized how important it is to get away from everything for an extended period of time once a year. When you come back, you're motivated for a good part of the coming year and approach situations with fresh perspective. Traveling also gives you ideas for projects. Ed

It seems that I'm always fiddling with bobbin adjustments. REcently I noticed that some of my bobbins have a length of around 30.7 mm while others are 30.25 mm down to 30 mm. The shorter length bobbins seem to work the best, more consistency in results, meaning that once I regulate tension to my satisfaction I can depend on consistent results throughout a project. I've now stopped using any bobbins longer than 30.25 mm. All measurements made with a digital caliper. I've been thinking about removing the spring in the bobbin case, so that the only friction on the bobbin and bobbin thread comes from the bobbin tension clip and not from the spring pushing the bobbin against the top of the bobbin case. Does anyone think I'd be creating a problem by removing this spring? Thanks, Ed

Keith, What I like about Duall is that it works well and the fumes aren't too strong. I like that XL8 has an even stronger bond. Are the fumes very strong with the XL8? Ed

What about 2 oz plonge or 2.5 oz deertan cowhide? ed

Has anyone with the 441 or Adler cylinder arms experienced different results with various bobbins. I think some of my bobbins don't spin properly and give inconsistent bobbin tensions. I've started using the smaller circumference Baby Bull bobbins with good results. Even if these bobbins have defects, they are small enough to allow for such margin of error. I'll pay closer attention to the results to be sure of the effectiveness. ed

Hi Luke, How are the fumes with Masters and the new Tandy contact cement? Do you happen to know if new Barge formula has less intense fumes? Ed

I'm running low on contact cement and am thinking of changing from Duall #88 to something else. What I like about Duall #88 is that its fumes aren't that strong. Any replacement will also have to have light fumes. My replacement choices are: Masters Barge,though I think this one is out due to strong fumes, which I've read about. Dural Dura-Safe non-flammable. I can get this for a good gallon price and like that it is nonflammable, but am not sure of its holding power. I mainly need contact cement for prepping two-sided straps. I would use Fiebing's white glue, which I use for everything else, for this, but for straps it's just too messy. Thanks for any suggestions. Ed

Just got back from vacation and had to try immediately this Dremel setup for burnishing. I can't say that my experiments have been exhaustive, but it sure is worth using: get two washers and a longer screw to fit a half-inch thick burnishing wheel cut from F! grade corded felt. I'll have a better idea later today or tomorrow, when I put the setup to extended use. Ed

I got home from vacation the other day and immediately went to my new Weaver catalog. Weaver has something they call Edge Paint. I'm going to email or call them and see if I can get the skinny on the product. ed

I've decided to save up for Artisan's 20" splitter. However, a new reason for getting the Scharf-fix 2000 has surfaced. While on vacation, I got some good ideas for women's bags that would require butt stitching together symmetrical pieces of 3oz or 2oz coach-style leather to make up single panels. This stitching will require clean, even pairing of the the edges to about 1/4". The edges will have one invisible stitch then folded over to receive the top stitching. It seems that the Scharf-fix might be ideally suited to this task. Ed

My requirements are maybe 10 gallons a year. If I had not asked LCI too many questions about getting my desired color, I would have been fine. If I had known of this tacit policy of not expecting customer service, I would have kept my mouth shut and just kept what they had sent me, but as they say, hindsight is 20/20. I was told in very direct language by Carlos, the owner, that they don't want to waste their time on my ten gallons a year and he told me to go shop elsewhere. I hope everyone is having a pleasant summer. Ed (who will return from vacation and be back in the workshop and back full steam in the forum this Saturday)

Hi HS, I'd like to know what modifications are made to the Q Stitch Stallion to allow for greater presser foot rise and reduced missed stitches. On the website there is some mention of a modified hook ring, which I'd like to know more about. http://www.qstitch.com.au/index.cfm?Do=Vie...e&PageID=14 It seems like the stallion is similar to Artisan' 4000p and the Colt is similar to the 4000R. They also have listed Ferdco's Super Bull and a Highlead machine. From my experience, to get the stitches closer to the edge, you'll need a single left toe and a slotted , feeddogless needle plate. Ed

if what Art has written doesn't solve the problem, take a look at the needle plate you're using. If the edges of the needle slot are sharp, they can fray your bottom thread. I experienced this with a flat feeddogless needle plate and had to take a file and emory paper to the edges. Ed

For this quick test, I rubbed in a bit of each of the beeswax weatherproofers/conditioners, added a droplet of water to each, and a few minutes later I wiped off the water. For the next test I will be more detailed: 1. Rub in more of each weatherproofer, and do at least three applications. 2. take pictures of the droplets of water after longer durations: immediate, five minutes, ten minutes, thirty minutes. 3. Use veg tan ed

I'm just not sure there's such a big difference between a beeswax weatherproofer costing $5 and one costing $20. They all seem to work the same. For the Montana Pitch Blend, rather expensive, I used a sample sent me by the company. Ed