Arturomex

I'm using a Techew 4800 and I'm very happy with it. I realize you're looking at the 2750 but I'll toss my two cents worth in because we're talking flatbed attachments as opposed to specific machine models. I just finished a project using the flatbed attachment. It's OK, I think, for the odd smaller things that you'd need a flatbed for but if I had the budget I'd buy a second dedicated flatbed machine and leave the 4800 as a dedicated cylinder machine. I'd really appreciate having a larger, flat surface (think table size) to support some things and that's not happening with just a flatbed attachment. I thought I would actually use the flatbed attachment more than I do but it's one of those things where it's awfully nice to have it if you need it. If I was in your position I'd keep the Consew and look at the 2750 as an addition to the "fleet" as you put it. Regards, Arturo

I think so. It seems to have better penetration without leaving a lot of stuff on the surface. Regards, Arturo

I prefer the Barry King setters. I'm not hobbled by the support arm and they allow me to put a snap anywhere. Regards, Arturo

Agreed. I don't know if the Fiebing's low VOC product is going to work for the OP. It doesn't say if it's alcohol free on their site, just that it's low VOC. They do show Fiebing's Leather Colors as being a water based product. It used to be called Fiebing's Institutional Dye and was the "go to" for use in gated communities. Regards, Arturo

Well, I'm gonna thank you now, Wiz. If you recommend it, I'm sure it's going to work and work well. The order has already been placed. I bought my needles from Cutex off their ebay site, Ed. Shipping took close to 8 weeks. I'm not sure how much of that was Cutex and how much of it was caused by the Canadian Postal/Customs system. I've been purchasing supplies regularly from the US during the Covid pandemic and when shipped by DHL, FedEx etc. I've usually had my orders within two weeks. It was only the Cutex order, shipped USPS, that took a couple of months and I suspect a lot of that delay was caused by the incompetence of Canada Post and the Customs system. I'm not going to go on a long rant here but I will say that there are a lot of operations, not necessarily leather related, using Covid 19 as a blanket excuse for poor service. If you do order from Cutex, Ed, I'd be curious to know how long it takes you to receive your purchase. Please, keep us updated. Thanks, Arturo

Thanks, Wiz. Appreciate it. Yeah, the titanium does cut down on it, Glenn, but I still see the needle coming up snotty once in a while. Not hard to get it off the needle but I was more concerned with what it might be doing to the innards of the machine. You know... if it's coming off that easily when the needle is up, what's coming off underneath on the up stroke? This is "closed window" season so I'm reluctant to open the Barge (You know - "Get high on the craft, not the cement." LOL) but now I'm curious to know if I'd have the same problem and concerns using that instead of the Aquilim SG. If using Barge will minimize problems I'll bite the bullet and open the house up. Just don't want to have nightmares of my late father yelling, "I'm not paying to heat the whole damn neighborhood." Thanks again, Arturo

Using a Techsew 4800 machine. I've been using Renia Aquilim SG to glue some pieces together. On the excellent advice from Wiz I bought some titanium coated needles. I note that at times the glue seems to be sticking to the needle when I'm sewing this stuff. (The Aquilim seems to stay "tacky" forever.) With the titanium coating it comes off the needle easily but my concern is that it might be going down into the machine. Do I have a problem? Anything I should be looking for/checking? Thanks, Arturo

I'm sure someone more knowledgeable than I am will be along shortly. In the interim, what are you sewing? Type of leather and weight? Speed? And what thread and needle sizes are you using? Regards, Arturo

Gotcha. I've never seen the Olfa DX in the wild. What do you like about that better than one where the blade is fixed and the guard moves?

Agree with the rotary blade for cutting straps but I'm not quite clear on what you mean, Fred. I have/use both 45mm Fiskars and Olfa rotary cutters and the blade stays in the same place on the handle. It's the guards that move up and out of the way. There's at least 8mm of clearance between the blade edge and the handle on the Fiskars and I can cut 12 oz (4.8mm) veg tan without any problem. Of the two, I find the Fiskars to be more ergonomic for me. Regards, Arturo

American Sewing has this: http://www.americansewingsupply.net/shop/patternmaking-supplies-c-3/cold-tape-p-380.html?number_of_uploads=0

What weight? I use 4~5 oz. splits quite often for chaps and aprons and like working with it. I believe somebody actually sells splits in that weight range and perhaps a little higher as "apron splits." It's nice, durable stuff. Regards, Arturo

Barry King also makes nice edgers. They arrive sharp and hold an edge very well. I find a little touch up now and then with some 2000 wet/dry is all it takes to keep them working well. Regards, Arturo

Barry King offers quite a few mauls and mallets. If you go to the website you'll find all the weights are listed: http://www.barrykingtools.com/ Regards, Arturo

There's been lots of talk about glues here on the forums but I don't recall anyone ever discussing the Chilsung products. I've seen these glues used in the YouTube videos and was also impressed with how easily it seems to spread. And I've wondered if it was an inherent characteristic of the glue or if it was simply thinned out to that consistency. You've probably already seen this but here's a link to the manufacturer's website: http://www.starbond.co.kr/eng/product/product_list.php?part=1 If you go to this link, you could send them an inquiry to see where it's available: http://www.starbond.co.kr/eng/customer/inquiry.php Please, keep us posted with what you learn. Regards, Arturo

I have a TechSew 4800 which is, I believe, the same as the CB 6900 and I'm very happy with it. Full disclosure here, this is my first and only leather sewing machine so I have no other machine experience to compare it to. I'd intended to buy the Techsew 2750 which is their 341 clone and I'm glad I spent the extra money on the 4800. (I literally went to the the website to place the order for the 2750 and the home page opened to the 4800. It caught my attention, I asked a few questions on this forum, looked into the Juki 1342 specs, talked with Ron at Techsew and went for it.) It sews 207 thread top and bottom all day without any problems and I've successfully tested it with 277 thread on top and 207 on the bottom. I also appreciate the onboard bobbin winder and walking foot ratio adjustment. The only problem I've experienced was that it was sewn off with a lighter thread/needle and I started breaking needles on 138 thread. I reset the needle position and that took care of things. I'm very happy with the machine. Regards, Arturo

Thanks for getting back to me. It still seems to be available here in TGWN so I think I might give it a go.

I'm a little red/green color blind, don't have a calibrated monitor, can't get to a B&M location to see for myself and don't want to make a mistake buying a side of Tandy "Amerind" saddle skirting. To me this stuff looks like it might be red, which I really don't want. Can somebody tell me what color it is? Thanks, Arturo

OP said he put a 38 inch belt down for scale. Didn't say of that was total length or actual "wearing" size. That cutting diagram is going to result in a lot of short straps and those diagonal cuts from the shoulder are probably going to be stretchy on one end from the belly.

I think this is the video Todd is referring to: https://dgsaddlery.com/how-to-cut-parts-from-a-leather-hide/ Regards, Arturo

I know it won't help show that tooling off but there's always the option to go with black.

You don't say where you are but if you're in Western Canada this might give you a little history about the company: https://albertaonrecord.ca/great-west-saddlery Regards, Arturo

What I'd buy depends on what I was planning to make. I'm not clear on what you're planning to produce.

Thanks guys. No, this isn't going to work for me and you've saved me a few hours and some fuel. I appreciate you taking the time. Regards, Arturo

I have the opportunity to purchase what's listed as a Techsew SA5-1. The photos in the ad aren't very good and the vendor doesn't know much about industrial stitchers but I think it's probably a 441 clone. It's a fairly long drive to view this machine and I'd like to go (if I go) knowing what I'm going to be looking at. Thanks for your help. Arturo