ToddW

Thanks!!

I definitely understand and not really asking for legal advice.. I saw the thread which really got me thinking.. Attached is a wallet I make.. Very similar to the ones out there and very similar to the patterns you can download. As I start working towards bags, there are so many styles and I am more buckles and straps vs zippers which gets you towards tickling some of the patents I want to stay away from.. The philosophical question for me really is around how much a change in functionality and design gets you away from the patents.. The tote is a great example of that as mentioned, there are thousands of totes.. Some are a lot more clear..

My lines of questions were along making the bags and selling them and not really around selling or distributing the patterns. As with the tote example above from Saddleback. What makes a tote different than most of the totes out there and what change is enough to not tickle the Saddleback patent.

where did you buy it from?

I did look at the book press as well as the shop press which I agree, they work. I am doing this for speed as well.. I'm wanting to order a round of equipment so: laser, clicker, sewing machine, embossing.. I have been doing it by hand: cutting, sewing which has been a good experience, but ready to move up to equipment that gets me more consistent and faster..

I for some reason thought Alcantara was more expensive than the various suedes..

I'm looking for a good liner for my bags. What I have read about Saddleback is that they used Pig Suede Liner but people complained that it made the bag too stiff. I think I am seeing where they have moved to cow suede liner and seems to get better reviews. My bags will have computers or ipads in them and want something to help protect a bit more and add a little (not a lot ) of stiffness (and weight). My first bag didn't use a liner at all which seemed ok but wanted to take my game up a bit. Thoughts? For this section.. what suppliers have a good variety of colors of suede liners? Todd

Email sent!

ok.. I have spent the last few days catching up on the Chinese Laser. OMTech definitely dominates the Ads and SEO as most searches bring them up. What I was wanting to do is save the extra dollars and order from China but I really can't tell what vendor to use. I joined the Facebook groups but pending acceptance. I do want the bigger unit as its only a few hundred dollars more, but now starting to worry about space. I don't have room in the garage.. Where I wanted to put the glowforge was upstairs where I do leather work but don't think I could get the unit up the stairs which has me putting it downstairs in my home office. When you start adding better water chillers and better filters, its going to take up a lot of space. Before, money was more my limiting factor but now finding space to be my challenge. I emailed OMTech and their responses have been very short and brief.. not very helpful when I am trying to buy.. https://omtechlaser.com/collections/mid-range-co2-laser-engravers/products/55w-co2-laser-engraver-cutter-usb-6b46-us vs https://omtechlaser.com/collections/mid-range-co2-laser-engravers/products/50w-co2-laser-engraver-cutter-usb-5g3r-us vs https://omtechlaser.com/collections/mid-range-co2-laser-engravers/products/50w-co2-laser-engraver-cutter-usb-5b3r-us then.. you get to what upgrades.. I have sent a few emails on Alibaba but its been a back and forth thing which is now on day 3 of trying to get to a build of materials.. This is why the glowforge was attractive to start.. I'm committed on the Chinese Laser now, but really just want some manufacturer to tell me what to buy and I pull the trigger.

Getting all my orders together and noticed the Weaver Master Tool Mighty Wonder 4 Ton clicker is out of stock. Is there anything like it somewhere else?

boy.. diving into the Chinese laser world is like the 3D printer world on steroids.. LOTS of units.. LOTS of modifications.. LOTS of sellers.. LOTS of videos and opinions... milage definitely varies.. I am off the GlowForge as the size, power & Cost are definitely attractive.. The Boss, Rabbit, etc seem out of my budget $7K + so spending the time on the Chinese variants. Really looking for a point in the right direction on vendor to buy from (I am ok with Alibaba as I bought my 3D printer there). I am ok with adding add-ons or options.. I will be cutting Chrome Tan so need good venting or a good filter. Water chillers vary from a bucket with pump and water to contained ones.. Back of the envelope is around $3K for the 60W chinese with the options I want including Lightburn and camera.

Ok.. appreciate that...

I am past the GlowForge (hate sounding wishy washy but hear you) and looking at the Chinese.. I sent an email to OMTech, Rabbit, Boss, Thunder trying to get pricing and options.. I know I want 50+ watt preferably 60w.. as big as a cutting area as I can afford.. front loading.. camera.. good venting... camera... not sure about water chillers, external filters, options, etc..

ok.. definitely sounds interesting and price is very attractive..and agree bigger more powerful than a glowforge. If you don't mind, which 60w did you buy as they are $2,800 + shipping on OMTech's website. The 50w are more along the pricing you mentioned. Also interested in the upgrades you chose as I see fan's, chillers, filters, etc.. I would like to work through the unit and options to see where I am at.. Lightburn does work on a mac and supports camera.. Also looks like OMTech has financing.. what would be nice is to take a pdf plan.. import it and hit a button to cut. What I would engrave is branding/logo's on my wallets..

if you don't mind me asking.. what do you have? I have 2 tarantula PRUSA 3d printers that I have had to mess with.. Carbon fiber boards, better print heads etc..etc..etc.. Very difficult to get going and LOTS of jacking with. I bought an Ultimaker 2 a while back and the thing just works.. over and over and over.. No Jacking with. My point is that my experience with the chinese 3d printer was not that great although it ultimately worked. Kinda like the chinese cobler machine I bought.. it sews.. but lots of jacking with.. I am definitely not opposed to doing work.. I am very mechanical and software savy.. but.. I really want something to work out of the box and work over and over.. What I want is a large cutting bed.. camera inside so I can see.. My preference would be to have something that I can feed material for long pieces like this shotgun case.. Glowforge does all that.. the pro is a 45w but at $5K, you start getting closer to the Boss or rabbit. I do like the financing option as well.. The leather I tend to go to is a chrome tan leather. I can vent out or buy a filter.. Not super concerned with the fumes as the laser is by a window I can vent out of. I do want it for stuff I will be selling so needs to be professional grade. Probably looking at it wrong, but I have viewed the glowforge like my Mac. Can I get a more powerful, more feature Intel or AMD laptop cheaper.. yes.. but my Mac just works... I do appreciate the conversation.. Just looking to be pointed int he right direction as my brain is hurting.. I am "almost" to the point of just going the 8 ton might wonder clicker route but really don't want to have to continually have dies made until I know something is going to sell..

One thing I completely overlooked is that I use a lot of chrome tanned leather.. most specifically one from Lefarc as I really like. Have been spending the weekend reading about cutting chrome tanned leather with laser is toxic.. some say is bad for the laser although I can't find any data to support that.. might void warranty, not a clean cut as veg tan.etc..etc..etc... I was looking hard at a Glowforge.. tempted by the boss and rabbit as the lasers are a lot stronger. Glowforge is 40w and 45w.. just about e everyone says I would be happier with them over the glowforge. The place I want to put my laser cutter is by a window and I can vent out easily and its on the second floor so no near people. I have looked at the filters as well.. Anyway.. deepens my questions and causing me to put off again. I really want the laser for playing around with design and small volume stuff. at the end of the day, I don't have a fortune to spend. I think I am pretty set on the Cowboy class 26 sewing machine.. Was weighing the Glowforge Plus vs the basic.. or buy a clicker. I don't have 220 or 3 phase power where I work. That would probably have me weighing the Mighty wonder 8 ton clicker with a bed of 12" x 24. The Glowforge is 11″ (279 mm) deep and 19.5″ (495 mm) wide but has a front loading slot so you can go long if you need to. If I go the press, I loose the ability to etch a logo so back to dies.. This chrome tan thing brought me right back around to the clicker vs laser..

I am weighing a Pro vs Plus and curious about the feeding through the front slot. Could you feed a long length of leather through the front and cut something like this shotgun case? Does the front feeding of material really work as advertised. This is a long straight cut so seems like it would feed and cut if it does work as advertised. Thoughts?

makes sense and will probably do that.. I was just curious if there are plans out there.. I like to load up existing plans / pdf's in illustrator and play with them..I don't sell plans.. just make things I like.. buckles, straps, handles, etc..

Good call and shockingly 10 minutes from my house.. I have never looked at them before and they are in my background..

Thanks!

would you mind sharing who in HK or TW you use? you can dm me if you want. Needing one and not in a hurry, but price sensative.

Not sure if I messed up and posted to the wrong place or messed up and didn't submit topic so doing here... I am wanting to build a shotgun and double shotgun case.. no zippers kinda style. Does anyone have a pattern that is general in nature? I can deal with the handle, buckle and flap. Just looking for something to help out with the body and stiff top. Thoughts? The attached pictures are the style I like and close to what I want.

no prob..and appreciate the look around. I am still looking if anyone knows a tanner, or retailer..

this is an old post but curious if there is any left... Sent you a DM...

There are welding and steel companies around.. I'll have to pull in and ask questions.. I did that for some granite and the granite place sent me back to their dumpster that was full of pieces I could barely lift out. I ended up with a trunk full of pieces having the car riding low in the back (just kidding). Anyway, have no fear of pulling in and asking so will give it a try.