TheDavidLeathermanShow

Wow tequila I’m really digging the flush fitted inlay. Looks awesome man!

Thanks tequila that’s great idea I will have to try that on the next one

Pastor bob thanks for the skiving tip I never even gave that a thought but i think it’s a great idea definitely give it a try on the next one. Thanks everyone for the kind words and tricks of the trade!

Forgive me Lees, could you elaborate a little more i’m a newbie and not quite sure I follow. If you’re referring to the 8 adjustment holes I did punch the holes from the face downward into the flesh side, but my hole punch set that I have are a cheap set I got in a kit and when I punch through I have to wiggle and pull on them to get them out which in turn lifts the leather around the edge of the holes.not sure if it’s cheap punches or user error

Okay I’ll give that a try, I like the groove cause it gives me a line to follow as I’m still very much a greenhorn on the sewing machine haha but I will give the dividers a shot

I was thinking the same, any suggestions on a good way to do a stiching groove around the inlays other than free handing it?

Here’s my first belt with embossed lizard inlay and a Tandy shield buckle I made for my cousin. Also the first completed piece using machine sewing. Please give me some pointers!

Yes sir I know the brew house you’re referencing. I’m about a half hour south of akron. I shop the Tandy store in middleburgh heights near Cleveland area. Just an FYI once you work past the Econ veg at Tandy, weaver leather is in ohio near the city of Wooster has great options for a higher quality leather.

Very cool cryptid! Neat design

That is correct I’m located in alliance, ohio.

Wiz I must say you never disappoint! Your ingenuity reminds me of my grandfather. Simple, quick, and effective!

Good deal! When I was there last week he had about 30 of each machine in the cowboy line up. There’s more than plenty to get your hands on

Hey rubicon , how was your interaction with Ryan Neel???

@Rubicon04 you won’t be disappointed! I have never sent an email, but his phone number is 1-330-692-1418 Time and time again I have called and left a voicemail he has called me back within about an hour or less. If memory serves me correctly his business hours are 8am-6pm but I was just there last week to buy a new servo motor and he met me after hours to help me out like a true gentleman. If you don’t get a prompt response to your email, pick up the phone and give him a shout. I guarantee his response will be in a timely manner.

if my memory serves me correctly, Ryan Neel has been in the business of distributing machines since 2003. And before that was in the business of making saddles and tack since he was in his teen years. He holds the patent for the invention of the hand operated cowboy outlaw. So I must say he’s anything but new to business and customer service. I think what sets him apart and gives him the ability to shine is the fact that his business is family operated. When I’ve made the drive over to his shop, I’ve met in person a few of his workers/family members and they are all equally talented and helpful as Ryan himself. Also I must say, I’ve walked thru the shipment room of his shop. The amount of packages that are waiting to be picked up by UPS/FEDEX postal carriers is absolutely amazing! I say amazing because that to me proves how busy he is, but yet still able to provide great customer service as if I was his only customer! Truly amazing! and to my fellow forum craftsman I in no way shape or form have any benefit by promoting Ryan’s business. Just an extremely satisfied customer that wanted to share my numerous interactions with the rest of you!

Hello my fellow craftsman, I understand a lot of your frustrations with quality service, I own and operate a construction company in ohio. It seems the days of quality customer service as well as some product manufacturers have jumped on the it’s “due to COVID” excuse wagon. I have a lot of suppliers that instead of doing their job and looking for something that’s available immediately jump to the 10-12 week or if at all excuse. I was told this morning 18-20 weeks on a certain product that was ordered 6 weeks ago (that was supposed to arrive yesterday) was due to COVID! I called the owner of the supply company that I’ve met before to discuss the issues at hand. Low and behold my order was in fact there , the employee was just too darn lazy to look it up on his computer. With all the being said there is a glimmer of light, and the whole point of my post is that if you look hard enough there is always a diamond in the rough. And that diamond being Ryan Neel owner of Neels Saddlery. His office is over an hour from where I live, he is located in North Lima, Ohio. The man is a genius when it comes to sewing machines. So to the original poster , give Ryan a call!!!! He deals in cowboy machines and I was just at his shop last week he has a boat load of machines in stock. He will for sure return your call, I haven’t even bought one of his machines, but I will say without a doubt he has treated me with the utmost quality and respect. Has worked on my machine like he was the one that sold it to me, provided me with accessories and parts that will work for my machine as well as suppliers that stock parts that he doesn’t. I’ve called for advice numerous times and he has always called me back within the hour. Has always pointed me in the correct direction with all my sewing and leather working needs. And the man is a human dictionary of knowledge when it comes to sewing machines. He can tell you in depth about all the machines on the market new and old, what machines parts are compatible with other machines. Again I have picked his brain about anything sewing related on numerous occasions and he has always answered my questions and then some, he has NEVER and I mean NEVER made me feel like I was wasting his time or that my needs weren’t important to him. Has always given his utmost full attention when speaking with him. I bought my machine used off Craigslist, it was out of time and the bobbin case was wrecked, numerous screws were lose as if someone disassembled it and then poorly reassembled it. I sat it his work area while he fixed and tuned my machine and went thru it top to bottom for about 4 hrs all the while I asked questions and he gave answers. Offering me a cold soda , set me up with needles, thread, oil, and an extra bobbin case he had laying around. He even gave me a lesson on using the machine for about an hour. He gave me a bill that I will certainly say was very cheap for what he had performed. He called me the next day to make sure the machine was performing well. Gave him a call a month later for some pointers and advice and he remembered who I was as well as my machine. This guy knows what quality customer service is to the letter and he has made a customer for life! Seriously cannot recommend this fella enough! So again to the original poster give Ryan a call you will be extremely happy you did! Ryan Neel if you are on this forum I cannot thank you enough! Best regards, Dave

Still available $1150

Thanks Bill I appreciate it

Hey billy thank you for the input. What your opinion on the Wickett & Craig veg tan ? ive only worked with veg tan from Tandy, quality is hit an miss. Now that I’m investing serious $$$ into equipment, I’d like to work with some better quality leather. I’m not saying I want imported best of the best leather , just something a little better than what Tandy has to offer.

Thanks for the link

Hello my fellow leatherworkers, Living here in rural ohio there’s not many options for suppliers other than Tandy (2 hour drive) and weavers ( 1.5 hour drive) to obtain materials. The Tandy I go to up in the Cleveland area has drastically dwindled down their stock compared to a couple years ago. I was wondering if anyone here on the forum may know of some suppliers in ohio that aren’t as mainstream as Tandy or weavers. There’s a lot of Amish villages within a couple hours from where I live, perhaps maybe some small leather suppliers within the Amish communities? Just a thought but any input is greatly appreciated ! thanks

Unfortunately highpower I got out bid on the old 97-10, I was doing it from my phone and didn’t refresh it in time but I was in it down to the wire. I did however buy quite a bit of other stuff

It was a preview tonight, the auction is Saturday morning but I am going to try and buy both the 97-10 and the landis 1 and there is 2 more ancient cylinder arm singers that if they go for a decent price I’ll buy them as well

Quick update guys, I went and looked at these machines tonight and got the full scoop. The shop consisted of a father and daughter, the father passed and the daughter is auctioning off everything and retiring. She is still running the shop til the end of the week, the machines have been used daily since they opened in 1959. the machines come with a plethora of new parts in package and old parts in a separate box/crate plenty of everything (needles,bobbins,thread) highpower I am a hobbyist and new to machines, I do not know the names of everything but I’m learning with the help of this forum. I collect antiques and love anything with mechanical workings. I have plenty of experience in restoration work. If parts are available or a part can be used to copy my neighbor owns a machine shop and usually charges me case of beer and a pizza. the story on the 97-10 I was told tonight I’d like to share. Her father bought the machine used from an army post in 1967 when he left the military he was able to purchase it. Her dad used it to start the leather shop that is for sale to date. She fired up the old 97 and it sounded soo smooth and was extremely quite for such a large machine. I got my hands in there and sewed a couple layers of skirting scrap and it was a dream! So smooth, felt comfortable and the stitches on both sides looked fantastic. She explained to me she had three more belts to make and finish up a set of saddlebags and she was done for good! truly an amazing experience running that old 97 tonight!

Will do wiz thanks