FDC

Nice problem solving! I too am trying to get my Techsew SK-4 801 skiving heavier leather than it is intended for. Veg tan to boot. I have added the serrated drive wheel but maybe the best modification is a speed reducer in the drive train. Plenty of grunt now. Thanks to Andrew at Skyline Leather for his fine video about this! And there is no question that a freshly sharpened blade is critical when pushing the performance envelope on this skiver. I have had success with 9/10 oz leather to date and that was my goal. It’s not an everyday requirement but occasionally I need it.

New to leather work and really want to make my own boots. I’ve been aware of the curved needle outsole stitchers for several years and know that I don’t need one so of course I bought one. It was in a shop and oily, perfect. I thought that I would be able to tidy it up and use it but that turned out not to be true as 70 years of hot wax and filth were a deal breaker so apart it came and I rebuilt it from the ground up. A bit intimidating to say the least but with a lot of photos and time it is back together and I’m in the fine tuning phase of things. I have it stitching unsatisfactorily and am working away at it. I have begun to understand how this machine actually works by taking it entirely apart and trying to get it back to proper operation. Brilliant, frustrating and gorgeous! I used #207 bonded polyester thread and crazy glue to make my new round drive belt joint, works like a charm!

Gateway Machinery in Illinois.