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Hi everyone, I am looking for a supplier for scalloped trim for chaps and purses. With and without dots. Also, leather fringe would be good too. Not Swede, I have that. Any supplies out there for these? I am in Arizona.

Do you want to increase productivity and profits with a great snap machine that is easy to use, and built by a reputable company still in business? One pair (one female, one male) of fully automatic, electric powered, 20 line, snap setting machines for sale. These are older model machines manufactured by the Ho Hung Ming company in Taiwan (https://www.hohm.com). They have a US location at: Ho Hung Ming USA Enterprise, 13525 Alma Ave, Gardena, CA 90249, Phone: (310) 327-4847. I have inquired about these machines from Ho Hung Ming, and they say the machines are older, and parts are no longer inventoried. They do not have owners manuals and no record of the serial numbers. One of the advantages of these older machines is that they are simple mechanical machines built to last. Like an old car, they are easier to repair than newer ones. In 22 years, I have never needed to repair these machines. They still run like a beast. This forum only allows me to load one image, due to file size, but I have lot's of images, that I can email you. I also have some videos of me using the machines that I can send. I purchased the machines from Melanie Machine Company in Vernon CA 22 years ago. The machines have hoppers that hold about 500 snaps. I have used both machines a lot, and they have worked great for me with very minor problems. Occasionally, a mal-formed snap would get stuck in the raceway or throat. These parts are easy to detach and clean out with a tube brush. When a snap gets clogged in the throat, it has always been cleared free with a long nose screw driver. Maintenance is easy, with colored holes to indicate where to add oil. Both machines have locator lights, and come with a simple adjustable guide/gauge. I have cleaned the machines and had them serviced by a sheet metal company who smoothed out all dents and dings. They made and installed a new cover for the male snap machine. It is not painted. The machines are in great mechanical working condition, rust free, with some paint chipping away in small spots. The new owner is responsible for painting the machines. A simple centering gauge is included. The new owner is also responsible for transportation including cost to transport. I do not know how much the machines weigh, but they are very heavy and I am guessing 300 pounds each. I am asking $4,000 (plus 8.5% CA sales tax) for the machines in as is condition, and will consider all offers. The machines are in my storage unit in the mission district in San Francisco. I can show them to you and you are welcome to try them out. Again, these are for 20 line rings snaps, NOT 24 line.

I am just getting into antique leather restoration, etc. and I have a problem. I have a nice "motorcycle" or "western" belt from the 1940s and at some point it lost it's name, which was "FORTUNE" in what would have been yellow brass or chromed brass letters. I have been searching all over the web for alphabet spots but those currently available are not of the right design or size to reproduce the name. Ace Western Belts in Japan appears to reproduce these, but the cost is high and I am not sure the size is right. The original letters were 7/16" tall, or nearly half an inch. Communication with these folks is not easy because of the language barrier. So, does anyone have any letters I could buy that I could use to finish this belt? The photo of the actual belt shows other losses which I have fixed, but so far I cannot get those letters! I am also looking at restoration of this type to be an ongoing effort, so I am also looking for a source of vintage spots and jewels for future projects. Any help or suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks in advance for your help!!!

My daughter asked if I could make her a belt, so to the leather store we went. Would you expect anything less as I said she could pick anything she wanted:) I was not expecting it to be $80-100 to make a belt(that was elite pricing). Used light weight saddle skirting(12-13oz) with deertan cowhide lining, nice substantial belt. Been a little while since I posted anything….. What do y'all think????? Allan

I set out to make a strap for my black SG and this is what I came up with…….. It pained me to dye it black as the carving/tooling detail almost disappeared in the black. I had my mind set on black with white stitching, the studs were an after thought. I have tried the studs on a few cuffs and was going to add them to a strap sooner or later. My daughter told me it is very cool and asked where I got the patern for the studs. I told her it was just what came to me when I started placing them in the open areas, she was impressed. This is the first time I have done a wide border on a strap and happy with the out come. This is a cut to length strap that is meant for one guitar and is really nice without the extra clutter of length adjustment detail. I used 9-10 oz leather with 3-4oz deertan cow for lining, this makes for a substantial strap. The strap locks can be a challenge to get on as you run out of neck on the collar that goes through the strap button hole. I had my machinist friend make me a punch to compress the leather at the mounting area, makes it just thin enough to get the nut on to tighten it down. you can see the compressed leather in the first couple pics. I know the celtic and studs are a different mix, but I think being black it makes it ok. It looks very sharp on the guitar. Thanks for looking Allan

Hi I'd like to fit some 'cylindical feet' (I'm not sure if they have a proper name?) to the bottom of a satchell for protection when placed on the ground. After a lot of searching, I finally tracked down some on sale at Hudson Supplies in Canada (in two sizes ref 10E-SC-500-ANT / 10E-SC-503-OTT) - for example http://www.hudson4su...s/product-11742 if I'm allowed to include a URL to illustrate what I'm talking about. If you are aware of any alternative suppliers for this type of feet, ideally in the UK or Europe (or prepared to post to the UK or Europe), I'd be keen to hear from you. If you've actually used this type of feet I'd also be interested in kowing how effective they are in practice, and how easy they are to fit. Your assistance would be appreciated...

Greetings, I have been working with leather for several years now, but only from a sculptural aspect, as in masks and experimenting with various ways to mold or carve the leather. So, when it comes to all of the tools, sizing and technical side of things, I'm very lost. Any information on this subject would be very apprecitaed. Right now, I have a project where I need to create an octopus mask and would like to use various sized studs for the "suction cups" on the mask. I found the perfect type of studs I would like to use while searching google below: Can anyone tell me what type of studs these are and where I may find them? The various sizes and types are perfect for what I'm looking for. Thank you so much in advance for any help or suggestions! -Lily