Members SteveBrambley Posted September 29, 2008 Members Report Posted September 29, 2008 Hi, I thought that I'd better introduce myself. I'm a third generation leather worker, and have been working in our family leathergoods manufacturing business for over 40 years. My grandfather started this in 1915, after he took over a harness maker's shop that, I belive, dated back to the 1840s. Grandfather actually learned his trade when he became an apprentice to a shoemaker, after leaving school in 1898. It was then run, for many years, by my father, and was then, in turn, taken over by my brother and myself, who continue today to make all types of leather bags and cases, mainly for the sporting-gun trade. Over the years, we have accumulated a varied collection of leather working machinery, including over 20 types of sewing machine, some of which are very rare these days. Steve Quote
Contributing Member rdb Posted September 29, 2008 Contributing Member Report Posted September 29, 2008 Welcome Steve! You've come to the right place. There's a wealth of Information here coming from the Skilled craftsmen, as well as the new folk. It sounds like you and your brother have quite the little library all on your own, hopefully we can all learn from each other. Don't forget pictures! Quote
ArtS Posted September 29, 2008 Report Posted September 29, 2008 Steve, You must have a wealth of knowledge of leather work. I can only imagine the tools that you must have in your shop. Glad you're here. Welcome. Art Quote
Contributing Member UKRay Posted September 29, 2008 Contributing Member Report Posted September 29, 2008 SteveBrambley said: Hi,I thought that I'd better introduce myself. I'm a third generation leather worker, and have been working in our family leathergoods manufacturing business for over 40 years. My grandfather started this in 1915, after he took over a harness maker's shop that, I belive, dated back to the 1840s. Grandfather actually learned his trade when he became an apprentice to a shoemaker, after leaving school in 1898. It was then run, for many years, by my father, and was then, in turn, taken over by my brother and myself, who continue today to make all types of leather bags and cases, mainly for the sporting-gun trade. Over the years, we have accumulated a varied collection of leather working machinery, including over 20 types of sewing machine, some of which are very rare these days. Steve Welcome Steve. I'm based in Ludlow, Shropshire but my dear old mother comes from Ottery St. Mary near Exeter! We would all appreciate seeing a few pictures of your workshops and machinery and examples of your work - on a personal level, it is great to have the opportunity to learn from a specialist like yourself. Enjoy the forum. Quote
King's X Posted September 30, 2008 Report Posted September 30, 2008 STEVE Welcome to our forum and warm greetings from Austin, Texas, USA. ATX Quote
TomSwede Posted September 30, 2008 Report Posted September 30, 2008 SteveBrambley said: Hi,I thought that I'd better introduce myself. I'm a third generation leather worker, and have been working in our family leathergoods manufacturing business for over 40 years. My grandfather started this in 1915, after he took over a harness maker's shop that, I belive, dated back to the 1840s. Grandfather actually learned his trade when he became an apprentice to a shoemaker, after leaving school in 1898. It was then run, for many years, by my father, and was then, in turn, taken over by my brother and myself, who continue today to make all types of leather bags and cases, mainly for the sporting-gun trade. Over the years, we have accumulated a varied collection of leather working machinery, including over 20 types of sewing machine, some of which are very rare these days. Steve Greetings and welcome Steve! Sure is a nice and solid heritage you have! Cases and boxes interest me personally so glad to have you here, hope we get to see some pics of your shop too. I'm sure you can make great contributions to this great place aswell as pick up something aswell. Tom Quote
Members Corvus Posted September 30, 2008 Members Report Posted September 30, 2008 Hi Steve! We're neighbours as I'm in Somerset Let me know if you are looking for an apprentice Your set up sounds great, please post some photos I would love so see. Quote
Members OutBackP Posted September 30, 2008 Members Report Posted September 30, 2008 Hi Steve, welcome to the forum. I'm also a neighbor living just across the border in Dorset. We just need someone from Cornwall now and your surrounded. Quote
Members SteveBrambley Posted September 30, 2008 Author Members Report Posted September 30, 2008 OutBackP said: Hi Steve, welcome to the forum. I'm also a neighbor living just across the border in Dorset. We just need someone from Cornwall now and your surrounded. Hi all, Many thanks for your kind welcomes. I will certainly post some photos of our workshop, as soon as poss. I will also send some pics of a machine or two. Thanks again. Steve Quote
Members SteveBrambley Posted October 2, 2008 Author Members Report Posted October 2, 2008 Hi, Here are two samples of my work. The rifle magazine was made for a target rifle shooter in 3.5/4mm saddle shoulder. The bucket bag is a Waxy Butt Split, with saddle shoulder trim. Quote
Members Corvus Posted October 2, 2008 Members Report Posted October 2, 2008 SteveBrambley said: Hi,Here are two samples of my work. The rifle magazine was made for a target rifle shooter in 3.5/4mm saddle shoulder. The bucket bag is a Waxy Butt Split, with saddle shoulder trim. They look very good bags but I am not sure of the purpose of the bucket bag, what were you imagining it woild but used for. Quote
ArtS Posted October 2, 2008 Report Posted October 2, 2008 I thought guns were now illegal in England. I thought you could just have shotguns with a sporting permit. Art Quote
Contributing Member UKRay Posted October 3, 2008 Contributing Member Report Posted October 3, 2008 ArtS said: I thought guns were now illegal in England. I thought you could just have shotguns with a sporting permit.Art Not illegal, Art. Just controlled so heavily that getting a firearms license is very difficult unless you can prove that you have a very good reason for owning/using a gun. Shotguns are also restricted but the criteria isn't quite so prescriptive. Quote
Members SteveBrambley Posted October 3, 2008 Author Members Report Posted October 3, 2008 Corvus said: They look very good bags but I am not sure of the purpose of the bucket bag, what were you imagining it woild but used for. Hi Corvus, A 'Bucket Bag' is a traditional type of ladies casual bag, that can come in various sizes. It is called a 'Bucket Bag' because that is, more or less, how it is constructed, like a bucket. Steve Quote
Members SteveBrambley Posted October 4, 2008 Author Members Report Posted October 4, 2008 quote name='UKRay' date='Sep 29 2008, 05:47 PM' post='64127'] Welcome Steve. I'm based in Ludlow, Shropshire but my dear old mother comes from Ottery St. Mary near Exeter! We would all appreciate seeing a few pictures of your workshops and machinery and examples of your work - on a personal level, it is great to have the opportunity to learn from a specialist like yourself. Enjoy the forum. Here's a few pictures of our main workshop. Sorry they're not very good, the lighting is not to good, and my camera is pretty basic. This building was once the village wheelwrights shop and dates from the early 19th century. Steve [attachme t=15771:riveters...ters_etc.jpg] Quote
Ambassador Luke Hatley Posted October 4, 2008 Ambassador Report Posted October 4, 2008 THAT IS WHAT I CALL A WORK SHOP............. Quote
Contributing Member UKRay Posted October 4, 2008 Contributing Member Report Posted October 4, 2008 Amen to that, cousin Luke! Did I see two powered strap cutters - are they Merkle machines? And a BUSM creaser? Plus riveting machines and something I know not what... Whoooooo! Can I organise a visit? That big Singer is a monster... what do you use that one for Steve? Quote
Members SteveBrambley Posted October 4, 2008 Author Members Report Posted October 4, 2008 (edited) UKRay said: Amen to that, cousin Luke! Did I see two powered strap cutters - are they Merkle machines? And a BUSM creaser? Plus riveting machines and something I know not what... Whoooooo! Can I organise a visit? That big Singer is a monster... what do you use that one for Steve? Hi, The big machine is a Singer 11-38, I understand that it is one of the largest machines Singer ever made. I use it for anything that is tubular or cylindrical, as the feed is both up and down the cylinder which is 30" long; the 'Bucket Bag' in my earlier photo was made using it. You are correct that you saw two strap cutters, however, one is a BUSM the other a BUSM clone, made by B & J Wright; there is a Merkle machine there, but it is an automatic hole punch, for straps and belts. The unidentified machine, I think you mean, is an 'Epoc' automatic eyelet setting machine, again made by BUSM. I just had a look at your website/blog and I see that you have a BUSM 'Pilot', you can't see it very well in my photo, but there is one there. Perhaps if you wish to organise a visit, you can show me how to thread the bobbin properly! Steve Edited October 4, 2008 by SteveBrambley Quote
Members torrbuidhe Posted October 5, 2008 Members Report Posted October 5, 2008 I recognise a few of those machines from the Needlebar gallery Quote
Contributing Member UKRay Posted October 5, 2008 Contributing Member Report Posted October 5, 2008 That Pilot bobbin can cause all kinds of grief unless you get it right. I'll gladly show you whatever I can, Steve. I'll PM you about dropping in to say hello sometime soon. R. Quote
Members SteveBrambley Posted October 5, 2008 Author Members Report Posted October 5, 2008 torrbuidhe said: I recognise a few of those machines from the Needlebar gallery Hi,Yes, you are quite correct, you will find details of a lot of our machine in the Needlebar Gallery. I was going to mention that, but I forgot!Steve UKRay said: That Pilot bobbin can cause all kinds of grief unless you get it right. I'll gladly show you whatever I can, Steve. I'll PM you about dropping in to say hello sometime soon. R.Hi,Thanks Ray, I look forward to hearing from you.Steve Quote
Members Corvus Posted October 5, 2008 Members Report Posted October 5, 2008 SteveBrambley said: Hi Corvus,A 'Bucket Bag' is a traditional type of ladies casual bag, that can come in various sizes. It is called a 'Bucket Bag' because that is, more or less, how it is constructed, like a bucket. Steve OK, so I wouldn't make much of an apprentice Fascinating photos though, it looks like you must have a machine for everything! Do you dye your own leather? Quote
Pip Posted October 6, 2008 Report Posted October 6, 2008 hey there and welcome, to another uk'r I never realised there were so many of us, looks like you have a wealth of knowledge, I look forward to picking your brains. lol Quote
Members SteveBrambley Posted October 6, 2008 Author Members Report Posted October 6, 2008 Corvus said: OK, so I wouldn't make much of an apprentice Fascinating photos though, it looks like you must have a machine for everything! Do you dye your own leather? Hi, Well, almost a machine for everything, maybe one day, trouble is we're running out of space! No, we don't dye our own leather, there's no need in our type of work. I don't know about an apprentice, but you are quite welcome to come along and have a closer look, if you wish. Steve Quote
Members SteveBrambley Posted October 6, 2008 Author Members Report Posted October 6, 2008 Pip said: hey there and welcome, to another uk'r I never realised there were so many of us, looks like you have a wealth of knowledge, I look forward to picking your brains. lol Hi, Thank you, no problem, any time. Steve Quote
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