GoldArmored Report post Posted January 9, 2016 How it's done!!?? I just can't figure out... I make horse tack and all the bridle straps et breastcollar tugs have the keepers sewn onto the straps, no stops, no knots, just one long clean stitch going thru the keepers. Do they use special machines for that? I have a Tippmann Boss and a Pfaff 545, just sayin'. thanks for your help! -Susie Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GoldArmored Report post Posted January 9, 2016 (edited) http://leatherworker.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=62827 found this, but not so clear for the other side. First is this I guess? : Edited January 9, 2016 by GoldArmored Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dwight Report post Posted January 9, 2016 I have that situation when I make a western gun belt, . . . it has a 2 1/2 inch wide belt that needs a keeper on the underside to hold them together up front, . . . along with the buckle and billet. I put the keeper in the bottom of the belt, . . . in the exact position it belongs, . . . and using my Boss, . . . I sew across the keeper, . . . about 4 stitches before it and about 4 stitches after. BUT, . . . I don't thread my machine at this point, . . . all I'm doing it making holes. I then pull the keeper out, . . . put it in the proper location at the top of the belt, . . . thread the machine, . . . and sew, . . . starting in the last hole I made in the belt. I sew all the way around the belt, . . . including sewing the keeper on the top side, . . . and when I get back around to the keeper on the bottom side, . . . I sew up to within a couple stitches of it, . . . pull off 20 or so inches of thread from my bobbin and my spool, . . . and sew those last 12 to 15 stitches by hand, . . . including the keeper. If you did not see me do it, . . . you would swear it was done by a very tricky machine. This is also the way John Bianchi shows to do a Western belt in his holster videos. Hope this helps, . . . May God bless, Dwight Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Big Sioux Saddlery Report post Posted January 9, 2016 The English tack in your attached picture is more than likely sewn entirely by hand. There is no machine that can sew both sides of the keeper in. One side, yes, but the second side is often done as Dwight mentions above. On most common western tack, the second side of the keeper is nailed or stapled in. Only on the higher end stuff can you afford to hand sew if making to sell. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TinkerTailor Report post Posted January 9, 2016 If the keeper is loose enough you can stitch right up to the first stitch of the second side, then wrap the keeper behind the foot, putting it in place, and continue stitching. Saw a video once, can't find it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Big Sioux Saddlery Report post Posted January 9, 2016 That is a way Tinker, but IMO if the keeper is that loose, the end result will likely be a piss-poor sloppy-fitting keeper. In equine equipment, nobody wants a keeper so tight that you need a toolbox with to change an adjustment, but on the other hand, you want it snug enough that you wouldn't be able to get 2 or 3 more straps of the same width/thickness through. Which is what you'd get doing it that way. Not ripping on you personally, because I've heard of the same method, and seen the results. If you want neat work, you won't do it that way. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TinkerTailor Report post Posted January 10, 2016 I would have to agree, however i have done it with a narrow keeper and a wide belt, and it worked ok. It would also depend on the foot clearance you have available. While not the best method, i think it is the only all machine method to accomplish this. If you can curve the belt up ward on the non foot side, it will give a little more clearance if needed. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
