Best quality/buy on belt making leather????

[seagiant]

Hi,

       Any suggestions on machines, in that price range, that do a pretty stitch for belt borders???

[JLSleather]

I've not used one, but everybody who bought the Cowboy 3200 has good things to say about both the machine and the dealer they got it from.  Search that one on this forum.  If I didn't have machines here already I'd likely give that one a go.

There are others, too -- perhaps someone will chime in with more knowledge of various models than me ...

 

Edited November 20, 2016 by JLSleather

[seagiant]

Hi,

         Thanks, saw this!

 

[MADMAX22]

2 hours ago, seagiant said:

Hi,

       Any suggestions on machines, in that price range, that do a pretty stitch for belt borders???

Depends on exactly what you want to do. If you dont mind being limited by 207 thread and can work with a flat bed then the new 206RB5 are suppose to be pretty nice and come with everything for about $1400 I think it is, or the 3200 as above. There are also the 4500s that pop up used but are usually had for about $2000. Any of these sure as heck beat hand stitching each belt which takes 2-3 hrs depending on how fast ya are. 

 

[JLSleather]

I used to have one of the 206RB5.  Letting it go was not my best decision ever   Still, that really is limited to 207 thread (max), but was darn reliable.

Keep in mind that for actual knowledge, I would perhaps recommending a message to Wiz or Art here on the forums - either of whom has likely forgotten more than I know about various machines -- or give 'Cowboy Bob' a call (number on teh web site)

[seagiant]

Hi,

        Thank Gentlemen!

I started working with leather in the late 60's "Hippy Days"!

Belts, Girls Purses, the wide watch bands, ect.ect.

I then got into forging knives in the early 90's, making mostly hunting knives and actually pretty much paid for my small shop working part time at it.

Of course everyone wanted a sheath for their knife so back to leather I went!

I now needed a new belt and a few folding knife sheaths so decided to buy some new hand tools to upgrade my old set...

And figure I might as well make a few belts, some for me and friends.

I don't really know what the market is for a real hand made,hand stamped, border sewn, brass buckled belt?

I guess you can put anything on E-Bay and see what happens or offer it on a Forum for a price???

I think handsewing looks better than a machine, but is laborious for belts!

[MADMAX22]

Well the market for most everything leather is pretty flooded IMHO. That being said there are alot of people out there to buy the stuff so ..... 

May wanna keep your old tools since they are probably better quality then whats available now a days unless your throwing down some cash sort to speak. Echo what JLS said about contacting Bob (Toledo sewing) or Steve (cobra sewing machines) or Art and Wizcraft from this forum. All of those guys know alot and usually respond to inquiries in a short period of time. I think I have asked all of them more then a few questions since I started. 

 

[seagiant]

Hi,

        Thanks, I'm not retired yet and use leatherworking to relax.

I got bit by the belt making bug I guess.

I will probably just keep hand sewing for now.

I really like this Tiger thread they have now.

Never saw that before and it lays down pretty good on the belt.

With my new tools I'm trying to stick to quality like Osborn as my old stuff was mostly Tandy!

Quality leather tools ARE expensive it seems or I'm stuck in the 60"s!!!

 

[Big Sioux Saddlery]

2 hours ago, seagiant said:

With my new tools I'm trying to stick to quality like Osborn as my old stuff was mostly Tandy!

I wouldn't be surprised if your old Tandy tools are better quality than the new Osborne tools. They're mostly junk.

[seagiant]

11 hours ago, Big Sioux Saddlery said:

I wouldn't be surprised if your old Tandy tools are better quality than the new Osborne tools. They're mostly junk.

Hi,

       Interesting!

Where are you guys buying tools now?