The Original Strap Cutter

[Spyros]

10 hours ago, Matt S said:

Then I remind myself of the 60+-hour weeks I do already and that I'm setup for leather not wood...

Yeah, I can relate to that... I've been trying to keep both leather and wood working alive in my small shop for years.   This is what it looks like now, left side is mostly woodworking, right side mostly leatherworking, with a shared-duty bench in the middle.

Funny enough, the main thing that keeps my woodworking alive these days is actually leatherworking, because I always want another cabinet or surface or tool, like that large stitching horse on the right.  But it's an uphill battle, I mean I can't postpone getting a sewing machine anymore, but you tell me where to put it in here

 

[KathrynHD]

On 11/20/2021 at 6:10 AM, Spyros said:

Yeah, I can relate to that... I've been trying to keep both leather and wood working alive in my small shop for years.   This is what it looks like now, left side is mostly woodworking, right side mostly leatherworking, with a shared-duty bench in the middle.

Funny enough, the main thing that keeps my woodworking alive these days is actually leatherworking, because I always want another cabinet or surface or tool, like that large stitching horse on the right.  But it's an uphill battle, I mean I can't postpone getting a sewing machine anymore, but you tell me where to put it in here

 

That looks a very organised workshop 

[Cumberland Highpower]

It's not looking too bleak...Maybe put your stitcher on casters and roll it into the corner when you're not using it?

Where do you Ozzies get good leather?  Have any good tanneries around, or mostly imports?

Edited November 24, 2021 by Cumberland Highpower

[Dwight]

My brother in law found this one laying in a drawer in a piece of used furniture he was refinishing.

He told me to take it home . . . been using it for close to 20 years . . . was at least that old when I got it from the looks of it.

I would not buy a wooden one when I can have a metal one that will never warp, crack, bust down the middle . . . etc.

And it is every bit as accurate as any strap cutter could be.   I break utility knife blades in half and use them.

May God bless,

Dwight

PS:  This is just an image . . .  not mine . . . but mine looks like it other than being several decades old

 

Edited November 24, 2021 by Dwight

[Spyros]

2 hours ago, Cumberland Highpower said:

It's not looking too bleak...Maybe put your stitcher on casters and roll it into the corner when you're not using it?

Where do you Ozzies get good leather?  Have any good tanneries around, or mostly imports?

All the corners are taken, I'll have to make some room

Other than liquids I import absolutely everything, mostly from Buckleguy.    Aussie sellers are typically very nice people and some of them have some good stuff, and despite their terrible prices I'd love to give them some business, but none of them is anywhere near me and their websites are archaic and often just impossible to find what you want.  It got to the point where I chose to pay $50 DHL for $15 worth of snaps from the other side of the planet rather than having to buy from Australia.

Edited November 24, 2021 by Spyros

[Dwight]

On 11/20/2021 at 1:10 AM, Spyros said:

Yeah, I can relate to that... I've been trying to keep both leather and wood working alive in my small shop for years.   This is what it looks like now, left side is mostly woodworking, right side mostly leatherworking, with a shared-duty bench in the middle.

Funny enough, the main thing that keeps my woodworking alive these days is actually leatherworking, because I always want another cabinet or surface or tool, like that large stitching horse on the right.  But it's an uphill battle, I mean I can't postpone getting a sewing machine anymore, but you tell me where to put it in here

 

If you buy a Tippmann Boss . . . you can use two C clamps and clamp it to that black table there . . . put a chair out from it . . . and you're in business for some $1400 or so.  Oh . . . and yes . . . it is a good machine . . . mine is in the 20 yr old range . . . and still works fine.  

May God bless,

Dwight

[Spyros]

2 minutes ago, Dwight said:

If you buy a Tippmann Boss . . . you can use two C clamps and clamp it to that black table there . . . put a chair out from it . . . and you're in business for some $1400 or so.  Oh . . . and yes . . . it is a good machine . . . mine is in the 20 yr old range . . . and still works fine.  

May God bless,

Dwight

I know, I am actually considering a handcranked cowboy outlaw for all the reasons you mentioned, but I think all those triple feeds and walking feet and all the rest of it probably have a reason of existence and make a prettier, more consistent stitch, and generally more appropriate for the things I make.

[Dwight]

I looked at all those things you mentioned . . . and quite honestly . . . you and I are the only ones looking at them.  

As long as it is not blatantly obvious . . . John Q public puts it on and wears it . . . and goes on down the road.

My Boss will make a very consistent stitch . . . for belts . . . holsters . . . and some billfolds.  It can be a bit finnicky when it comes to some other stuff . . . but one thing I do love about it . . . the hole punching is the next thing to el perfecto.  For certain holsters here and there . . . I have hole punched them and then hand stitched them . . . and I dare anyone to find fault with that arrangement.  

Hand stitching a belt is something I don't do . . . although I have on occasion done the tongue end for one reason or another.  Again . .  . Boss punches the holes . . . ol Dwight hand stitches them . . . and it does not take long.

I'm looking at adding a Cowboy 3200 . . . the dealer is only 100 miles from my door . . . with a great warranty . . . I'll use it for some more delicate things I want to add to my leather offerings.

May God bless,

Dwight

[Spyros]

2 hours ago, Dwight said:

I looked at all those things you mentioned . . . and quite honestly . . . you and I are the only ones looking at them.  

As long as it is not blatantly obvious . . . John Q public puts it on and wears it . . . and goes on down the road.

My Boss will make a very consistent stitch . . . for belts . . . holsters . . . and some billfolds.  It can be a bit finnicky when it comes to some other stuff . . . but one thing I do love about it . . . the hole punching is the next thing to el perfecto.  For certain holsters here and there . . . I have hole punched them and then hand stitched them . . . and I dare anyone to find fault with that arrangement.  

Hand stitching a belt is something I don't do . . . although I have on occasion done the tongue end for one reason or another.  Again . .  . Boss punches the holes . . . ol Dwight hand stitches them . . . and it does not take long.

I'm looking at adding a Cowboy 3200 . . . the dealer is only 100 miles from my door . . . with a great warranty . . . I'll use it for some more delicate things I want to add to my leather offerings.

May God bless,

Dwight

I think you got to the answer by yourself in the end: there's a reason people who do this for years eventually end up with a bunch of sewing machines

You already have one, adding a second one now, and sooner or later you'll probably pick up a third.   I know this, it's just that I have a serious issue with lack of space which is not going to change any time soon, and I know whatever I get I'll be stuck with it for years so I really need it to be as perfect as possible.

[Cumberland Highpower]

10 hours ago, Spyros said:

I know, I am actually considering a handcranked cowboy outlaw for all the reasons you mentioned, but I think all those triple feeds and walking feet and all the rest of it probably have a reason of existence and make a prettier, more consistent stitch, and generally more appropriate for the things I make.

Perhaps you might want to give a little more thought into that.   I've been working leather as a primary income for about 15 years.   Like everyone else I started on a real budget ($200).   I looked at a Boss back 20 years ago or so when they came out.   They do work and are easy to use, although I did not find the stitch quality to be very acceptable though.  The Cowboy Outlaw is probably as good or better than a Boss.  Weaver Leather here in OH bought the Luberto Cub and they are sold competitively.  I would go for the Cub as it's mostly made in USA rather than a made in PRC machine.

Now, I'd have to say buying a machine with triple feed may or may not be advisable.    If you work leather exclusively, a hook and awl machine is what you need. Absolutely beautiful stitch quality.  Yes, old, hard to find, etc.  Probably harder still to find in OZ.      I have owned just about every machine sold here in the States (except a Pearson).   Right now I have 10 hook and awl machines and exactly one threaded needle machine (205-64).   At one time I had a 205-370 and a Luberto Classic (Basically a Pearson w/a rotary hook).  The Luberto had a jump foot and needle feed, while the 205-370 was triple feed.   I much preferred the Luberto machine and sold the Adler.   You really don't need triple feed for leather...And sometimes all that "stuff" gets in the way as well as marking up the leather.