Used a sewing machine this weekend...

[Justin Roberts]

Attended WIA last week and picked up some of Dave Jeske’s handiwork…
I talked with my dad and he wants to put the fine steel of blue spruce to the test. Problem he lives in Iowa. So, I need a tool roll (I've needed one for a while)......
Went to Joann fabrics and picked out some thread and duck cloth (a really manly experience)?! Then went to my local leather supply house and got some veggie tanned leather. Decided to give it a go on the duck cloth first, and then will do a few out of leather next.
The wife is out of town, so her machine is mine. Read the manual, and went to work. About 1.5 hours later, I was able to finish a basic square with pockets. Not pretty, but functional. Talked it over with her, and decided to buy an industrial machine before the leather rolls. She said she has wanted one for a while, and this would be a good reason. (See even women can convince you that they need a new tool for a project!!)
Oh, and the blue spruce chisels are terrific. More of my money will be heading west. The marking knife and handles are coco. The quick and crappy pictures I took don't do them justice!!!
.....of note, the real rolls will not permanently house the chisels, only for travel; and will have some brass to dress them up like LN.
Any ideas or criticisms would be welcomed.

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s91/wood_doctor/IMG_8664.jpg

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s91/wood_doctor/IMG_8665.jpg

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s91/wood_doctor/IMG_8675.jpg

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s91/wood_doctor/IMG_8678.jpg

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s91/wood_doctor/IMG_8683.jpg

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s91/wood_doctor/IMG_8684.jpg

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s91/wood_doctor/IMG_8673.jpg

[Jim Koepke]

Nice roll.


Any ideas or criticisms would be welcomed.

When I did this many years ago for my automotive tools, it always seemed that one always wanted to peak out of the end. I never made another, but always thought that extending the top of the roll on both sides to have some material to fold back over the ends would have been a good addition.

Also making a cloth strap that is sewn on to the back on one end to tie it shut when it is rolled up is helpful.

jim

[Kevin Groenke]

Sewing machines are remarkable. The engineering and mechanics involved are far more complicated than most WW machines. I do all of my own work on the upholstered pieces I make, so I have as many sewing machines as I have other tools (I think 6 at the moment, a couple need investigative disassembly - they're fun to take apart and TRY to fix) They can be finicky, so I tend to use certain machines for particular materials (Only one of them seems to be able to consistently sew neoprene for example) I have a couple that have about 50 cams for various patterns.

Industrial machines are pretty spendy, all but quite expensive new machines are pretty light and plasticy. Old Singer "slant needle" models have a strong reputation (mod#'s 30X,40X,50X,636). Old machines like these can often be found at thrift stores, garage sales, craigslist and the like. It is true in this case that they don't make 'em like they used too. If you get an old one, try to confirm that the motor is strong.

A walking foot machine will work best for leather, though if you can find an all-metal machine with a 1.3+ amp motor, it should be able to handle all but very heavy leathers. Sharp needles and nylon thread make a tremendous difference when sewing tough fabrics/materials.

I usually use one of a few "Merritt" style Singer machines (mod #3145, 9612) for upholstery, nylons, webbing and other utility stuff. If a Merritt won't handle the material at hand, I have a Sail-Rite walking foot machine that will.

[Dave Matson]

(See even women can convince you that they need a new tool for a project!!)

Thanks for the good laugh. My wife and I both enjoyed that one. I've been asking her to make one of these for awhile out of an old pair of jeans. nice work!

[harry strasil]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v81/irnsrgn/wood/basicbracetools.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v81/irnsrgn/wood/Bbox07.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v81/irnsrgn/wood/router3.jpg

[Kevin Lucas]

WARNING! Using the wife's sewing machine can get you in trouble. I used hers for jeans even after she said not too. I figured i would be smart and just turn the wheel instead of using the peddle... of course i broke the clutch on her grandmothers sewing machine and have never lived it down (