I'm not surprised that's how it worked. I'm sure with a bit of spending on amazon you could find a controller that would let the motor run like a normal sewing machine. People do it with lathes all the time. You could do it with a variac if you could figure out a way to hook a pedal up to it... assuming you want a pedal. In all honesty, I think that's how old pedals worked anyway, so you'd just have to figure out a way to interrupt the motor (and have a switching mechanism capable of handling the massive inductive loads induced by such a large motor.)

You can indeed buy a Variable Frequency Drive and slow the motor down, however the existing motor is not inverter duty rated. Better off replacing the motor as well, but that introduces a new wrinkle: the motors are rated for their horsepower by being high speed and low torque; slowing an AC motor down means the motor has (the same) low torque at slow speeds. The sewing machine conversion motors on Ebay (last I looked) were still relatively puny for leather work IMHO.

I actually did convert my metal lathe to a VFD and a larger motor. I kept my pulley arrangement in place though so I could change the belts for slow speeds while keeping power (like cutting threads).

Had I kept my industrial sewing machine, I was going to make a jackshaft arrangement so I could use pulleys to slow the machine down, while keeping the original high speed clutch motor. Unfortunately my wife died and I lost all interest; I eventually sold off the industrial machine as well as most of my other sewing machine "collection". I did keep the 3 best ones though.

I'm contemplating an industrial sewing machine purchase (juki ddl-555) but hearing thst industrial machines don't stitch slowly is giving me pause. Right now that's my biggest complaint with my singer 201.

Any advice on buying used industrial machines would be greatly appreciated!

This is a project which I've been working on since April. Lot's of other "opportunities" kept sidelining this tubular tire handlebar bag. Also at certain points, while waiting for glue to dry on knots, or for a chance to visit Joanne Fabrics, or an order to arrive from Amazon, I stitched up few extra "matching" accessories.

Without further delay, my latest DIY bag and my first handlebar bag.





As you can see, while a bit lumpy, the primary material is a recycled Continental Giro tubular tire. The edging around the "lid" is leather from a purse I found at a yard sale. The leather was also used for the internal hinges.



I used canvas duck cloth as the liner on the main part of the bag. There is also a 1/8 inch thick rectangle of high density foam sewn into the floor (covered with the duck canvas) in order to stiffen the bag.



Underneath I added wide elastic straps to carry a spare tubular tire. Those with a sharp eye might notice the closing buckles moved from the front to the back side. It can be mounted either way. I like to be able to open it from the saddle, but it is a bit awkward to do so.

At the moment it is mounted on my '71 Paramount. Can you spot the accessories I also made?



I made a saddle bag. My wife calls it an ice cream cone! I also made leather bottle skirts to dampen the vibrations on the metal thermos bottles. And finally, two tubular tire straps to secure my frame pump. A bit much? All comments appreciated!

I can't believe I was the last person to add to this thread back in October, and here I am again. I suppose you can guess I've stopped wrenching and gone to seaming! Maybe it is appropriate since the Apostle Paul was also a tent maker.

On this one I used the internal plastic frame of a Cannondale bag which utilizes a QR mount. I then re-purposed a retired leather Coach brand purse Mrs. PB let me have in order to "fashion" a new exterior. I aadded thin aluminum strips between the lid and the liner in order to keep it stiff and from sagging into the interior. She was quite pleased with the end result. Maybe it needs to ride on her bike? For now it is modeled by my '88 ST400 Cannondale.

NICE work Bob!

Well done, Bob!

Cool!

Is that fresh snow?

Thanks guys. I think I'm starting to get my grove. It takes making several to fully understand what works and what doesn't.

Rudi, yes it is fresh. we had 8" over Sunday night through Monday afternoon. This was on top of 3-4" that fell mid week. More expected this coming weekend. I guess we are having a white Christmas here in the NH mountains.

What I'm really looking forward to is the NWS forecast for Thursday night:

I wont be making any bags - but I did re-purpose this basic tool bag. a few quick links and its on.

Hey, that's really clever - looks like a good fit! What brand tool bag is it, and where did you get it?

I got it at OSH for $16. - it works because i have that bag support under it. it does not really match the bike but i suspect i could find a nicer.. even leather accent bag and it would work as well. tool bags are about 1/10 the price of bike specific bags!

Terrific work, Bob. I also like your originality in both design and re-purposed material.

Thanks @crank_addict! Next up will be a bag created from this fine Italian beauty I found at a consignment store. The only problem is that I plan to mount it on a French bike!

I was very close to buying one. They look great. But the price is out of line with his competition. Everything is extra on the bags. You can easily drop $400 - $500 on a front bag with no trouble.

I have a Waxwings and really appreciated the customization that Dave offers. My rear pockets are sized to easily hold my camera, and he added this interior pocket sized for my iPad for use when we travel. The changes I’d make if doing it over would be to slightly reduce the front-rear dimension, and angle the side sleeve pocket openings for easier access.

Dave's a great guy, and after buying a handlebar bag, saddle bag, and panniers from him I finally got to meet him at FFD last year. In addition I've recommended at least 6 people who have bought his bags, and all of them are delighted.

He's very in to custom work, I've got another handlebar bag on order that I'll show off when I get it in.




My Waxwing credit card setup

His bags look awesome , but I could buy Berthoud bags for less based on his website pricing.

Hmm, Rene Herse pricing for a GB28 bag is $338 + shipping. A Waxwing large is $310, and I believe includes shipping. Dave will do a custom size, GB?

My GB28 with a Zimbale saddle bag

ahh ok ... I stand corrected, I've been watching ebay prices on berthoud bags they seem to bring between 150 and 200

My Waxwing bag is phenomenal, I’d order another in a heartbeat.

Seeing this thread revived, I thought I'd update my last post. I turned the above green leather bag/purse into the larger bar bag and the smaller saddle bag. The saddle by the way is [MENTION=73614]rhm[/MENTION] 's #110 creation. The brown leather came from a purse I found at our town transfer station.

It's an Italian purse going on a French bike but fear not. It is from a Swiss cow, so it really can go either way and it's all down hill.

I have my Dad's old sewing machine- no idea if it has the superpowers to regularly go thru leather- When I was a kid, I used that machine to sew some leather ends on the end of some cotton duck straps to make guitar straps.

I would love to attempt to make a bicycling satchel.