MarlinDave

We don’t have Menards around here. Sounds like a good place though.

I bought 5 sheets of this black plastic sheet, 1/4 x 4 ft x 8 ft and a couple 5 ft x 10 ft. Was thinking of making a cutting table from it. System wont let me post the 2nd picture . Is this HDPE? Wish it was white.

The smallest one Harbor Freight sells now is a 12 ton floor model. Cheap enough but overkill. Dont know where you are located but I have seen several hydraulic and arbor presses on Facebook Marketplace lately. Seems like arbor presses are higher than hydraulic ones.

https://www.hobby-machinist.com/threads/small-bench-top-hydraulic-press-10-ton-x-8.95311/ Here is a shop made press with a Porta Power cylinder to press. I would probably get the tiniest Harbor Freight bottle jack, make a little carriage with a spring, extend the press frame to allow the Jack to fit inside the press. I will send a pic of my monster press later for example.

I just put a piece of 2 x 6 under the work, use a stamping pad under the leather (not sure what these are, black rubber that cushions the stamp and work) and a small steel plate laying on top of the stamp to spread the pressure out as the press has a 1 inch arbor that does the pressing. I use a steel plate with the arbor press too on the larger stamps. For the larger stamps and especially the nylon/deldrin/3d printed ones you need to have this. You really don't need to use the whole force of the press or you will deform the leather piece or break the stamp. Just barely get it tight. That is hard for me to do as I am used to doing metal work where you use all the force of the press. You could make a hydraulic one with a bottle jack and some channel if you have a drill press and a welder. Used to be some plans floating around, probably a table top one would be better for a leather shop, although mine is free standing.

I have an imported arbor press. I assume it is a 2 ton as it has a "2: on it. I wet coasters and stamp them with a 2.75 inch brass stamp. It presses it fine. I have a bracket I hook it into the wall (sitting on the floor) and sometimes use a cheater pipe depending on my mood and how weak I feel that day. I have a 6 ton hydraulic I use too and it does it barely trying.

How bout a go cart throttle cable? Build a pedal or buy a go cart one. https://www.amazon.com/DKiigame-Throttle-Cable-Manco-8252-1390/dp/B074WB4271/ref=asc_df_B074WB4271/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=312034016842&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=10716392868253116165&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=t&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9013241&hvtargid=pla-571772624617&psc=1

What is the 1.5 MB max? Per post, hour, or day? I posted a 500 MB photo in one post, then tried a 1 MB in the next post, it denied the second. I shrunk the 2nd so that it was below 1 MB and it went. If I wait an hour can I post pics again?

Forsythia is blooming better than usual.

I was fitting my friend Hugh for a shoulder holster for his Colt Woodsman and he gave me some terrific sourdough bread this week.

You will have 70 degrees and 40 percent humidity when we are at 105 and 80%.

And the redbuds are next this week.

I got one. Never figured it out.

I bought an old metal lathe with the speed change system using flat belt pulleys. Made in the 1920’s probably, maybe originally foot powered. Has a usable leather belt on it, 4 inch I think. What conditioner on it. Just neatsfoot oil?

Hope springs eternal.

It’s 76 here right now. Had the whole house fan on and the windows open, had to close house up and turn on the air. Ornamental cherry is blooming but the file size is too big to post.

I run the heck out of a clutch motor I sew leather with. I would take it If I was nearby.

It appears to also exist as a Pfaff 18-8 and some Viking. Hope is eternal.

Thank you.

Thank you. Not leather related, but my wife just bought a Tin Lizzie quilting machine and frame. As we left with it the lady said they are out of business. It works fine, just planning ahead. Another mechanical adventure.

Hello, I feel so un techy but I can’t seem to find the member list. I need to PMcowboy Bob about some parts. How eco I find him to PM him? Thanks. david david

One thing I found was taking a stick or piece of plastic and place it in the jar to keep the steel wool submerged in the vinegar. This somewhat keeps the solution clear and less messy. At least 3 days to start, 6 months is better. Filter it through a coffee filter before using. Don't overthink it.

Yes I sent an inquiry through the website and got no answer. Called the local number in Tullahoma and talked to a nice young lady.

I don't use much chrome tanned leather but if you do and are near Middle Tennessee you might want to drive to Tullahoma to Tennessee Tannery. It used to supply a sporting goods factory (can't remember if it was Rawlings or Wilson) who made baseball gloves and balls. The factory is gone but the tannery is still there. They are the official supplier of leather for major league baseballs. There was a display there of all the major league balls but its on my phone with too big file size. I am not sure if they do mail order but on Thursdays they sell to the public at the plant. Very nice and efficient people. I got the 2 sides pictured (very good quality, but maybe seconds) for $81 each. My wife got the colored lace for $5 per bundle (5 to 7 strips per bundle). In and out of there in 10 minutes. The first time I went they gave us a tour and it was very interesting. They buy all their hides in the North because southern hides have insect hole defects (bots, warbles, wolves as we called them). Have to pay cash for in the plant purchases as they don't have a credit card/check handling system.

Some people just have to be married. Divorced/widowed 6 months and married again. I liked being single. I can wash my own clothes and cook enough to get by. Found the right girl after I gave up looking. After 34 years still the only human I can stand to be around for any length of time. If you are worried about sharing your money don’t get married. All we have is ours. Neither one of us grew up with any money. Made our own way before we got married. I can’t imagine more torture than the wrong person however. Marriage is great but whatever you imagine it to be it ain’t that.