Ferg

Ray, I very well may not have old "Arther" as bad as you but it is creeping into my fingers and hands whether I like it or not. One of my reasons for getting into the leather again was to see if it would limber-up the joints a little. Oh yes, they hurt. Some times I have to stop and rub my fingers to just get my mind off the pain. I definitely do believe the tooling and swivel knife work is helping, it is tough, everything worthwhile is, part of the time. ferg

I assume you are on a Windows machine, I know there are automatic backup programs for you. Some programs charge you for the storage, I personally don't like that method. I have a two terrabyte external hard drive for my back up. Automatically backs up once every hour if anything has changed, if nothing changed in that hour it does nothing. I can restore my entire hard drive to another if the original dies. I usually get about 3 to 5 years out of my hard drives but that can change as with anything electroinc. The "back up drive" records everything. When it gets full the oldest info is discarded so the new info has somewhere to go. ferg

I think we need to know what kind of camera you have. Digital covers a lot of territory. Does it have "White Balance"? Use a tripod, those light bulbs aren't going to do you a lot of good. If you can change the white balance on the camera move your item to the outside on a sunny day if you can find one. Do not photograph with the sun shining directly on the object, use the brightness of the natural light. Set the WB to sunlight. Slab stone makes a good background as well as wood. Place the object with another item that it is compatible with. Wallet? a purse or key fob. Everything doesn't have to be made by you. Use props. DO NOT hold the item in your hand while taking a pic. Most of your problems I believe, are because you haven't practiced with your camera ferg

This is Edwardian: edwardianfont.pdf

I have been "messing" with computers for a long time. Your noise has a 90% chance of being the hard drive. If you aren't backed up, DO IT and go get another hard drive. ferg

Absolutely flawless ordering and delivery. If there is any question about the order they will call you to clarify. I order from the Net. ferg

I have never made either of the items you are considering but.... I think you are totally wrong wishing to make the product from the cheapest leather you can buy. FORGET THAT! If you want to contribute to a lot of the junk that comes from "over the pond" I guess that is your perogative but don't start out this way or you will likely wind up making no money because you won't have enough buyers to sustain you. Hit the middle of the road on the leather and take the best parts of the hide. Save the remainder for practice. I could list leather companies but I won't do that because I don't wish to miss anyone. Check the directory on this forum. ferg

Lemon juice, like most citric juices are natural bleaching agents. Vinegar is a stronger version and will clean absolutely anything but I wouldn't use it on leather, it may smell a little strange for awhile A number of folks have been a little afraid to use the Oxalic Acid crystals, dissolved in water, by the way. I have a plastic container with the Oxalic solution, I notice no smell or gas off and it doesn't burn my hands, I normally wear thin rubber gloves when handling it. I rinse the leather with clear water after the application. I can assure you, there is a lot of junk on that leather you don't see unless you are one of the few folks that have no "oil" in your skin. Packaging residue is another problem some times. Just clean it, you won't need to worry about it then ferg

I have a number of Tandy knives and one SK-3 from Paul at Leather Wranglers Inc. I like something about all of them but Paul's SK-3 is a true winner. I don't wish to have all the fancy "Knarly" decoration on the grip area. These are all comfortable to work with. If you are just starting out and want to step in easy on the pocket book try one of the Tandy cheaper knives. Sharpen them as soon as you receive it and strop often. ferg

Beautiful work. I have a question. What effect does the leather have on the quality of sound and would heavier leather have more effect? ferg

I think you have missed a point in your perusing the forum. Everyone in the leather business has preferences. It may be dyes, paint, whatever, that doesn't mean we are bashing a certain product, only that we might prefer one over the other. A lot of us old fashioned leather people prefer solvent based dyes. That doesn't mean that we think the "Eco" products should go away. Read the forum again and absorb the mountain of information available here. BTW: Welcome to the forum ferg

Steve, I noticed when I unrolled the leather it had the looks of at least part of the belly on one side in lieu of a straight side on both edges. Don't think it is a culatta. I would think Tandy would say so if that was fact. According to drawings I have of the different "cuts" of a hide it is definitely a single bend. ferg

No, I haven't. I suspect since it is definitely a soft leather it will take the stain with a "Rush" When I have time I will try it but my guess is, Slow and easy with a brush that has a small amount of stain in the bristles. ferg

If you want some that is reasonably priced and almost 100% free of defects, get a Single Bend from Tandy. ferg

I see no reason why it cannot be done. Any one of a number of folks on this forum could free hand the wording. ferg

I would recommend this leather to anyone that wishes to work with a great piece of material. The following is identical to my post in "Show Off". I received my order of Single Bends from Tandy Friday. Cut a piece off the corner of the 6/7 oz, cased it, slicked it and carved a design on it today. The design is an old Al Stohlman design that I took a few liberties with. New leather and a new SK-3 swivel knife from Paul. Can I consider that multitasking? As I said before, the leather is beautiful. I am of the opinion that the European tannery includes the belly on this cut. That is where I cut the piece off for this. The belly portion seems to have some stretch marks but nothing like some HO I have. I did not hold the leather under warm water instead I simply ran water over it on both sides. I have wrapped my wet leather in an old terry cloth towel or old T-shirt for years while it is "tempering". Traced the pattern on the leather with the same moisture content as always. The SK-3 is unbelievably sharp, cuts through this leather like butter. I was using a straight 1/4" blade, I will need to get an angle blade from Paul for this kind of work. This leather is very soft, may have something to do with it being "Belly Leather". Takes some getting used to when cutting with the swivel knife. Stamping takes a gentle hand with a 16 oz. maul even after the leather is drying out. Tools with all of the molding tools better than any I have ever used. Clip your finger nails short, they really mark this leather. Don't look too close at the photo I have enclosed. I need some serious practice with the SK-3 and the leather. Any comments or questions welcome. ferg

I am going to place this in this topic and in suppliers also. I received my order of Single Bends from Tandy Friday. Cut a piece off the corner of the 6/7 oz, cased it, slicked it and carved a design on it today. The design is an old Al Stohlman design that I took a few liberties with. New leather and a new SK-3 swivel knife from Paul. Can I consider that multitasking? As I said before, the leather is beautiful. I am of the opinion that the European tannery includes the belly on this cut. That is where I cut the piece off for this. The belly portion seems to have some stretch marks but nothing like some HO I have. I did not hold the leather under warm water instead I simply ran water over it on both sides. I have wrapped my wet leather in an old terry cloth towel or old T-shirt for years while it is "tempering". Traced the pattern on the leather with the same moisture content as always. The SK-3 is unbelievably sharp, cuts through this leather like butter. I was using a straight 1/4" blade, I will need to get an angle blade from Paul for this kind of work. This leather is very soft, may have something to do with it being "Belly Leather". Takes some getting used to when cutting with the swivel knife. Stamping takes a gentle hand with a 16 oz. maul even after the leather is drying out. Tools with all of the molding tools better than any I have ever used. Clip your finger nails short, they really mark this leather. Don't look too close at the photo I have enclosed. I need some serious practice with the SK-3 and the leather. Any comments or questions welcome. ferg

Check the ID plate on the motor, it may be possible to rearrange the wiring to enable 120 volts. Very easy to do BTW. ferg

I seldom do this but this was simply too good to pass up. ferg FW_ Fw_ And all of 2011.pdf

Terry, I got the bends from Tandy today. It is everything they say it is. Haven't carved any yet of course but it is as blemish free as any leather I have ever bought from anyone. Beautiful!! product. I have a club membership, got it for $100.00 each. ferg

Russ, You have to believe they know how I felt about the service. Do you know the old saying, "Tail tucked between their legs" when referring to a puppy that got scolded? That would describe the clerk and manager after my dissertation. I know, you meant for me to call Tandy offices. Have attempted that many years ago and got little to know satisfaction, don't bother anymore. BTW: I bought some good shoulders from Michael. If you haven't been there for awhile you may be surprised by the surrounding stores in that little shopping plaza. ferg