Northmount

One thing that I found with stamping with letters or other larger stamps is the stamp and mallet always bounces and if I'm not really careful, I get double impressions (like a ghost image). Instead of using a mallet, I have started using a 'dead-blow' hammer. Wood workers use them. They don't bounce, the stamp stays in place and no ghost image. You can whack it again a few more times while leaning the stamp in sort of a rotational motion to get the image to have consistant depth across the width of the image. The dead-blow hammer has a cavity in the head loosely filled with lead shot. So if you don't use a press, this may help you avoid the ghost image. Happy stamping!

A felt boot liner might be suitable material too. If you are disposing of any, keep the top few inches that are still good. If the felt isn't thick enough, or firm enough, fold it over tight and use a clothes pin.

Wax, grease, oil --- the only extinguisher is to remove the air by covering it. Either with a lid that fits the pot or a fire blanket. (other non-flammable blankets can do the job, make sure what you are using doesn't combust) Spraying a burning pot with any extinguisher will stir up the surface and spread burning wax, grease or oil all over, creating a much larger fire than just leaving it burn would have. If you can't safely cover the pot, get everyone out of the building and call 911 in that order. Wear protective clothing. There are lots of resources that tell you what to wear. But to keep it simple, don't wear fabrics like polyester that melt. They melt right into your flesh. Don't wear fabrics that burn easily. Generally cotton or wool are a reasonable choice. No bare arms. If you do have a fire, how would you put the lid on it safely if your arms are bare? Gloves at hand would be a good idea too. If you aren't wearing them, stop to put them on first. Above all, keep your head and don't panic. Panic maims and kills. Move slow and deliberate, keep control. A face shield is a good idea too, though many people would think that is overkill. A splash of hot wax on your face, espeically near your nose and eyes is going to be a lot more painful than on your hand and will cause an immediate reaction (backing up and tripping over the dog) that could do a lot more damage. Safe work habits will help you enjoy your work and help to keep you out of the hospital.

Your English is just fine. I worked in an engineering office with a number of ESL people and wish their English was as good as yours. And great carving too. I enjoy seeing the great work done here and am trying to hone my skills to keep up with all of you. Keep up the great work.

I use a curved perma-lok type needle bought from Tandy about 45 years ago. Lost it a couple times and luckily found it again. I decided recently to get a couple extra needles. The new ones are way too thick. My old one works for 3/32 and 1/8 lace with no problems. I'm going to take a file to the new ones and see how much I can remove from the tip. The tips look like an elephant stomped on them! I have found good perma-lok needles are far better than the spring leaf types with a couple barbs. They just don't hold on for tight pulls. If you break the lace off flush with the end of a perma-lok, heat it up with a match or lighter and burn the lace out of it. Tap the ash out, clean off any soot, and go back to work. It has only happened to me once, so I am a little more careful about how tight the pull is. It it's too tight, I enlarge the slit a little and make sure the layers are properly glued and lined up. Happy lacing!

Many years ago, my grandfather asked me to make him a plain belt since he couldn't get one in a store to fit. He told me his waist was 48". So I added 4" fold back plus 2" for the buckle, plus 8" for the tongue. I only had one long strap left, so cut it accordingly. When he tried it on, the tip of the tongue just met the buckle. 58" So he never did get a new belt!

Take a look at a special issue of scrollsaw magazine, http://www.scrollsawer.com/features/pyrography-special-issue.html for lots of examples on wood, leather, paper, etc. and tools available. Very interesting and informative. Well worth the $10 to order. List of 28 woodburners from $10 to $205.

You could try different pipe sizes from your local home center. PVC or ABS pipe is not all that expensive. Pipe is usually measured by inside diameter so take a tape measure or rule with you so you can get the size you really want. Once you buy a lathe, you also need a set of lathe tools. A cheap set starts around $100. You also need a place to put it. Then to learn how to use it. You can make a lot of shavings or firewood in a short time.

Very interesting video. A couple little gaffs that always seem to happen when you are putting something like this together: email sketches home in 1944 "narriation" I found it interesting that Al and Ann spent many years in Canada!

See this link for a speed reducer http://www.leightons.ca/new-speed-reducer.html

My daughter used a permanent felt marker on formica ... I found that scrubbing it with tooth paste (the good old white stuff with some abrasive in it) removed the marker. Seems there is fairly strong bleach in it. The abrasive is very fine, so helps as well. Coarse abrasive will remove the shiny surface and pattern. Polish it like you would your best silver. Carefully, a bit at a time.

Use the tools. As others have ssaid, they are likely better than today's. I bought my first tools in 1960 when I was in grade 9. Couldn't afford the kit so had to be very selective about what I bought. I still have patterns from then, some of the same ones as in your photos. Every 10 years or so I have decided to make something and added a few tools along the way. A few years ago I was in a pawn shop and there was a tandy tool box like a fishing tackle box. It was loaded with saddle stamps, a few swivel knives and a few other odds and ends. There were about 70 stamps. Bought the whole batch for $125. Found many of the stamps are duplicates. It was probably from a school that included leatherwork in industrial arts and has now dropped it like too many schools have. Anyhow it was a good deal for me. Might run a couple mini classes for my grandkids since there are multiples of the basic tools. Now that I'm retiring in a few months, I expect to get back to more serious work. (Did 3 protfolios for my kids for Christmas 2010. Didn't know if I could get them done in time to start with, but did beat the clock.)