Aven

It was the kind that I was mostly curious about. This is going to be an interesting project to watch. I'm looking forward to it.

Its doesn't have to be wood. You can make a rigid mold from scrap leather. Build up layers with glue in the basic shape, then carve/shape them. It just has to not fall apart if it gets damp/wet and not compress much.

What's the leather you have on hand?

That's a sweet pony. I'm thinking I'm going to have to give this a go. Thanks for sharing DJole. I appreciate it.

Welcome to the forum. If this was for me and it was simply for show, I'd craft it from craft foam sheets and pick up a few leather jackets from Value Village to wrap the pieces. The leather is going to be distressed for you and it will be thin enough to manipulate. Use heavy duty spray adhesive or contact cement to stick the leather to the foam. Go slowly so you can mold the leather to the details built into the pieces.

I like your solution. Not what the client wanted, but someone is going to want this.

Welcome Andrew. This is a great place to hang out. It houses numerous lifetimes of information and the people are great. Nothing says you have to tool your work. Once you are comfortable with the basics you might decide you want to add a bit of detail. And if that's the case, you'll find world class artisans here who are more than willing to offer suggestions. But its something that takes practice.

I agree with Bikermutt, the awl looks like it was a small triangle file before it was worked into an awl. The black stuff looks like winter code or hand wax that shoemakers used on the threads for stitching the upper to the the sole. Winter hand wax is sticker than summer wax. Its a combination of pitch and wax. It protects the thread and seals up the holes.

If I struggle getting a needle through something I'm sewing, I use smooth jaw jewelry pliers. For my fingers, I sewed sleeves if you will out of some soft, thick leather. I made them a bit tight to keep them on. They work a treat and they don't interfere with dexterity.

Do you have a camera you can use to record the machine sewing?

If you are having a hard time finding a freebie, Woodcraft has a granite 9"x12"x2" surface plate for $30. I have no idea what shipping will be. I dropped by my local Woodcraft and picked one up a couple of years ago. I really like it. Solid, slick, works a treat. https://www.woodcraft.com/products/granite-surface-plate-9-x-12-x-2-a-grade

That works for round ends. The top one is D shaped and the bottom one is more of a rectangle with rounded corners. Chrisash has the right approach, if you aren't playing with a CAD software, then mocking it up with cardstock, chipboard, something is your next best route.

Wow! Thanks for taking the time to do up the list.

I have no idea how much of their work they farm out, but according to what has been said in the vlog, they do send work to Waterbury Leatherworks in Waterbury Ct. I have watched a lot of their Youtube channel. He has several that I thought was well worth the time to watch and a few that I have watched a few times. I'm intrigued to see how this partnership works out.

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I picked up a rawhide maul from Wrising.com I really like everything about it, including the price. It you aren't interested in a rawhide maul, they have a large selection of other styles and materials. http://wrising.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=2

Do you know what he wants to start with or ultimately make?

You can "resize" a page by holding the control key down and rolling your mouse wheel. Your browser will remember that you wanted to page larger/smaller and show all pages like that when you open them.

If you're eyeing Jo Ann's, give them your email and they will send you all their weekly, daily fliers. You are more likely to score a good discount this way.

I should have tri-focals, well that's not correct, I do have them but I never wear them. I use my "computer" glasses. They are setup so the top 1/3ish is for distance, the large middle bit is for reading my computer and there is a bottom bit for close up work, like reading from a book. The "normal" tri's were making me move my head way too much to be useful. The computer glasses seem to give me the most use for my prescription. I'm not totally blind, but I do lose focus oh about 4 inches past my nose. And I was told last week that I have cataract(s) developing in my "good" eye which is messing with my night vision.

Those turned out wonderfully. I'm a tad bit jealous of you. I so wanted to take a class with Bill before he retired, but it just wasn't in the cards for me. But YAY! you got to take a class with him. I'm happy for you.

Congratulations on your wins! Well deserved.

Check out Rockler (Renton) Woodcraft Supply (Corson Ave). They both have casters you can screw onto your base or a casters and a frame for your base to set into. They are designed for the weight of woodworking machinery, so they should be able to handle your sewing machines.

That would be luthiery.

The lithium batteries last a lot longer than regular batteries. And then there are rechargeable batteries. Not messing something up because you can't see well, priceless.