bluesman1951

Not a single thing wrong with any of this stuff ! All marketable and quite elegant . The closest Ill ever come to tooling is a makers mark thats it for me . So dont feel alone not tooling ,it just isnt for every one .For inspritional videos may I suggest from you tube "Dunhill Traditional double. Also my all time favorite is "Picasso Labs" making cases . My advise is to keep on trucking down the path you are on . All ahead full !!!! I know I will enjoy seeing more of your work so please post away ! bluesman1951

I am considering purchasing a "Artisan" sewing machine new for 1,800 . This is supposed to be a remake of the original machine with a new name . It does not have a walking foot set up. Supposed to have some new technology thats one step above the walking foot . Motor has no clutch some kind of electric set up making that not necessary . Question here is : What do you think of the machine and its performance ? Bill

I like this ,well done comfortable as well. Advise: something always ends up on the floor some how so a scrap piece of carpet is good if it matters. Use a close nap carpet . Being old and large I find that a quality office chair with a swivel and a tilt function makes the days pass with less pain . Best to buy these second hand ,the furniture rental people mostly rent only new stuff so when stuff is returned its often sold quickly ,just look around . About 35.00 is good . Good luck and happy working . Bluesman1951

First impression was a" little busy " Others mentioned the straps and I am in agreement .Thinking out loud I wonder if attaching the straps from behind might not be cleaner . Take a page from the old time western saddle bags and do a in and out thing . The braiding is fabulous well done very clean and elegant .Personal opinion only I would simplify the handle and go for solid handle . This is first class work and very well done ,bear in mind all that I have said is just my personal opinion and counts for nothing . You should be very proud of this and its very well done . Really liked the stamping ! bluesman1951 quote name='richard55' timestamp='1265675238' post='142502'] well here is another one, a friend aks for this one and now i have to make one more loll a nother friend againg , well need a bit of feed back so dont be shy

Try this : make your pattern on paper ,use a overstitch wheel to perforate the paper along your pattern lines ,next get some cheese cloth and fill it with some baby powder tie off and just tamp it on your paper ,lift off the paper and your pattern is there . Simple as that . Powder wipes off with damp cloth . This works well for stitching patterns . Let me know what you think of this method . bluesman1951

Nice job ,This will make a nice gift ,clean simple and elegant . I would have done something more with the gusset to finish the top edge instead of leaving the cut edge exposed . . Give some thought to bringing the edge of the gusset up to meet the height of the front panel. Advise : Build every detail in your head 3 times ,measure everything twice ,cut once ,never work when you are tired ,keep your tools sharp and the desk top clean . Beyond that I have no advise other than Goggle the zippers and their installation. Your wife will be very pleased with this ,mighty fine gift . bluesman1951

I may be so very wrong but for better or worse here goes . I believe stitching is the very last . When you put the needle down its done period nothing else . First is the colour or stain .Next is what ever you choose to seal the stain and keep it from coming off when used . Next is your top coat a second sealer and your final gloss maker ,the wax or resolene . Good Luck

Very well done ,first class work ! The second compartment is that meant for is that meant for a computer device as well ? I really liked the tooling ,with the initials. Thats just pure class ! May I ask please are these for sale and what would be the price ? I really liked the stitching on the flap . A standing round of applause is in order here ,well done ! bluesman1951

Welcome ! At some point you have to surrender the amateur status . Look forward to seeing some of your work . Good luck with your selling . Be glad to help any way I can . Bill

I suspected that .Perhaps in the future that will change . All in all am very pleased with my experience with this company . bluesman1951

When making these things dealing with wet leather and molds ,its best to find a plastic supply place and look in the scrap bin there . Make a piece of plastic shaped like your computer thing and think ahead the leather will shrink some so cut your leather so you can get your plastic out when the leather dries . That's my two cents here .

Walk away no way you are going to ever be on the same page with this guy . I just would not touch this project sounds like a soul sucking time waster with out end . My advice is RUN !!!!

Hi ,first impression is "Industrial " they have that "Tough" look as if to say I can take anything you have to give . I am very curious to see how they will look with some use and time on them . If the functional tough look was what you were going for ,was what you wanted then job well done.These items will give many years of good service and that will be appreciated by anyone lucky enough to own them . bluesman1951

Every one has covered the whole gamut of things . For my two cents all I can say is thread ,thread ,thats the icing on a finished product !!!! Texas threads bonded white tr350 in one pound spools .Pay the extra 5.00 for the small order fee and spend the 16.00 for the spool . This thread is all I'll ever need or use cant say enough good things about it . Take a trip to your local plastics house for cutting boards ,straight edges , and inserts to case your leather . These plastics take the place of a cell phone when shaping your case . Better than wood or metal . Invest in a 60 mm Olfa cutter .

Welcome ,Nice to have you here ! I am looking forward to seeing some of your work . I spent some time in Texas and rember the fine Chili cook offs the barbecue and the girls with two names (Betty Ann ,Sue Ellen ) I put a line in the trinity river one night and caught a cat fish and a cotton mouth snake at one time . Are the mosquitoes still as big as I rember . I do not miss the fire ants one bit . I do miss pitching horse shoes on Saturday . Look forward to seeing your work . bluesman1951

Glad to be of service!LOL Just make her something nice and your purchase may go unnoticed . Wishful thinking I know ,but one can hope . bluesman1951

Very fine work ,my compliments sir ! Job well done . Clean and elegant are words that come to mind .Amazing ! Bluesman1951

The first issue I have with the lace cutter is when you cut some leathers in a circle the top grain breaks when you start lacing . This is not true with all leathers ,but some for sure . With the less stiff leathers I have seen some people use a wall paper with a peel off sticky back to give the flimsy leather a little stiffness . Just peel the back off and apply then use a round drive punch and cut the starter hole . I have seen this work and it does work well the key is in the technique . Practice makes perfect . bluesman1951

My best guess is YES I think it does . How ever only your accontant can tell you if it fits into your deductions . It might fit as a hobby ,call it therpy and say its a stress reducer then maybe uou can claim it some how.. someho My best guess is YES I think it does . How ever only your accontant can tell you if it fits into your deductions . It might fit as a hobby ,call it therapy and say its a stress reducer then maybe you can claim it some how.. someho

I came across a site www.goodsjapan.com in my exploring .Saw some very fine looking leather working tools on the site . Decided to check them out on Ebay and found glowing reviews with a perfect performance profile . So I made a small order for some lacing nippers and other things . They arrived today less than 10 days after the order shipped direct from Japan . To say I am pleased is a understatement !!!!! Beautiful tools well made and I am convinced they will be a joy to use . I will order again with out hesitation ,cant say enough good things about this company . I know its not politically correct to order off shore ,but consider Weaver wont sell to you without a business lic. Osborne is the same way . Also Ohio Travel bag and on and on the list goes . This protectionism is just plain crap , I promise if some one makes it impossible to do business with them I will move on in the blink of an eye . When it comes to voting a company up or down I vote with my wallet . As far as I am concerned Goods Japan has exceeded all expectations and they have got my business . bluesman1951

Thanks for your effort ,job well done very useful . Only one question : When you use the brads to hold the wet leather does this create a problem with the stitching holes (Spacing issues) .I really like the finished bag very appealing . bluesman1951

Welcome from Albuquerque New Mexico .

God bless you and recommending WD 40 when I worked with guns I made a fortune off of folks who used that on their guns .When left for awhile it turns to varnish coating every thing and turns the insides of a fire arm to tar . Its supposed to displace water and seal which is good for electrical stuff. The WD stands for WATER DISPLACEMENT . Lock smiths love this stuff it never stops making them money as folks use it and gum up there locks . Sadly the public has been convinced this is the answer to all metal problems . At any good gun store and some auto places Pep Boys etc is a lubricant called "TRI FLOW" best stuff ever for all things metal its claim to fame is its silicone based and lubes and protects like you cant believe .

The key to everything is the sharpness of our tools . My work is primarily with deer skins and not the heavy tooling leathers . What works well for one is not necessarily going to work well with the other . When using the 60mm rotary cutter a straight edge with no shoulder is simply dangerous . With the rotary cutter you are pushing on the cutting stroke with a knife you pull on the cutting stroke . Different as night and day . Our tools should be our friends and perform for us with out hurting us . We are talking about two very different tools here as well as two different techniques interchanging them would cause serious injury . If you are pleased with the way you are doing things then you have my very best wishes for happy leather working and continued safety .If you were to use this rotary cutter one time with a sharp blade I can assure you there would be some serious respect for this tool . After seeing it ride up and over a thin straight edge you would be forever wary and respectful of this tool and using a thin straight edge or rule would never be a option .I may have jumped the gun with my opinion here ,but if you will give me the benefit of the doubt here and realise we are talking about two very different things here . Your technique with my tool would result in serious injury very shortly . Thank you for the laughter ,funny little icon things ,neat . I have spent 25 years with this tool in my hands making a living with leather solely that whole time . 100% of the work with soft skins and not tooling leather . I invite you to try your technique with some soft skins and see if it works . Respectfully bluesman 1951