electrathon

How much for the lot? Whoever buys them, this is a good spot to find a loving home.

Pictures would really help here. That is a perfect description of proper use. You tilt it and use about the first 1/4 of the tool on the first hit, then straighten it slightly and use about 2/3 of the tool on the next hit. This gives a curved impression that has depth.

I too agree it is a complicated question. I used Nike as an example only because they are a huge company. My example of this is just that your desctiption of what you do is an acurate description of a Chinese factory construction if you simply remove the word "I". Some of the best seamstresses in the world work in factories. Leather is clicked for consistacy and speed, exactly like many of us do for our "handmade" items. What about the fact that the leather you used to make the item came out of a factory instead of being tanned by hand, that would make your item at least partially factory made. The thread we sew with is made in a factory too. Sadly, much of the "factory" made items far excede the quality of many "handmade" items. I have had leather people tell me that you can not expect the quality of handmade items to be as good as factory items. I do not agree with this,but admit that it is often true. In my opinion, if my work is not better than a factory item I am wasting my time.

The question of hand sewn verses machine sewn seems pretty silly if you relate it to any world other than leather. If you went to a seamstress and had a shirt made would you expect it to be sewn with a needle and thread instead of a machine? Would you feel that it was better quality (actually it would be worse) if it was sewn with a needle and thread? On the other side, Nike shoes are sewn on machine, by hand. Are they hand made?

What you bought from Tandy is Chinese stuff. Almost everyone starts at Tandy, few people end up there.

Funny, I bought the lasts a few months ago. My son was at my house and told me I better get them done or my grandson would be too big for them. I will likely make matching shoes for me and my grandson (maybe will throw my son in too) in the future. In years back when myson was small i would buy him and I matching shirts. He was very proud when we went someplace togeather and he matched dad. I hope to have that connetion with my grandson too.

Very pretty.

Hello to you too. I like the ones you did. I saw that you have a full set of lasts, that was a lucky find, I have been looking for a full set for a very long time. I have a few that I have bought off ebay, but have not located a smoking deal on a full set. I like the fact that my grandson is going to learn to walk in shoes that I made him.

Leather and water, especially unsealed leather and water can m\\be very bad mixes. It is going to be hard to leave it natural without radically shortening its life.

You are upset that no one has the pattern you are using? Seems to be a strange reason to get all panty bunched.

Yes, antique and put on finish. Then sew.

There are two levels of difficulty on this project. The tooling on the outside. I would suggest you hold off on the tooling till you get a little practice in. Second is the interior. One of the hardest things to get just right. My suggestion to you is "paper dolls". Make up the interior out of thick paper. Tape it together and see if it works. Alter it and try again, it may take a few tries to get it just right. Then start cutting leather.

Loose the steel and get a stone to work on. The steel wil discolor the leather at some point. As to the braking, what brand was the tool Craft tools are ar from quality. They are guarantied though, so trade it for anothr.

As to being cheaper, hard to say, but unlikely. But the main issue with the big name tax places is that they really do not know the law, just how to fill out forms. They are also trained to take only the "safe" deductions only, even though you are completly within your rights to take other deductions. The extra few dollars you pay will likely come back to you many times in proper filing of your taxes.

Not mine, but found this on Craigs list: http://portland.craigslist.org/clk/art/4305941318.html

It is pretty.

I ama huge fan of Renia, it has to be the most amazing contact cement ever. I have been amazed most leatherworkers are not flocking to it over the other glues available to them. Never heard of Klebfest, is it a version of contact or a white glue similar to leatherweld? I looked quickly and did not find it in America.

HA! This is what happens when you are a hoarder. I was looking through the drawer today and I havve one if these!

I can tell you that they are increadibly difficult to buy. I look all the time, the supplies are limited. As to demand, I can not answer that. All shoemaking supplies are not readily available. I have assumed it was due to the lack of people actually doing shoe construction. Aaron

First bevelers, then thumbprint.

What does the back look like? Just flip it over and have the back out.

The easiest answer is to buy quality leather. If you are making these to sell it would probibly also be a cost savings when you factor in the improved quality and reduced waste.

Johny Cash was my guess

Clear laq is the replacement for neet laq

The way I do it. I carve, tool, oil, NeatLaq, antique (Fiebings paste), tan coat. If you do not get a good seal layer on it , or if you do not seal it, the antique will turn the tooling a muddy brown and it will instantly ruin it.