raysouth

Like to try something interesting? Read my last entry in leatherwork conversation under "what do you collect", and then decide. God Bless. Ray

Hello Mike, Finally able to retrieve my latest issue of the Journal and was surprised to see only the group in Hoover listed. I feel certain that there was a group/guild in your area and will look at some of my older issues in an attempt to obtain some information for you. ALABAMA LEATHER GUILD LIONHEARTLEATHER@YAHOO.COM CONTACT: 205-274-4177 MEET: LAST SUNDAY, 2:00 PM No location given for meeting place. Hope this is of some assistance. God Bless. Ray

OKAY MY LEATHERWORKING FRIENDS, I have decided to part with many items in the shop and am going to do something a bit different than many folks do with their collectibles. My wish is to clear my shop so that my beloved will not have to deal with my many accumulations of goodies when my time comes. Here is what I plan to do: You send your contact information to me, along with a mailing address, items you like to collect, etc; and I will dig around in the shop and send you, FOR COST OF POSTAGE ONLY, something that may be of interest. No guarantees as to what may be in the parcel but postage charge will be your only expense. I will utilize Priority Flat Rate whenever possible. Media mail for books, unless you opt for other shipping method. If you are open to receiving interesting items, REGARDLESS OF WHAT THEY MIGHT BE, please mention that in your contact information. Please, understand that this will be a drawn out process for me as I motivate at a snails pace but I will get it done. If this appeals to you, I will be looking for your information in my mailbox and no information will be exchanged or released to anyone. FUN THING TO DO WHILE I AM ABLE AND NO BETTER GROUP OF FOLKS TO SHARE WITH. GET ON THE LIST SOON AND AS I FIND A TREASURE, I WILL CONTACT AND TELL YOU OF THE SHIPPING CHARGES AND YOU CAN DECIDE IF YOU WISH REMIT FUNDS AND RECEIVE THE ITEMS. REMEMBER, I WILL NOT DIVULGE WHAT MAY BE IN THE PACKAGE/PARCEL AND YOU ONLY PAY FOR THE SHIPPING. Hope this is fun for all who participate. God Bless. Ray

Suppose I will now reply to my original post about burnishers. Received and assembled the Cobra Burnisher and it is a great device and is working well for me. Burnishing spool was extremely tight fit and had a bit of difficulty getting it on the machine and doubt it would come off, unless I had access to some type of puller. As for burnishing, I have zero complaints. Dave was very helpful when I dumped many questions in his lap. but he answered them all and it assisted with my decision to purchase. I must use most tools from a seated position and the stand is adjustable and would go as low as @ 32" from center of mandrel to floor. Super and had a good time using yesterday. I have a number of items to burnish and would never have been able to complete to my satisfaction, without a powered burnisher. Happy that they put this one together and I will assume they did it just for me. lol. God Bless. Ray

Great looking items, Alex. Must give the scarlet a try soon. Did take a shot at a few items with Crimson for some local football fans. They loved it but I had hoped it would be a little "redder". Will have to wok on it . God Bless. Ray

Hello Mike, This is a very nice addition to the shop and sure you enjoy. The centering and straight line thing has been a problem for me as well. I made a jig of plastic but it is excessively flexible and my hands are no longer able to keep it steady. Clamping is a good way to go. What did you use to cut the very clean slots into the end of the aluminum strip? Perhaps I can rig up something similar, or at least hope to do so, now that I have seen your method. Hope Thanksgiving was pleasant for you and yours. God Bless. Ray

Twin Oaks, Try the Leather Crafters and Saddlers Journal site and see if they have a listing for the various guilds. I subscribe and will look at my latest copy soon, to see if I can be of assistance. Seem to recall that there was a page at back of pub that listed guilds. God Bless. Ray

Hello Twin Oaks, No idea for certain but seems to me that there was a group in Huntsville some time ago. Chance is at the Hoover/Birmingham store and I understand that they started a small guild there a couple of years ago. Other than that, I have no knowledge of other groups in Alabama. Will look around to see what I can learn. God Bless and hope you Thanksgiving is a wonderful time. Ray

Suzelle, the collecting bug has probably, at one time or another, bitten us all to some degree. I just never know when to quit. lol. 67 was a great year and produced some very interesting rides. I suppose when spring arrives I will begin to advertise my truck for sale. I look at it and the mind tells me what I could do but the body tells me that is not going to happen. Don't know who to believe. lol. Parting with our treasures is difficult but perhaps we can find something totake up the slack. Going South, Happy to hear that the MVPA site was a pleasant experience. Great group of folks. If you want to see some vehicles that are still being offered for sale, visit vintagepowerwagons.com and look at all the goodies they have. The last vehicle I had was somewhat modern M-886 Ambulance and had a M-43 Canadian Ambulance some years ago. Why I had ambulance vehicles is a mystery. Great fun. God Bless and keep on letting us know what you are collecting. God Bless. Ray

Thank you for the information. I was apprehensive about use of oil applications as the items will be next to clothing and handled quite often. I will try all of the above and then will have to make a decision. I have a myriad of polishes, creams, etc; but did not feel that as a finish product without dye, that application would not be what I was seeking. Have also considered Angelus Neutral dye but no idea what that would do for me and then would require some form of protective coating. I feel that this will be a new and pleasant experience for me and do appreciate the assistance. God Bless. Ray

Wow, Suzelle. The grandkids must keep you on the move. Tons of fun times for you and the family. What type cars did you collect? I recently parted with my treasure wagon, a 1929 Fargo Caravan that I still dream about. Only one I have remaining is a 1967 Dodge d-100 that has been restored, and now a street rod as made by the former owner. I am no longer able to be involved in the old car thing so now have one more to sell and then I will be done. Art collection appears to be extensive and certain that you enjoy. Have large selection of books in my shop and finding it very difficult to find buyers for them so will probably donate to a small library in the country. Hope you can collect many more items that appeal to you. So much fun. God Bless. Ray

Okay, I should know the answer to my question but it must have slipped the memory bank at some time. Like a computer crash, of sorts. Have never finished veg-tan in such a way as to leave a natural appearance. Always dye applications were the norm. Now, I am faced with learning what would be the best way to finish veg-tan, retaining a natural appearance. Have read that resolene, neats foot oil, olive oil, tan-cote, etc; all were good products. Here is my dilemma; the items I am making will be, in contact with hands and clothing all the time they are used so need to know the best product/s to use that would be permanent, somewhat protective, and not transfer to clothing/hands. Any suggestions will be appreciated and willing to test/try any ideas you may have. I have more than 200 smalls to do and hope the answers will provide the results I seek. God Bless. Ray

Check with "Itch", a member on the site. Believe he has some good info. God Bless. Ray

Going South, Items from that era are much treasured by folks around the world. Took my place some years ago with military vehicles and anything else I could lay my hands upon. May still have a few smalls in the shop and will have to dig around one day soon. If you have the opportunity, look at the MVPA, Military Vehicle Preservation Associations site and see some very interesting vehicles. Big Sioux Saddlery, Never had much experience with such items as in your collection. Closest I came was a beautiful old hames which I gave to someone not long ago. I can imagine that the old catalogs are fascinating material to read. We can learn a lot from folks long gone. You are correct about leather machinery. NEVER, or should I say, IMPOSSIBLE, to ever have enough. Life is grand. God Bless and keep those interesting collections coming. Ray

Taking the plunge and investing in Cobra Burnisher offered by Steve. Hope it does the job for me. Most interesting, and important for me, was that the stand height is adjustable and I can work in my sitting position. Will give minor review after it arrives and have had a bit of time to use the device. God Bless. Ray

Becomes more interesting with every new post. Craftsman Made, My books are of the more current variety, although I did have, and may still have in the shop, a few vintage leather craft books. Maps I enjoyed were of the railroads and their lines as they developed. Framed two very nice maps of old lines, some of which are still in operation today. Had them hanging in shop until I began to divest myself of my railroad collectibles. Lazy D, Bill, Bottle openers are a thing of the past and they mostly disappeared without me noticing they were gone. I do have a few that found their way into a small collection of key fobs but no idea what or who they represent. Will have to look around to see what they are, now that you have peaked my interest. lol. Keep the collections coming. God Bless. Ray

Renee, you would certainly be welcome here. As you have probably read, I am going to attempt to hang in there a bit longer. Making a few smalls and decided to work towards getting a powered burnisher from Steve of Cobra4 fame. Should make things much easier for me. Love tools and never seem to get enough. I was very happy to learn that stand is adjustable and can be lowered to a height, allowing me to use while seated. Just what I needed. Will let folks know how it works out when I practice a bit. God Bless. Ray

Hey Snubbyfan, "ALL OF THEM", is the way to go. Never enough tools for our various projects. Understand the need to shy away from power tools. Ditto around here. Don't use swivel knife much as one of my pyrography pens will give me much the same effects. Keep on "accumulating". Whipstitchwallets, Straight razors are neat and historic items to collect. Never could develop enough courage to allow one close to my neck. Must be a phobia. Bob, Most of my rr collectibles now resting in other homes. I still have the urge to collect them but must practice restraint at my age. lol. N Scale is a great space saver and have always admired those with the ability to work with such small items. Had 2 favorite steam era locos, the Big Boy of Union Pacific, and the Cab Forwards of Southern Pacific. Hope you dug yours out for the kids. God Bless all. Ray

Hey Kracker, I can remember the early Zippo lighters. They were always the top dog in lighters. Companies like Ronson also a thing of the past. Zippo lighters are still in production, I believe. So many neat collectibles. God Bless. Ray

Hornm, Think I have a couple of older shaving brushes in shop and will let you know after my next trip there. MonicaJacobsen, Don't be jealous as most of the collection has now passed to others. Was a great collectible and one of my favorites. You stumped me, so now tell me something about a whiskey compass. Never heard the term before. Cardinal, Have a steer skull that I purchased for the horns. Still wrapped, (w/out horns), and available for postage. Many books around, of various topics but never collected books as a hobby. Just enjoy reading and finding new and interesting things to do. BillyBopp, WOW!!!!! Great collectible. I have a Family Bible from 1700's that needs new covering and was nice to read of births and death of few ancestors but best is the beautiful print and penmanship of ancestors, found inside. Also in shop was, and may still be, a kit for a f-117, which I had hoped to use as a pattern to make one of leather. Got as far as one wing and then packed it away. Chief, Wonderful items to collect. Not able to read music but purchased a harmonica and a few lesson books to get me started. Fill in the times when I cannot get to the shop. Wife will have to cover her ears, but surely I will sound better than a vacuum cleaner. Love to sing with my karaoke system. Bruce, Wish I had some Western Poetry to send but none around here. Know you have fine leather tools and using the old knife can raise some interesting thoughts. DoubleC, Don't worry about the hoarders. I will keep them at bay around here. Love anything related to elephants. Years ago I did a ceramic piece, glazed with a no-no glaze and now treasure the piece. Amazed at the results and goes to show that we must try new ideas. Keep collecting and never quit

I have been reading, and enjoying, all of the posts folks have left as to where they live, etc. How about telling us about some of the things you collect and not restricted to leather related items. I will begin by telling of a few of the things that have tickled my collecting mania along the way; Model railroading in all scales and last being the larger G Scale units. Vintage pressed steel transportation, construction, military, etc; toys. Vintage blowtorches, both foreign and domestic. Especially enjoy the beautiful all brass units. Railroad lanterns and signals of all types. One of my favorite collectibles. Silver coinage from around the world with emphasis on U.S. Coins. License plates and embossed street signs. Especially sample plates from all states that made them. Anything leather related. You get the idea and hope everyone finds this a pleasant way to let folks know what interests you may have. God Bless. Ray

Hello Pablo, Thank you for the response and kind words. I hope to stick around, albeit somewhat less active than I was in the past. Just enjoy doing things and don't seem to know when to stop. Perhaps a good thing that nobody was interested in purchasing all of the items in the shop. Tells me that I must try to get down to the shop and fool around more. Saddest part for me is not being able to find buyers for so many of the things I have gathered over the years. Money is probably tight for folks these days and certainly understand that life has become more difficult for many. At least I am able to meet fine folks here on the site and gab a bit now and then. Always a pleasure. Had hoped to meet some local leather folks in my area that would enjoy getting together, if for nothing more than a cup of coffee and pleasant conversation but, does not seem that this area has many folks interested in such activity. I have always thought I would enjoy sitting around the old pot bellied stove in the company of other folksy type characters but that has become a thing of the past, as with so many other of our great moments, of being able to share our experiences of travels through life. I still dream about it and brings chuckles and smiles. I, like you Pablo, love to tinker with things, especially something that is old and needs some TLC. Have a building full of things like that, that I have found and played with. Time goes by and I became so engrossed that I forgot some of my necessary chores, at times. lol. Fun to find something that I know nothing about or what it may be and then figure it out and, enjoy the rewards of having done it. Life is grand for those of us that choose to make it so. Thank you again and may your days be filled with happiness and many great projects. Drop a line anytime. God Bless. Ray

Well, after no takers appeared, I suppose I will have to keep at it until the end. lol. Still playing a bit in the shop and doing nothing important but at least it is very calming. Making a few smalls for unknown folks and using the supplies will take forever. Never knew that I had so much in the shop until I thought about giving it up. I dream a lot, about things that would be fun to make and may be able to do a project or two as the time flies by. Getting to the shop has been a problem and as soon as we see some good old southern temps, I will give it another shot. Want to experiment with dye colors and attempt to develop a few colors that I have wanted to do for some time. Always able to make a mess with dye. Thinking about a powered burnisher such as the one offered by Cobra Steve but still wondering if anyone has experience with this machine. I think it will solve some of my hand problems and allow me to place a nice edge on some small items. Just some idle chatter but still at it for now. Love this site and truly enjoy the folks that keep it going with all of the submissions of interest to us all. As always, drop in and sit a spell if ever in the area. God Bless. Ray

U.S.A. AND CURRENTLY ALABAMA. ALSO WOULD LIKE TO BE ABLE TO CLAIM BAVARIA AS I HAD SO MANY GREAT EXPERIENCES THERE. JOHANN, YOU ARE 100% CORRECT. NOW I CAN ONLY RECALL THOSE MANY BEER DRINKING DAYS. GOD BLESS. RAY

Wondering if anyone has experience using the Cobra Burnisher that Steve is offering. If so, please tell me your opinion. I am seeking something like this as hands not what they used to be and need something that would allow me to finish edges. Not able to build anything similar so thought I would give this machine a go. May have to mount on bench that is lower as I am restricted to working from seated position and pedestal may be a bit high for that. Any advice or suggestions would be appreciated. God Bless. Ray