raysouth

Hey Pawpaw, we have something in common. Both great to listen to and very relaxing. I had the fortunate experience to meet, at a car show, a gent that was a Kenny Rogers double. He sounded like him and certainly looked like him. I have the pics in my shop and folks always believe that it is Kenny when they see them. He is also from Georgia and often wonder if he actually met his idol. Interesting and fun stuff. Also love the rc semis I had the good fortune to see some years ago. Outstanding toys and functioned as the real thing. Very fine craftsmanship and the selection of the different models was fantastic. I have been a plane nut for many years, and enjoy watching the different video clips on you tube now and then. Had private license when I was young and it was one of the best experiences in my life. Rattling on. God Bless. Ray

Hello Nick, Embosser rolls are great and hope you make a lot of them. I have a few from vendors that make the brass wheels and fiberglass mixture type products. Always seeking new and interesting patterns. Let me know when you make others. God Bless. Ray

If you wish to improve the appearance of the hatchet case, I think I would begin with a good leather cleaner and then follow through with a very dark brown/chocolate or black dye. After that has been allowed to dry, then apply conditioner of your choice, to keep leather soft and pliable. If maintaining the case in the color it is now in, the above mentioned oil application may be something you wish to consider. A slight change in color may be experienced, darkening slightly, with any treatment you apply. I like the patterns that the water has produced and seems to give it an unusual but pleasant look. God Bless. Ray

Many thanks to all of you for the response. I am currently looking around and will have to make a decision soon. Had good response with information about sharpening tools for the edgers and will also give that a shot. Prefer something that will hold a good edge so no idea which to choose. Thanks again. God Bless. Ray

Thank you all, for the information. Now will be able to attempt sharpening my less than sharp edgers. God Bless. Ray

Hello Folks, Back again but now seeking a tapered diamond sharpener that can be used to sharpen edgers. Any idea who may have such items? Any assistance will be appreciated. God Bless. Ray

I am seeking a quality #5 edge beveler for small projects. I have several basic tools but they are not sharp enough to do a good job. Will not hold their edge and have a couple of the tools that, apparently, were not sharpened before being sold. Please guide me to the makers of superb tools. Need to obtain asap. Saw Osborne tools today but no idea of their quality and ability to hold an edge. God Bless. Ray

Hello CyLee, Benefit for me, is simply knowing that I supported the site in some small way. I find that this is the greatest forum for leather folks and the information here is amazing. Certain that others can explain or share their thoughts as why they have contributed. I believe that an ambassador must contribute to the site but I do not know the criteria. Hope you find the answers you seek and that you will become a contributing member, for your own reasons. Have a very close friend living in Juneau who asks us to move there but if I can see the white stuff, it is a no go for me. BRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR--------- Have fun, enjoy life. God Bless. Ray

What department of the government does he act in?????? May be running for top office soon. Just another Nutcase making his presence known.

Always good--Always bad------- I have had some very good experiences with Tandy, especially the Birmingham/Hoover, Alabama store. Been with them since Montgomery, Al. store and followed them to Hoover. Good folks and great service. Always willing to help and go the extra mile. I have had times that merchandise was not as I wished from several other vendors and found that correcting a situation was, at times, very difficult. Never experienced the problem with "my" Tandy store. I feel certain that we have had good times and bad times with things in life and some folks never wish to give a vendor a second chance and discontinue using their services/products. I have had many bad days and those were days that I felt I could never get things to go my way, but, as with all things, even this shall pass away if we step back and readjust to cope with life's issues. If you want to have a few GOOD, experiences with Tandy, call the Birmingham store and speak with Mgr. Chance or his great assistants, Craig and Matt. Great folks and I suppose that my only complaint is the distance to the store. Not able to travel these days. Have fun, enjoy the craft and look towards the brighter side of things. God Bless. Ray

Hello Anthony, Many folks are not artistic when it pertains to "drawing", and do exactly what you do. There is so much online that you can, with a bit of searching, find nearly anything you would like to use. I am guilty of using this method to make many items. Clip art in some of the better publishing programs can be very beneficial. In my youth, I was able to draw fairly well but that has gone by the wayside these days. I have printed many items and then modified for my use on projects. Never did like to copy anything without adding my own personal touch and this also keeps one clear of the copyright issue. Many artists allow you to use their artwork any way you wish but others are a bit fussy, at times, and not so willing to share. Has never been a problem for me and sure that many others do the same thing. God Bless. Ray

Just wanted to let everyone know that I have placed a "for sale" ad under things for sale, estate items. Time for me to give it all up and pass things on to others having an interest. God Bless you all. Ray

Thank you Cheryl and Renee, for the kind words. Also, thanks Tom, for posting a link to some of the pics of shop items. There are many items not shown in the pics and cabinets contain a load of hand tools, mostly new, as well as supplies, books, and more. There are two of the upright double door cabinets and one large roll around, @ 6-8' long and a smaller one about 3-4 ' wide as well. A few personal items not related to leatherworking will be removed when able to obtain assistance. I hope to be able to open some of the drawers and take pics of the contents but will see how it goes in next few days. This is a very good buy for someone and sad to have to give it up but time waits for -----------, as the saying goes. Made some great friends here on the site and hope to be able to follow along, reading and viewing the projects of others. Thank you all, for all of the kindness and assistance along the way. God Bless. Ray

Time for me to wrap it up and call it quits. Take a look at the shop photos I had taken and placed on the site under pictures of your shop, or something like that. I intend to sell as a single package and nearly everything you will see in the photos, cabinets included, will go. I am asking $10,000.00 for the total that include everything including good supply of leather, all tools, cabinets, embosser, press, skiver, and much more. Lots of supplies, buckles, stamps, punches, sets of different items. I am not physically able to inventory all of the items that will go and it will have to be picked up in Opelika, Alabama, zip 36804. Please, I am aware of my investment in the items in the shop so I am locked in at the price I have quoted. If you have a serious interest, please drop me a line at raysouth1@hotmail.com and we can go from there. Thank you for taking the time to read about my offering. Bring a truck and take it all home. God Bless. Ray

In response to the comments above, I believe that the answer to the situation is simply, "TO EACH, HIS/HER, OWN". God Bless you all.

GOOD LUCK JOHANNA. Had all the bad habits over many years. Smoking was the first I did away with. Smoked the greatest amount when tipping the glass at the bar so that is where I quit. Arose one morning and had a light, nagging, cough and foul taste in my mouth and decide that it was the smokes. Later that day, I purchased a new pack, went to the bar, sipped a bit of suds, reached for a cig from the new unopened pack and asked myself what I was doing, as I had quit. Placed the pack on the bar, finished my suds and that was the end of that habit. Next came the suds and pretty much the same idea. Cold turkey, and I was a bar owner at that time. Never looked back and so pleased that I gave it all up. There is always something to work on in our lives and the next item for me is the weight control situation. At my age, I still am giving up bad habits and now, finally, am on the way to "THIN", and so pleased. Hope I am around long enough to enjoy the fruits of my labor. Each of us has to find the method that best fits, when giving up something that we have been involved with for some time. Today, even though I cannot be around the smoke as it makes me ill, I do not condemn anyone. Just a part of our life and we must take control as we best see fit. My feelings are, if you really want to give things up, you will find a way. Like leatherwork, if you want to learn and do it, you will. Many challenges confront us but we are the masters of our destiny, mostly, as we live our life. Stick to it and you will make it and if like myself, you will feel much better after a short period of time. God Bless. Ray

I use a 3 ton arbor press and it performs well but not the best idea for larger items. I have cased some items before cutting, that were not important pieces, and the press would cut the larger pieces in that manner. Larger press always better. God Bless.

Hello Tim, Send me the info on the new spot setter. Thank you and God Bless. Ray

Should not have added the "&"sign used in their name. Been buying from them for a long time and have them in my favorites but never read the email address to see that the ampersand was not included. How ax we become with age. lol. Perfection as eluded me but will have to accept the new way I must do things. God Bless. Ray

Howdy, Thought I had responded to this post but apparently didn't happen. lol Try; www.supermagnetman.net or, www.k&jmagnetics.com . They may have something that you can use. God Bless and best wishes for a great new year.

Welcome to the best leathercraft site. You will find all of the information you need on the site and be sure to ask questions. Many folks here, more than willing to get you headed off in the right direction. No idea where you are located but you can find a Tandy store or Springfield Leather to get you started and both should have some very reasonable prices. Tandy now has a year end sale going on so might be good place to look around to find a few things you need. God Bless. Ray

Wow !!!! So many good comments about the service at Tandy. I need to add my two cents as well. Began dealing with the store in Montgomery, Alabama some time ago and manager and I developed some good rapport. One day he called me and told me that they were closing the store there and moving back to Birmingham. Probably had to do with demographics but felt badly about losing store within driving distance. Even though I am no longer able to visit the store, the manager, Chance Chancellor and I have continued to work things out. He has been more than helpful and very happy to have him at the store. He is always willing to go the extra mile for me. Wish I could send him all of my business but many items I must purchase from other vendors. The company has had issues that have not been well accepted by all but they have a splendid staff in "my" store. God Bless everyone. Ray

Lois and Joe, I thank you for the time you used to wish me a happy Holiday Season. I wish only the best for you and yours and pray that we all have a bountiful and fun filled year ahead. God Bless. Ray

You might also take a look at Angelus acrylics at www.turtlefeathers.net as they make several colors that fit the bill. God Bless. Ray

I have tried clicking twice but still no improvement. I agree that ISP can be slow at times but when checking other sites I have no problem getting things to open. A little frustrating a I have to close out as not able to open things in a reasonable manner. Hopefully t is just a temporary thing and will soon go away. Also have noticed that some of the words I am typing are not completed and I have to go back an correct them. Have been very careful to strike all characters and times will not space properly. I know that I am not a fast typist so I can scratch the idea of me typing excessively fast. Is also placing a red wavy line under some of the words before I have finished typing them. Another day to figure things out. Thank you for responding and God Bless. Ray