raysouth

HOWDY FOLKS,I WILL BE WITHDRAWING THE BOOKS FOR SALE ON APRIL 15. PLEASE CHECK THE 3 LISTING TO SEE IF THERE ARE ANY YOU WOULD LIKE. GOD BLESS. RAY

HELLO FOLKS,I WILL BE WITHDRAWING BOOKS LISTED AS OF APRIL 15. BE SURE TO LOOK AND SEE IF THERE ARE ANY YOU WOULD LIKE BEFORE THEN. GOD BLESS. RAY

HOWDY FOLKS,I WILL BE WITHDRAWING BOOKS LISTED ON APRIL 15TH SO BE SURE TO LOOK AND SEE IF THERE ARE ANY YOU WOULD LIKE. THANKS FOR LOOKING. GOD BLESS. RAY

HOWDY ALL,WILL BE WITHDRAWING THE BOOKS AS OF APRIL 15 SO CHECK AND SEE IF THERE ARE ANY YOU WOULD LIKE BEFORE THEN. THANK YOU FOR EXPRESSING AN INTEREST. GOD BLESS. RAY

Plenty of good advice. Just enjoy what you do and HAVE FUN doing it. God Bless. Ray

All of the reasons to collect tools are valid. How could anyone get enough? I have tools in places I can no longer find, sooooooooo, I must buy another to take the place of the one that is temporarily lost. Stands to reason that we must do this quite often and as we age, we have more of a valid excuse for the illness. Never mislaid, just put safely away until I find it again. Have to keep things secure and placed where they won't become damaged. I have many tools that are still in original packaging, never used because I put them away in such a secure manner that I have not stumbled upon them for some time. Many days are like discovering a hidden treasure, when I do locate those hidden items. Makes life a bit more exciting. Some folks go treasure hunting but all I have to do is open some cabinet that I have not been near for awhile and I find "treasure" therin. When you do things in this manner, no excuse is needed when you want to purchase another "special" tool that you just have to have. I even have a few that came in lots I purchased that I don't know what they do but they are, "neat", and needed, someplace I haven't discovered yet. Bet I'm not the only one that operates in this manner. ckl. God Bless Y'All. Ray

Hello Redtailhawk, I have had similar problems with old leather in the past. What I say here is something that worked for me and can, in no way, say that it will be worthwhile for you to try. The pieces that I worked with were probably smaller than that which you are working with now. The leather was dyed and extremely stiff and after cleaning, as you did, it got no better. As these were my own items, I did not have to be concerned with the outcome so I decided this was a good time to experiment. I had a difficult time getting the leather to absorb water so, I placed a spoon full of dawn detergent into a container and filled with very warm water. Immersed the piece for several hours, removed and found that it had softened a bit but not good enough to work with. I removed excess moisture and before it was completely dry, I began applying a bit of neats foot oil. Not the neatest way to do things but gradually I began to notice a bit more flex in the leather. Worked at it for some time but never achieved results I wanted. Put it aside and went on to other projects. Returned sometime later and applied balm and other softeners and eventually was able to work the leather around without cracking. It was a long drawn out process for me but I had nothing better to do. As I said, I cannot advise or predict the outcome if you were to try this but just some food for thought. I imagine that there are plenty of folks on the site that have much better ideas as how to proceed, and know of products that will assist. Good luck and god Bless. Ray

Wow, it is great to see that so many leatherworkers are into computer thing as well. I feel elated when I can get my email opened. lol. I love technology but want to be one of those that sits at the machine, tells it what to do and it does it. ckl. I have made, over the years, as far back as the TRS-80 Radio Shack computer, a valid effort to read articles and back then it was not very difficult. All of a sudden the computer thing exploded and zipped right on by this codger. Purchased several web site building programs, purchased domain names and could never get it put together. Still have some around here and like a foolish old man, which I am, I purchased another web builder program. It sits alone in the corner. Description said something like, build your site in couple of hours and have online today. HUH??????? ckl. Didn't work for me. The lingo is beyond my understanding anymore. No idea what they are talking about when I read the articles. One thing I did learn. When I am having difficulty sleeping, nearly every night, all I have to do is begin reading one of the books about web publishing or other computer topics, and, lo and behold, I become very weary and find that sleep comes easy. Suppose I could give the developers a plug along those lines. ckl. Better than a sleeping pill. All in good fun and one of lifes adventures. Someday soon, I will be boxing all of those programs and getting rid of them. Keep watching. God Bless everyone. Ray

You mentioned, free, templates but take the time to look at template sets offered by; www.blackriverlaser.com Not expensive, fast shipping, great folks, and specials on eBay, if you care to go that route. God Bless. Ray

Can't get enough patterns. Would be great to have. Adding patterns for shields would also be great. (For me, at least.) God bless. Ray

Very nice and keep at it as you seem to have what it takes. God Bless. Ray

Easy to say that you are already a great craftsman. Great work. God Bless. Ray

A great big "WOW"! Beautiful work. God Bless. Ray

Beautiful workmanship. As nice as this is, you could make furniture one of your featured operations. Well done. God Bless. Ray

Hey Y'all--- Late add to my shop pics. Thought this was there but not so. Primarily for those who might be interested in the acrylic paints. They are in the bins on the rack and few are elsewhere. Let me know of your interest. Only charge is actual shipping charge. Paint is FREE. God Bless. Ray

I think that your suggestion is, "right on", and will probably take a crack at that. I'm anxious to get the stiffener made and then taking it all apart to finish artwor/tooling/dyeing, etc. Have figured out how I want to burnish and should not be a problem. Some of the artwork, at least one piece, was from Lora Irish and the other is an eagle adaption by tattoo artist. I always modify patterns but never cared to call any of them my own as I am not an artist by any means. Just dabble here and there and pick up things as I go merrily along lifes path.Hope you enjoyed the nap and that your Sunday is a Blessed event. Ray

The one thing that I would suggest, you have already done. BECOME A MEMBER OF LEATHERWORKER.NET. You can find everything you need by talking to folks on this site. Welcome and hope you have wonderful experience here. God bless. Ray

Those shoes are some that I have been selling and giving away. There are many military low quarters in the mix and folks seem to enjoy them. As I clean up more around here, I will probably give them away to anyone that can use them.Stories from the throne are many and fun for everyone. I should have kept a book with the tales related while shoes are serviced. Interesting folklore, which is a subject of which I am very fond. Time for me to call it a night. Take good care and God Bless. Ray

It is a long winded project and one that I am having a great time working on. It is temporarily assembled, a dry fit, as they say, and will soon be taken apart for some additional pyrography, but only after I have completed the internal stiffener. Have yet to decide on a handle/strap setup. It was a small idea that grew as I decided to build it. Just a fun challenge and no idea what it will be good for. ckl.Thanks for all the compliments. Hope your weekend is full of good times and plenty of Blessings. Ray

Finally rounde up a few additional pics of the mess in the shop. Coming together, a bit at a time. Hope you enjoy. Leatherman, you can see the "throne" in one of these. God Bless. Ray

Looks like you have a great future ahead of you. Welcome to the group and don't be afraid of asking questions here. Everyone here will lend a hand. God Bless. Ray

Great to have you with the group. You should find all the assistance you need as everyone is willing to help on this site. Great folks. God Bless. Ray

Hello and welcome to the group. There is a school in North Carolina, that may have some leather programs. Campbell School of Folk Craft or something like that. Should not be to difficult to locate. Would love to go there myself. If I can locate the catalog they sent, I will send you an update, if I still have it. God Bless. Ray

Happy you decided to join the group. Fine folks and always willing to assist. Post some of you work for all to see. God Bless. Ray