raysouth

Okay, there is a catch. You would have to pick up in Opelika, Alabama. I could possibly round up some assistance to pack and ship via UPS or USPS if the you would be willing to pay the shipping charges. I have a great assortment of artist acrylic paints that I do not have a use for. Most are still unopened but some have been used a bit. Mostly small bottles, some tubes and a few larger bottles. Also a selection of artist chalks that are unused. No longer remember what else may be in the storage bins but I will be happy to give them to someone using acrylics in their projects. I am not in a position to count them out or weigh all of them, but they could possibly go via postal flat rate boxes. If this is of interest to anyone, drop me a pm and I will respond asap. God Bless. Ray

Thank you for the tips. I will try to bring them up on the net. Glue work for me is the pits. Probably the only thing that I cannot get excited about. I try very hard to keep everything neat and always seem to end up getting glue where I don't want it. lol. Thought I might try some of Raina product as the basic contact cement I have been using is probably lesser quality than I should use. No idea as not a glue officianado. Saw the plastic glue pot that you are using , Billymac, and would like to try that as well. Been using directly from the can and not happy with that. Sure wish some experienced leathercrafters lived in my area. Thanks again and I will continue onward. God Bless. Ray

ANYBODY LIKE TO DO A BIT OF HORSE TRADING?? No idea why it took me so long to come up with the idea of trading things I have collected over the years but happy that I realized it could be very interesting and fun as well. Trade for? Anything to do with leatherworking, cash if more comfortable, or what have you?????????? Some of tyhe items I have are as follows, and I will attempt to update when I can find an assistant to help me go through things in my shop building: Liesure Time Pyrography Pens. Nearly all of the pens made by this company. Most are fixed tip and few are removable tip pens. All in very good condition and most with very little use. Ther is a round holding table that I cobbled together for the pens but would not be able to ship the table due to size. Would like to trade/sell all of the pens as a single lot so let me know what you have to offer. Great for pyrography on leather and other materials. I believe these pena are also called Detail Master, if my mind is working properly today. Antique blowtorch collection. Foreign and domestic torches. Some already in pristine condition and others ready for restoration. S Also have autographed copy of the blowtorch collectors bible. Sample license plate collection of several hundred as well as some vintage, foreign and unusual. Most in great condition. Couple if large Hardee's Restaurant metal signs and one smaller. Aluminum, I believe. Would have to be picked up in Opelika, Al. due to size. Several NEW Whites and other, metal detector loops and accessories. Sold them for a few years and these are great units for someone into treasure hunting. 1500 t0 1700 sq. ft. of ceramic floor tile. 13" x 13" and sandal beige/creme color. Backerboard also available for many sq. ft. Heavy, and not able to load or ship but super for someone who has a large project. New roll about shop air compressor that I never placed in use. $399.00 was cost but don' expect to get that back. Don't need it so will trade and has hose as well as a few fittings. Thought about keeping for air operated jack I am going to use on shop press but realized I have two more compressors that will do the trick. Large drinking cup collection. @1200 or so pieces. Many interesting and some very unusual. Best if picked up in Opelika, Al. as shipping could be costly and difficult. Ceramic cat collection. From a now deceased friend. She loved cats and folks brought her many ceramic cats to enjoy. Large to small but all very nice. Karaoke system. Large collection of music. 400 cdg/dvd multiple format changer with amp, equalizer, tv, and much more. Many microphones. Corded and one remote unit still in box and never used. Several of the Magic Sing systems and tons of music. Mic stand and more. Electronic keyboard that I never did learn to play so other than gathering dust-------- More items that I have probably forgotten about but a great system and can be used at home or commercially. Have many computer accessories as well as a new Toshiba 17" laptop that I will never use. Few accessories to go with it, ie; case, mouse, etc. I will have much more to list and will attempt to take a few pictures and post later. Don't hesitate to contact me when convenient. Physical restrictions make me move a bit on the slow side but eventually I will get it done. Time to have some fun. God Bless. Ray

Howdy All. Seeking a good source for Raina Adhesives and some of the plastic glue pots I see on the site. Any assistance will certainly be appreciated. God Bless. Ray

In latest issue of Shop Talk, I noticed a strap embosser in a picture taken at Moses Harness. Does anyone have any idea who makes this embosser? Moses shop does not seem to have a phone or website and not able to locate via information @ Columbus, Kentucky> Would appreciate any guidance/information. Ray

Y'all are a great bunch of folks and this site is truly SUPERB. I have in my shop, a small sign that I picked up and it is a popular item when folks visit and we chat about this and that and enjoy the company of oldtimers, as most of us are. Simple thing but to the point: SMILING IS CONTAGIOUS. LET'S START AN EPIDEMIC. Life, and friends provide many wonderful moments and we find it greatly enhanced by folks we meet here. God has Blessed us all. Happy days and come to Alabama and join the fun. Ray

Robert, I can only repeat what others have said. You folks are the "REAL HEROES", and wish you a safe return. Happy that the leather craft has found another welcome crafter. God bless. Ray

WELL DONE!!! I express my opinion, now and then but have no intentions of creating an unpleasant experience for anyone. With that said, I will not be offended by opinions as everyone is entitled to their own, whether or not they are as mine. Can only make me a better person, understanding how others feel and look at the world. I have been blessed with a long life and more to come, or at least I hope so, and being able to hear others speak of their experience, talents, crafts, and anything else, is like frosting on the cake. God Bless. Ray

Woodcarverssupply.com in Florida sells a unit that will do the job of powercarving. I have one of the machines but have never used it. It has three types of head attachments. Reciprocating carver, standard chuck for bits up to 1/4", and memory fails me about the third head. Will have to check it out next time I am able to go to the shop. Thought it might come in handy but have not decided what I can do with it at the moment. I have always been a tool fanatic so this fit the bill, at the time I saw it. lol. Ray

Just my owm opinion of the topic in question. At one time or another, probably most folks have copied, in a small way, something that others have done. Some folks are extreme defenders of their designs and others are happy to think that something they created was good enough that others wanted to copy. I'm not speaking of volume production companies, but simply, leatherworkers and other crafty folks. Many in the craft world are very much "artists", but many others are simply crafters and need something to copy or guide them along the way. This may result in the desire to "copy" another crafters work. Whether they sell it or not is their choice and doubtful that anyone is becoming a Warren Buffet by their actions. Suppose someone could take the time, spend the money, and go after another crafter for copyright violation but easier not to display your works if some other crafter might copy your creation. I believe that asking someone if they would be offended if their work were to be copied is a very polite way to approach the subject but there are times when this is either not possible, or overlooked. Many reasons why this might happen. As with everything, there are as many opinions as there are people and interpretations of each opinion also falls under the same. My advice: Attempt to enjoy life, be kind, share whatever you can share, love your craft, and of course, your family, friends, and mother earth. God Bless. Ray

Hello Graham. If ever in Opelika/Auburn area, drop me a line and visit a spell. Will give you directions if you care to visit. Ft. Rucker is a very interesting facility. Plenty of helo activity and they are often in my area and I always make it a point to watch whenever I hear them. Hope you are having a great experience and we appreciate your service. Ray

YOUR MEMBER ID AND THE MASKS FIT WELL TOGETHER. VERY CREATIVE. ALL VERY NICE AND I HOPE TO TRY MAKING A FULL FACE MASK, TIME PERMITTING. GREAT TALENT.

Great topic. Best experience: Tandy manager willing to spend time to get me started some years ago. Tells me, to this day, what is the best way to go in certain areas. Extremely helpful. Best equipment: Difficulty here as I consider all of my items to be great. Best supplies: Toss up, as have had good luck with nearly everyone I have dealt with. Tandy, Springfield, W&C, Bunkhouse Tools, Tippman, Toledo Sewing Machine Co., Bucklecity, Ohio Travel Bag, Dick Blick Art Supply, C.S. OSBORNE, Fore Supply, Greg Dorrance Co., Hearlihy, Hidehouse, Justin Blair, Kramer, Karate Depot, Needs Aprons, Colwood, Trigg Brothers, Tarrago, Standard Rivet, Supermagnetman, Tuffcase, Studio-N, Black River Laser, TaxHas, Studs & Spikes, Shoelace Wholesale, Store Supply, Walnut Hollow, Buckletown, BucklebarnU.S.A., Grey Ghost Graphics, and quite a few more, that slip my memory bank at this time. I suppose, as with most everyone, I have made errors when making items, used wrong dye, closed my eyes when they should have been wide open, pounded on things when I should not have done so, (OUCH), made some bad cuts and ruined a good project piece, etc. Due to my errors, I haver become a bit wiser, paid more attention, kept myself in, (mostly), one piece, made a few nice things, had TONS of fun along the way, met many fine folks, and hope to meet more, and have never been so good as to be able to say that my tools were not good. Suppose I do not have the same experience and tools as others but they all seem to work at my level, even though I continue to try everything I can. Still not courageous enough to try sewing with the new leather sewing machine but if it does not sell soon and I am still able, I may give it a shot. Always something to think about. I do have a few favorite tools that I seem to go back to each time I work in the shop but not able to explain this, other than to say, "they just feel right". I enjoy hearing/reading the conversations very much and IILG, Leatherworker.net, Leatherpro and many others are superb places to share thoughts and pass along ideas. An old cliche, "ever onward, ever upward" is the way to go. Have fun, share the goodness, love til it hurts, and wish you all the very best of everything. Not a steno so hope any typos are not lethal. Ray

Hello Dieter. Micro-manufacturing will eventually fill a niche, and to some extent, it has already appeared to be working. I have seen, over many years, skills that were once prevelant are now a rare commodity. So many "skills" have dwindled away. One far fetched example, not much in demand in the U.S., is "Thatched roofing". This is one of many skills that is nearly non-existent. Panel beaters, another metalworking skill that has faded away. It is possible to sit back and reflect, for someone of my age, about the many crafts/skills no longer available. Your craft, is another that has slimmed to a select few. Days past found clothing made in the home to be a normal occurence, but want to take a stab at how many homes fabricate their own, or childrens clothing today? Not very many. I hope that you eventually find others willing to jump on the bandwagon, so to speak, but even though the internet/computing, has opened many new ways to interact, I doubt that folks will ever return to the "good old days". Those, such as yourself, will certainly make a difference to those willing to hang in there and bring back some of the talents of yesteryear. My comments are only meant to be from my own personal experience over many years and not an attempt to form opinions for debate. Simply, just as I see it today. Always willing and eager to share with others and feel free to drop a line of visit if ever in the East Central Alabama area. Hope to be around a bit longer. God Bless.

Another good source is monument companies. They usually have good size scrap for cheap or nothing. Ray

Never seen fish scale stamps but do use pyrography pens from Colwood and others, designed as different size fish scales. I believe that Gregdorrance.com has a good selection of these tools on his web. God Bess. Ray

Try Ohio Travel Bag. Believe I saw these in their catalog. www.ohiotravelbag.com

Advertised this machine in the past but no longer able to find on the site. I have a new COWBOY 4500 SEWING MACHINE, as shown in Leathrcrafters and Saddlers Journal and offered by Toledo Sewing Machine. Has all of the listed accessories and much more that I had purchased for the machine. Large spools of thread, needles, etc; and will all be included. I am not able to pack and ship but machine may be picked up in Opelika, Al., just off I-85. Asking price is below the price machine is being sold and with free extras. $2500.00 cash takes it home. Wish I had discovered an experienced teacher in the area, to teach me how to use the machine but no luck around here. I think I put the cart before the horse when I made the purchase. Had no desire to to attempt to take a stab at making a mess of things with such a great piece of machinery so it sits on it's pedestal and waits for a more courageous individual. If you make the purchase, please plan on having assistance with you as I am not physically able to load or lift anything these days. disabled senior,senior. Hope this is a machine for someone. Ray

The lighting situation has been a problem for me as well, having 12' ceilings in my shop area, (40x40), but mid 2012 I decided to move my carving/burning work areas into what was once my small sales office, (12x30), which has 8 ft. ceilings painted white. Still a problem for me, not getting the lighting where I needed it most so have gone through, led, xenon, floods, spots, halogen and whatever else I could find, and noe perfect but at least I have learned ways to combat the shadow thing, which has been a problem for me. Eyesight noy what it was years ago so had to compensate. Use a combination of extendable/pivoting desk lamps, (halogen), led strips inder shelf at work tables, 6' flour. on ceiling and even though a bit of inconvenience. at times, it does a fair job for me. Suppose we have to try different approaches until we find something that fits our particular application. Hope you can find a solution and plenty of assistance here on this site. Ray

I am truly sorry, if I neglected to answer your responses to my posting. It may be late and you may no longer be interested in the books but I will search what is in the shop, tomorrow, and post them on the site. Many books were sold on Amazon, which I no longer use as a sales site, but still a large amount of wonderful books remain in shop/studio. Recently listed a number of Detailmaster Pyrography pens I am selling, and several other non-leather related items are listed on Craigslist. License Plate collection, Embossed street sign collection, and miscellaneous metal advertising signs. Time permitting, look under Atlanta listings for these items. Due to deteriating health issues, I am selling down to the bare walls. If ever in the Ope;lika, Alabama area, contact me and set up a visit to see all that is availble. Many interesting items and superb prices to boot.

Just adding my two cents. Use Angelus quite often and full strength has never seemed to be a problem. Great selection of colors. Thinning provides some beautiful variations. Like some of the others, for reasons of great service and availability, I use Turtlefeathers.com. Folks there are great to work with. Hope you have many good experiences when you try them.

Hello Semmes, Alabama. Yes Tonya, the machine is still in the shop, waiting for the right buyer. If interested and would like to set up time to see, please email and I will rerspond as soon as I receive.

Nice to learn that others have similar situations as I and are willing to relate to others. I am not a pro, nor will I ever be, but have sold a few small items. Decent but not a master of dye work as Peter Main and others seem to be. I also have the shaking hands, for a number of reasons, but just do what I can do as best I can. Enjoy pyrography on leather and can do my knife work with some of the tools I use so no need to use the swivel knife very often, although an artist with a swivel knife is amazing. I experiment, a lot, with coloring via many different products and create a few things of my own. Not a problem as I don't display my projects anywhere but in my studio. When I tire of the projects on display, I have a tendency to give some away and others are taken off display to make room for new projects. Screw ups? You bet, and I just continue on with them and at times, alter them in such a way that the error fits the project fairly well. If doesn't come out as I think it should I just add it to my "folk art" projects. lol. Nobody around here to share work with so rely on what the books say and what I find on the net. If I thought of myself as an artist, then I would be afraid, of everything, but having realized my lot in life is as I am, I no longer fear much, except politicians, these days. I may even make a few mistakes with my typing so with what I have written herein, you will understand. At my age I feel I have earned the privelage of laughing, at myself as well as others, loving the world and nature, and sharing what little I have with others. My doors are always open to those who would enjoy visiting for a Mountain Dew and swapping tales of lifes adventures in the leathercrafters world. May you all enjoy life and be able to smile forever. God Bless us all.

Hello Woody, You can find nearly any magnet from the following companies. K & J Magnetics SuperMagnetMan.com Both have great selections and look at their specials while there. I have used products from both and nothing but good in every way. Hope this helps Ray aka; helmut

Hello All, Thought I would let folks know that I will be selling off most of my estate, and just listed a fine selection of pyrography pens in the for sale forum. The Cowboy 4500 from Toledo is still available but must be picked up in Opelika, Al. Loads of extras included at no charge and machine has not been used, AT ALL! I will consider selling my entire leather studio but it will require deep pockets as I have many thousands invested in tools and supplies. Email if something like this is of interest but plan to visit Opelika as I doubt if I have enogh time to list everything. God Bless. Ray