raysouth

Hey Winterbear, Was able to get to the shop this afternoon and the items are still on the shelf. They appear to be in good condition but I know nothing about them. Just thought they were "neat" some years ago. I do not know if the balls are solid brass or simply brass plated but they look good. The only thing I know about horses is that they are beautiful to look at, much bigger than me, and perhaps, a bit smarter as well. lol God Bless. Ray

Hello Winterbear. No idea what I paid for them so send me an email with an offer and sure we can works something out. Plus shipping, of course. Thank you for responding and certain you won't be disappointed, if I can find them in the shop. Ray

Thank you for the encouragement. I suppose that I will have to do something with it one day as I was very excited about getting such a machine. Health issues have me rethinking everything so may have to give it a shot soon. Invested much in the leathercraft area and want to use everything I can before selling out the entire workshop. The machine sewing is one of the areas I would love to learn so must take all the advice I can get and see if I can do it soon. Thank you and God Bless. Ray

Howdy Folks, I have an older "Hames"? horse collar with the ball topped side pieces, ( no idea what they are called), that I purchased some years ago for reasons unknown to this day. Anyone need one? I believe there is also an extra pair of the side pieces in the shop. As I may have said on the site before, I am cleaning house/estate and if you feel that this is something that may be of use, drop me a line and perhaps we can work it out. I am located in East Alabama, abot 30 or so miles west of Columbus, Ga. and about 65 miles East of Montgomery, Al., just off I-85. If I was able to find someone to pack for me, I suppose it could be shipped but no idea what that would cost. Leather is dry but has been inside for at least the last 20 years. Needs a good home so get in touch if interested. GREAT DECORATIVE ITEM or may be put to use again. FORGOT TO MENTION: YOU WON'T BE ABLE TO BEAT THE PRICE, ANYWHERE! lol. God Bless. Ray

Thanks dirtclod. I have plenty of scraps but know nothing about all of the different attachments received with the machine, nor how to use them. I have learned via the old timers school of hard knocks, that going through life does not necessarily make us smart enogh to do everything. I do well when able to read something about the topic of interest. Seems to give me a starting point and, at times, explains the to do's and the not to do's that can be very helpful. I wish there was a leathercrafter here in my area that could lend a hand but seems to be a craft not practiced by others. Thank you, again for the suggestion. God Bless. Ray .

Hello All. I have been searching for information about machine sewing of leather for some time and yet to find any printed instructional material so, wondering if anyone has an idea where I might find something that will teach this old timer about sewing leather? I purchased a heavy duty machine, but not excited about using it without learning something so as not to break the machine. Cowboy/Cobra 4 size machine and nice piece of equipment but hesitant to use as I am in the dark about sewing anything. Extent of my knowledge is threading a hand stitch needle so you can easily understand why I need a ton of assistance. Pains me every day I go by the machine and not confident enough to use. Hope someone can head me off in the right direction. God Bless. Ray, aka; helmut

Thank you for the information and I will begin my search. Do a search for John Barton. He has quite a few posts plus a website. Also has a pattern to download. CTG

Did a bit of pyrographic art on wall hanging 5/6 oz leather. Pleasant day.

Wondering if anyone is aware of a publication that gives detailed instructions for fabricating a case for a pool cue stick? A friend visited couple of days ago and asked if I could make him a case and I told him I would attempt it if I can find information to set me off in the right direction. No idea how to proceed as never had a request. Searched my Stohlman books and more, but came up empty handed. Any assistance or information will help. God Bless. helmut aka: Ray

As many leatherworkers also deal with various wood projects, some of the information that follows may be of benefit. The information is contained in a publication published by The Guild of Master Craftsman Publications, by Terry Porter, and filled with excellent descriptions of many wood types that you may use or handle. Nice reference to have around. Handling of wood and dust produced can produce various allergic reactions and following is a bit of that information. There are wonderful charts in the book that cover this subject. Many woods are "sensitizers" and produce effects that may include rhinitis (constantly running nose), bronchial asthma, bronchitis, allergic dermatitis, alveolitis allergia (hypersensitivity pneumonia), ODTS (organic dust toxic syndrome), and conjunctivitis. Nasal cancers are rare but can occur, especially to those working a longtime in furniture industry. Cancer of the upper respiratory tract can be caused by many kinds of wood dust, especially beech and oak. Some woods, such as yew can act as sensitizers. When first used. there is no reaction, but after repeated exposure the user may become sensitized so that each contact with the wood produces an almost immediate allergic reaction. Normally this is irreversible, the only logical outcome is to avoid using that particular wood. Additional sensitizers include beech, sequoia or redwood, mahogany, teak and willow. If you are allergic to aspirin, be cautious of willow and birch as they can have a similar effect. Micro-organisms in fungus and bark can induce bronchial asthma, rhinitis and allergic dermatitis. In North America, maple bark strippers' disease is due, apparently, to the mould Cryptostroma corticale that grows between the sapwood and the bark of birch and maple trees. This can cause severe respiratory allergies. Some people are more susceptible than others, and if you are a smoker the rise of illness from inhalation of wood dust is greatly increased. Subtropical and tropical woods are noted for allergic effects include western red cedar, sequoia/redwood, obeche, cocobolo and mansinia. Woods from temperate climes tend to produce a less extreme effect; those that should be treated with caution include walnut, larch, beech, oak, yew and pine. From the charts I selected two woods I have here in my shop and learned the following; COCOBOLLO: Sensitizer and irritant to skin, nose and throat; conjunctivitis, nausea, bronchial asthma, wheezing, chest tightness, headache. Toxic parts are dust and wood. EBONY: Irritant; dermatitis, conjuctivitis, sneezing; possibly a skin sensitizer. Toxic parts are dust and wood. I no longer am exposed to wood dust but have also found, by personal experience, that dust from leather has caused minor problems for me. Solved by simply using paper face mask when trimming, skiving leather and especially, if sanding edges. Hope that some of you find the information useful and if working with wood this book would be a superb reference in your shop. Helmut aka; Ray

Nedd some assistance in making a large, round leather shield. Anyone here with experience? Any tips/ assistance will be appreciated. helmut

Has anyone on the site, made leather shields? I would like to make a large round shield but need some "how do I do it" assistance. helmut

I had previously used the 1 ton from Harbor Freight and it was fair but having physical limitations I looked around and found a 2 ton with ratcheting handle at Northern Tools. Perhaps other have the same tool but have not bothered to look any further. It has been great and I user steel plates, top of the work and bottom when clicking small items. Largest I hade cut so far is 2" rosette, using a clicker die from Weaver. The ratcheting feature was a real plus for me and the increased capacity has been great. Have thought about having 3/8" hole drilled in center of shaft as others have done but still undecided. Needs a good base as the machine weighs in @ 100 pounds. Just thought I would share and hope you find a machine to do the trick. I also use a 12 ton floor mounted press from Harbor, for clicking larger items or stamping with larger custom stamps. helmut

Has anyone had the opportunity to use the embosser being made and sold by bunkhousetools.com in Ponca City, Oklahoma? If so, how do you feel about the machine and cost of the unit? I had a Tippmann and the multiple functions were very nice but did not function as I desired. Any assistance/response will be much appreciated. helmut

If you enjoy obtaining old/vintage leather tools, check this item listed by user; uselessur. Item number 270939239664 Great old tool and has two days left. He has it listed as a metal bender. Hope someonr here is the lucky buyer. Wish it were me but have spent my max for awhile. lol.

I have a Tandy Imprinting Machine, item number 32418-00, that I never put into service. List on Tandy site is $599.00, Gold Membership: $480.00, Elite Membership: $360.00. I will sell mine for $300.00 plus shipping to anyone interested. Shipping will be charged at actual charges and no handling, taxes, etc. Email if interested, via this site. I have not listed elsewhere. Thanks for looking and God Bless. helmut

SOLD OUT AS OF MARCH 24, 2012. Currently in process of relocating my leathercraft setup to smaller area of my workshop to save a bit on utilities and make access easier for me. I am seeking someone, hopefully a fellow leatherworker, that has a side interest in collecting drinking vessels, ie; cups, mugs, glassware, etc, and is close enough to Opelika/Auburn area of Alabama and could make a trip to see if this collection would be something of interest. 1500 pieces, or more, and they must be packed and loaded by others as my physical situation would not allow me to complete such activity. If this sounds like something of interest, please contact me as soon as possible and I will fill you in on all of the details. Not something to spend time over or occupy space on this net. Just want to see that it ends up in the hands of sincere leatherworker. No time to photograph eveything and no desire to list on one of the auction sites. Time is extremely important these days and would be an extreme chore to list each item for someone. Send me a phone number or email address and I will contact you asap. Please, if you wish me to call, add the best times for me to call. The price will surprise you and certainly, please you. While I am at it, I make mention that many items are to be sold at very low prices and something here for everyone. Disposing of my entire estate, except my leather working and pyrography items. God Bless. Ray aka Helmut

A great site for information, especially for those that are information hungry. www.kingsmerecrafts.com . Retired leather person and shares a wealth of information. NOT a sale site but one to enjoy. Hope y'all find something of interest there.

TIPPMANN EMBOSSER SOLD AND HAVE LOCATED A CLICKER.-------- HAPPY DAYS AHEAD---------

TIPPMANN EMBOSSER SOLD-------------

Anyone have a Weaver Hand Clicker? Wondering how well they function. In addition, if anyone has one for sale, I would be interested. Have a number of small dies that I would like to use and have used 1 ton arbor press but difficult to use, for me. I am loaded with physical impairments and need something that would give me some leverage. Would appreciate any info or other ideas. Ray

Would like to make wall mounted tool holder/rach, with leather loops as I have seen when I browsed pictues of members shops. Came upon several that caught my eye but, I forgot to save the pics and makers id's. Sign of antiquity, I suppose, Was in the decision making phase of relocating my new leathercraft shop/studio and wanted to get my tools in front of me instead of in cabinet drawers. Primarily for the normal tools, edgers, gouges, etc; with the rounded wooden handles as on C.S Osborne, and other manufactures tools. Would like to get some ideas as to size/width and length, of strips I would need as well as an idea about loop size and spacing for ease of access. Hope someone can take a bit of time and lend me a hand with information and ideas for this project. Thanks Folks and God Bless. Ray aka user; helmut Please excuse the bols and at times, oversize print. Makes it easier for my well worn eyes to grasp.

I am reducing the size of my estate and some of the items to be sold includes a very large library of books , covering; leathercraft, wood carving, gourd art/carving, pyrography, drawing, tattoo art (some great patterns can be found in this category), scroll saw patterns (also good for pyrography on leather), colored pencil techniques, knifemaking, dragons and fantasy (great artwork), stained glass, and much more. Following is a partial listing of those on Amazon, if anyone is interested; THE COMPLETE BOOK OF DECORATIVE KNOTS THE ART OF KNOTTING AND SPLICING THE ASHLEY BOOK OF KNOTS (THE BIBLE FOR THIS SUBJECT.) LEATHER BRAIDING 200 KNOTS TO TWIST, BRAID, KNOT, LOOP OR WEAVE. LEATHERCRAFT TECHNIQUES AND DESIGNS--JOHN W. DEAN (1950, AND A GREAT BOOK) USEFUL KNOTS ENCYCLOPEDIA OF RAWHIDE AND LEATHER BRAIDING HOW TO MAKE WHIPS LEATHERCRAFT--FRED W. ZIMMERMAN (1961) SOFT SUEDE, SUPPLE LEATHER LEATHER AS ART AND CRAFT CREATIVE ROPECRAFT (FOR THOSE WHO BRAID) THE LEATHERCRAFTSMAN SADDLEMAKING TECHNIQUES LEATHERCRAFT--CREATIVE TECHNIQUE AND DESIGN GETTING STARTED IN LEATHERCRAFT TRADITIONAL BEAD AND LEATHERCRAFT WHIPS AND WHIP MAKING GENERAL LEATHERCRAFT CREATIVE LEATHERCRAFT WORKING WITH LEATHER LEATHERWORK--F.R. SMITH (1937) Ray aka Helmut

Wanted to let everyone know that I am clearing out my estate, while still able, and have currently listed a number of recent and ancient leathercraft books on Amazon. I have not figured out how to get it on the site do if any interest, please email and I will send you a list of some already listed. Other topics will include; carving and whittling, scroll saw designs/patterns, pyrography, gourd art and craft, few military titles I used for the artwork, drawing, colored pencil techniques, and much more. God Bless. Ray aka Helmut

Thanks Luke. That was FAST----- Had to correct plenty of typos and you had responded by the time I was finished. Many thanks and adding that one to the list. Didn't think about cypress and that is strange as I have done a good bit of pyrography on cypress knees and have a cypress slab leaning against the wall that is @ 30" +/- in diameter. My world must be small, not being able to think of things. lol. Thanks again.