Sylvia

They have that nasty mange down there in Texas don't they? I've seen those pictures of the dead Coyotes that folks "think" are the Chupacabra.

Hi Doug! What you need is fusable heavy stabilizer. It's expensive but works well. You iron it on and go... no spray adhesives required. http://www.overstock.com/Crafts-Sewing/Ultra-Firm-White-Fusable-Stabilizer-10-Yards/5123851/product.html?cid=202290&kid=9553000357392&track=pspla&adtype=pla&kw={keyword}

I don't think it's ever smart to go wandering around in the woods without a firearm. I've seen way too many timber rattlers, bears, cougars and such to feel comfortable without one. LOL one time I was left alone in camp while the Husband and his son were out deer hunting. I had a HUGE cow elk just about run me over while I was sitting in camp. Scared me half to death.

That would make an awesome kitchen island too I would think. I like the laminated boards on edge like that. If found this cool thing at True Value today, that's going to go on my bench. http://www.truevalue.com/product/3-In-1-Tool-Holder/36431.uts?keyword=tool%20holder I originally used a coffee can and a plastic Ice Cream container and a tooth brush holder from a bath set to hold my larger tools and knives. I think this will work great. I can screw it to the bench or hang it from a peg board... and it even has a spot for my bottle of water. well actually that's for a spray can but I think it will work nice for a drink holder. Only trouble is that blue is about UGLY... It's getting spray painted asap.

Yes. The arc and curve template set is the golden ratio spiral. :D

A few years back my photography teacher at the Community College entered a photo I took in Silver City, Idaho., in the Malheur County Fair. Got a blue ribbon and a $25 check. Too bad they didn't surprise you with a nice little chunk of change.... still it is quite an honor to win those ribbons. You should frame them and put them on the wall.

Nice 'yote... *BANG!* Sounds like a successful hunt. Were the pelts saveable?

Right on... Congratulations... did they give you any prize money?

PM sent.

Hi Jack: Is your casing box wooden? Have you ever seen anyone use an old Coleman cooler as a casing box? I have a huge cooler that has a bad hinge... I am wondering if it could be recycled successfully into a casing box.

Someone can correct me if I am wrong but I believe that any comparable horse power servo motor will work on your machine.

Frustrating isn't it?? I heard all this great stuff about "fiebings oil dye" and finally broke down and some... in black. That stuff was just as bad as everything else. The dye would shift on the leather while buffing and I never did come up with a good hand applied clear over the top of it. I switched to an airbrush and that cured the problem for me. (I'm not rubbing anything in at that point) Try giving the oil day an extra day to dry before applying the wyosheen. You also might want to call Sheridan Leather Outfitters and get some advice directly from them.

Hi Jimbob: Congrats on the new machine! To make your new table top... why not buy a length of counter top, preferably one without the splash?

You want continuity. Even if it means continuing the stitch-line across the top as a decoration. You have a friend with a good eye... keep him or her close and take their comments to heart.

The site looks great and I looked at the source code and it looks nice and clean as well. (important if you ever have to change designers, or site maintainers) One thing I learned when I was doing sites is to eliminate the word "Welcome" on your site. "What?!" Yep... there was a court case where a hacker won because the word welcome was on the site in several areas... the argument was that because it said welcome that everyone was invited into the inner workings of the site. That may be a mute point these days with heavier security measures and what not... but I just thought I would share.

Ok then... box up the wood and take it to your local community action network... where folks who do have wood heat can take it home and use it. (might want to call them first)

Call Cobra... I bet they would be willing to see what they can do for you. If they take your suggestions, perhaps every cobra owner can benefit.

I've seen these knives for sale. I keep meaning to add one to my arsenal of tools. Got to love that picture, it looks like the knife is USB powered. lol

LOL that's great CC....

:D File folders are great for Temp leather pattern, Those heavy plastic folders work ok too. Luan (that really really thin wood) is ok for one that's more sturdy and you can sand it to improve curves and whatnot. I've made some from aluminum flashing I have sitting around but cutting with tin snips can be unwieldy and the edges can be sharp. For transferring designs, I like those heavy sheet protectors, which can be traced over and over and are clear so you can have precise placement. I'm about to go buy a few newspaper roll ends for sewing patterns for fabric and to use to cover my table for when I dye.

Funny what bothers others. My husband and I built a bench for me that is in the garage so I can get my leather junk out of the living room. I have been using one of those tables that go behind the couch... you know the tall skinny ones? That's fine but not much room. Here's a video of what inspired the bench if you want to build one. Mine is 2'x8'x 32" just the right height for me to work standing or sitting. The total cost of the materials was something like $70. We had screws and nails already. Took 8 2x4s, 2 sheets of 7/16" OSB and 1 white surfaced hard board and some 1inch door stop. (used that for trim around teh top. Glue, screws and brads or finish nails.

LOL Squeaky Minks.

That looks a lot like a hand plane used for wood. hmmm wonder if a wood plane would work if one sharpened the blade really well?

That's a good question. If you were dip dying I would think you would want the dye to be "struck through" meaning dyed all the way to the center of the leather. In thacase the tape would be a hindrance. So I would say... dye the whole hide (bare) then allow to dry. But considering what Pete had to say about not being able to tool leather after it's been dyed..... It may be that you'll have to experience a few trial and error episodes to see that works. Personally, I wouldn't even bother with whole hide dying... just invest in an airbrush and compressor and dye them individually... or in groups of like colors. Or I suppose you could make a request from your leather dealer for struck through leather in the colors you want. Again, it's unlikely that you'll be able to tool those. Taping the backs: Those of us who cut first, then tool... then dye... use the tape to keep thinner leathers from stretching while tooling cased leather. BTW... if you are going to tape... why not use that contact paper for shelves. you could "tape the hole hide with a few passes of contact paper. I think it would make smaller pieces a breeze too.