Studio-N

If you used paypal for your etsy payment, you may not have a choice. Being an eBay company, they will NOT protect the seller. All the whiner has to do is well, whine to paypal and open a case and paypal will yank the money from your account. I'd say have them return it (part of the condition in the case if opened), and refund it and move on.

Aussie uses Beeswax. It works fine as a conditioner and water repellant, but it doesn't last long. I wouldn't call it much of a finish, but a good top coat. Carnauba WAX (such as Leather Balm) seems to last a lot longer and polishes to a nice luster. I think the carnauba creme will work much like leather balm.

I concur - the answer is that it can be engraved before and/or after depending on what you're going to do. on a lot of mine, I laser after I have dyed and finished so that the finish acts as a resist for the color fill I'm doing.

Actually, you may only have to change the substance you're using. Bunkhousetools makes his plates out of resin material. I have several of thier dies and they work well and I belive they will hold up as long as I'll own them. They have always been very nice to me, so I'd check with them on what they use or if he can cast it for you. -Nick

any acrylic should work, and will be cheaper than Tandy.

Hello. Do you get calls from salespeople and you know thier number but your phone doesn't have a block feature? I found out you can get a 'no-ring' ringtone from a lot of sources and then attach that ringtone to people you don't want to hear from. It doesn't help with vibrate mode, but it sure keeps me from being bothered at night or so that I don't have to silence the entire phone. It would be great if all phones had an individual block feature, but this is a great substitute. Give it a try.

I hope you've been warned that retirement is a lot of work I'm semi-retired but I keep very busy making custom stamps. I'm a little farther down the block in E. Dallas. Enjoy!

that should come out looking very nice. I got the kit/pattern but I may be a bit too lazy to tool it out. Thanks for sharing.

very nice work. the saddle stand looks good too!

I love masks. good job!

I have done them for a customer. cost was $10 stamp using delrin. Considering the usuall cost is $30 for a custom stamp, this was a good price break. Still, I DO understand that is a lot for a stamp set. Just can't compete with China made.

hello. unfortunately, it depends on your market. While in Wichita (Wicheepa), I sold biker wallets made using the SLC biker inserts, veg-tan outer piece. Mostly they were laser engraved and color filled with custom figures. Total investment was about $20. I could only get between $35 and $45 (sewn not laced). Not much margin there. And of course they always tried to knock it down in price. But they did sell as quickly as I could make them (1 per week). Now if selling on the global marketplace, I can get up to $75 on one, but at a slower pace. Remember, you're competition is the cheap china import biker wallets made from PU leather. People actually think these are worth a damn, and because they sell for about $12-$20 anything higher is a tough sell. As a selling trick, we did have some of those same cheap wallets hanging next to the good ones. I often asked the potential customer to feel them both. I always told them that if they couldn't tell the differnce they should go ahead and buy the cheap ones. They usually took the good one. Best of luck. Let us know how it goes.

well done. I'm sure he'll love it.

great setup. I use something similar in my wood shop over my lathe.

thank you. that was very informative.

I love the Capt. America back piece!

Well after 10 years away from home, I've relocated back to Dallas, TX. I'm out of the stand alone shop and back to working in the house. Luckily I have the space. Here is my 14x18 laser room. Well heated, well cooled, and well ventilated. I think I'll stay awhile. In fact, this is the last time I am ever moving voluntarily. My next move will be to the cemetary! Now on to playing catch-up. -nick www.lasered-stamps.com

Mine is not so much a makers mark as it is my logo. Although I make makers marks, I don't use one. I laser it on, that way I can vary the size as needed.

Tom, that was great advice. I think I'll use it sometime. Thanks. -Nick

Congratulations on the move. I know how tough those can be. And to remind me, I'm moving the shop next monday from Wichita, KS to Dallas, TX. Continued good luck!

welcome. You have a great eye for color.

Hello Greg, Please call me Nick. Your last two pictures illustrate it best. The laser is a very square platform. I've done sand blasting and in your picture I think we both know that there is a certain amount of blasting that hits the previous layer. It does a great job of evening things out. The laser (depending on the art) never touches the previous layer. There is a middle ground and the key there is the amount of time it takes to get the same results. Unfortunately, time is money. If it takes 3 hours to cut in 3d mode, it's difficult to ask for $130 versus $30 for a 2d stamp with the same figure only flatter. But I do enjoy a challenge. Thanks for the discussion. Cheers!

yes, you are technically correct. That's what the graduated grey scale does, but it is still pretty square looking. You have an unlimited amount of control with hand work that machines will never match. Good thing too, the machines would rise i.e. Terminator!

And yet, they keep sending me sellers surveys. Not rating very well.

I also make them. Take a look at the bear stamp I posted.