SmilinJim

Hi folks, thanks for the good words. As for the seat size I'll be a southern gent and just say if it's comfortable wear it. My seat corners are rounded and measure 13 1/2 inches across each side. I'm 225 pounds and it sort of fits me better. As for the legs this is a first project and trial and error. I first made the legs 1 1/2 inches and tapered to fit the corner pockets but when I fit the leather to the legs the spread was too wide and the seat was too low and the tapered legs seemed to stress the leather too much. I didn't think it would hold. Next incarnation I added some pads to the top of the legs to get more contact area inside the pockets. This also made the legs not spread as much and raised the height to 18 inches. Feels about right. I've took some shots of the version. And since I can't leave well enough alone I've got another idea in the works. I'll post results of that try if it works okay. Remember, if you make a tri-bolt like I did with the eyehooks you need to drill the holes in the legs to compensate for the difference in height of the pivot points of the legs. I made my legs 22" long and drilled the first 12" from the bottom then added 5/16" for each of the next holes. Since I didn't center the holes it increased the width of the base wider than the seat and hopefully makes it a little more stable. Guess that also depends on how many Corona's or Modelo's you just may have drank. Let me know if this helps and post your work too. How about a little feedback from some of the folks already making these. What am I doing wrong? Us first timers need help. Keep on Smilin Jim

My first collapseable camp stool. Couldn't find a lot of info on doing it so its sorta rough. A pic of my version of the tri-bolt. I used a piece of plastic in the center of the eyebolts to stabilize. Also a couple of braided bracelets. Did the one with snaps first and didn't like the look so I just did a solid braid around. Give me some feedback on the stool, what's the correct way to make the pockets? Any help is appreciated. Keep on Smilin Jim

That is so good. Leatherwork is a hobby for me but you are a true artist at leatherworking. Again, great work. Jim

Thanks Ken, I'm a 'Bama' guy too. Jim

Hi folks, finally got time for a little relaxation and built a box. Learned a lot from doing it too but thats another story. Got some rough cut cedar from a friend and had to cut and plane and sand and cut and plane and sand and ... still got a lot to learn. Anyway. did the leather a year or so ago and though it would be a good place to put it. Comments and critisism(don't think I spelled that right and don't have spell check yet) welcome. Can't learn if ya don't have feedback. Keep on Smilin Jim

That's really nice. The design is great. And I like the inside stamping also. Keep up the great works Jim

I don't think I've posted these here before. Posted on Deviantart back in the fall. The box got picked to be in an article by a Deviant on the site. I felt honored because there were only 20 picked from all posted. I did the stool just as a weekend project to play with the airbrush and now I've got orders for 3 more of 'different' themes. If you have seen them here before just chalk it up the the failing memory of us old folk, I can now get senior discounts for morning coffee. Keep on Smilin Jim

Missed a couple. Hope not too much

Hi folks, how's the world been treatin ya? Got a few projects I've worked on lately. A couple of journal covers. I needed some wrist support and went to Walmart and bought a brace. Didn't fit right so I took out the metal and made my own. I know there's probably 15 reasons why it won't work but seems to do okay. Lined it with kidskin and it supports and doesn't bind. Been taking my dog out walking in the woods so I made me a walking stick. Got a piece of 1 1/4" dowel and put a copper end on it then did a leather handle. Will post the halter I made for him next time. Carries his own water and it doesn't choke him when he pulls. A few other projects in the works but just haven't had time to complete. Keep on Smilin Jim

That's a great piece Harvey, I just wish I could manage to keep my basketweave so even. Jim

Just one more. A purse and wallet combo. Cameraphone and unsteady hand. All I had time for. Jim

Sorry about that, dropped a few pics. The wallets are based on an old Tandy pattern called a 'fishermans wallet'. Just room for a few dollars and your fishing liscense. Since I don't have a lot of money or credit cards either, I carry the Kokopelli as my regular wallet. The large case is my computer case. As you can see from the dings and dents, it's been in the backseat and the back of my truck for nearly a year. It's leather over a plywood liner. I lined the plywood then covered it. It offers a little more protection. Got some more projects somewhere if I can just find the memory cards. Jim

Hi folks, been awhile since I've been on here. Here's a few projects, nothing great or wonderful. Daughter has my good camera so this is with an older job and my camera phone. But you get the ideas. Keep on Smilin Jim

An update on the maul. Finally cracked it. Was pounding on some basketweave for a computer case and the pvc finally cracked a little. I had used gorilla glue inside to keep the metal washers in place. It is an expanding type of glue. So when I cracked the maul a little of the glue seeped out. Had not hardened in 3 months. The glue sealed the crack and I sanded off the excess and started back pounding the next day. Still very little wear on the surface. So far a great deal for about $4.00. Jim

I am sorry, I must offer an apology. Had to check my old messages One lady did offer to send me money as soon as she received the tools and I told her to wait and try them first. I think that was January. Another lady said she had some wood to send in March. Just still nothing has arrived. At least they did reply. Again I apologize. Car troubles Monday and someone stole my laptop on a jobsite Tuesday. Still no reason to not have all the facts. Keep on Smilin Jim

Hey folks, thanks for the replies. I'm not really angry( well maybe a little) and I'm not asking for tools or any such. Just letting off a little steam. Used to have a sticker on my hard hat that sums up my attitude. "Deal With It" . If I don't get anything back so what, I'm not in it for money. And I'm still the same me. If anyone wants a set of tools I'll still send them. Just got to feeling down and ... well, no need to go into that. Keep on Smilin Jim

I admit, I've had a bad couple of weeks but ... I've posted some info on making some tools on another part of the board, particularly a lace cutter and a small splitter, had pretty good response too. Had some folks here that couldn't make their own for whatever reason and they requested a set of made tools, no problem. Had them posted in a couple of other places too. So I finally got some made and sent them out. Sent to quite a few states and even a couple of other countries. With them I sent an invoice. Told them what I wanted for a set but also said 'you don't have to send money, just send me something in return, maybe a rock, or a odd piece of wood, maybe a piece of metal. Something trivial. I thought it would be a neat way to collect some knick knacks from places I probably wouldn't get to go. Got some neat trinkets but ... Of all the folks on the board that requested tools I have received nothing. 100% no return. So here's the deal. I spent my time and money and sent you the tools. All you have to do is repack them and mail them back, include a stamped envelope and I'll even return your postage. I no longer want anything in trade just return my tools and I'll send them to someone else. Hard to keep smilin sometimes Jim

Hey Tazz, I know the feelings. Decided I wanted to learn to braid. Thought the 4 strand round was a good beginning. So I went to the net. All the 'easy instructions' seemed to deal with folks that already knew what was going to happen. Didn't want to spend the money on books if I couldn't learn. Searched hi and low for instructions that could satisfy my simple mind. Then went to the all purpose all knowing store. Go to walmart look in the craft section at the plastic lacing. There will be bags of colored lace with simple, the kind I can understand, instructions for about $5. Got me hooked. Then bought the grant books. Also at tandy there is a book called something like Fun with braiding and lacing, about $6. Not for everyone. But I can sit on the back poarch with a cup of coffee(morning) or a beer(evening) and listen to the birds and braid for hours, relaxing. Keep on Smilin Jim

Hey folks, Twinoaks, so far the white pvc has held up okay, better than I really expected. I've done 6 phone cases and basketweave on all. Only used the home made one. Hardly a scratch on it. I was more concerned that the filler would crack which would allow the head to flex more. So far so good. SmokinP, great idea on the lead shot. I've got a source for steel shot (we use it for drilling caissons) . Think I'll try one using the shot and either silicon or epoxy. Want to try to keep the filler from fracturing. I'll post some pics later of the current head and then some of the next one. Thanks for the feedback and support. Keep on Smilin Jim

Hey folks, I've done some small ironon on leather. Not sure if they are still posted here but you can look at www.twofoot.deviantart.com and look in my gallery. The Alabama and Auburn card holders and a visor pouch are all iron on. You will have to experiment. I transfered to dark t-shirt iron on material then ironed on and sealed with satin sheen. Haven't tried any big stuff. Leather and a lot of heat don't mix very well. Overheat your experiment and you will know why. Keep on Smilin Jim

I bought some on Ebay, don't remember the supplier. Only needed 2 so got a good price. Chuck with 3 collets of different sizes. The ones I got were blued steel and the shafts were drilled for pins to attach to handles. Keep on Smilin Jim

Hey Jammon All available from Ace hardware. the head is a 2" pvc endcap. I drilled a hole and put in a 1/4" X 6" carriage bolt. filled it with heavy washers. Squeezed in Gorilla glue between the washers and in all holes. ( It expands and fills the gaps) then a 2" fender washer on the back with a nut to seal the whole thing and to keep the glue inside. Seems to work. It weighs about 19 oz. Don't know how the glue will hold up to the pounding. Didn't want to use a filler that got brittle. My cost so far is about $6.00 Let me know if any of you have any ideas on this. This is my first one and can probably be improved. Any suggestions for a better filler? Keep on Smilin Jim

Nick does deserve compliments. He answered lots of stupid questions from me and was willing to to help in many ways when he was manager in Montgomery Al. Again, thanks Nick Jimmy (Twofoot) PS: Was down and saw Noah, glad he got the job.

Wife bought me a maul for my birthday. A 11 oz brass maul from Smoky Mtn Knife Works, a great place. Have used it for a while and then the bug struck again. This is my homemade maul. 19 oz and sturdy so far. Only time will tell. I don't have a wood lathe (yet) so I did the handle on my drill press. Since the handle came out ok I decided to try a push beveler and then the awl handle showed up. I ordered a pinvise chuck off of ebay and epoxied it to the handle. I know, I know I could have bought all of this stuff but I'm getting old and forgetful and need to exercise my mind (what little is left). Got a project in mind and going to try to do it all with tools I make except for the swivel knife. Hmmm, got an idea there too. Dang, gotta quit that. Keep on Smilin Jim

Here's the pics of my lace cutter. I think this will provide most of the info you need to make one. Please note that the tape measure I used is marked in inches on the lower part of the tape and 10's of on the top. A surveyors tape. I took pics of the completed assembly then took it apart and then put it back together.By adjusting the width of the slot in front you can adjust the width of the lace cut.Keep on SmilinJimRest of pics