SmilinJim

Hey Sorry for not posting pics sooner, problem with internet connections, oh well. Anyway, I hope to take some pics tonite on a cutter board with inch marking. Should be able to to see most numbers. Nothing is really critical. I'll try to post some of the pics with some additional info. I started to do a cad drawing but may be more confusing for some of the folks. Check out what I post then get back to me. If you want a cad dwg with dimensions then I'll finish and send that to you. Keep on Smilin Jim

Great work Ken, You are a real craftsman and thank you for sharing your talents. I've got to make one. But, I've got what some people have termed a buckethead, actually to my face, and most ballcaps and such don't quite look right, makes me look kind of dorky, heck, probably look dorky anyway. I'm going to use the tutorial to make a regular hat. Are there any tips or suggestions you can send my way? Again great work. Keep on Smilin Jim

That's some great work Tom. I like the cap closures, never thought of that. Waiting for pics of the next one. Jim

A friend gave me some wood pieces for some projects so I did him a box to store his arrowheads. Jim

Thanks, folks Rookie, it's really just a cover for a standard 'small' 6 ring field book, available at engineering and surveying supply stores. Also smaller bound field books will fit too. Most all 6 hole punched paper , calendars, notes, etc from office supplies fit. Getting hard to find small binders at office supply places. Next will be a field book with a 6 ring insert salvaged from an old book. But will be worthwhile. Guy at work liked and offered $100 for a binder cover and a wallet with the same design. Just couldn't turn that down, LOL Keep on Smilin, I am Jim

Thanks for posting. This is a great place to learn. I spent an hour or so today and got 4 custom made stamps for my effort for the cost of $1.80, US. Bought 4-6" X 5/16" bolts and cut them down and made one beveler and 3 stamps. Needed some flower petals. Next project must have hundreds to stamp. Thanks for the motivation and ideas. Now on to the next thing. That knife sheath is Awesome. You do great work. Please post some more. Jim

That's really nice work Tom. Have you any more of local interest? At least local for you. Like to see more JIm

Good work Spider. Lacing looks good, better than a lot of mine. You said it all when you said "I like it". If it pleases you then its a good piece. Keep up the good work. Jim

Guess it shows how well I take suggestions. Didn't listen to anyone. Oh well, my bad is ya dont like it. I attached the top to the stool and did the bottom in a red with black highlights. Didn't like the brown top so I brought the black up top too. Did mask her face and add a collar. The face is the focal point anyway. So same request, tell me what you like and what ya don't. Looks like I've got to do at least 3 more. Keep on Smilin Jim

Now that's what I'm talking about. GREAT WORK !!! I'm not a big fan of traditional western, guess cause I'm not from the West. I like 'different' and that is great. Keep it up. Keep on Smilin Jim

Just a simple field book cover for a guy at work. Another of our field engineers. He also races motorcycles. Includes a calculator flap. Keep on Smilin Jim

We got a couple of these wooden stools from a craft store a couple of years ago. My wife tole painted some and gave away for presents. This one was left so I decided to do a practice piece. I'll wrap the leather top around the bottom and tack. I thought about doing the part of the stool in glossy black the way a lot of oriental furniture is done. Wife said do it in red and do a black wash over to age it. Daughter said do it in stain similar to leather. So, what do you all think. It it turns out okay it may also end up as a present. Any comments on the piece is welcomed. Good, bad or ugly. Jim

Just another simple sheath. I'm getting tired of the colors though. Jim

Glad it works for ya Tim. Bob, maybe I just haven't given enough detail. Works the same as the Tandy black lacemaker, just a more crude design. On the front where you start the lace there is an adjustable slot. Been busy at work and with personal stuff so haven't had time to post the plans for the lacemaker. In the works so bear with me a little longer and maybe I can shed some light for you. I'll try to post some more pics too. Thanks folks Keep on Smilin Jim

Neat work Alex. Is it hand stiched? How do you keep it so nice and straight? Like the closure too.

A friend saw a sheath on the net and wanted something similar. This is my version. It's for a folding utility knife. The black is airbrushed acrylic. Not sure how it will hold up. Keep on Smilin Jim

Well, here are the 'plans' for my simple splitter. It works great on strings up to about 1/2 inch. If you have any questions please feel free to ask Johanna, if I need to post this somewhere else just let me know Keep on Smilin Jim

One more time to try to post pics Keep on Smilin Jim

Hey folks Sorry about no pic on the other post, still got some problems. Hope it loads this time. As for selling the plans, sorry I'm not, but I am giving them away. If ya make one and it pleases ya then let me know, if you want to send something then do so. Doesn't have to be money. A nice rock, an interesting piece of wood, nothing extravagant. I am going to sell some of the sets so if interested then pm me, maybe we can trade something. Keep on Smilin Jim

Hi folks Not only was there a crash on the site but I had a few problems too. This is my final 'design?' for my lace maker and splitter. They are for smaller lace, I've made 1/16 inch and very thin, up to 3/8 or so. I've lost the addresses of several of the people that wanted some so pm me with an address if still interested. I should be sending out the ones I have addresses for this weekend. Still have yours Jacque (Horsehairbraider) The lace maker works just like the Tandy plastic one except it is adjustable. If you would like to make your own then I'll be glad to send pics and dimensions and some of my 'explanations. If anyone has already made something similar let me know as I would like to improve as much as possible. Would like to be able to add beveling if I can work that out. Keep on Smilin Jim

Before the great crash of 07 I had asked a question about refinishing motorcycle leather. I have a project to refinish a seat, one of those 'Oh yeah, I can do that' things. I've already sewn the places needing it and other minor repairs. It's had a lot of wear but is still in good shape. What should be my steps? I had thought that it should be cleaned and conditioned with Lexol then redyed, black of course. No trouble matching colors if I redo the whole seat. What would be the best dye to use? The tandy eco dyes, tandy prodyes or oil dyes or ___ . Please help me fill in the blank. This could lead to a bit of other work for quite a few guys and maybe just be worth my while to learn refinishing techniques. Any help will be appreciated. Keep on Smilin Jim

Do a little research on the difference between singlediamond and four seam work. A lot of multi strand work is plaited using 4 seam method which is 4 sided. Single diamond is o1 u1 along each side and will result in a 'rounder' braid without a core. But single diamond takes longer and is a bit stiffer. I'm far from an expert so that's the reason I suggested doing a little research. I roll my braids between boards and that helps a lot. Keep on Smilin Jim

Hey Crow I sorta did the same. I used a 3/8" wooden dowel for the one I took pics of and have since replaced with a 3/8" aluminum rod, less drag on the lace. I just glued it in and it was easy to work with. Also I cut a notch in the wooden dowel and filed a notch in the aluminum so I would have a way to start the lace into the blade. Not sure if that shows on the pics. I've wanted up upsize it to do wider straps, say up to 1 1/2" but I want to keep it easy to find blades. One of the Stolman books on leather tools has a pic of a large leather splitter that I think I could build to do 4" to 6". If I do I'll post some pics. Hey Cora and Steve, PM me with your address and I'll send to you when I get some done. With work and holidays it will probably be Christmas week when I get to cut some. I'm off that week. Keep on Smilin

As usual stepped in over my head. How many of you have been in the conversation "Hey I've got a... Think you can redo/refinish/fix my ... " and I say "Well of course I can. " Need some suggestions. Friend at work has a bike. In January he wants his bags refinished (maybe redyed, refinished ) whatever. Black is the color so color matching isn't a big issue I don't think. What would be the best way to approach this. What type of dye and what type of finish? He rides a lot but bike stays inside a lot not exposed to weather all the time. Has a place to store bike in his travel trailer while working out of town. Thanks Jim

Hey Crow, here's some more pics, hope they help. Nothing really critical on dimensions. Just make width for the blade you intend to use. I use a razor blade from a beauty supply store and regular utility knife blades. Strop them before you use them. Hey folks, I'll definitely sell some, got several requests. Just don't know what to charge yet. Give me some hints. I thought $12-$15 dollars plus shipping for both the lacemaker and the splitter. Give me some feedback. Keep on Smilin Jim