SmilinJim

What can I add, it already been said. But, damn, you do good work. Those are great. Jim

Really nice work Mike. I like your handles. Gotta try the bone. Is there a best choice, beef, pork etc and leg, rib or ? Just asking. Keep on Smilin Jim

Nice work Tim. Is it hand sewn? My sewing is atrocious (probably as bad as my spelling). Can't seem to keep a straight line. Jim

Hey Mike I think that's incarnation 4 or 5, I started the same way. I've got another version that uses a dowel for the pivot point for the lace. works the same way. Don't know if either is better or worse. Put a notch along one side of the block so you can feed the lace into the blade as you slide toward center. You can use a lot of different blade, utility blades from walmart and the blades in the pics are from a beauty supply store. Cheaper, wider and are reinforced at the back Keep on Smilin Jim

Don, I don't know a dang thing about saddles. That being said, it's a great piece of work from any point of view. Impressive. Jim

Hey Mike, If you don't mind sharing how about some info on the maul. I've been thinking about doing one and can't really get my mind in gear. Should I do a stacked or rolled head? What's your idea's on that? Keep on Smilin Jim

Hi folks, A while back I decided to try some braiding, not easy for an old dog to learn new tricks. After reading awhile I made a lace cutter like some shown in the 'books' ,thats pic 1, it actually works but there had to be something better. Asking questions on the board brought a response from Ken(Beaverslayer) and I learned to crank up the tandy lacemaker. A whole lot better, that's pic 2. But I can't leave well enough alone. Had trouble finding thin leather close to home, about 2 hours to tandy. I decided to strip veg tanned, all I had was some 5-6 oz stuff and it didn't fit the tandy well at all. So what the ... let's make one. So I went down to the shop and came up with this. It's not pretty but it works too. pic 3. You just can't start with a 2" hole, has to be bigger. But it works with a variety of different blades that I can get locally and cheaper. Also I can make several handles and cut the notches to whatever size I want. Put a little varnish on it to seal the edges. But again 6 oz veg tan cut thin doesn't braid very small either. So how about a small splitter to downsize the strings. That's pic 4. It too will handle a selection of blades and you can control the thickness of the string with a small screw so the thickness stays constant. I've thinned 3/16" to 1/2" width strings with it with no problems. With a sharp blade you can cut extremely thin. I did a 4 strand round braid from veg tanned for a necklace for my wife. Finished thickness is just a little over 1/8" in diameter. That's pic 5. Now for a question. I cut some 3/8 strings and thinned to about 1/32". I then took the split(suede?) that was left and braided it as a 4 strand round braid and used that as a core. Then used the thinned strips and braided over that. That's pic 5. Give me comments on that as the use for a core. Not real flexible but will work as a case handle. Any comments are welcome. Keep on Smilin Jim

I like your work Mike. Great job. Smooth transitions. In our present day I like to see people still making the tools for their crafts, be it 'arts and crafts' or real craftsmen for production work. Again great work, got any more? Keep on Smilin Jim

Work with what you've got available. I had several so I found one that I liked the feel of and added a handle. I've got a couple of others in my pouch with different shapes (imagine that). Just whatever works for you. I do like them better than the plastic slickers. Haven't tried the wooden ones. Keep on Smilin Jim

Hi Zilla, haven't even heard of wild things or whatever. Expand on what it is and where it is and I'll give it a try Jim

Looking for a pattern for a cap. Best way to say it is that I have a buckethead. I wear a 7 3/4-8 so a regular ballcap when they fit doesn't really look good. What I'm looking for I saw a blacksmith wearing. More of a skullcap with a very short bill. Any ideas?? Keep on Smilin Jim

I think I've gone a little far. Doin too much with leather. Last year I did some carvings and put them on some posts in the yard. Now I've got to do some more. Easy to do and 'different'. I used tea light candles, like in a pumpkin. Just remember if you do anything like this you will have an open flame and heat. Not a good combination in some hands. I haven't had any problems. Keep on Smilin Jim

Really nice work, post some more Keep on Smilin Jim

Great work, You should do a set for the seasons. Great wall hangings.

If I access the site and do not log in I can go to Specialty Leatherwork the forums are listed down *** Motorcycle and Biker Gear Purses, wallets. belts ... etc Historical Reenactment but I can't view the pics unless I'm logged in. Log in Specialty Leatherwork **** Motorcycle and Biker Gear Historical Reenactment Still can't view pics cause Purses, wallets etc don't show up on my puter Jim

When I'm not logged in I can access a topic in specialty leatherwork about bags, belts, wallets etc. If I log in to see the pics it disappears from the forum. Is it me or ? Keep on Smilin Jim

That's some really nice work. The detail is great. Jim

Great work Freak, luv the design. Been wanting a Koi on my calf for a while, mind if I use your design? You have a good hand, now go to the next level and do the dragon. Keep on Smilin Jim

It's been hot everywhere, and it should be. It's summer. Besides, if it's hot at my house it should be hot at yours too. LOL. In my little section of central Alabama we had recordbreaking temps above 100+ for two weeks I think, and no rain. We are still in a stage 3 drought condition. But its actually in a small area. It rains 30 miles north of us, it rains 30 miles south of us. The good news is I only cut grass 2 times this year. Our job site is all dirt and dust. We have a water truck that constanty sprays water to keep down dust to EPA levels. Its just so hot it evaporates too quickly and seems to just add to the humidity. But hey, enough bitchin, I like sumertime. Shortshorts, short skirts, tank tops, halter tops, (in some cases no tops) It"ll be winter soon enough. I think we are supposed to get about 2 weeks of cold weather this year. We only had about a week last year. And I'll complain about the wet and the cold and.... Guess I'd be happy on one of those tropical islands where they only had to wear .... naw, I'm too old to think about that too. Hope everyone gets a little cool down anyway. Just take care of yourselves in the heat and don't get sick. Keep on Smilin Jim

Looks good the way it is. I especially like the strap through the flap. That's a neat idea. Keep on Smilin Jim

Amazing work, I really like the Turquoise collar. How do you set the stones? The collars are lined, is there a backpiece for the stones? No matter. Great work Jim

Welcome to the forum, great place to learn. That's a nice piece of work, you will do well. But as my daughter hated to hear, practice, practice, practice. Keep on Smilin Jim

Welcome Charlie, you will enjoy this site. Ask questions and someone will help. This is a great group of people. Come on post something. Wolvenstien, same problem wanted to learn 4 strand round braid for a specific project. Couldn't find what I needed so I went to the great provider, Walmart. Look in the crafts section and the vinyl lace packs for a couple of dollars. Has several types of braid, including 4 strand round. Also the Tandy book Braiding and Lacing for Fun, about 4 dollars. That was my intro. Sold a few projects then bought a few books. Also check out Beaverslayers tutorial on making lace. Keep on Smilin Jim

Strange how you take things for granted. I've had a wireless card for about a year now, furnished by my employer, convinced them I needed it to keep up with my projects. I guess I thought most people keep up with techie stuff like I do, when actually they don't. I've always been a geek. I logged into the forum while sitting in my truck in a traffic jam in Montgomery once. Maybe a few of the folks here will be helped by Bruce's post. I have Cingular and it works fine. Keep on Smilin JIm

Awesome braiding. I have no idea what most of your horse gear is but that doesn't stop me from admiring your work.