SmilinJim

Hey Kevin, How about a short narrative about doing the insides. Are the edges covered or just sewn? Great wallet in every way. Jim

I like that alot. I have no concept of what it's like to work with strings that long or that many, but I know it took a lot of skill and it shows in your work. Question, will beveling make that much of a difference? Keep up the good works. Jim

Neat work freak, I like it. Jim

Sounds kinda odd for an old man my age to say, but ... My daughter and I went to a class last weekend at our local Tandy (only 2 hours away). She picked out black and rhinestones to do one for herself (which I'll probably do). But the season came upon me and I had to do a sort of different one. Hope you like. Thanks Nick Keep on Smilin Jim

Lady, you do impressive work. That's a powerful piece. Can't wait to see the finished project. Jim

Neat work freak, suits. Need to see more. You gonna do 'freak' cuffs too? Jim

Hi Linda, I know nothing of racing. But I do know a great looking dog. She looks content. Bet she knows she won. Keep on Smilin Jim

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