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Bigger, going on what I have 7 cord linen looks to be about size 415 (I use 7 cord waxed linen from Royalwood and bonded nylon from The Thread Exchange). The Thread Exchange has a size listing http://www.thethreadexchange.com/miva/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=TTE&Category_Code=nylon-thread-information Hope this helps Cheers, Clair

Thanks Kings X, I've emailed Springfield and are just waiting for a reply, If they can't help I'll send you a PM. Cheers, Clair

Thankyou for the links WinterBear, I buy most of my tools from overseas anyway. I bought the Ginghers from Springfield a sponsor here I think I will drop them an email and see if they know as mine look to be a different model to the ones you posted. Thanks again Cheers, Clair

Your welcome it's on my list to try as well. Cheers, Clair

James have a look here http://www.alleycatscratch.com/lotr/Leather/Gilded.htm might help you to get started. Cheers, Clair

Just wondering does anyone know if Gingher Scissors come in a left handed version. I can normally use right handed scissors with no problem ie I've never used left handed scissors before but how the cutting angle is on Ginghers makes it difficult to cut a precise shape. I've got quite small hands so can turn them over but it does become uncomfortable after awhile. I do use knives as well for cutting but there is one thing I like using scissors for and I would love to be able to keep using the Ginghers without getting a sore thumb. Thankyou for any help Cheers, Clair

The only one I have come across who does is NSW leather they have the Capri and Torino range, Capri being the higher quality using European hides and Torino using South American. I've only used the Torino so far but it in the sides I have bought 95% was usable and for double shoulders (prototype tests) 85%. I would like to try the Capri at some stage to see if it's any better and justifes the higher cost. Clair

I agree and it can be dyed with leather dye if you want different colours.

Ha ha yep I know what you mean do they get customs to dip them into gold on the way through or something. Clair

I know who you mean in regards to the $1200 don't buy any of the decent tools from them they are way overpriced go to the manufacturer http://www.josephdixon.co.uk/products/Saddlers_Tooling/Plough_Gauges.html and then do a currency conversion and you will see what I mean. I picked one up from Ebay Oz last year for $170 they come up at fairly regular intervals, mine did need a bit of cleaning and the handle blade needed sharpening, though I think I'll replace the handle if I start doing alot of work with it. I haven't used a draw gauge so can't say what they are like but from what I have read here they should do what you want. Clair

impulse I reckon it could be done like BIGGUNDOCTOR said these things were made long before CNC was introduced. I actually toyed with the idea myself but as I don't have any metal work experience I thought it was easier in the long run for me to just buy one. I also know how rare the hand cranks are in Australia I looked for a year and only one ever came up which was too small for my use, so I bought one from America. With my search I looked into old style heavy duty pasta makers and jewellery mills though the new ones of them seem to be on the small side. Have a look at this thread http://leatherworker.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=14496&st=15&p=104039&hl=splitter&fromsearch=1entry104039 Marvin Deitz made his own and sold them though I don't know at what capacity and I don't think anyone was able to get in contact with him as no one has mentioned his splitter since. But it definately looks to be possible with someone who has the right knowledge and tools. Best of luck with it I'd love to see it if you are able to get one going Cheers, Clair

Their antique paste made by Craftsha is water based so it's okay to ship by air. Clair

Yes as long as you don't try and split it down too much to begin with e.g don't go from 10oz to 3oz do a split in between if you want thin stuff. I usually do a rough cut of the shape though and just put that through the splitter then trim it to the final shape this is mainly due to how I transfer a carving design though. I use a Klic N Kut Maxx 15 (like a vinyl cutter with a pen attachment) and I like a little bit of extra border on the leather just in case the Maxx is off a bit with it's calibration from the edge. Cheers, Clair

Cost me $285 USD to ship the Weaver one to Australia using Fed Ex, which I don't think is that bad considering it weighs alot, I split funny shaped things and the pull throughs just wouldn't work for me. It was money well spent I woudn't be without my handcrank now. Clair

I've got a hand crank splitter and I can split irregular shaped scraps easy with it I've never used the bench mounted pull through ones. If your scraps are small it might be awkward to use one of those due to not being able to get an adequate grip like Particle mentioned. With a hand crank it shouldn't be a problem but it depends on what you want to spend as the new hand cranks are kinda expensive and the older ones don't pop up as much anymore. If you live near a Tandy maybe see if they will let you try one of the bench mounted splitters to see if they may work. Cheers, Clair

I know them as vinyl cutters, plotters were always used with pen and paper in Oz..

Congrats Spinner all snug and content. Best wishes, Clair

I don't think it would be strong enough as you need something with adjustable pressure for the knife you can trace designs onto veg tan leather with them though. I've used a Klick N Kut (it's used for scrapbooking and vinyl) to cut thin leather 1 -1.5mm If you want to check it out it www.knkusa.com. I've got the 15" version I mostly use it for tracing designs though, they are also coming out with a flatbed model but I believe it's going to be at least a few thousand but it will cut thicker materials. There are also industrial machines for this many $'s though they use them for cutting automotive stuff and for shoes, google flatbed leather cutting and you will see them Gerber is one of the main brands. A plotter is what architects used to use for drawing out large plans before wide format inkjet printers became popular if you google flatbed plotter it will show you what they are, some places still use them. Hope this is of some help to everyone Cheers, Clair .

Bummer and I was just about plonk some cash down for a couple husband and son are not too good when it comes to dropping hints after a second mothers day has now gone by. I hope everything goes well with your move Bearman and that you can still participate in your woodworking in some capacity as you sure have some fine examples of master workmanship there. Any chance you have got some extras lying around, you know so you don't have to pack up as much when you move hee hee. Wishing you the best Cheers, Clair

Hi Johanne, No it's not Birdsall the shop is in Perth it's http://www.theleathershop.com.au/ if you are interested like I said before it's been a couple of years since I bought them and I haven't been in there for awhile so I don't know if they still have them or not. I don't use mine at all anymore much prefer my Wrangler swivel knife but I want to hang on to them cause they don't make them anymore. Cheers, Clair

You sure do some nice work Boma congrats on a fine looking case. Cheers, Clair

Thats some nice work there I really like the natural look of the first one. Cheers, Clair

Same here my space it too clean and doesn't have enough cool machines in it my leather splitter is lonely.

Thanks John after doing some research I thought that was probably the case it does dissipate on the leather but is really intense when you first open the bottle, I haven't had a chance to do much with them but they seem to go on well enough not quite as well as spirit based but I think that's the norm with water based dyes anyway. I'll probably get some more colours in the next few weeks then I can probably give you a better run down on what they are like. Cheers, Clair

For the price he's selling them at I definately don't think it's hand tattooed ie with a tattoo machine it's also too clean and has alot more detail compared to the other leather products I have seen hand tattooed. It's some sort of transfer still very nice though thanks for the heads up on his work.