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5 Spice

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Everything posted by 5 Spice

  1. 5 Spice
    I realize that this thread has long ended, but I just want to stress how valuable Bruce Johnson's direction is here. I purchased a Landis 30 from ebay almost a year ago and have been struggling with it until this evening. I had sharpened the blade to a razor's point, cleaned and serviced the machine and adjusted every nut and bolt I could trying to get the splitter to do anything consistently. Just when I thought I had it working, it would show me otherwise. I don't even want to count up how much leather I've wasted trying to get it functioning. I have called it terrible names and was at the end of my rope when I thought I'd give it one last try before throwing in the towel. That's when I came across this post by Bruce. The fix was a subtle, simple one. By backing off the back-up screws a half turn and pushing the blade away from the rollers by just a fraction of an inch , it has turned my cast iron nightmare into a leatherworkers dream. I can easily split 9 oz down to just under 1oz easily and consistently, even at 5 1/2" wide! Bruce, I can't express how grateful I am for your knowledge and wisdom. I'm completely elated that "WE'VE" finally got this thing to work. Never thought a leather splitter would give me so much joy. Thanks Bruce!
  2. 5 Spice
    I've purchased a few items from Levinus' list. Stand up guy, and the products are in great shape, just as described.
  3. 5 Spice
    Thanks! I do all of my own metal and wood work.
  4. 5 Spice
    That's right. Not only that, but the bag was a surprise gift. Turn on the waterworks.
  5. 5 Spice
    It all depends on what you're looking for in a finished product. Personally, I don't like a loose lining. I turn the edges of the fabric, then adhere the entire surface to the leather followed by stitching. I find that cement just soaks through the fabric, so it isn't really the right glue for the job. Try Sta-put for thicker fabrics or interfacing for thinner ones. It has taken a lot of trial and error to get it to work to my satisfaction. There may still be some separation in the flap where the bag flexes the most, but it's manageable and generally non-existent when the bag is opened.
  6. 5 Spice
    Thanks bob21804. I always line my bags, usually with high end men's suit material. Some of the english and Italian wools lend themselves very well to the design. What has happened lately is that customers are supplying the fabric that they want to use, and it always has a story behind it. I recently finished a bag for a client and we used his fathers favourite plaid shirt. I incorporated the shirt pockets into the bag as well. Turned out great. Thanks bikermutt07!
  7. 5 Spice
    Thanks makitmama.
  8. 5 Spice
    Just finished this briefcase and thought I'd share. Purpleheart and aluminum handle with a cotton vintage cloth lining. I tried to keep this one crisp and clean with as little fuss as possible. It's a lovely balanced bag to hold. The handle pivots very freely on the bag so no matter how you hold or wear it , it always stays vertical. By swinging the handle towards the back it creates a clever stand for the briefcase. Comments and criticisms are welcome.
  9. 5 Spice
    Nice work! looks like you've been at it for a while.
  10. 5 Spice
    Beautiful bag!
  11. 5 Spice
    Just finished this briefcase and thought I'd share. Purpleheart and aluminum handle with a cotton vintage cloth lining. I tried to keep this one crisp and clean with as little fuss as possible. It's a lovely balanced bag to hold. The handle pivots very freely on the bag so no matter how you hold or wear it , it always stays vertical. By swinging the handle towards the back it creates a clever stand for the briefcase. Comments and criticisms are welcome.
  12. 5 Spice
    Exceptionally done!
  13. 5 Spice
    Looks great. Are you pleased with the results?
  14. 5 Spice
    You can profile soft metal with a wood router bit, you just have to work slowly and remove very little material with each pass. Use them just like you would an end mill; make a pass and drop the bit 1/32 and make another pass, etc, etc. It would be best if you could get some cutting oil onto the surface, but it's going to make a mess so wear an apron and a face shield.
  15. 5 Spice
    Hats off to you. Another masterpiece.
  16. 5 Spice
    Thanks!
  17. 5 Spice
    I went through a lot of trial and error trying to marry woods with brass and aluminum. I find that brass is just as easy to work as aluminum and can use my wood working tools on it and treat it just like a hardwood. The only issue I have is during the working phase. Some of the sanding and polishing process creates a lot of heat. Since aluminum conducts heat so well, the bond has failed on me a few times. I've found that CA (Cyanoacrylate) is the best adhesive for the job. I've been using hot stuff's Super "T" medium viscosity glue with the most success. It's like a thin syrup, fills the pores in the wood well and it thick enough to fill a small gap. It also holds up to the heat of polishing quite well. Just make sure you scuff your metal surface and clean your wood surface with some acetone before bonding. For most of the handles and buckles I make the adhesive is enough to hold everything together, but I will add a mechanical fastener when needed like the handle of this edge creaser.
  18. 5 Spice
    There's a lot of great info here, and some fantastic edge work. Thanks.
  19. 5 Spice
    Toothpick.....brilliant.
  20. 5 Spice
    Leather Legion, Did you end up making these units for sale? I'd be interested in some details...
  21. 5 Spice
    Thanks folks.
  22. 5 Spice
    Great idea using that embroidered logo. Nice touch.
  23. 5 Spice
    I do all of the brass and wood work myself, including the handles and buckles.
  24. 5 Spice
    Venator, I wish I knew. It was the only piece at my local shop and it was the colour that really got me. Great weight and wonderful quality for a turned bag. I managed to get three nice cases out of the side, but I'll likely never come across another piece again. That's the wonderful thing about leather sometimes, the individuality of a piece, the marks and scars and colour. Once it's gone, it's gone!
  25. 5 Spice
    Thanks Craftsman. I was looking for some consistency in the stitch distance so I matched that remaining leather on the handle with that of the straps and pockets. Time will tell if it holds up to regular use. Thanks!
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