billybopp

If you are handy, and have the space and resources you may want to check out this YouTube video series on building a laser cutter. As mentioned above, take away the laser and mirrors and replace with a drag knife, and a little improvisation you have pretty much what you are looking for. If you add a Z access and a cutter head you have a CNC machine. If you replace the cutter head with an extruder, you have a 3D printer. There is at least one manufacturer out there that makes a machine with interchangeable heads to do these things, but I can't remember the name! They were pretty pricey though. This YouTube might also be helpful https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL4njCTv7IRbwDZ-iLPD2GSWrX_a8KFtU4 - Bill

Both are acrylics, but acrylic is a broader term than most think. They are not all exactly the same. MOST are compatible, but not all! - Bill

Ouch! But you're replying here, so it must have gone reasonably well!! Welcome back. - Bill

LOL! That's awesome. Reminds me of my Dad, who used to say "I thought I was wrong once, but then I found out I was mistaken about that". - Bill

Yeah. It is all a bit confusing, and some of the terminology isn't set in stone! Some of the reasons for that are that pricking irons have been around for a very VERY long time (a century or more) while the others are much newer, they also at a quick glance look a LOT alike, and there are also multiple languages involved in the discussions. Just about a perfect storm for confusion. Furthermore, there can be some overlap in the way that they are used (you don't HAVE to use a tool in the intended way!). In time, some of the terminology may stabilize - but I doubt it. Until then we'll just have to continue to ask folks to clarify if there's any question. - Bill

LOL! I remember thinking the same thing when I got my first stitching chisels and pricking irons! But then it occurred to me they make fairly small holes or slits in a material that's not all that hard and you don't need to wail on them with a hammer: How big do they need to be? Not all that big! They work just fine. I think part of the problem is that when you are looking to buy them you get a picture on the website that usually has just a picture of the tool with nothing to give an idea of scale. Some stitching irons such as KS Blade and Sinabroks are relatively new type. They are a sort of hybrid between pricking irons and stitching irons, sort of the best of both worlds. Like stitching irons, they are meant to go all the way through, and like pricking iron/awl they make a slit rather than an enlarged hole as most stitching irons do. I haven't personally tried these but folks seem to like them a lot. I just don't sew enough to justify the cost. - Bill

There we have it! Thanks Ferg! PS - definitely jealous!

That looks really interesting! I wonder if the cutting head is something that could be purchased separately and attached to a "regular" CNC? - Bill

At one point I got pretty good at making leather beer cozies, using Al Stohlman's method from The Art of Hand Sewing Leather, and figured it wasn't a big leap from there to a full-blown leather mug. I looked into beeswax and pitch to line them, but realized that those may not do so well with hot beverages which is how I came across the idea of using epoxy from a post on LWN. It occurred to me that even with epoxy, the mug could be a pain in the neck to clean, so I re-thought things a bit and came up with the idea of just making a leather wrap for a glass mug that would be easy to clean: dishwasher safe, even! Most mugs have sloped sides which would make the wrap need to be an odd shape, but with some research I came up with these straight sided mugs from Libbey. After a couple of iterations my final solution is shown here.

Looks great! If your taste in beverages leans more toward coffee or hot tea, you might want to consider a food grade epoxy to line your mug! Did you use anything to stiffen your mug? Particularly the handle? - Bill

The only things I can think of that you'd want to watch out for is now the leather straps are attached, they'd have to be good and strong, and leather stretch. You might be able to pre-stretch the leather some to help out with that. Otherwise looks really really cool!! Be sure to show off if you decide to make one! - Bill

It's always fascinating to see what happens when you combine a several different tools to make an endless variety of patterns! Well done. - Bill

Wow! Glad it finally got there! Look at it this way - now the recipient not only has a fine new tool, but also a story to go with it! - Bill

For coarser "sanding" you might even go to the cosmetics aisle at your local drug or grocery store and start with nail files! - Bill

Most of the old ones that I've seen are sharpened on the inside, but I've seen newer ones that are not. You do need to be careful when sharpening, as that makes the point very slender and a bit fragile. But when it is sharpened, it can be used like a curved clicker knife for cutting tight curves.. - Bill

Some sandpaper glued to a popsicle stick will work well for getting between the tines in most cases. - Bill

A round "slip stone" works nicely for sharpening inside curves. - Bill

I didn't even catch that APEX marking! I did a quick google on it and found: http://members.acmenet.net/~con12a/saw set website/plier2.htm It's not a tool that sees a lot of use these days, since modern hand-saws are meant to be more or less disposable rather than maintainable until you start getting into "boutique saws". At one time, though, they were a fairly common tool for woodworkers. It's really nice to hold onto tools like these that were in the family. I have quite a few hand tools going back as much a few generations in some cases. if you'd like to get an idea of how they are used: - Bill

I believe that is a saw set. Used to put a slight outward angle on saw teeth. - Bill

LOL! If it is marked "Harrison, NJ" it was made sometime after 1906ish, which is when CSO moved from Newark, NJ to Harrison. I'm not aware of any way to narrow it down further than that. - Bill

Well, ya know. You've got this little tiny piece that needs to be burnished. You forgot to bring a cup of water with you. The kitchen is way over on the other side of the house. Well, things happen. - Bill

A first aid kit is essential to have on hand when doing anything with sharp objects, really! Blood is not a "feature" on your leatherwork ... woodwork ... or cooking for that matter! You know when your tools are sharp enough when you cut yourself, or poke yourself with an awl, and don't even know it right away! - Bill

I'll offer $0.01 for this invisible unknown model machine in an undisclosed location, you pay shipping.

All that carving looks like it was a pain in the bass. But seriously, very nice!! - Bill

New leather or old, it would've been criminal to let that amazing hardware go to waste!! It's great that you could breathe new life into it! - Bill