billybopp

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

Those kids are going to be the envy of every other kid they play with! - Bill

I think Klingons might be code for China too.

Most rolls will fit. The shaft size is more or less standard for all of these. I've only tried one bunkhouse roll, and it's just a wee bit sloppy on the shaft. I don't know if that's just the one I got or if they are all that way. - Bill

I have one, and it works well. The only thing I find to be a little bit fiddly is setting up the guides to get a strap centered just where you want it. It's not terrible, just a little bit fiddly. - Bill

You might also try direct from http://wickett-craig.com/.

Merry Christmas everybody!

If it ain't broke! - Bill

I don't have a leather sewing machine, but I do hand sew and use binder clips to hold things together, such as these from Amazon. You can find them at any office supply store as well. If I am using a type of leather that is easily marked by the binder clips, I'll use popsicle sticks between the jaws and leather to spread out the clamping pressure. - Bill

The only stringed instrument I could ever really manage was that 88 string guitar. Just can't get my fingers to move right on any others and arthritis has only made that worse. I have a neighbor that is a "found items" artist and has managed to find a LOT of cigar boxes, and gave me few. I gave them a light sanding inside to bring up that lovely aroma of Spanish Cedar, and covered them with leather to give as gift boxes, jewelry boxes, or valet boxes. Most were covered with lightweight chrome-tan, some with a little fancy stitching at the corners, and I tried a couple with come carved veg-tan. They're a relatively simple and quick project that makes a really nice gift. - Bill

That is indeed sad news.

When I was in HS, I took up photography did lots of pics for the yearbook of sporting events, dances and such. I picked up a book on the subject and I think it summed up tools pretty well. Better cameras do not make a better photographer, they just make getting the photograph that you want easier. - Bill

Yes you can. It's a bit fiddly and takes some practice, but certainly do-able. Many kinds of knives can be used, some use a round-knife, but they do make specialty skiving knives which aren't terribly expensive - anywhere from < $10 for a Japanese style knife on ebay to better ones at $35 for very good ones from Lisa Sorrell (a sponsor here), to $100 for really pretty ones from the likes of Vergez Blanchard and Chartermade. The big key is making sure they are VERY sharp, and work on a smooth hard surface! There are also "safety skivers" from Osborne and others with replaceable blades, but many find these particularly fiddly to use. There are a number of videos available on the subject, and the following is a reasonably good one. - Bill

I'm still making my list and checking it twice. Have some ideas in mind, but haven't really started on them yet!

I've been eyeing these up for awhile, and waited for airbrush reviews on them. The reviews have been starting to come out lately. It looks like some of the airbrushes included will flow air continuously and need to be turned off at the power switch when you don't want air, others only kick on when you start the air from the airbrush. For the ones that do not flow continuously, it will use less battery. Some of them can work with just about any airbrush, but may need an adapter to do so, and you may need to move adapters around to get it to work. Unless your airbrush has built-in air flow control, you get whatever the compressor puts out. They seem to move air at about 20-25 PSI, and not a large volume - that may not be enough to cover larger areas, but general consensus seems to be that they do work! - Bill

I'd have to agree, that IS the single most important factor to consider! - Bill

LOL! Yes! Pretty much everybody that has made anything has faced that dilemma. Whether it be an expensive piece of leather for us, some expensive wood for a woodworker, expensive canvas and paint for a painter: Getting started is often half the challenge! I've even gone so far as to have a piece of wood in a vice, saw in-hand, just to suddenly be overcome by doubt and stop for a week or two! But eventually I got to it and everything came out fine. Maybe this will help you along ..... Here's a Round Tuit for you . - Bill

I like Fiebings Pro Dye. USMC is a royal pain to use. Yes, it is a very deep black, but that is because it has an excess of pigment that you need to buff until your arm just about falls off. Then you buff some more and still may not remove enough pigment to keep it from bleeding. - Bill