billybopp

Several years ago, Serge Volken did a video on incision knife carving on YouTube that was fairly interesting. - Bill

You're probably right. Some leather shops "back in the day" may have had dedicated tools for tooling, but I have no doubt that folks decorated their leather - maybe around a campfire at night when on the trail or whatever. I remember reading that Al Stohlman did some of that sort of thing. He served in WWII and did some leatherwork then - and when he returned home didn't have access, or couldn't afford, proper tools so he made his own from nails, screws, bolts - whatever could be found. - Bill

LOL! It's probably like anything else - when you do a thing occasionally and for your own gratification it can be relaxing and satisfying. When you do it for a job, not so much! I have friends that liked to make home-brewed beer, and got very good at it. They decided to go into business brewing, and took all of the joy out of it. To quote one of them "The best way to ruin a perfectly good hobby is to make a business out of it." - Bill

Cellulose kitchen sponges don't seem to work well with dye. They get hard quickly and can crumble after awhile too. When I can, I dip dye. Spraying is a good option if you have the equipment. I also sometimes use sheepskin, a brush, or a foam brush. - Bill

Welcome aboard! - Bill

YIKES! I had no idea they'd be that expensive!! LOL Got a pig farm nearby? :D - Bill

Sone shoe makers still use boar whiskers for some sewing. You may be able to get some of 'em. What could be a better whisker than an actual whisker!? - Bill

I'm with you. It mostly come from the idea that anything that has no wording - and just the noise of the activity is ASMR. It's not, but folks seem to like that "buzzword". - Bill

When I worked in an electronics lab, we had non-static labcoats with a bit of metal fiber woven in. Possibly that thread would be used to sew that sort of thing? - Bill

Try 90%+ isopropyl alcohol, found at drug stores. - Bill

"Just wondering, maybe someone can explain to me how it is that my best work to date comes on the most trivial project? " ... That's ALWAYS the way it works out - whether it be leather, wood, metal, paint, or whatever. LOL!! - Bill

I agree 100%. Having managed customer service teams for various companies, they have ALL had some form of recognition for this kind of praise. Sometimes just a note on their record or similar, but more often than not there's also some sort of financial reward too! It's usually not a LOT of $$, but a little something. It also looks very good for that person if they intend to stay with and move up in the company! - Bill

It's a needle that won't do what you ask it to! DUH. But seriously - I don't have a picture handy but have a couple of them around here that came as part of a package deal, but never put them to use. It's kind of like an awl that has an open hook near the pointy end. You poke it through the leather, put your thread in the hook and pull it back through the leather. You then put another thread through and start all over again. In other words, it makes an interlocking loop stitch - much like a sewing machine - and unlike a saddle-stitch. - Bill

I've heard folks say that astrolube is essentially the same as the old Wyoslick ... so who knows!! - Bill

I bought a Tandy press years ago when it was on a very good sale, and love it! I was also able to get dies for most of what I do on sale by being patient. Keep the cost and availability of dies in mind if you decide to buy a press. The Tandy press comes in at $169 right now, but their dies are around $70 and up. Buckleguy's press is more expensive at $206, but their dies are far more affordable. - Bill

Only problem with that stamp is that it's upside down! - Bill

It looks like a proportional divider leg. Probably part of a set, or an add-on to a divider set or drafting tool set. - Bill

You must've made it mad by posting fur. The website has been taken over by PETA. - Bill

One of the nice things about having a lot of different demonstrations to watch is that you sometimes pick up details from one that another might miss or take for granted. Additionally, there is more than one way to stitch (and other things too). Most will just show you one way to do a thing: Not right or wrong, just different! Some things, for example that I do differently from this video are: 1. When attaching thread to the needles, pierce the thread twice, and if the type of thread calls for it put a dab of glue on the "knot" to keep it an inch or so back from the eye of the needle. When the knot moves up right next to the needle eye, it can bunch up making it bulkier and harder to pull through. 2. When inserting the second needle through the leather, simultaneously pull back the first thread a little bit to help ensure that you're not piercing it with the second needle. That can be a real pain in the neck to have to try to un-do when it happens. 3. When starting a line of stitches, if the starting point will be visible start 2-3 holes in and do a "backstitch" the will match what you normally do at the end of a line. It's not necessary, but at least both ends are symmetrical. The point being, some videos (and for that matter printed sources) are certainly easier to follow than others very few if any are totally complete. Tips and tricks can be picked up from multiple sources. Furthermore, instruction that totally makes sense to one person might leave another confused, but that second person might find another source that just clicks! As much as it is sad to say, also, there are certain videos that I've seen that I just can't watch. Sometimes the video quality or angles are impossible to see what you want, and once in awhile I just can't listen to the presenter due to an accent that I just can't get through, audio quality, or whatever. Multiple options are a good thing!! - Bill

I'd be pretty suspicious. But it could be legit. I'd find out where the machine is, and if it's a reasonable drive distance - even if you have to take the hit of a night in a hotel, I'd ask to see it and pick up in person, and pay when it's there in front of you! Just my thought - Bill

Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!

Some say my skin is particularly thick around my skull. - Bill

W&C will split to your requested thickness, and offers pasting the back if you wish as well. Unfortunately, the will not cut a full hide and split parts to different thickness anymore. They used to do that. - Bill

This popped up on YouTube the other day, and may help a bit with dilution. I've found that I can get more even dying with dilution than without, but it may take multiple coats. I also find it's a little easier to get an even color if I dampen the leather just a bit first. I have used Fiebings dye reducer, but find that 90% rubbing alcohol works just as well. - Bill

Correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't Singer generally use proprietary screw sizes and thread pitches? - Bill