billybopp

I agree with much of the above - I'd probably try to bring it back to life first, but if that doesn't work and you like the design, I'd probably disassemble it to make a pattern and re-create it! i like the design. - Bill

You might also try Lisa Sorrell @ https://sorrellnotionsandfindings.com/ She is a custom boot maker, and used to be a sponsor here on LWN, but i haven't noticed lately if that is still the case or not. She has a variety of tools, leather, lasts, and other supplies. -Bill

I was talking with an anthropology professor some years ago, and she told me that they had somehow discovered that throat skin from a seal is much like modern goretex - It is breathable, and passes water in one direction only. Ingenious! - Bill

I have to agree ... That's a workshop that I could deal with! - Bill

Some sort of dehumidifier might be good. You probably don't want a light source since that could possibly discolor your leather. For just head, I'd probably go with something like this ....https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07KLZCDQH?pf_rd_r=2NF2ZEB06JHJEXEK3QN6&pf_rd_p=8fe9b1d0-f378-4356-8bb8-cada7525eadd&pd_rd_r=3bda8aee-7244-45b0-800e-e057d469968b&pd_rd_w=Tf3Nt&pd_rd_wg=07p3y&ref_=pd_gw_unk - Bill

Looking good. It's always a lovely thing when you get a commission - just to know that folks are willing to pay for work that you love to do! - Bill

Aint it great to have help with your work? - Bill

Well done! - Bill

You could, of course, sell them. There is a market for shoulders for sure. But imagine the marketing possibility of selling accessories made from the very same side that your belts are made from. 10-12 is thick, but if you get a skiver you could make wallets, key clips, and/or any of the things mentioned above. If you don't want to go to the expense of buying a splitter or the time to produce those items, partner up with somebody that can do those things and sell them to your customers on a consignment basis with your partner. Everybody wins that way! - Bill

You may want to do some searching on here - somebody did a post about beeswax/pitch/epoxy for a mug on here a few years ago. They had done some research on food grade epoxies for just this sort of thing. If I remember right, they had even researched epoxy for alcohol resistance, and even high temp for coffee, etc. - Bill

I'd suggest start with some of the simpler Tandy Craftaids. Craftaids take out the variable of tracing patterns. I'd suggest one of the simpler flower templates and some celtic knots. Celtic knots are deceptive! They look simple, but the long smooth curves are good for learning to control your swivel knife and also for learning to bevel where one line dives under another to get you thinking about beveling. I'd also suggest using some scrap for some exercises - Just make some lines - learn how to ease your swivel into and out of lines - trailing off pressure. Make some circles, make some S curves, then mirror them. All good for learning control. Just like practicing scales in music, or practicing your basic swing in golf. Hope that helps! - Bill

It sucks that that happened. While the leather might not be suitable for your intended purpose, it is interesting as is, and with the right hardware somebody will love it and buy it! - Bill

If you can't get incandescent lamps, they also make light-bulb-base heater elements that are about equivalent to a 100W incandescent lamp. Also, if you're hurting for space, there's no reason the cabinet couldn't be made collapsible to fold down to just a few inches. Maybe even wall mount it. - Bill

It is kind of a shitty title. - Bill

I use Dye-Gone II for hands, fabrics and surfaces. - Bill

Cool ... thanks! I was thinking it looked like it might be a window screen or piece of canvas. - Bill

Looks great, as always. I've been wondering, though, how do you get the texturing like on the blue one? - Bill

LOL! Your cat has you well-trained, human. They tend to be very good at that. -Bill

PNW is the Pacific NorthWest in the USA. US states of Washington, Oregon mostly, but you might extend that into Idaho and Northern California. I can certainly see how that could be confusing to the rest of the world! *End geography lesson* - Bill

The pack reminds me of seeing street salesmen in old movies where they carry something similar but in the form of a briefcase or suitcase. Mostly from the 1930s and 40s. I'd assume those movie depictions are based on reality - but have no way of really knowing! - Bill

I use 90% isopropyl in my burner. - Bill

It's kind of hard to nail down a date to celebrate. I don't remember some of the dates exactly, but you could argue that the day in early-mid June when they decided to do this thing would be the one. They appointed John Adams, Ben Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, and two others whose names escape me to write the document which they did over the next several weeks. That document was presented on July 2 and approved with provision for a few minor changes and those changes were approved on July 4th, so either of those dates would be valid. The delegates left Philadelphia over the next few days and the public was informed on July 8th - that's when the Liberty bell was rung, etc. so that could be a good date to choose too. At that point, not all delegates had actually signed the declaration, and they did so over nearly two months. Choosing the day when the final signature went on could also be a valid choice to celebrate! In the end, it's a little complicated, but you still have to choose a date ... so the 4th it is!! John Adams was never happy with that, he insisted on the 2nd - and who knows - maybe the 4th was chosen just to tick him off! He was by all accounts blunt, opinionated, pushy and just plain not well liked - today we'd call him a prick! LOL - Bill

If you've got some letter stamps and a snap setter, a customized wristband might be nice and simple. - Bill

Awwwww. That's awesome! I bet they had a blast making those! - Bill