Bob

The coffee maker in the shop is the main tool. It's called Trevi, Spidem. Something like that anyway. Dang it sure makes good coffee. Just add the fresh expresso beans from Costco and water and push a button. I only have to dump out the hopper every couple days. I don't think there's anything better than that coffee made fresh. Sorry folks, I just can't agree with drip coffee makers. Coffee that sits there for an hour on a hot plate just can't be good. Regis, I'd sure like to learn more about how and what you use for roasting your own beans. Here's a picture of the main tool in the shop... I think this thing is made in Italy. Works good for cawfee...

This section is so dag funny, some of hte stories are so funny. Jim, I donno how one would pull their finger out of a sewing machine needle with your left hand... gosh I've got a few wounds over the years, but nothing serious, touch wood......(touching my head)

This is way too funny Bruce, you crazy

Saddle? Wellllllllll, we'll wait an see what this saddle looks like Elton..... after all, you're only a young pup newbie saddle maker ....

Thats some kinda cell phone Johanna, do you have one like this??? I just love that video, it's way too funny

WOW, Elton nice work... those are some fancy Chaps.

How many times have you made a nice saddle and then put on the Bleven's buckles and the leather don't match at all. I've heard that some have changed the leather covers on these. But how is it done? What tools are required? Anyone know? bob

Roo & Elton, you both have nice stamps. Very nice...

It would be good to hear from some of the saddle makers that work at their bench all day, have tools all over the place and want it somewhat orginized. Things have to be somewhat orginized, or you spend more time looking for stuff. Only to find it banged around under a bunch of other tools. I like to keep sharp tools.

Steve, very nice workmanship. Clean, nice lines, perfect carving, a nice balance in design (rough out & smooth out with some tooling) It's pleasing to look at. Your stitching is perfect. I just like it ... are you going to Sheridan?

I'm considering having a bench made, but I'd like to get ideas from all of you. What you use. What works for you. What you'd like if you could have it. Post pictures, draw pictures. Share your ideas, perhaps we can have a plan drawn up of the ideal "Leather workers work bench". With measurements and plans so we can take it to a wood worker and have it made. What types of wood are best? Some ideas I have include built in granite slab in the surface draws for storage good lighting tool holders, wooden racks for sharp tools and punches slide outs, (like a cutting board in the kitchen) place for bench mounted splitter good cutting surface, friendly for knives I currently have a workbench, I don't like it. I made it many years ago and it sucks. I've been searching the internet for ideas and found nothing yet. Bob

Consider yourself lucky, he said he's not taking new customers and won't make any for me. I got these from Big sky dies. Paid 385 for 3 knives... including shipping. I just love the handles, yes they're really nice stuff. These are a bit rough on the finishing though, but they don't cut with the handles anyway...

Thats fine work Bronco, thanks for sharing it. Nice colors nice carving. Looks Good. Furthermore, some of us, like me, don't dye or paint anything. Won't even know where to start... Bob

Art, and many others. I took your advice and got some Bill Bachman Knives. They came in the mail a couple days ago. The three I got are on the left side of the picture, the two on the right is what I been using for many years now. They are custom made also by R Jolley, they been great knives too. The BB knives do come sharpened, nice tools....

We're almost out of snow, only wet slush and ice in the shady areas... it was warm today, hope it stays that way til it drys out some...

I bought the cheap ones too with wooden handles, they're really hard to hold onto... I removed the wood and replaced them with leather, I used the concho cutter stacked em on there and went to the knife make who has a sander to grind it off smooth.

Hello Tracy, did you consider making your own? I've considered it a number of times. It wouldn't be hard. I have a clicker that will cut the rawhide disks. I've got 3 1/2" disks and about 2" disks cutter for the clicker. Then all you will need a machine shop to mill you a brass weight for the top end. Use about 3/8 or 1/2 inch ready rod with a cap welded on the end, the would go through the brass weight on the top end, then pile on as much rawhide as you like, put a disk behind it, put on your nut, tighten it down. Cut a whole bunch of leather disks with the clicker to form a handle, use another washer and nut on the end tighten it down, here you may want to use a nice brass acorn nut of the end. Then go back to the lauthe (spelling) and mill down the handle to fit your hand. Use a farrier rasp as it turns, then sand paper to finish it. wet it down good with water and polish it with saddle soap and a canvas rag to burnish it. DONE!!!!

Tracy, I think it's what ever they put in the ink that makes it slide better. It makes your hands dirty like when your hands turn black on the tips after reading new papers... It was a two year program at Olds College Alberta put on by Ken Cameron, it didn't last but only three years in total. The first group of students were 12 in all, for two years. The next group was only for 1 year and it stopped. I was one of the fortunant few who got in the first group. Ken Cameron still works out of his shop in Reddeer Alberta.

I mean holding a bunch of news print in one hand, and pulling the thread thru it with the other hand, just like you would waxing linen thread. Maybe someone here can help with this.... it's the stuff on the news print paper that gets on the thread and the wool wouldn't stick to it. I don't know what it's called, but I think it would darken the thread a bit.

That would be handy, I could sure use one too. If someone knows where they can be purchased.

Tracy, then would be a good time to bring the pattern I promised you.

we never been and are looking forward to it... see you all there.

A nice place to check out in Sheridan for Accomadations is here. http://melissascottages.com/ reasonable rates, private too. Bob

I looked and clearly can't see what you've got there friend. It just looks like a pile of bags with stuff in them. Who knows what style of buckles you got there. How big they are, what they're made of? Brass? Silver?

Those of you who hand sew skirts with waxed linen. By pulling the thread through news paper print, the sheep skin will not pull through.... an ole trick i learned in school and will never forget. It toke all day to sew those skirts by hand. with waxed linen thread.