LumpenDoodle2

Come the revolution.........first up against the wall. And my wall gets longer every day. I am having a little wander around Amazon just now. I think I signed up for an Amazon account ages ago, but never did anything with it.

Finally did it, I left ebay selling yesterday. Well, it could be better described as constructive dismissal by ebay (with a little goading from me). i've been selling my leather items on ebay, for about 1 1/2-2 years now (doesn't time fly), and I also have a webshop. Of course, because ebay just potters away, and sales were regular, I've never really pushed my shop regarding sales. It's been busy, but more by luck, than by my effort. A couple of days ago, ebay pulled 6 of my listings. Apparently, I was breaking some ebay policy. So, a few phone calls to ebay, and agreement from all that ebay policy did not make sense, I relisted them. They were pulled another 3 times, with the final ebay policy infringement from me being....... firearms...... Some of my listings include pictures of holsters containing children's toy guns. These toys were bought from ebay, for the express purpose of displaying in the holsters. So, I can look at a picture of a child's toy gun on ebay, I can purchase a toy gun on ebay, but I cannot display a toy gun in a holster on ebay. Work that one out Ted. I contacted the ebay ceo UK, who is as much use as a chocolate fireguard. I then contacted ebay ceo US, after waiting without reply, or even aknowledgement from UK ceo, after sending him three emails. I decided, 'buggrit!!', I've had enough. Time to leave ebay, and concentrate on my own shop, so I relisted everything again, with no changes but one. I took a leaf out of grannie Weatherwax's book, "If you're going to break the rules, break them good and hard!". I added the statement that ebay policy was just silly, and hidebound, and that they were basically forcing me to leave ebay as I refuse to jump through their silly hoops. Hoops which took them almost 2 years to apply. Oh, and I added my shop web address (right little rebel that I am). Of course, they pulled the listings (12 this time), citing firearms and other policy violations, and finally, the ebay UK ceo rep got in touch, to tell me they were restricting my account for 7 days. I then had the pleasure of telling them "too late, I've pulled ALL my listings, and I will not sell on ebay again". Shame, I've been a loyal little soldier selling stuff since 2005, with only 1 negative feedback in that time, and that was from a weirdy person, who made no sense. Last night, I started contacting my customers about the situation, to assure them their orders through ebay were safe, and have received 1/2 dozen replies so far, with nothing but support, and encouragement from them (bless their little cotton socks). just to add, infringing on ebay policy didn't stop ebay from taking this months hefty amount of fees from my account, just before trying to restrict my account. Wazzacks!!!!!

I have a cheap and chearful grinder, which came with the grinding wheels bolted onto the shafts. I removed those, and bought a left, and a right hand threaded fittings for burnishing wheels to screw onto. As with most tools, the upgrading continued, and now I have a Nigel Armatage burnishing thing bolted onto one shaft, and a sanding drum bolted onto the other. If I want to do a bit knife polishing, I can remove either side, fit the tapered screw, and then the polishing wheel.

Many thanks, that's extremely kind of you. Sounds interesting, I'll give that a google too.

One of the first books I bought was 'Packing Iron', and you are right, a wonderful book. I've just received an email, and they are saying it could take quite a number of weeks to get here, but I'm patient. I'm patient....... I'm...........

Thanks, it looks really good. I found a copy for sale, and hopefully it is winging its way from the US to Scotland.

Many thanks for your reply, I shall check it out. The thing about living in Scotland, is you don't meet many chaps wearing chaps.

I've been asked by a customer to make a pair of chsps for Western reenactment. Now, a very kind customer sent me a pattern for shotgun chaps, which may do as the basis for the chaps. I am using 'chaps' split suede, and although I've been googling, I'm having difficulty finding an authentic way of fastening the chaps, other than zips, or conches. This being the case, I figured that while still googling, I should ask at the font of all knowledge. Can anyone direct me to images/patterns/personal knowledge regarding authentic chaps. I'm trying to avoid batwing chaps, as early Hollywood did them to death, even though they sre possibly more authentic to the period.

Try this forum - www.tk560.com. I found it very useful for info on biulding my little vacuum former (made from an old foldup picnic table, some wood, an old hoover, and a George Foreman grill. Thank you Blue Peter).

I admire your patience, and it is paying off. You've done a lovely job on the stand. Having had a machine posted to me badly packed (I also gave explicit instruction on packing the machine, all of them completely ignored), and having to gather up the broken bits of a 130 year old machine, my heart goes out to how you must have felt opening that box. Some folk need a good drubbing.

Very nice.

Thanks, always willing to learn from someone more knowledgable. I bought a cheap Chinese solar panel, and regulator for my campervan, but it's off getting some repairs just now, so set up the system in my workshop. It only produces about 2amp at best (30w panel), but I was surprised at how useful that little amount actually is. I have my little battery constantly charged, and even charge my phone and tablet off it. Once the leds are all set up, I feel I'll be doing my little bit to make the world great again.

Great idea, and good quality light. I bought 5 metres of sticky backed led lights off ebay. I've cut and stuck them around my work area, including as you have done, on my machines. I 've also bought a bundle of fancy 'boy racer' cockpit switches, and plan to rig everything up with individual switches, leading to a 12v battery and solar panel.

Bummer, you checked!

Unless you are strong enough to sack them if neccessary, then do not hire family. My biggest mistake in a orevious business was to hire young in laws. Other thing to be careful with, is being kind. Kindness is seen as being 'soft' by some people. I'm not saying you should be a dragon, but be aware of the fact you are running a business, not a charity.

I think coming from a fabric sewing background helps with leather. It opens the mind a bit to what can be done, and how.

You know what I really like about it? It doesn't scream 'ipad' case. Think you've got something there.

Great bit of info to keep the old Singers working, and not turning into doorstops, or lampstands (worse upcycle seen on ebay, ever).

Looks like it was meant. There you are, high praise from a Scot.

I've watched a number of shoe and boot making vids, and it still looks like a 'black art' to me. Lovely job.

He's done some great work there, and you've lasered it very well. I wonder what software was used to do the shield.

The joy of the internet is that you can see you are not alone doing this leatherwork, and you get to view such a vast array of quality work. If there is an image, it's on the internet somewhere, and if it's on the internet, we get to study it.

If you decide on a cutter, and have the room, try one of those free standing 6ton hydraulic jack garage/workshop presses. Very cheap, and don't take up much floor space. For a small investment, you can make as many, or as few as you need, and maybe add to your cutter collection with another shape.

They are a neccessary, nay vital part of moving forward as a leatherworker. Well, that excuse works for me.

Ditto.