UKRay

Despite the age, this is a fascinating and constantly 'topical' topic, John, and one that I have been exploring lately. I'm currently trying to find someone in the UK to carry out contract laser work for me but I'm obviously looking in all the wrong places! Has anyone any idea of costs for contract work? This is important as it could mean the difference between sub-contracting and buying a machine myself (which wouldn't be my first choice).

Most of the 'good' fades from one colour to another seem to be done with an airbrush...

This is also my preferred method - I tend to use a wide mouth glass jar full of stain and coil the lace into that. If you put the lid back on and give the jar a shake it gets rid of any bubbles and ensures a nice even color. To seal the lace I use Skidmore's Leather Cream on a piece of shearling and simply pull the lace through the shearling to coat both sides and seal the whole job. It is easy to dip the shearling in the Skidmore's pot to 're-charge' it when needed. Gloves are essential if you don't want to get covered iin dye..

Here you go - a tribolt.

Many thaks Aaron. The thing with the handle with balls on top is what we call a fly press over here - I have no idea what the massive looking thing is but I probably want one! <grin> Only joking, I haven't got the space - the fly press would do the trick if I only knew what size to get. there are plenty on eBay and they don't make a load of money over here. I used one for years to cut out purses, dog collars etc so I know they work as long as they have a sensible sized throat. The arbor press I was talking about is also hand operated and seems to work on a cam arrangement... but what do I know? I have posted a picture so you know the sort of thing I mean.

Sorry to drop in here so late. Ed - must you have new tools? I have a quite a few spare, used JD creasers - both adjustable and single. I also have a packet of 60 year old JD awl blades that are a delight to work with - I can spare one or two. Let me know what you want to do.

They sure do, China - but they also cost £1000 - about US $1500 and I want to spend a fraction of that...

Thanks Terry and Tony - I have tried a bookbinder's press but mine was rather less robust than the one in the picture and I didn't want to spoil it. I thought I might try an arbor or fly press with a thick steel plate to spread the pressure - any idea what size (tons?) yours is? R.

I have a number of strip knives for cutting out small leather items and mostly I get stuff cut out on a hydraulic clicking press; but occasionally I'd like the facility to cut out a few pieces (rush orders, etc.) in my own workshop. The largest piece I want to cut is little more than a 2" wide x 14" long strap. There is no way I have room for a full-on clicking press (the access difficulties, width and weight combined would make getting one of these into the work area impossible) but I wondered if anyone else has found a solution. I'm currently looking at old fly presses - they seem cheap and powerful but I have no idea what size to buy. Can anyone help please? Same question about arbour presses - they seem reasonably inexpensive but are they powerful enough to do the job I need? What size should I look for? Hope you can help. Ray

Any chance of a picture of one of your journals? They made me post pictures...

Yup, I reckon you could see a noticeable improvement, cousin. It should get straight to the point, but be careful 'cos it might only go in straight lines...

I believe Troy is talking about Scotland's famous and incredibly fierce blood sucking mosquitos. Apparently a big swarm can drag you out of your car and suck you dry in a matter of seconds... The scenery is great but whatever you do don't stop to admire it!

Forgive my ignorance and apologies if I offend, but if they are not leather, and if they are not for working with leather, and as they don't appear to have any connection with leather or leatherwork why are you trying to sell them here and why are you wasting LW's precious bandwidth?

Hey Randy, you could be right - or maybe an Artisan looks like a Highlead? You could almost think they came from the same factory!

Here is a another video that I liked: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vpWNJOCYA1A I think this one says it all...

I'll definitely take you up on that offer, Steve. You are most kind. I have some clicking for you to do sometime soon so perhaps we can combine both operations. I'll let you know when as soon as I have seen and approved the new knives. They should be here this week. Naming all the machines in your workshop - I don't think so, life is far too short! Unfortunately, I just can't help it... sad eh?

Nice looking job, Josh. I can't see anything that looks like it needs sanding.

No vices, Tashabear? That can't be much fun... LOL

I want to know what happened to Mary?

A great first job, Marcel. Encourage her more and perhaps you'll be able to buy all the tools you want! LOL Ray

Those pictures are awesome! You certainly live in a beautiful place. 3 days with no power eh? I start to get a bit 'edgy' in a heavy frost so, despite the views, I'd still be kinda tempted to move further south. A lot further south... like California, Arizona or somewhere dry and warm. LOL Talking of south, I think your daughter will be around a hundred miles south-east of the bits I photographed - however, they do lots of student priced coach tours from Edinburgh that run past all the lochs and mountains so she will have plenty of opportunity to see the sights.

So how would you polish them, Paul? BTW: These are almost completely black rather than the brown colour of the ones in the picture.

The block they are sitting on is 12" square... Anyone know what sort of animal they belonged to?

As Badger so rightly says... I've probably got it coming! I'll be in touch as soon as I have sight of the machine again, Ryan. Many thanks for the information it is most helpful. The naming ceremony is in a few weeks time, Mike. Would you like an invitation? I'm glad you joined in this conversation, but remembering your scurrilous comments about my dear old Pilot all those months ago I ought to remind you to play nicely this time. Some people are very sensitive about their nice new machinery... LOL BTW: Having humped this thing down a flight of stairs, halfway across a field and all the way home from Bonnie Scotland, I'm inclined to agree with MASSIVE. I promise you, the further you carry it the bigger it seems... Tony - I do declare you're a bigger wind up merchant than the irrepressible (and apparently dyslexic) Badger. We ae talking production machine here not historic artefact! I had a museum piece for a while (it is now Badger's - a British made BUSM Pilot called Biggles) and now I need to do some proper work - okay?

I wouldn't do that, Suze. I'm a man of morals - and anyway that sort of thing always steams my glasses up!