UKRay

Sure it could.

I can only speak from personal experience, Russ, but I grew up over here in the UK knowing these things as blackjacks. I have one hanging on the wall in my workshop alongside a pair of brass knuckles!

Thanks for taking time to do the pictures, Bev. That stitching horse looks great! Ray

Not the bookbinder's press Art - the thing I saw in their catalog is a chunky great press with a sensible sized set of steel plates and a long operating handle. It is designed to cut out small leathergoods. A guy I know has a similar one and reckons it is a fine thing but I'm afraid I tend to take his suggestions with a pinch of salt most times - he has been known to be horribly wrong! Have another look - I'll try to find a reference number for you if someone doesn't get there first. Glad it was useful, Doug. Now tell me about the knives! R.

Just FYI: and to be fair to Proleptic - the magazine finally showed up along with the 29K manual I ordered and paid for and a partial user guide to the 45K which I didn't. Plus a copy of the January edition which I requested. They got there in the end!

About thirty years ago I owned a big, ugly old fly press - the sort with a monster screw and a handle weighted with a big old cast iron ball that would swing round and clip your ear horribly if you didn't move quickly enough. I used this to cut out all kinds of small leathergoods - hair barrettes, key fobs and the like. Now I'm old and fat and don't move so fast I was thinking about one of those hand operated clicking presses - Weaver do a nice looking one - mainly because they require weight rather than agility to work well! Has anyone any experience of these things? What sort of machine works for you? Also: Have you got any tips for designing, using or storing strip/clicking press knives?

Thanks for your indulgence guys but don't stop now. The temptation to spend all day looking at truck websites is still overpowering... Dually and DJ1935, in an ideal world those trucks of yours would be the ones for me. Classic lines and stacks of functionality... But I confess, the days when I was prepared to deal with a vehicle that could be temperamental are long gone. I need one to start first time every time and over here that precludes anything older than about five years. Don't you wish they would bring back those lovely classic designs with a decent engine and running gear - and brakes!

Me for a start! But I probably only have about 3 or 4 small packs left. Drop me a PM and they could be heading your way in no time. Ray

You guys have no idea how lucky you are to have access to vehicles like these and live in a place where you can use them - or maybe you do! I love the idea of your antique plates Holly... DJ1935 - That fantastic truck really ought to be mine. The only problem would be driving through my town, Ludlow, where some of the roads are so narrow I'd jam it between the buildings. They were only designed for a horse and cart! I even have trouble with a Ford Mondeo Estate. Jeffzilla - outrageous pictures! TrooperChuck - you are definitely spoiled for choice. I particularly like the flatbed but the leather dashboard adds a certain touch of style to the Dodge. Johanna - you and Wade are welcome to visit anytime. Just tell me when you are arriving and I'll pick you up at the airport! ...You won't get to ride in a nice truck though, sorry. Even though I'm well used to driving left hand drive cars all over Europe, my own first experience of riding as a passenger in a left hand drive car was in the US (in a San Francisco Taxi). It was terrifying. I kept stamping on an invisible brake pedal at every junction... The guy was a crazy man and those steep roads are unreal. The UK is a tad slower, but I think you'd find it just as much of a culture shock as I did.

Thanks for the valuable info, JW, I'm always keen to learn. One last question, how do you treat the rough out so it is waterproof? I would have thought a rough out saddle would have soaked up rainwater pretty quickly and become very uncomfortable to use. Am I missing something here? Ray

Now there is a URL to treat with caution; especially if you have a round knife in your hand! LOL

I'm delighted, Tom - in fact I was showing a guy your work this afternoon and he was most envious. I have already started work on those horns...

I am a confirmed truckaholic... but living in the UK makes this difficult. Our extremely narrow road system means I don't get to see too many glorious American or Australian vehicles and most British pickups just don't make the grade somehow. I'd love to see what you guys drive. It doesn't have to be a truck, just bring 'em on. Not just the outside either - I have been enjoying the recent steering wheel cover posts as I get to see inside left hand drive vehicles (some for for the first time). I suppose it is a kind of weird voyeurism... Indulge me! LOL! Don't forget to show those amazing US registration plates - do you really get to choose what goes on them? Does anyone signwrite their truck to advertise their leather business? I'd definitely like to see that as well! Ray

Hi Davy, Drop me a PM with your email address and I'll gladly send you a PDF of the manual. Ray

I know nothing about making or riding western saddles, JW. so I'm not about to say anything other than this looks like a very fine piece of work. A question though... do you make a saddle 'rough out' simply from preference or is there a reason for it - is it for the look? do you get a better grip? is it more durable (can't see this myself) or what? Please excuse my ignorance. Ray

Happy Birthday, Ken - hope you're not working... Have a great day! Ray

I'm obliged to you sir. I'm convinced that the older I get, the less I know... Ray

I'm really surprised you have still got it, Holly. They are quite expensive if you buy them new from TLF and having had one for a while now I wouldn't want to be without it. Okay, because it takes a few minutes to set up each time I mostly tend to use it for short 'production' work when I have say ten or more items to produce - keyrings are a great example. I have made a template that sits on the bottom plate and I just drop the keyfob blank into place and pull down the lever - simple as that. The reason it works better than a simple mallet or maul is becuse you can set up the depth you want to emboss to. This means you don't get the square impressions from the corners of the 3D stamp or letters. For anyone who is considering buying one take a tip and invest an extra couple of dollars in a set of adapters so you can use all the different sizes of Tandy stamps. It makes the press a lot more versatile. The downsides are worth considering too (before anyone thinks I'm on a retainer for TLF or Holly is paying me for marketing copy): 1) Weight - this is a heavy chunk of metal and shipping isn't cheap 2) Safety - The handle isn't supported/locked whilst in the upright position and can fall on your head if you aren't careful. It is worth mentioning that you won't let this happen twice unless you are completely stupid like me... eventually you will invest in a small length of leather strap fitted with a snap to keep it in place. Doh! 3) Set up - This isn't even slightly difficult but it has to be done each time you change the weight of the leather you are using. 4) Space - You will need to fix the press to a chunk of wood or preferably to your workbench and it takes up some space (not much but if you only have a very small area in which to work it may be an issue. I think that is it! I am a total convert and if anyone has any questions about setting up or using one of these I'm happy to help out. Ray

Thanks for all the help guys - I now have a set of runes coming my way... Thanks a bunch Holly! For anyone who hasn't got one, IMHO Holly's unwanted press is absolutely the best way to use 3D stamps and alphabet stamps. Perfect impressions every time and no problem lining things us. I already have one or I'd be negotiating! I use mine for keyfobs, guitar straps with names on, belts - in fact any time I need to use letter stamps. Works like a charm as long as you set it up right. Ray

Can anyone explain what is different about an Al Stohlman horse compared o a current Tandy horse? Also can someone please tell me what 'The Old George' is and what is a rigging gauge? Bev - have you got any pictures of this guys work please? Ray

That looks superb, Tom! I do like the way the straps lace through the flap. Ray

Randy, I'm grateful for your post and accept your apology without reservation. Like you, I appreciate a good round knife and, after 30 odd years, I know what it can do but I have also seen what other leatherworkers like Luke and the rest can achieve using alternative knives and feel humbled. My work, with or without a round knife, rarely meets their incredibly high standards so please understand that I couldn't let the implied criticizm stand. People who can make fine saddles will always command my respect; but I feel a large measure of respect is also due to others on this forum. Hopefully, forum members will always want to learn from experienced guys like you and Steve but even suggesting that their fine work is somehow inadequate (either intentionally or unintentionally) is IMHO both hurtful and unworthy. Ray

I foolishly missed out on an old set of rune stamps a while back and now have a use for some - has anyone got a set tucked away somewhere that they don't use and would like to convert into folding money? I'm happy to pay the shipping cost from anywhere in the world plus whatever you think is a fair price. Just drop me a PM or leave a note here and I'll be in touch very soon. Thanks guys, Ray

Adam, You may find a slim, slip in, neoprene computer case gives more protection than a sheepskin lining - and it won't bung your ports up with fluff! LOL Ray

Ben, I wouldn't argue with anything you just said other than the suggestion that I was in any way upset with you. That is not the case at all. Ray