UKRay

I don't plan on shoveling the wretched stuff myself, guys, I just want to own the means to do so... I plan on getting that neighbour's kid to do the work whilst I watch through the window. Last year I had to dig my old van out with a blasted dog bowl (it was the only thingl I had to hand) and want to be better prepared this time around. More importantly, my new VW Transporter is twice as big as the old van and will take much more effort without the proper tool! LOL Ray

Regretfully, Phoenix isn't an option at present and, truth be told, I quite like living in the UK. Having said that, I have enjoyed Las Vegas a number of times and was even there when it rained once. The streets flooded and It was rather like being at home but with more lights and big buildings - and far fewer sheep.. although I did see a goat in a dress, but maybe that belongs in another story... Marlon, that snow blower looks like a wonderful idea but how does it cope with slush and ice? Moxgrove - I promise not to lift, just push... I can't bear the thought of straining something important... Neighbour's kid? Brilliant! Unlike some of you folks, we don't need too many words for snow over here. Mostly we get thick white stuff followed by wet slushy stuff, quickly followed by black icy stuff. I hate all of it pretty evenly. I simply need to get out of my yard gate to buy food occasionally otherwise, I promise you, I really would hibernate! lol Ray

I like the sound of hibernation, Knut! Ray

Thanks muchly, Crystal. I'll get a plastic one then! Oldtimer - I've seen the snow in your part of the world.Let's be honest, I'm simply not in that league. The amazing snow blower is a tad more than I can run to this month and I'm not sure where i'd keep it in the summer, lol, but the shovel looks like a winner! Stay warm, folks. Ray

My local farm store has some powerful looking lightweight aluminum shovels - they any good? The long range forecast is looking worse for the Welsh border... Ray

I like to add a little Lexol and a teaspoon of bleach to warm water. The Lexol seems to soften the water, IMHO making the leather easier to work and the bleach stops any fungal growth. Always give the leather plenty of time to soak it up - let the bubbles stop before you start to apply any pressure. I find thinner leather is easier to work with. Ray

I've done a bit of wetforming in recent years but that pouch is truly excellent. Here is a pic of my latest project - which is how I came to think about making leather bowls... Ray

The only problem is that I'm no good with machinery... lol Ray

I have been meaning to buy a snow shovel for several years and have got away with it so far... Now i'm told the snow is almost upon us again so i'm going to bite the bullet. My question is what sort of snow shovel should I get? You guys in the US and Canada know far more about snow than I ever will - although the weather forecast is suggesting I'm about to learn.... What sort of shovel do you use? Metal? Plastic? What? Help! Pictures / links would be a great help. Note: Backhoes, JCBs and mini-diggers don't count. I couldn't get one into my yard! LOL Ray

Thanks, Luke. Most helpful. I'll talk to you later... LMAO I have made a few bowls using a simple glass bowl as a mould (mold?), pulling the leather down over it to form the finished shape. I stained the dried bowl using Fiebings Pro dye and finished with Atom Wax. It kinda worked out nicely but I'd like to improve the technique a little. Interestingly, the bowls I made are quite tough and plenty hard enough for loose change Spinner, I don't want to spend hard earned cash getting moulds turned from wood if there is a better way to do this (although I'm pretty certain that it is the most effective way to form the leather). I suspect I'll end up there in the end lol! Has anyone made square dishes with simple bits of wood or used any other cheap former? Pictures would be a real help guys. Ray

Lovely clean work. It is so hard to produce work like that. Congratulations! Ray

I've been doing a lot of wet forming lately and decided to make a few leather bowls. Not much to write home about although they worked well enough to hold loose change. I'm interested to know if anyone else has experimented with bowl making? How did you get on? Got any tips for designing a good 'un? My biggest concern was finishing the bowl, after it had dried, without squashing it out of shape. Anyone got any thoughts? I wondered about airbrushing... Ray

I tend to agree with Randy that a welt makes a fine protector for vulnerable stitching but don't forget the humble rivet! Two or three strategically placed rivets are a sensible 'time-saving' alternative if you are on a tight budget for the job. Hope this helps, Ray

That might be okay for you, cousin Luke, but I'm keen to ensure mine doesn't go the same way. LOL Heck, I'd have to get a proper job again and we can't have that... anyway, I'm unemployable! Ray

Thanks, Mike. This is all getting very complicated! Ray

So where do you place finished (ready for sale) goods in this equation? I can't ignore them as they represent around 60% of the value of my business. Ray

Hi Tina, I've just ordered one! Thanks as always. Ray

Kevin, Many thanks for the offer of help. It is requirement for my business tax return that I carry out a stock taking, but I'd also want to do it to find out the value of my business assets. Obviously this has an element of 'running my business correctly''. The insurance element is one that I have been considering for quite a while as I'm fairly confident I'm under-insured. The next section is harder as I'm not sure what the best way to value the stock might be. My instinctive reaction is to value it 'Resale value - as is where is' but this may not be the most useful information to have - advice would be most helpful. Replacement cost would be significant. Future use value probably applies to my machinery and tools, but many of my machines (due to age and availability) are virtually irreplaceable. Does this mean they are worth lots or little? Ray

I'm just about to do an inventory for my end of year accounts and wondered if anyone had any advice or suggestions to make the job any easier (aside from getting someone else to do it!). This task is a pain in the a** that affects most small (and large) leather businesses and I'd like to see if sharing information and knowledge can make the job less of a hassle for all of us. Do you use printed (hard copy) stock sheets? Excel spreadsheets? If you use stock sheets or a database did you make 'em yourself or buy 'em in? How do you set them out? What info is important and why? Have you got any tips around stocktaking you can share? Do you think it is better to have a large inventory or a small one (aside from the time it takes to count all the stuff!). Why? Any advice would be gratefully received, Thanks guys. Ray

Thanks for the tips, guys. I am exploring a belt grinder... I'll get back to you when I've tried it! Ray

Wait 'till you try to stain those (currently invisible) claw scratches... You may need to use the cat as a dauber! LOL Ray

I've been using a LANSKY knife sharpening system for a while now and, in the main, have been very happy with the results. Hey, I even managed to cut my finger on a freshly sharpened knife this morning LOL. I'm just wondering if there is anything better? Ray