Sheilajeanne

Biting the hand that feeds you is never a good idea. And some of the people who sell those machines are much respected members of this forum. I am sure if you had detailed the problems you've had, without trashing the manufacturer, you would have gotten the help and support you need.

Totally get what you are saying - have the Tandy version of that stamp, and the definition SUCKS unless you hit the thing with a carpenter's hammer! Even then:

I live within easy driving distance of the nearest Tandy's, so I can make sure the leather I buy is up to snuff. You're right about the shipping fees from the U.S.

Yes, would love to see pictures! I've never heard of this before! That's one thing I love about this hobby - I am always learning something new! Welcome to the board!

Zonker, when I saw your post, and thought you were going to be asking where you could find a table for your work, I came here to suggest EXACTLY such a table! I have one I got from Canadian Tire. Since moving to a home where I have lots of cutting room, I don't use it for leather work, I use it when I have company for a barbecue. It saves me having to bother with a large patio table that has to be left out all the time, taking up space on my deck and suffer the effects of inclement weather, which usually destroys it within a few years! These tables are very popular and widely available. They come on sale frequently at local stores, so I would never bother to pay full price for one.

As a leatherworker, I found this extremely interesting. The cover of the book features some very fine Celtic knotwork and the raised pattern in the center has been done using a claylike substance to emboss the leather! The book is approximately 1,300 years old. It has been digitized and is available online, if you want to see anything other than the cover. “The left board is decorated with a rectangular frame with interlace patterns in the upper and lower fields and a larger central field containing a chalice from which stems project, terminating in a leaf or bud and four fruits. This raised motif was apparently made using a matrix, with a clay-like substance beneath the leather.” https://mymodernmet.com/st-cuthbert-gospel-oldest-book/?fbclid=IwAR1OZf7PjNAGOtOs9uokoQMiIULPq0nzISaoFigI4y47bAKhYD54gMDTMss

I think your problem is the background. The letters get lost in it. The only way you can fix that is to make the background a different colour from the letters. Next time, as suggested, leave blank space around the letters to help them stand out.

Okay, out of 6 tries with the stamp, this was the best I could manage. I think the problem is it's a Craftool USA stamp, and not very high quality. The leather was 3-4 oz. veg tan. If you still want to buy it, let me know. I hit the stamp 3 x with my mallet to get this impression.

I have one, and could probably be persuaded to part with it. Will have a look at it to see what shape it's in and let you know. I got it with a batch of used tools last year, and have never used it.

I'm sure donations of money will be most welcome. Just make sure you are sending it where it will do the most good. Personally, I'd see if Robert Irwin and his family (family of the late Steve Irwin) have a charity. And don't even THINK of sending it to PETA!! There are some excellent suggestions here: https://vocal.media/petlife/care-about-australia-s-wildlife-please-don-t-give-money-to-peta?fbclid=IwAR1Z_28TJr-W0Ig7zC7S-OuO5HxkqO4yV8rRCV54sz4zlAYBKsZvNVnKlXw

I saw an article on FB today that said to STOP SENDING nests and especially mittens. The mittens cannot be sterilized, and the koalas must have sterile dressing for their burned paws. Also, SO much stuff is being sent that the recipients can't cope with it all. They have all they need and are too busy caring for the animals to unpack it all. Will provide a link if I can find the article again! Okay, found the releavant article: https://www.independent.ie/world-news/and-finally/well-meaning-knitters-told-to-stop-sending-koala-mittens-to-australia-38851220.html

The reason leather working mallets don't have metal heads is that a metal hammer will eventually damage the top of the stamp, and possibly bend the shaft, especially if the stamp is made from cheap metal. Also, metal against metal is likely to bounce, and possibly cause a blurred or double impression of the stamp. Your tools are GORGEOUS!! I am sure if you ever want to make a bit of money on the side, you would find a ready market for these tools! I think I can hear the woodworkers on this board drooling over them already...

"Cover for a round seat".... [cringes at the thought of someone SITTING on such a beautiful piece of art...]

I see the edges starting to curl. What thickness leather is that? It looks rather thin, and I'd suggest fastening it to some sort of backing to prevent stretching as you work on it. That's going to be some picture when you're done!! But wondering why it's the dragon that got torched and not the warrior!

Superb work, as always, Tim!

I texted the seller as soon as I saw the ad, but alas, someone else got in there first. It was a re-post on Canadian Leather Crafters, so someone else saw it on Marketplace first.

Yeah, I knew it was a patcher. Looks like someone else had first dibs on it, and has re-contacted the seller and will pick it up Sunday. Damn, I could have picked it up tomorrow...

So, this machine is available near me for only $100. What weight will it sew? http:// 78939903_10156251645040666_4101836485148278784_n.jpg Edit: it's a Chinese made Typical sewing machine Model 2972, and there's no motor. It's a treadle machine. I would have to add a motor.

Tracking requires a long lead.

Yup, it's all about sex! It's called the flehman response: https://www.outdoorlife.com/blogs/record-quest/2012/11/flehman-response-why-do-rutting-bucks-curl-their-lips/ He's drawing her scent into the Jacobson's gland in the roof of his mouth, so he can tell if she's in heat. Many animals do this. Here's a horse doing it: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flehmen_response

Fred, that's exactly what I found when I got that large batch of used tools last year! Some of the older Craftool stamps were good, some were rubbish, perhaps due to age, and being used a lot. Some of the 'Made in Taiwan' stamps were good, some were not. There was no way I could generalize and say, Oh, this one is from XYZ manufacturer, so it must be better and I'm keeping it. EACH stamp had to be tested before I could decide whether to keep it or not.

Frodo, I use an old, dried-up pen for transferring patterns to leather prior to carving. Had the same thing happen to me, only it wasn't as disastrous, as the ink only went on the tracing paper, not the leather!

Cool thread!! Handstitched, the top of that link mentions the Princess Margaret Hospital. That name is VERY familiar to me, as it's the name of a cancer hospital in downtown Toronto! I assume there's one in Australia as well...

Nutria, maybe?

Tugadue, I wouldn't think a PETA supporter would be able to tell the difference between real alligator hide, and the fake embossed stuff! But I can understand the reaction to elephant hide.The slaughter of these beautiful highly intelligent animals just for their tusks makes me very, very angry! The calves often die as well, if mom is killed. There are several sanctuaries that will take these orphans, raise them, and eventually re-integrate them to the wild. An orphan will often recognize its main caregiver immediately many years after it's a full grown adult. https://www.buzzfeed.com/juliekliegman/an-elephant-found-the-man-who-saved-him-26-years-ago-and-the