fredk

I found the missing #3 piece. It was among the weeds. Its string had broken. I'll get it larded up and a new string on it and get it out today

I have the stylus type version. It has different 'hair' effect on each end. I find it very convenient. Easily switching between the two ends

A couple of days later than I wanted but I've now re-oiled/ re-greased all the pieces, except #3 of set 2, and put them out We'll see what our 'summer' can throw at them

I'll revise my earlier statement; With a fresh battery heat-up was instant and the tip went red hot. Perhaps its hot enuff to melt solder. The unit comes with a protective cover which covers the tip and the switch as well and prevents it being accidentally pressed

I just checked the battery I used to check that the zapper is working; its only about 75%, not full strength. That will make a difference to the time to heat and the heat

I just bought one. The tip takes about 5 second to heat up but it really never gets as hot as a soldering iron, just hot enuff to melt the thread. Its light-weight and handy. I intend to try it on my model aeroplanes as well, for trimming the rigging

Try Cutler. He finished off knives from the black smith.ready for sale and it seemed it included the sheaths

@bruce johnson Thanks for the above

Try Le Prevo in Newcastle

We are now entering the 9th month of testing. 8 months done. Set #1, the car set 1. Baby Oil; Both sides are very dark, More flexible than Control 1 (C1), Slight smell of leather, No sign of rot or fungus 2. Cooking Oil (rape seed); Both sides very dark, Slightly more flexible than C1, Slight cooking oil smell and of leather, No sign of rot or fungus 3. Lard (pork fats); Light but darker than C2, Flex is about the same as C1, Smell of leather, No sign of rot or fungus 4. NFO Compound; Both sides very dark, Flex is better than C1, No smell, No sign of rot or fungus 5. Olive Oil ( Pure Extra Virgin); Both sides very dark, Flex is only slightly better than C1, Slight smell of cooking oil, No sign of rot or fungus 6. 3 in 1 oil (benzine); Both sides very dark, but back less so, Flex is stiffer than C1, Slight noticeable smell of 3in1 oil, No sign of rot or fungus 7. Vaseline; Very slightly darkened both sides, Flex is only slightly better than C1, Very slight smell of leather, No sign of rot or fungus Set #2 were hung outside on a wood frame. They got light and heavy rain with periods of sunshine, warm overcast and wind, both light breezes and strong winds The same oils were used in the same sequence . Control C1A was hung with the other pieces 1. Baby oil; Both sides are very dark, Flex is better than C1A, Slight smell of leather No sign of rot or fungus 2. Cooking oil; Both sides very dark, Flex is very slightly better than C1A, Slight smell of leather, Grain surface feel oiled, No sign of rot or fungus 3. Lard; Is Missing! Its gone! Its disappeared, its AWOL ! The piece and its hanging string 4. NFO Compound; Both sides are medium dark, Flex is better than C1A, No smell, No sign of rot or fungus 5. Olive oil; Both sides and fairly dark, Flex is better than C1A, Smells of oil, Grain surface feels oiled, No sign of rot or fungus 6. 3 in 1 oil; Both sides are a medium dark brown, Flex is better than C1A, Slight smell of oil, No sign of rot or fungus 7. Vaseline; Both sides very slightly darkened, Flex is only very slightly better than C1A, Slight smell of leather, No sign of rot or fungus This week end I'll re-oil all the pieces and put them out again.

That colour you have done the samples in looks very fine and acceptable Are Boss bobbins the same size as Cowboy bobbins would you know?

What I would do is; line up the two ends, align the sewing holes and stick something like straightened wire paper clips in the sewing holes - they look like they can take them - then work back to the other end, lining up the holes and putting in paper clips every couple of inches. When thats done I'd go back to the first end, remove the paper clips and glue about 3 inches and put the paper clips back in. When that glue is really dry and sticking those 3 inches real well I'd do about 6 inches more, always putting the paper clips back in, repeat until all the belt is glued up. Then start the stitching

If its not damaged or the stitching holes ripped, yes, you can re-use it. Then it will keep its originality

@SkipAriHunter if you should need some brown chrome tan upholstery leather contact me. I might be able to let you have some, FOC

I find thin deer easily rips, Goat is much tougher

I have an update to do. Later

A follow up; I went to an angling shop and the chap there helped me search out a reel. We found a few. But I can't afford to buy it for about 7 days, when I get some pay in

A follow up; I bought a small fixed spool reel and the idea would work, but the reel's line section has to match the bobbin thread section. I went to an angling shop and the chap there helped me search out a reel. We found a few. But I can't afford to buy it for about 7 days, when I get some pay in Continued on

Try it on a curve. The pieces probably match when you try it on a curve, such as your waist.

Are they 3D printed?

I would use upholstery grade chrome tan leather. Mainly because I have tons of it. The upholstery leather is very flexible and would fall nicely. Mine is about 1.5 mm thick so it would be heat resistant. In fact I made a part-time blacksmith a waist length apron out of it and it served him well

Why are you home so late? A guy down the pub lost a $100 note Were you helping him look for it? No, I was standing on it

You can reduce the tack of any tape by putting in on your jeans first then pulling it off. The more times you do this the tack gets weaker each time

Double sided sticky tape or rubber glue?