fredk

averaging 2* C

I wouldn't say it was cold but I just saw some brass monkeys down the town looking for a welder

If its the type I'm thinking of, they put the knife at a fixed angle which is not always the best angle for our leather working tools

I've used compressed cardboard to reinforce chrome tan leather bags. I've sandwiched it between 2 layers of leather

I think I've become a reptile; I'm so cold I can't warm up to make the effort to get into my leather room to do any work

Yes, but out of China via ebay

Not only lubrication, but also used on one-self as a protection against cold weather (goose grease mostly) and tallow was the main source of light, tallow candles and lamps, from Roman times to the invention of the gas light

I feel privileged that we get our mail pushed through a letter-slot in our main door. The postie is legally obliged to put the mail through the letter box. Our posties are still wearing shorts and light-weight jackets. My postie this morning was wearing a light waterproof jacket only cos it was teeming down

I get mine from an ebay seller; https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/202724567524?var=502855662559&hash=item2f335369e4:g:ptsAAOSwO8tcxq3v

The secret here is to roast the scraps not to burn them

It arrived yesterday tbh I think one of my French skivers would do the job just as well

I paid 0 VAT and import duty on my Tippmann Boss because its a 'specialist' sewing machine. Its a category on Customs & Excise website. I didn't have to ask for it they just applied it

@Sheilajeanne I'm going to make one of those in leather. The down side of that bowl is its not very portable. A super-duper sized dice cup

Some decent ideas. I used an A4 piece of ordinary printing paper. Only time I had to do it

Too blingy

I use this 'Nikwax'. It works tolerably well https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/263122494157

I'll put a link to it https://www.tandyleather.world/products/61957-01-leather-crafting-starter-book?_pos=19&_sid=a5ea6a896&_ss=r Looks like a good book Unfortunately, the price plus s&h, and taxes, to me is outside what I can afford Edited to add; its available on Amazon

Three out if four Nope lol, nope I deliberately didn't include any thing for sizing, Its about 6 inches, and not quite a ball shape Its for holding something captive Its Wool Cage. I noticed that women in my Knit & Natter group allow their balls of wool to fall on the floor and roll around. They can put the ball of wool in this and attach the springy thingy to something. The wool ball is still free to rotate giving off its string of wool but it can't roll around on the floor getting dirty, stood on or tripped over Its a test piece. I'll give it to one of the members, a volunteer, to try out next Wednesday at our next meeting

I made this last night. This is the experimental version. Can you guess what it is?

I bought it from 'Daegrad Tools' https://www.daegradtools.com/medieval-leatherworkers-combination-lunette-and-awl---ash-wood-handle-6508-p.asp but be forewarned, it comes covered in scale from the hand-forging, and its not terribly big

I got the lunette cleaned up. Some of you could do it better but it'll have to do, although, I'll do a bit more on it from time to time. The main problem with it is the surface is as rough as the moon and polishing it up takes time. I've sharpened the awl, as it was it wouldn't poke a hole thru a wet paper bag. I've sharpened the main blade and I've slightly sharped the 'tooth' on the back edge. As far as I know that acts like scratch awl so doesn't need to be really sharp, but also not as blunt as it was. Walnut wood oil dye and varnish on the handle

@SUP Here's an idea; get a decent sized shed. Invite a load old men to use it. Free to use, only they have to smoke pipes or ceeegars. Hang your leather in it and wait. Guaranteed it will smell of baccy after a while

I bought a skiver like that several years ago Only one problem; I've not used it yet,

@jrdunn me too. I have kilos & kilos of flexible chrome tan upholstery gauge leather to use up

I agree, nice work. And pockets @SUP If the pockets are smallish, individual and kept low they'll not affect the draw string closure