BearMan

Hi Pete, The bevelers I use, are some I made. They are a Sheridan style, Curved,,, with the steeper angle, but, with the heal rounded off, so that they don't leave that hashmark you mentioned. It took me a while to get used to using curved bevelers,,, now I use them pretty much all the time. From what I've been told, they are very similar, albeit, a lot cruder version of Bob Beards bevelers. The very best ones on the market is Bob Beards, but Barry King makes some nice ones also. The bargrounders I used on this was Barry Kings, I don't remember what size. I do use steep smooth bevelers sometimes also, but mostly on figure carving types of things. I'm glad you like the Maul so much! Take Care,,, Ed P.S. Before you ask,,, I'm not really interested in making any bevelers to sell,,,

Thanks Daniel, & Ben, I don't know if I'm going to incorperate any "Secret" compartments into this box, but that's something I usually do. But it will have at least a couple things that flip up, or fold out. Here are a couple pictures of a box I made a few years ago. It has 2 false bottoms inside that can only be operated, with a special magnet, in the exact area. It took my Son about 3 hours, to get both compartments open. Ed the"Bearman"

Hi Everybody, It's been a while since I've posted any tooling projects. Here is the top to a fitted box I'm making for my Son. The way I came up with this design is, that I looked at several designs, drew up some parts,,, changed some things,,, threw that away,,, re-drew it, with changes,,, After that,,, this is what I came up with. Of course, after finishing the tooling, oiling, dying, & finishing,,, I see things I'd like to do differently. Oh well,,,, hehehe The box itself, is about a 1/2" bigger than the top. It will hold a 20oz Maul, 12-15 basic stamping tools, & 2 swivel knives. It's going to be a Christmas present, so hopefully I'll get it done in time. Once I get it all done, I will put some pictures on here. Thanks for looking. Ed the"BearMan"

Hi JW, If you have some good size pieces, about 2" x 2" x12", that have interesting figure, I would be very interested. I would love to have some to make Maul handles out of. It would need to be solid. Maybe we could work out something good for both of us. If interested email me at : polarb1717@aol.com Thanks,, Ed the"BearMan"

Good Morning Josh, Very Nice,,, Great color & depth! Keep up the good work!! Ed

Hi Everybody, It seems that most everybody has a knife they reach for most of the time. Here is what I use for about 75% of trimming type of work. I only use it second to my old "Head Knife". This is actually one that I've made. It's a replica of an old , I believe, english design called a "Half Head Knife". The rounded back of the blade is sharp, just like a round / head knife, but also the inside edge is sharpened about half way down. It can be used just like a head knife, & then flipped over, to use like a utility knife. It's quite handy! I know a lot of us "old Timers" have seen knives like this before. It's about 5" long. Please let me know what You think. Thanks for looking. Ed the"BearMan"

Hi Everybody, Somehow, I've wound up with three #9 Gomph stitching wheels,,, but I don't have a #7. If there is anybody willing to trade, one for one, that would be great. Even with my best effort, I just can't seem to work all three of the 9's at the same time,,, hehehe I don't have a #12 either,,, don't know if I'd ever use a #12, but that would help complete my set. If I'm not able to trade,,, I'll probably wind up putting at least one on ebay. Thanks,,, Ed

Hi Casey, Very nice engraving! I'm sure it will do very well at the contest. Thanks for sharing.. Ed the"BearMan"

Hi, You may have already heard about this, but there are several woodworking Gel Stains, that work well as Antique. Min Wax Aged Oak, has been used by lots of people with very good results.

Hi Stewart, What I'd use is some good contact cement, like Barges, or Weldwood. Make sure you "rough" up the stainless with some sandpaper first, & then clean with alcohol. Once the alcohol is all dried off, then just follow the directions on the can. I would put two coats of cement on, before sticking them together,,, just make sure thet are positioned correctly. They will stick for good. Ed

Hi Joel, Hmmm how did you know my son's name?? hehehe Yes, the glass is glued in with some good contact cement. After the glass is good & cleaned,,, & glued,,, it's pretty much stuck for good. Thanks for looking,,, Ed

Hi Everybody, Here is a holder for the slicker. I made it to mount to my rotary tool caddy, so that the slicker isn't just laying around, where I could never find it, & getting chipped. It's made out of 7/8oz , with a little added piece at the top, to kick the top out, to make it easier to use. The eyelets help to keep the screws from splitting the leather. There is a spacer piece in the bottom, so that the edge of the slicker rests on that. It's stitched with 9 stitches per inch on the sides, & 8 across the bottom. I know it's pretty simple, but if anybody needs the layout pattern, I'd be happy to send it. Thanks for looking,,, again,,, Now that we're done with this,,,, What are You working on???? Show us what you've got! Ed the"BearMan"

Hi Ann, Up until a couple years ago, I was heavy into Stained Glass also. So working with glass is not a problem. It just takes a regular glass cutter, a glass grinder, some water, & 400-600 sandpaper, on a sanding block, to polish the edge.

Hi Everybody, Here is a glass Slicker I just finished for myself. I've had one made out of Plexyglass, that I've used for years. I was at a local thrift store & ran accross, some pieces of 3/8" thick glass shelves, that were 4" wide, & different lengths. I thought that they were going to be tempered, which would make them almost impossable to cut,,, but I got lucky, & they weren't. So,,, I cut a 5" long section, ground & polished all the edges, & then put on some leather,,, & here it is. What do you think?? It's 5" wide, just over 4" tall, & 3/8" thick. I compared it to my Plexyglass Slicker,,, & it does have a better feel, & seems to work a little easier. Thanks for looking,,, Ed the"BearMan"

Good Morning, I've used the sun & oil for many years to help color, or deepen the color of leather. Depending on where you live, & the intesity of the sun, regulates how long you leave it out. But, one of the most determining factors is the leather itself. It seems that the lesser quality leathers tan, & darken a lot quicker than the better quality leathers. In the south east, a couple hours in the sun is about all it takes to see a very noticable difference. A good test, to see how sun affects leather where you live, is to cover a portion of a piece, & then set it out in the sun for an hour, then move the cover, exposing a bit more, give it another hour, & so on untill you've reached 5-6 hours. Then take it inside & let it sit for several hours, as there is some continued darkening, even after bringing it in. Then you will have a good idea how long to leave it out , to get the affect you want. Do this with both a un-oiled piece, & an oiled piece, as they will be different. Different areas of the world, & different seasons will give differnt results. Basically though,,, I leave it out, until it's about 2 shades lighter than I'd like, & then bring it in. If it turns out to be too light, I'll put it back out the next day for another 1/2 hour or so. You can always darken,,, but you can't go back lighter. I hope this helps some,,, Ed the "BearMan"

My Goodness!! For being a "Rookie",,, you are doing Great!! It looks like you've been at this for years. You either have a Very good Mentor,,, or you are a Natural! Keep up the good work,,, & Thanks for sharing. Ed the"BearMan"

Hi Everybody, Thanks for all the wonderful compliments! MadMax gave me permission to make them pretty much anyway I wanted. A lot of the time, my design ideas happen when I should be sleeping. Sometimes, there is just no way to make them work,,, but sometimes, they come out pretty nice. My wood supplier, seems to be able to get me just what I'm looking for also. Thanks again for looking,, Ed the"BearMan"

Hi, & Thanks Yes, I'll probably be makeing some more of the Mini Maul Key Fobs. Just email me directly, as I haven't figured any prices yet. Thanks,,, Ed

Hi Everybody, Here is a little Key Fob, mini maul. I've made a couple in the past, that wound up as presents. Also, I saw something a while back I just had to try,,, it's a genuine 50 Caliper machine gun shell casing Pen. The pen is very simple to make, & actually writes better than you'd think. Thanks for looking, I just have to make different things from time to time. Ed the"BearMan"

Hi,,, & Thanks I think it is 18-4 or -5, with 517-1 needles.

Hi Everybody, It's been a while since I've posted anything. I was reminded yesterday,,, Have you forgotten Mom's Birthday is tomorrow??? Well,,, I guess I had! She does needlepoint,,, & I knew that she was always loosing her pin cushion,,, so this is what I whipped up at the last moment. Please don't look to close. Total time invested,,, including the design... 6 1/2 hours. I wasn't able to do my normal casing, so I cheated with a vaccuum bag. It's not the best way to do it,,, but it works,,, kinda. It's lined with maroon uphostery leather, rough side out,,, & it's stitched with 8 spi. I made it out of 5/6 oz ,,, but if I was to do it over,,, I'd use some 7/8, for more stiffness. After oiling it, I was only ably to put it in the sun for about 45 mins, before coloring the background, & applying the finish. Thanks for looking,,, not so close. Ed the"BearMan"

Hi, A few months ago, I found the Full Spectrum lights on sale at Big Lots, for about $20.00. I wound up buying 4 of them, after I saw how much better they were than the flourescents I had been using for years. They seem to be easier on the eyes also. Ed

Hi Everybody, Thanks for all the wonderful comments,, & input. I have to admit, I was liking the first one best,,, until Tina transformed everything,,, hehehe So now,,, I like that one best! A few months ago, Ben coined the "BearMauls" word for me. So as I see it,,, I'm using a name from one person ,,, with a Logo designed by another person,,,Hmmm,,, I'd better run out to my shop,,, & make sure, I'm the one making the mauls!! hehehe Thanks Everybody,,, including my little shop Elf bears,,, hehehe

Hi Tina, I love the one with the Bear paw print!! If it's Ok with you,,, I'd like to use that. You are so talented,,, in so many ways!! Ed

Hi Everybody, I've made up a couple new letterheads,,, just wanted to get some opinions. Which one do you like the best??? Thanks,,, Ed the"BearMan"