Handstitched

I started the template for these belts today , and while the template was easy, using the curves of a ' martingale' , the actual making of the blank was fiddly . Found some suitable conchos for the first one, don't want to use ex$y concho's just yet until I get it right. . Updates soon The idea of using a piece of corrugated iron,isn't a bad one. I do have some in my paddock. HS

If its in and out of the scabbard frequently, then no straps. If it only gets used occasionally, then yes, put straps on . My 2 cents worth + tax HS

I've always wanted to go on a trip on a few trains, one is called ' The Ghan' , goes from Adelaide to Darwin , and the other is ' The Indian Pacific' , goes to Sydney from Perth , I prefer first class Haven't seen much of Oz, but this is the perfect way to do it, no driving and no stress. One day.... Something special about riding on trains . I used to go to school daily on trains, on ' old diesel clunkers' as I called them. Modern trains look nice, but have no character . I have briefly mentioned these before, but heres a few pics of my ' Landy's' Chuck. I actually worked on the ' 62 this afternoon . Its the most likely one to start, run & drive. Just needs a bit of work on the clutch master cylinder. All orig, even the points & Champion spark plugs, and has only 53000 miles on it , mostly farm work. Theres no reason why the 68 won't run, its all there except the carby ,I also have spare parts if I need them . Was my regular drive once, I drove that everywhere back in the day . The ex military is all orig, does run, but very rough on 3 cyl's . The last time I drove it was to do the fire breaks,some years ago, the old plough is still hooked up. HS

Just noticed, they both have ' pony tails' HS

I'll be going back into the workshop...to work , this week, I've been on a bit of a hiatus. Time to get 'back on the horse'.First thing I'll be working on is a few templates for scalloped belts. HS

And even if the motor itself is at fault, you may wish to get it repaired . But after having a quick look around, you may be in luck in finding a replacement . HS

Forgive me for chiming in. Now theres something new I just learnt . On my 28B ( twin needle) theres only one button on the left , stitch length adjustment( that I have used) , and no clutch re-engage button on the right and theres also an extra hole just below the inspection plate in the centre where I can see a whole bunch of numbers next to the drive belt. I assume that has something to do with the stitch length? HS

That made me laugh. Unless you make a gun look like a banana . " Go ahead....make my ...smoothie" HS

I do have a belt sander, its an old ' GMC' , but works fine. When I finally get back into the workshop, I'll do photo shoot of how I will be doing them, might be helpful for anyone else wanting to do scalloped belts . I should still have the original template for those martingales. Might use that . I do have some large wad punches that I bought back in May: https://leatherworker.net/forum/topic/107878-wad-punches/ I may be able to utilise one of them to get the shape for a smaller, closer ' curve' . Thanks for your input people HS

Quite a good kit. Its very similar to my set up . I have a double action air brush , press down and pull back . I had no idea what I was doing, so I just fiddled around with it to get some practice on scraps, cardboard etc. . A regulator and water trap helps . As for the touch up gun, I use that for larger areas but mainly for sealers, but... I put acetone through it immediately after use, otherwise it will clog up quickly . But they are easy to pull apart and clean . HS

That was the thinking behind it. Too much time wasted looking for tools. Great minds think alike friend I much prefer to re-use than throw away, even the old rotten back board I might keep....just in case @kgg thank you very much HS

G'Day y'all, I really did try to find an actual scalloped belt blank, ( without tooling etc. ) but nup, no luck.So I found a belt pic sample and a few martingales that I made . @fredk It varies, it depends on the belt, and perhaps the conchos to be used , and how much of a curve you prefer to suit them . You could have them as wide and deep or as shallow and close as you wish...if that makes sense The belt is not mine , but the martingales are . Hopefully it will give you a bit of an idea of what I am talking about I'll do the ' make template, trace & cut' method' . And when I do make a few, I will post the actual pics of the blanks on here in case someone else asks about them . HS

Thanks for that I have looked around, but no-one in my neck of the woods does scalloped blanks. Might go back through some old Tandy catalogues just out of interest. HS

It was about time I tidied up my mess of tools. It hasn't been easy lately , so I've been spending a bit more time on here and keeping my mind occupied. Real estate in my workshop is at a prime, so I had to keep it compact . Turned out alright , after stuff up after stuff up.... It was an old souvenir spoon display rack, so I re-purposed it. A new backing was needed . The old wood was a little brittle , it kept breaking, hence stuff ups. I eliminated all the repeated tools , and picked out all the ' most used' tools. Surprised how many repeated tools I have. The remainder will be put into a box. HS

Very neat and compact, I like it HS

Yep, this is mine. Fits in my hand nicely, replacement blades are easy to change, and cheap as, but I also sharpen the old ones on a stone to extend their life. I also use it to score the skin on a roast Pork

Has anyone done scalloped edge belt blanks, as in a curvy edge ? If so, what is the easiest way to cut them? Or is it just a matter of make a template, trace, cut etc. ? And, unless I was seeing things, I thought Tandy did scalloped edge belt blanks 'way back 'once upon a time' , I thought I saw them in an old Tandy catalogue. They would make a nice alternative to straight cut blanks and they look good with western concho's. HS

Its not the first time I'd be looking for them....and they're on my head

Thats pretty much the same as my set up . The only small differences being my foot pedal is wider and I have a cover over the drive belt.With weight of the motor and machine , it ain't goin' nowhere HS

I have tried round knives, but my small hands are just not up to the task of using one. But they do look nice HS

I didn't know that. I have personalised plates on my car . Its quite legal here in Oz, however the licensing depts. are cracking down on plates and/or applications that are deemed inappropriate or offensive . Some plates are just ridiculous or indecipherable , like some sort of code. When I first saw that pic , I actually thought the car had backed into the big 'E' , lol HS

I would love to taste that dark ales have sooooo much flavour . many times over the years I have had some home brews, one in particular , just one glass had the same effect as drinking a whole six pack As for pencils, I just buy a whole pack of 10 or more, and just leave them lying all over my workshop . That way , I'm never without a pencil . Just like glasses, I have the ones on my nose, and a spare pair ...and a spare spare pair , just in case HS

Yeh, I know, the camera angle doesn't do justice. I could have walked further down the line a bit more, then I could see them from a different angle .I'll try to get a bit closer if I can or use the zoom a bit more, but have to be careful, don't wanna get caught trespassing, the line & land is privately owned Its good to see that they're bringing passenger trains back, not often we hear about something returning, wish we had that here, it would benefit so many towns, more jobs and $$$ . Steam trains, now that would be awesome For us, it would be good to have our ' T3' lines' back in service, (branch lines) for grain transporting to and from small regional towns and wheat bins , but our stoopid state gubment in all its "wisdom" decided not to put in any funding for their upkeep, and then a bad accident happened around 10 years ago ( no-one killed thankfully) , but they shut down all the T3 lines as a result to the detriment of smaller towns, ...and local jobs, causing an increase in semi's on the roads risking so many lives, the roads around here are not good. The T3's remain abandoned to this day . But local community ' action groups' are trying to get them funded and opened again. HS

Not sure how to answer that I know nothing about it. Can Kydex be carved or tooled ?

One of those stair lifts perhaps? Look after your back, once its 'gone'...its gone. Thankfully I had my Father help me lift the head on the table at the time. HS