Handstitched

Those ' in charge' are not always the smartest. Our fire authorities do controlled or prescribed burns before bushfire seasons each year . But ,their so called controlled burns have in the past got out of control burn more than they intended and even burned houses down and put communities under threat. Scientists argue that these ' prescribed burns' do more harm than good and have no basis in science. They destroy diverse and sometimes rare flora and fauna . Thats not very ' environmental friendly' . Go figure? The best people to do burns are the ' Indigenous Peoples , they know what, when and where to burn, they're been doing it for thousands of years, they know exactly what they're doing and without destroying the very fauna they need to survive. HS

Can't say I've worked with sting ray, but do you have any pics?

That would be good, had to google it to update my knowledge of machines. Quite a nice looking machine with the stand it hopefully comes with . HS

The last time I made my own stamps, I was just a lil' wee tacker,making shapes in potatoes and dipping them in paint , lol I think I have seen the ends of large nails shaped and used as stamps. Well done HS

Have to take our hats off for the strength and courage of emergency personnel. When fires occur down south , we get the smoke a day or so later. I'm in the central wheatbelt. It gets so thick some days. You think the fire is local considering the amount of smoke, but its actually way down south. It is literally the way the wind blows here. HS

Never used it before , but hemming tape thats used on fabrics may be used, but its used with an iron , perhaps on a low setting? Or, Tenacious Tape, a peel and stick type tape for making repairs. Theres also Kikusui 190 Seamstick tape , holds stuff down while sewing. HS

Thats very serious. Sadly, this is something we're used to here in Oz . Its rare for a fire to start by lightening here, quite often its the work of a 'fire bug' . Makes people so angry when theres someone deliberately starting fires, and theres very little comeback. Let hope no-one gets hurt or worse. HS

You have done really well on that I guess the scales may have been a little tricky , like doing basket weave. Great colours too . HS

@Frodo Hear hear !! When you have your mind set on a particular project, its always good to have more than one supplier, even as inconvenient as it is. I machine stitched a carved belt today, but, before I started stitching, I made sure I had enough thread to go sew the entire belt, I've been 'caught short' before. Even if theres a little bit of the colour of choice still on the bobbin, I wind on a new one to ensure I have enough. The lil' remainder on the other bobbin will still get used on small projects, it won't go to waste. HS

That is just beautiful . Love the detail Well done HS

I have done something similar, make a nice fancy belt, only to realise I haven't got a suitable buckle or hardware to go with it...doh !! I've got into the habit now of checking to make sure I have all the materials I need to complete a project. Nothing more frustrating than running out half way through. HS

I had to do a second take, it reminded me of an early ' Landrover Forward Control' . Thats a great way to spread the message about breast cancer as the ' Pink Ribbon' symbol is universal . We have annual campaigns here in Oz . HS

I quite like that too Well done HS

I just use ' Cova colour paints. I get pretty good results .

Here its called a ' cannula' , same thing really. It does help to remain positive , and you're certainly not alone . @Cattledude Sorry for the sad passing of your wife. Sadly , this is something we've all been through at some point in our lives. We just do our best to remain strong. Peace HS

I so love that !!!! I've been watching quite a few wild camping vids on yootoob . We've heard of ' home sick', as in missing home, I must be getting 'camp sick' , missing going bush I'll certainly be keeping an eye and ear out for anything unusual when I start my tractor. HS

Looks pretty good to me well done, you've saved a bag and gave it a new life HS

I second that I have enough experience these days to tell the difference . @captain The dark lines may well be just sweat and/ or dirt rubbed in . You don't want to scrub too much , otherwise any residue may come off onto clothing ...you don't want that . HS

Man, they are some beautiful pics, especially the first one, looks so serene, relaxing With beautiful views like that, doesn't matter if you don't catch any fish. The flowers are obviously unique to that part of the universe , look great. I think, and I hope ,the bolt & washer will end up somewhere inside the water jacket of the block . They're a bit too heavy to just float around. They'll just hit the bottom of the water jacket....fingers crossed. HS

@chuck123wapati I've almost got my ol Grey TEA20 tractor finished. The head , manifolds, (new) water pump and (new) housings are back on . But get this , fiddling about trying to find bolts etc for the housing and checking to see if they fit, I accidentally dropped a small 1" bolt & washer down inside the head into the water cavity where the thermostat housing goes on F********** K !!! . I fiddled about using a magnet taped to a piece of fencing wire to poke around inside to get them out again.....no chance.So, *sigh* I made a major decision, I left them there. Theres no way I'm removing the head...again and undo all my work . They're not in a position that would interfere with the pump ,(water pump is separate from the head) , and being small I really don't think they'll interfere with water flow. Just when I think everything is going well....this happens. Just the throttle control, the fan , pulley , new belt , new radiator & new hoses and a new fuel tap to go . No guarantees, but may be finished at the weekend. Theres a few other bits and pieces I'll be replacing over time , the exhaust for one thing, too big , not original, sounds like a hot rod and makes me go deaf LOL , and new plugs , points etc. Hope your day was better than mine. HS

Now you've done it. Theres a 45 single of that in our ye olde collection of vinyl , theres also a full album of Benny Hill in our collection too somewhere . " Whats the definition of a Hebrew? A male tea bag '" BH What this has to with bellows? I have no idea HS

I second that So many things I wanna do , but theres only 7 days in a week. But right now , I just want to find patch of bush somewhere for a few days, and give myself some ' me time'. Just me , a tent, a few supplies and a camp fire.But, this thing called 'life' happens. This whisky is going down well tho , pretty chilly outside atm . Another set of bellows will come along I'm sure , but thanks for the thought HS

Howdy friend, In the conversation thread I decided against the bellows. I used my head instead of my heart . But the blow torch you saw in the tools thread ? I got it fired up...fired up being the operative words. Its unrestored don't forget, , I filled it halfway with kerosene, lit the spirits under the plumbing, ...ok ..so far. (this will make you laugh) , I started pumping and ........Holy F***k !! it spat out neat kero across my workshop, but then that lit up like a damn flame thrower nearly setting stuff alight ,there was this long thin flame spewing out , I released the pressure, rushed it outside put it on the ground where it stayed for a few minutes , and I got my breath back and give my heart a chance to stabilise ...the dumb things we do !!! I tried the second time...outside, while it flamed up a little bit, it did eventually started to work OK ...phew !! The first one I restored fire up without issue. HS

I think I will be following your advice, and let these ones pass As @fredk mentioned, I would have to make or get a metal fabricator remake the metal components, I would also need to find someone that is really good with a wood lathe for the wood component at the front. I've taken onto account that I can't see the other side of the bellows , so I can guess its no better than what I can see. Its a bit disappointing , but I'll be patient. Its one of those ' bucket list ' items thats been on my ' to do ' list for a while. Another set will come up no doubt . Preferably like the ones in the sample pic, and similar condition...and complete. I think the vendor is not the type to reduce prices, going by all the signage in his shop... so, those bellows will stay there forever more But I will go back there again, as he has got heaps of other stuff thats not over priced, and I do know the value of. Thank you all for your responses and your help HS

I mentioned this in the ' Tools' thread, but I've had my eye on some blacksmith bellows at an antique/ rustic shop . I couldn't see too much as where they are placed, its hard to see the full bellows, tucked away . . But, what I can see just from the outside , they are in poor condition, the wood needs restoration( perhaps replacing, some parts at least) , the metal nozzle/ components (?) are missing and the wood where it attaches needs restoration . I think the leather at the front is there, but that would need replacing anyway . Theres wood dowel type attachments at the sides for operation / for a lever from above (?) The main leather is obviously damaged and needs replacing. The approx size, it would sit on a coffee table . The attached pic is just a sample pic, not the actual bellows . Most of the rounded nails are (mostly) there. I appreciate markets are different, and the value/ beauty in the buyers eyes vary, and if , this is a BIG 'if ' I decide to part with $$$ , what would you pay? Taking into account how much $$ & time I would need to spend on restoration. It would be a long term restoration with no intention of selling. For me, it will be a great learning curve , learn how they are constructed, and the preservation of history. Old stuff / history needs to be saved IMO. The vendor is asking $429.00au. He gives 10% for items over $100.00 , that brings it down to $386.00 . Thoughts? Thanks in advance HS