Handstitched

@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

Looks aged , and well worn .

Yeh, thats what drew me to them, they were well looked after, and going by the tops and cutting edges , hardly used. With care, these will outlast me . There was so much stuff I could have bought , but had to watch the $$$. Theres many more punches, when the $$ are healthy, might get a few more. Can't help but keep thinking about the blacksmith bellows tho, they're in a bad way. . It would be one helluva ( long term) restore project. Good to learn about them too. As for the blow torch, there was about a dozen of these, different makes etc. but the way I choose these, I check the pumps & seals, most are loose, dry and hold no pressure, but this one pumped and held pressure just fine. Otherwise I would have to source parts etc. that are hard to find here in Oz and that costs extra . When I collect stuff, I prefer that it works and /or it can be restored , if possible History should be saved IMHO HS

No matter how much solvent I used, my jeans still would not come clean . They came out kinda stiff with adhesive . HS

Got these ' toys ' today. One is a Wynn & Timmins England 1-5/8" punch, and the other is a ' Footprint England' 2" punch . Barely used, and in good condition. I know new ones can be bought, but I'm not paying up to $190 for a 2" . The 2" was $65 au at an antique/rustic/junk shop/yard thingy And besides, I prefer vintage stuff as they are built to last .Could have spent hours in there, and spent a lot of $$$ too. They also have some blacksmith bellows that I've had my eye on for a while now, but it was out of my price range.....for now Have to save my pennies. In the background of one of the pics, is a ' Tilley Parafin' iron ( mainly for display) , and a ' Companion Australia ' blow torch in working order , just 'ripe' for restoration, I already got one, and restored that . HS

The major spill I did was a 500ml tin of contact adhesive...all over my right leg . So I don't what would be worse, dye or adhesive ? HS

Sadly, this is something my Mother experienced back in 78' . Very little was known about breast cancer back then, and there was very little support or awareness . But thankfully these days there is so much awareness and support . The fact it was discovered early , the chances of recovery are high. It will be a difficult journey, but you have all of our support on here . I wish you and your wife and family all the very best HS

Ha !!! Quite like that ' Two old ladies having a chat over a cuppa at a cafe' , one says to the other " did you come on the bus? Yeh, but I made it look like an asthma attack " HS

Yeh, I know what you're thinking . Frodo has gone a bit quiet too I noticed HS

@Frodo you have a lot of sucking up to do my friend, and not just the mess . Flowers, chocolates, an expensive dinner and wine at a fancy restaurant ... a new car perhaps ?? ......or maybe put those cooking skills to good use as you'll be living outdoors for a while... LOL !!!! I think I can safely say on behalf of all of us on here, ' we're thinking of you ' HS

The aromas from the Pork & fish wafting around the bush would have been totally awesome , sure wish I was there Is that a 'secret recipe ' rub on the Pork ? My lil' bit of Pork for Mothers Day looks like a Pork ' Mcnugget' compared to that pig . Tastes great all the same . Well done HS

Done, I gave her a big hug for Mothers Day as well Thanks Frodo, sounds like you had fun as well HS

@Frodo Hope all is well, haven't heard from ya , unless you're on holiday . Mum loved the fridge magnets, thanks for the inspiration If theres a ' Mothers Day' & 'Fathers Day', why isn't there Sons & Daughters Day ? LOL @chuck123wapati the Pork was awesome btw, and so was the crackling , bellies are full now , plenty left over for a stir fry during the week . HS

Because I'm good looking on a ' regular ' basis ? I really dunno The mods will know . Perhaps it has to do with the amount of contributions to this site and how often members come on the site...maybe. HS

" Two old ladies sitting on a park bench, when a naked man ran past. One had a stroke, the other couldn't quite reach " HS

Solved: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/mystery-solved-how-did-500-pounds-of-pasta-end-up-dumped-in-the-new-jersey-woods-180982135/ "Eventually, neighbors who live near the dump site solved the pasta puzzle themselves. After analyzing footage captured by a home security camera, they determined it came from a man who’d been cleaning out his mother’s home after she died" Sadly , his Mother 'pasta-way' , 'RIP' Rest in Pasta ( sorry ) HS

and @chuck123wapati We'll be having a ( $mall) roast pork . Thank you very much , quite enjoy carving roses . Some are better than others . Just like horses, I'll do one and it looks great, do another and it looks not as good as the first. Practice practice... Really like chucks roses too HS

Now, this is something I know nothing about. First time I've seen one of these, but it looks great @Frodo . Every day I learn HS

@Frodo While not coasters, these are fridge magnets. I have done a better job on carving roses before. Challenge fulfilled Mothers Day , Australia is May 14, this Sunday. So it will be either a roast, ( depending on the price of meat) or a pizza , washed down with champers with a fancy ice cream cake ........thingy .

Thats something really important, aside from good eyesight when doing close up work, good lighting Thank you y'all HS