Handstitched

When I first get a hide, I make a straight edge for straps etc. I just use a length of 2 x1 timber as a giant ruler ( I do intend to get a metal one...one day) .I then use the strap cutter. Any off-cuts get used for small items, book marks, keepers for belts and so on. Hope all goes well . HS

Forth rule: keep your fingers away from the edge of the ruler Words of experience. HS

The lower half of Western Australia is green after good rains, and at this time of year , the native trees start to flower, the Canola crops ( rapeseed) are in full bloom , just a blinding sea of yellow, ...and the O/S tourists go onto farmers paddocks to take happy snaps, (like they've never seen yellow flowers before) not realising they're actually trespassing . Some farmers are a bit touchy when it comes to bio security . There are notices for the O/S visitors in various places to warn them not to trespass on Canola crops to take happy snaps But in a few weeks time, the flowers start to die off and then it starts to smell like rotten cabbage . Had to take time off from the workshop today to slash all the weeds around the garden . All was going well until....**crash** , my ride-on hit a rock causing it to shoot a 3" hole into my bedroom window ... The glazier comes out next week . My Dad does a bit of weeding on occasion, but not fully cognisant as to where the weeds should go, like in a bin or a wheel barrow ...including small rocks. Bless him. HS

Yes. Eg. I have cut a belt length for a project, only to find I've come up short* . So, I moisten it, then 'pull/roll ' it around a corner a few times , like on the edge of my bench. (A piece of metal pipe, 1" or 2" does the same job , secured to a bench) that gives me the extra length I need. The same could be applied to smaller and thinner pieces. *Another trick, for belt lengths at least,I put the end of the moistened belt length under my right foot... .... grab the other end.... and pull up . Shhhh.... Don't tell anyone , its a secret !! HS

I'm in Oz, and I use toluene* to thin out contact cement when it gets a bit 'gluggy' in the tin. A little bit in the tin, a quick mix, leave over night, all good next day , ready to use. *I'm quite familiar with toluene ( as well as MEKP) , used it for many years in another industry . HS

I don't use machines, although I have considered it. In my left hand is the belt (or other leather item) to be burnished and also using my leg as a 'work bench' , or stitch clamp, in the other hand is a wood slicker. The other 'slicker' I use is a component from a roller door or sliding door, its plastic approx 35mm diameter, and has a 20mm wide opening.I can tilt it either way , not sure if that makes sense. I also use the narrow 'curvy' parts on my wood beveller handles as a slicker, good for getting into tight areas to be burnished. I burnish straight after I have dyed the edges & while the dye is a bit damp. Each to their own I guess, and whatever works.. So long as you're happy with the result. HS

That idea worked . I tried the common sizes I use on some heavy leather, heat the wax up a bit, dipped the tips in the wax. HS

I'm going to try that, thanks . Using a rotary punch on a lot of holes certainly makes my hands sore, so I might consider a hole punch with a double action and a comfy grip. HS

G'day, I did have a look before making a new thread on the subject, no luck. So, I'm on the market for a good quality heavy duty rotary hole punch . The one I have now is a 'Maun' rotary punch, , made in the UK and serves me well, it has done for many years . While it punches out holes up to 4mm quite well, but with anything heavy or around 5mm + it starts to fail. Any recommendations ? An oval rotary hole punch is also a consideration, but a good one. I do use the individual punches , they're good for thinner leathers, but they get stuck in the hole when punching heavy leathers . I've also noticed the joints in my hands are playing up a bit lately ...damn it!! HS

Well this has turned into something I didn't expect ? My 441 clone was made O/S , I bought it from a supplier in QLD Australia, never had any issues since I bought it in 2005, touch wood . The only thing that has gone wrong is the operator, Ha !! HS

@chuck123wapati I have to say I'm quite envious seeing those deer so close. All we get is a few bobbies and a few monitors ( types of lizard) , and on rare occasions, a roo hop across the paddock . One of the birds we get sings a lovely 'tune' of sorts , instead of a 'chirp' . If I was to put a type of genre to it, it would be light jazz . HS

@dikman great minds think alike. Quite good to work with. @Hairic you don't say where you are located? HS

Thats a lovely pic chuck We get West Aussie honey eaters . A small bird. They're good to just sit and watch, more entertaining than TV . They arrive in numbers late in the afternoons mostly , and use their beaks and dig up the leaf litter around the garden. Because I'm in the wheatbelt, we often see assorted birds eating the grain that comes out of trucks , machinery etc. onto the roads. They eat so much they can't take off and fly cos their bellies are so full. HS

Have you considered a 'Cowboy 4500' or another brand and compared costs? HS

I've also used a screw driver to prop up the machine while cleaning etc. like holding up the bonnet of a car . Unconventional, but it works . HS

Thats quite a good feed Well done. We call them yabbies or 'gilgies' ( joogies ) or koonacs, ,just the size of the claws and the number of legs is the diff , whatever , they all taste yummy. A bit of garlic butter , and mung out ( eat) washed down with a coldie But I reckon a nice white wine would go well too HS

I had that tonight, slow cooked... made the sauce from scratch, pretty simple and using what I already had in the cupboard & the fridge , and it does have actual butter in it . It could have done with a wee bit more curry paste, but otherwise damn good The price of chicken pieces ( bone in) is the most affordable atm compared to lamb & beef. Love chook, so versatile HS

I made a simple stir fry last night, with all the usual stir fry vegies, seasonings etc. fresh home grown herbs, . I found an odd piece of lamb and pork lurking in the freezer , all chopped up small, cooked up...and the main ingredient? 2 minute noodles. Enough for 3 people. Tasted damn good too !! worked out to be around 2-3 bucks each. HS

Well done on the win I am Judging the leather section again this year at a show in the southern 'burbs' of Perth ( Western Australia) Last year, I was called in to Judge, same place. Went into the exhibition hall..........there was just one belt...and that was it!! I couldn't place it, it had no holes to do it up . One of the criteria is that it must have function. Not the first time either. At a prestigious Royal Show one year, ,my first item to Judge was a belt...lovely carved belt...but no holes. I couldn't place it. Love to see the look on the exhibitors face when they see the Judges notes ( mine) We have our own country show this year, I have leather stuff to exhibit. See how that goes...I'll also be Judging the Judges. I made a few boo boo's. See if they pick them up eh? HS

In many instances, the markdowns are the foods that are soon to expire ( according to the label), they also have to get rid of them according to ' the rulz' , but, .... from that point on, is where the 'dumpster divers' take over HS

That was a popular fave back in school. But now, they seem 'bite size'. Most chocolate bars ( amongst many products) have reduced in size as well, but the price hasn't changed . I don't pay full price for anything at the supermarket these days. I wait until they are marked down, especially meat . HS

@chuck123wapati "My biggest issue and i wont give folks a second chance is selling low grade leather for higher grade leather" I put my response here, as its off topic, and about food. The one thing that has been p****ng me off about supermarkets lately , is selling 'lamb' especially leg roasts , but I know damn well its mutton . We used to get it all the time, it was cheaper. Cook a mutton roast slowly, its just as tasty as lamb, and theres 3-4 meals from the left overs. I thought it just disappeared.... nup , they just re-labled it call it "lamb" and charge more for it. But any type of roast, or any type of meat , is now becoming a luxury item these days. Thank God my Mother taught me how to cook as soon I could reach the stove , and be frugal at the supermarkets . HS

I think we all need to go to 'specsavers' , cos after sewing that, we'd all be 'crosseyed' HS

@Gulrok You don't say where you are located ? Here in Australia, the biggest problem is....we don't have enough tanneries, and not enough suppliers ...therefore, up goes the cost, because most of it comes from O/S. Freight costs is something no-one can control . Here in Oz, our " express post" used to be just that, express, sent out the next day..or so . But now , "express" = sometime next week ?? Suppliers need to be more descriptive in their ads . Describing what each item is used for, tools , materials etc. especially for the newbies entering the world of leather. Some things are simply out of anyone's' control. But they need to keep on top of what they have, and double check the orders. I've already have a few stuff ups this week because someone didn't read the order properly , and I end up with the wrong size, or wrong product . But,on the plus side, they do their best to correct their mistakes, with no additional cost.. They haven't asked for me to send the incorrect item back , they let me keep it/them. They are courteous and polite , well, those that I deal with are Good luck in your venture . HS

I have a antique typewriter in my shed...somewhere, it comes with a wood carry case ( a bit rare to even have a case I think) , similar to the case in the pic. The case needs to be recovered , so this would be good for me to learn as well. It's been on the ' round-to-it ' list for a while now. Some old cases once had a ' leatherette' type material . It would be good to see the finished product. HS