Handstitched

I can identify the pattern, I've seen that pattern on police , security belts etc. Not so sure about the machine tho . HS

@chuck123wapati Some of my best ideas have come to me in the middle of the night, so a bout of insomnia is not all bad I was also wondering if this machine was home made or custom made ? Perhaps the original owner just couldn't find what they wanted and made their own. HS

G'Day, Not sure how this compares in the US & UK, (really ex$y I'm guessing), but I pay $250-300au per 4mm veg tan butt or shoulder, its what I use for belts etc. 3.5mm veg tan side is around $300+ . The 5-6mm heavy VT , was $550au - for a shoulder. I was warned that will be higher by the next time I buy some more, I'm dreading it. Not all of it is Aussie, some is Italian. I don't worry about delivery, I drive 2-3 hrs and pick it up. Way back when... I was kinda lucky I guess, that I started my 'hobby-to-be-business' when tools & materials were cheap- ish, S/H tools were still available, and so were the 'ye olde( paper) classifieds' . But now its all online , tools, materials, and delivery costs can really mount up.... especially now. If I was to start it as a hobby today, I might think twice about it. HS

As the ends look burnt, just wondering if its for leather at all. Shaping glass while its still hot? hence the burnt tips and sides, and the many scratches ? Theres a small crack, just to the right of the 'tip'. Repeated exposure to heat? One side is wider than the other. HS

' A local politician was visiting a psychiatric facility to see if he could provide any funding and support. The administrator of the facility greeted him, showing him around and showing all the benefits and attributes etc. He then takes him into a room with a bath tub. " Here we have a bath tub full of water, and next to it, theres a bucket , a cup, and a spoon and we ask the patient to empty it as quick as possible to access their mental capabilities" said the administrator " O'h, thats easy, you would use the bucket" said the politician NO!! you pull the plug out ............would you like a room with a view? HS

In the first of the close up pics , it looks like theres some dust stuck in the grooves , maybe that can give you a clue? I've searched ' spindle burnishers/ shapers etc..... nothing. But then I searched 'fluted spindle shaper blades' while not the same, there are some similarities ....sorta , kinda...maybe?...not? HS

@TomG Type in " Sprenger Steel Chrome Plated Scissor Snap Hook for Dog Lead/Leash" Also ' Sprenger Quick Release Snap Hook' That might help HS

@jcuk Thats been on TV recently here in Oz . Can learn a few things from that show. HS

Sorry to hear about the sad passing of your grandfather. Even after you've cleaned it up, give it a good soaking in NF oil, it may not be in ' usable' condition, but it'll still be a good display piece or keepsake in memory of him . HS

Looks so comfy too. Just looking into your cats eyes makes me want to....zzzzzzzzzzzzz

I would have thought that ' Sheffield Steel' by Joe Cocker would be better. Sorry, its late and I'm bored . HS

It looks like your dog is the one enjoying the cup of coffee...and the bag of snacks next to it. Good looking dog HS

Went to our hardware chain for better quality accessories, no luck . Sure they had individual Dremel bits 'n' pieces, but not the ones I wanted, lots of empty hooks though . I'll keep looking, I'll end up going on line no doubt. HS

It was a ' Rockwell', same as Detroit...etc etc etc . This is one of those ' it'll only get used occasionally and stay in the case most of the time ' tools . Didn't see the need to fork out $$$ for an ex$y tool that gets used rarely. But will try to get some better accessories on Friday....fingers crossed. Going off topic a bit, I have 'cheap' GMC tools that have lasted many years and have never failed ( touch wood) You can see the aforementioned horse shoes, just to the right of the nice .....mmmm.......yummy .... icy..... cold beer in the pic.....I had buttered crumpets for lunch too, hence the beer HS

Looks like its been burnt? Interesting . HS

I have finally had the chance to use my new rotary tool ( that I bought back in July) this arvo. I was cleaning up a few horse shoes for a few projects . I combine the shoes & leather for ' horsey' ornaments. The bulk of the cleaning is done with a bench buffer, but I used the rotary wire brushes to clean out the groove on the shoes, they lasted.........? ........2 minutes . They just fell apart . I was gentle with it and I slowed the speed right down too. My shirt was pitted with bits of wire. You get what you pay for, I know that , but FFS , I would have thought they would have lasted a bit longer than 2 minutes ??? Off to hardware shop this Friday to get better quality accessories. HS

Theres another you could add: With a hat and a fat cigar, and the voice of Winston Churchill : " we will fight them in the hills and on the beaches and in our gardens, those pesky lawn chair pads are invading our territory and must be stopped " HS

@chuck123wapati Theres a common saying here in Oz: 'DILLIGAF ? ' = " Do I look like I give a f**k ?? " HS

Theres a nerd in all of us I'm sure

I've experienced that as well. People would give their jean size, or measure their old belt( they measure that wrong too) . I ask them to measure their waist with a ( tailors) tape measure that I carry with me to markets etc.When they measure their own waist , they're surprised how big their waist really is . A lot of the time I know what waist size they are just by looking at them. Theres been occasions where their waist size has increased since they placed the order. O'h dear. The biggest I've done is a 56" belt. I do keep a few long belts on the rack, just in case. I also have a handful of short belts for kids and people with tiny waist lines. I try to cater for all sizes the best I can. ( Off topic: I've lost count the amount of people that have tried to put a dog collar around their waist, brightens my day that does, hate to think what they eat for dinner . ) HS

Don't you just love it when the seller has no idea what they're selling ? Perhaps carefully sharpen them yourself? round files, jewellers files ? What a bargain HS

When I read the OP, I was of the understanding that this thread was about the affordability of the craft, for the newbies, beginners , budget conscious , keeping costs down etc. 'Making do' with what we already have in our sheds, adapting tools for use with leather, the very basic tools and materials to get started , sharing ideas , just as I have, .....and so on..... I have completely & totally missed the point of this thread . HS

We call these ' brow bands' in Oz, same diff HS

You've done an excellent job restoring that, well done , love to see the old become new again I have had difficulties in the past trying to set rivets on ' round' projects . So on some projects I have used a small piece of steel pipe around the same size, fit the rivet post through the hole, , slide the pipe in gently, put the cap on, and use it as an anvil . HS

@mason1800 It pays to know your own market.In the early days, most of my belts were around the 34 - 36" mark, but these days, my belts are much bigger, waist lines have grown...and grown. I still do the small belts, but my biggest seller for my market is around the 38 - 42" . I do assorted sizes, up to 45" , sometimes bigger than that. The colour that sells the most for my market, is black. Black goes with everything. I sell browns, tans etc, but they hang around for a long time. It may be different in your part of the world HS