Davy

They used to use a pen like John mentioned at college on leather shoe uppers and it just rubbed off , no alcohol just a rag . there is also a pencil used by trimmers that rubs off acrylic canvas , most fabrics and vinyl with a moist sponge or damp cloth . They dont contain wax . Available from bainbridge International , an American based company .they only come in blue or white , product codes are ZPENCILBLU and ZPENCILWT . I think they have an online catalogue . yep here it is ! http://www.marine-covers.com/dbimgs/us/04_...ols_133_150.pdf

damm , that was Twin oaks who's the alleged Legend . Sorry bout that , thanks twin ! You too ray and Denise

Choice bro ! ( Kiwi expression) Now we're getting somewhere . Sounds good what you're suggesting although how would we go with different parts of an individual stamp , for example an N720 craftool . i dont think i have ever used that stamp as a full image , i use top or bottom (see sample) . The question is can an individual stamp be made to imprint more on one edge than the other , deeper etc . i dont know if the 2D image would work as well as in 3D . Whadaya reckon ? also there are images of stamps in online stamp catalogues although scale could be another problem as all of my tools fit together in ways that I know , any small variation in size would alter the fit of certain tools and make some combos that i'm used to now impossible to recreate , or have i got it all completly wrong , after all i did just wake up ! Thanks UK Ray you're a #&$%# Legend . Cheers Dave ! PS excuse the rough stamping , Did it quick in dim light !

Ditto Bruce , I've only been here nearly a month and havent missed a day , it's become my second home here . Best site and forums on the internet without a doubt . I also agree wholeheartedly with your comment about criticism on your other post , some times we need some harsh critical input to make us lift our game and maybe deflate our egos a little when we start getting a bit big for our boots . Cheers , Dave .

Is there a way to get the image of a heap of stamps onto some programme then be able to move them around , locate them , then if need be , space and repeat each stamp for say a belt pattern . Circular patterns or straight patterns like the ones i posted in "stamping examples 2". Also Have variations to allow for angle of stamp , depth of imprint . I know that it could be done , well i'm guessing it can . the question is how difficult would it be and how much would it cost ? The reason I ask is because i'm lazy and sometimes my head hurts when i have to stare at a piece of leather for ages waiting for the next combo in a pattern to pop into my skull . I'm sure a well designed piece of software would help stop my brain strain !!!! Cheers, Dave

Chain stitch machines are single thread aren't they , with no bobbin . mine has top and bottom thread and forms a stitch just like your 45K . the skiver was the one i rebuilt . the corner stitcher scares me just thinking about it .

You nailed it Steve , the mc has a curved awl that punches a hole through from the bottom which , when sewing should be the face side of the item . When it exits the hole , the curved needle follows it back through , picks up the thread with a hook that it has on the end (no eye in curved needle) then makes the loop after it exits the hole . The Skiver is a Marshall , made in Australia , a remnant from when we used to have a footwear industry here , once upon a time . Bit of surface rust that'll come of on the wire wheel , again . I rebuilt the whole machine , new bearings bushes etc , one of the advantages of doing a fitting and turning apprenticeship as a young bloke . And my brother has a good lathe which is handy for maching odd bits and pieces for my equipment when I need to . I used to have a really good BUSM strap cutter but I sold it in a moment of madness about 20 yrs ago , been kicking myself ever since .

Yep they sure are meticulous at each stage of production , but after all said and done it's still just another production line item , volume production at that . Embossing leather is way more difficult to produce that perfect finish on every component of a handbag than the pre finished chrome leathers that they use . Why the difference in price ? The name maybe ? And the people who buy one of those bags will never need to get it repaired because they'll probably only use it once or twice maybe .

With ya all the way bree . If you think youve underpriced it , keep adding zero's till you think its right . Its really hard to suggest a formula as everyone has their own ideas . Hourly rate vs art appreciation , dunno . I will work on $50 p/hr minimum rate (used to be $40 before when I was making custom stuff 5yrs ago ) ,and add 50% to material costs .If the product has the wow factor because of the artwork then as i mentioned before keep adding those zeroes . I've got a mortgage to pay and kids to feed so I have to charge that as a minimum . A few things that have to be considered are the quality , customers targeted , and uniqueness of the product . You need high end quality to demand a high price , if your products are unique , a higher price . If you target customers that dont mind paying for a high quality , unique piece of work that is considered exclusive you will always get the price you want . This is what keeps me on my toes as far as quality goes . If you just want a return to pay for materials and a little extra , Then i would suggest at least double your materials , then whatever you want after that . If you want to make a living from it you have to charge an hourly rate and thats not negotiable , you must !!!!!!!! Your artwork allowance is on top of that .

Here ya go steve . the pederson corner stitcher , a swedish machine for making old style suitcases . Coupla other gadgets , and my other stuff , starting to get ready for making stuff again . Still got to set up my upper closing mc , gap shears , splitter , guillotine and long post rivet machine . little fly press and foil printer as well . I wouldnt mind your strap cutter in my shed too !

Best sit on the net ! You'll love it here . Cheers , Dave .

Yep , sure is some painting on there , but its a very old piece and the stains have faded a bit although when it was painted I toned it down a bit otherwise it would have looked like a dogs breakfast . One of the things to keep in mind when stamping like this is to allow for how the antique will affect its look when finished and also wether it will be painted or not . That pattern I posted here most recently doesnt lend itself to painting as the tooling is so fine , the individual colors not only get lost in the smaller shapes but to just get your brush to paint those small shapes is really an effort to not get any runs or mistakes . Good to see you trying new stuff . If you need any help with this style just let me know and i'll help as much as i can . Cheers , Dave .

Thanks Steve . i have 2 Pederson corner stitchers , 1 i have for spares and the is in operation although with wear over the years i have no stitch length adjustment left to make a longer stitch . can you post a link to the needlebar site , i wouldnt mind checking out that 45K . I used to have a 45K cylinder arm straight sewer , it couldnt possibly be anything like that , could it ? The pederson i use ise similar to a sole stitcher , bloody big giant lump of a thing . cheers , Dave .

"MAGNIFICENT"

You can buy what they call surgical calf here in Aust . mainly used for shoe linings , straps on orthopedic attachments etc but I dont know how surgical it is . Ring a tannery to find out or footwear section of a college , there isnt much those guys dont know about leather , its processing and uses .

the box shaped bag , did you use a corner stitcher to sew it . If so what type ?

Thanks Corvus ! Most of the leather I get or prefer to work with is 3.5mm , if i need it thinner I split it down to size . The reason i like it so thick is because I use the tips of the tools to connect with each other , so I dont usually hit the tool straight down , moreso at an angle , unless I want the whole imprint of the tool . For example a basket weave stamp , 9 times out of 10 I will hit straight . when I use veiners , eyelash tools or batwings the tips/ends are the most important part . A tutorial will be forthcoming as I have just started getting my act together setting up my machines , hand tools , benches and the hundreds of patterns I just found again the other day . If I dont make something soon to post here people will get the idea that all i do is stamp and not make stuff . will post some pictures of my new workshop when its set up in the next couple of weeks . cheers , Dave !

Excellent work !!!!!!!!!!!!Lacing looks unreal !! Dave .

Great colour and leather contrast . I know someone that made a wallet from elephant foreskin , and when you stroked it , it turned into an overnight bag .

Great craftsmanship Esantoro . this might sound like a dumb question , but why do you call it a maverick ?

Prawns (shrimp) , squid , scallops or best of all abalone , delicious ! Fav meat is typical though , cant go past a good thick lump of steak !

Sounds like virtual consignment without having goods sitting somewhere gathering dust . Great idea hope it goes well . Cheers , Dave .

I would measure the the length of the foot and the girth at the widest part of the foot and the instep . If you are going to buy a last to do the job from a last maker they should be able to guide you . I think those notes said an extra 9mm in length when weight is on your foot . For some info from a bootmaker currently making shoes and "in the know" I saw on a post in here somewhere , a link to a bootmakers forum . They would be able to give you the exact info that you're after and guide you towards someone in your area maybe that can help . Cheers , Dave .

Might as well show you my new workshop while I'm here . And where we live .

Me & Da Family plus my daughters friend trying to emboss marble with a knife in my old workshop !Ive gotta tell ya's , after seeing some of those scenic country photos of the US I'm even more determined now to get over there and pay youse a visit . What a great looking country you live in , no wonder youse are so proud of it !.............Dave .[at achment=15636:Daves_50TH_123a.jpg]