Rockoboy

Nothing like ANYTHING ever comes up within 5000kms of where I am, so you are luckier than some! I would love to get a deal, like those offered on some of the scrap/offcuts/surplus to requirement hides and hardware etc that I see on these pages.

Maybe a pic or 2 of what you are doing and the results you have achieved will give people something to comment on.

Looks like excellent work to me, but I was hoping you had intended to make that pun!

I think cutting this type of plastic with a laser will release noxious gases, like cyanide and possibly formaldehyde. The gases may also can leave a coating on the surface of the laser lens and disable your laser.

Very neat work. I like your maker's mark. Is there a story about the mouse?

It all looks good to me. Have you seen the oval punches some people use to punch the holes in the belts? I think the idea is to help the buckle sit nicer when the belt is being worn.

I doubt that this is Tilapia, because they are considered a feral pest and not bred for eating in this part of the world, plus the town where the tannery is, is even less likely to have access to Tilapia. IMHO. I did nothing to finish the leather, this is how it came to me. It does not burnish very well along the edges, so I am thinking it is chrome tanned. Thanx. I guess tanning is a process that stabilises the leather (stops it from rotting after the animal is dead), but as with most things, moisture changes the parameters.

I get some of my leather from DBM Leather and Canvas in Rockingham, because they are near where I live. Last time I was in there, they had some printed leather. I don't know where they get their supplies from, but I would try the larger supplies in the eastern states, Birdsall, , Leffler, NSW Leather ,,, just the first 3 that come to mind. Edit: I got some toad skin leather from the Toad Factory (aka Marino Leather) great stuff, but I don't know if they might have what you are looking for.

Very nice job. Is the back lined, but not the rest of the bag?

I don't think it is. He told me he sold it.

My local canvas and leather manufacturer/supplier has different printed and embossed leather. Where are you based?

I think you are being a little hard on yourself Graeme. Was it Ghandi who said "the wisest man can learn something from the smallest child"? I am sure there is knowledge you have that others might benefit from. Ohh yeah ... Welcome and good to see you on the forum.

Excellent job, especially the inside. I like the purple.

Depending on where you are based, do you want to go international, where have you tried? So many questions that might assist with getting an answer for you. I am sure you will find, the more you share, the luckier you will be!

Book suppliers? I am thinking a stationery supplies company. I have had a look around my area, and I have a choice of a couple different books, and that is before I look at removing the cover from an already finished book. As for the glue, I am planning to use contact adhesive. I am also intending to try a folded edge to help keep the cover on the book and finish the edges nicely.

Kiwi's are not interested.

... and it makes the Coca Cola taste awful, so don't even go there!

Cheers @Mjolnir. You seem like a pretty good bloke yourself.

I like the Bleed knots, but I am wondering ... would it improve the look of the piece if the flesh-side of the leather was burnished before cutting the slots, or maybe before making the knot? Would it help to cover the flesh-side roughness where the bleed knot has turned over the leather? I am guessing gum tragacanth might help, but I am not experienced in this.

This is the case I made for my stitching chisels. The leather is an unknown something or other that I was given, except for the strip across the front where I made the front flap too short, that strip and the welt are 2.5mm vegtan.

Sometimes I think my ex-wife was destined to be a nun ... Anytime I tried to get a bit ... ummm ... frisky, she would say "you're getting nun of that" or when I wanted a couple cold beers, she would say "there's nun left". As for cooking a decent meal, she always gave me 2 chances "Buckley's and nun"!!

I had no problem giving you a polite reminder, but I got castigated for it! I guess there's no helping some people.

I like all the threads where @Mjolnir has had a significant input ... I think he's habit-forming!

HMMM thanx for the information. I think I will continue with my initial direction. I am thinking of the following, to see how it works out ... Beeswax, lanolin, neatsfoot oil - equal parts. 25% by volume of pure gum turpentine. Anybody got any thoughts for or against any of my ingredients?

I like it. Very neat, nice and smooth. I can see why she likes to use your offerings.