LetterT

It is interesting to note the actual clamp is at an angle while most of the small stitching ponies are vertical - straight, including the one I made for myself (I mean the ones that have no chair but just a flat board you sit on). Would chrome leather work just as well? I can not remember where but I recollect reading somewhere about a concern veg tan might pick up oils, dye and what not and transfer it to the sawing piece while chrome would be more resistant and easier to clean while still providing a good grip.

Google translate says: Great idea, but the market takes time to fully accept your thoughts.

There are a few examples of human skin used on book binding but I think it has more with mystical powers of the human soul then anything else.

I do not see why it should, from the photos the backpack straps go around the whole bag. Eliminate the straps and the bag remains unchanged. Things to notice: they use the straps to secure the closing flap for the bag, you will have to come up with something. Also I do not see any extensions for the bag to be carried over a shoulder like a messenger bag or something - you will be left with carrying it by hand. The starting tip I can give you is this: get hold of those thin foam sheets used by kids in school or thin felt often used in sawing crafts. Use it to model and prototype the bag before cutting any leather. If you find felt thick enough like the leather you are going to use that would be perfect. You can cut it, fold it, glue it, saw it - literally make the bag you want how you want. Felt is as cheap as 5$ for 12 sheets of 9"x12" at places like Walmart or or look for places that sell sawing materials for larger sizes.

I know Americans stand as great entrepreneurs but then I saw Location: TX and it all became clear. I used to work with a guy from Texas, Chris Milam from San Antonio. I know a few years back he war running for the sheriff in Bexar county. He has the same "the world can not stop me" attitude, I loved that guy.

Gary, thank you for the update, you make it sound super fun and interesting.

@NVLeatherWorx Thanks for the update, I was looking forward to having a German supplier. I have some relatives there that I could harass to bring me some spools when they visit.

Any news?

The only suggestion I could give would be to paint the closure strap fully into red, now it kinda stands out that only the top is red and sides are not. Otherwise +1, this is something I would give money for.

Speaking of stitching ponies, if you use anything to hold it shut you might consider making a leather flat that would cover whatever is holding the pony. I got the idea watching someone on YouTube, forgot by now who exactly. For example, I made my pony myself with bits and bobs I already had. To secure the pony shut I used an ordinary bolt and a wing nut. This is a setup that is just inviting the tread to tangle and snag - just be a nuisance. So I made a simple flat to cover the wing nut and protruding bolt. As the tread falls and moves up and down I made the flap vertical.

Those are some nice looking belts, I like the patterns. One day I have to try something like that.

This brings back memories, I have visited the Mucha museum in Prague long time ago... at least it feels a long time ago. Wonderful place, as the city itself.

Sure, send it over and I will give it a whirl.

Just got word from ZJ, he has new stock of pricking irons. I inquired for 2.7mm but they will be in sometime November/December. Swedish RWL34 steel, set of 2 and 12 prick irons for 255 US $.

I have searched high and low but for the love of God I can not find the other thread. I remember it was made from one piece of leather folded and riveted at one end and an open flat on the other end, the purpose to make it more flexible for different size of handles.

This reminds me when I was young and a bit more idealistic, I used to write poetry. I even got published by the city. Then one of my school classmates wrote a poet that to me sounded and felt so much better then anything I wrote, I could never wrote another poem that made me satisfied with it, always felt it was subpar to what others write. Soon afterwards I stopped writing at all.

I have seen the previous topic on this and have been looking at it, you might consider a heat resistant lining. I found something on ebay that might be useful, it is called "Si Fibreglass Heat Shield Tube Cable Protection" but unfortunately doesn't go wider then 20mm. https://www.ebay.com/itm/4-20mm-Si-Fibreglass-Heat-Shield-Tube-Cable-Protection-Sleeving-Red-Black-IL/272756041683?hash=item3f8186e7d3:m:mqR4YG9Pi0HSfkMu_dUTV6w

How about buying a used machine from a reputable service/shop instead of an unknown gamble from China? There is a local shop here that caters to shoe people, they sell leather, rubber and plastic parts, metal hardware, etc. but occasionally also have used machines from Italy and Germany. There is also a guy that services sawing machines who occasionally has machines for sale. Maybe you could look for something like this instead. While you may not be getting a new machine you would be getting a reputable point of service for what ever issues you might have.

There was an excellent photo I have seen on the recent trade talks between China and US, the age gap between two parties was astounding. I found it, New York Times link https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/21/business/china-trade-talks.html

Speaking of this, you About section on YT lists a website that doesn't exist (http://www.finchleather.uk/) and Instagram account that doesn't exist (https://www.instagram.com/finchleather.uk/) I use a 4k monitor so I may not be a good representative on the site layout but here are some issues - Online courses page loads very slowly - my guess due to embedded videos. Course supplies page once I click on sublinks - text flows under the photos (in effect becomes invisible). Video subscription page text is centered but doesn't flow, the text if fixed in size (since it is too big the left and right side of the text is cut off). Edit: You use Wix to build the site, I know it is an easy solution but it is far from the best. In time you might at least consider a different template or switch to WordPress. WP has hundreds of templates and should still provide an easy site to build and maintain. I had some training on web development and I hope one day to switch career into that.

That is nice to hear and I am off to subscribe to your YouTube channel. You should advertise the channel more, I am sure people would follow you. Money is a bit tight for me, my wife has hobbies too so we have to split the hobby budget but when you reach the the "build your first..." I will subscribe for sure.

I have been following Phil on Instagram and i really like his live session straight from the workshop, a nice mix of work and craft related chat. I think in time it would be nice to have a video that would bind the techniques together, like building a simple wallet, how do the techniques combine into workflow and ultimately the finished item.

Matt S beat me to it but for what it's worth I will reinforce his words. The two left-right metal bolts (at least that is what they look like) will limit the width of the leather you can place in the press at once - you will have to pre-cut it in wide strips to fit. That in turn will take time and could lead to more leather wasted if you are not careful about sizes. On pressure, rather popular clicker press Might Wonder (found at Tandy) is a 4 ton press compared to Zonesun 1 ton. There are some good review of the Might Wonder on You Tube so you can see how those 4 tones of pressure work and can draw your own conclusion how 1 ton would work.

My Italian 3D paint has dried but the results are too poor to even photograph it. I do think I am beginning to understand the principle behind it thought. It is almost impossible to paint a perfect edge by just painting. The result is too rough and bumpy. The solution is to use fine sanding paper (1000) to actually shave off the bumps and achieve that nice even surface. I can compare it with welding metal plates. Once the blow torch has welded two metal plates the line of the weld would be rough. So you use the grinder to grind the bumps, then use a fine grinder to make it flat, then polisher to make it look smooth and then paint to finally make it look like there is no welding at all.

I have bought a few things off them, bevelers and such. They do give a nice tool for a decent price. I have seen they have a nice mallet with a system to add or remove weight so make it lighter or heavier but it is only available on taobao for now (chinese ebay). They have some nice stuff.