stelmackr

I have similar Christmas story. About 35-years ago, I thought a Leather Bowling Bag, for the wife, with those fancy scrolls and lettering would be just the right ticket. I went to all the bowling establishments and all the sporting goods stores around and all they had vinyl or canvas bags and none looked like what I had seen at some bowling tournaments. How was I to know that all those Leather Bowling Bags were all handmade So, I I went a Tandy store near Mountlake Terrace, WA, just north of Seattle to see if they could direct somewhere to find them. Low and behold, as I walked in I saw a bowling bag kit on sale for $25 (or $50, I forget) that I figured I could put together. How hard could this be for a Software Programmer? Anyway, after purchasing the basic beginners kit (basic 7 stamping tools, including a Stohlman basic leather book, wooden mallet and a swivel knife. Some odds and ends, rounder and key fob and some antique dye). I walked out with a lot more money out of my pocket. Read the book, experimented on the rounders and key fob. Made lots of mistakes, but Christmas was rushing towards me. Re-read the book and directions and say maybe the leather was too wet or dry. Casing it was called. I cased (in my case drowned the front of the bag) and it took so long to trace the pattern that the leather must have dried to the right wetness because the swivel knife worked a little bit better. Long story, short: I finished, tooling dyeing and assembling the bag and she loved it. I’ll try to post some pictures—this is my first project. My wife let me take pictures of it a few years ago. (Sadly the Leather Bowling Bag lasted longer then that marriage). Over the many years I needed to replace the plastic ball internal holder with a wooden frame.

The Stohlman "The Art of Making Leather Cases vol 3" has several pictures of rifle scabbards. Here is one sample:

Very nice. Pictures were a little small to see details, but still a nice job.

Wish I had this advice 30-years ago. ;-)

I have the DVD that was produced from VHS tapes when George Hurst turned the videos over to Jim Linnell, but the color is was washed out. That makes for a poor teaching video teaching aid. Does any old-timer (like me) have a VCR tape of the Robb Barr Rainbow Trout lesson I could buy, borrow?

If you have a shop air compressor, bring it in and blow out the inside of the unit and pay attention to the motor. Grinding does send a lot of metal fragments around. Just a thought, since it worked right up to the sharpening.

Check this needle type chart and see if you are using the needle for the effect you want: https://www.groz-beckert.com/mm/media/en/web/pdf/Sewing_machine_needles_for_leather_and_technical_textiles.pdf Because some needles deliberately slice the top leather to sink the thread into the leather. And needle size and thread size also make a difference.

The sorting station in Pasco was closed , in a cost saving measure. I live in Richland, WA. Pasco is a 5 minute drive from my home. The nearest USPS sorting center is in Spokane. Now if I send something from Richland to one of the Tri-cities (Richland, Pasco, or Kennewick--no more than 20 minute drive from me) first it goes to Spokane (a 2 hour drive from here), then back to the Tri-Cities. Efficient, no, cost savings only in personal, increase in transportation.

Nice website...

I feel your pain. I've had some "end-of" discussions with a friend today...

The Jim Linnell digital download is too grainy and the colors are all wrong. I asked Jim, and he said that is what George Hurst provided with the license to sell. Jim says the source tapes are "long gone". So I was wondering if any old-timer might still have the VCR tape. It's not critical. I made one from the tape long ago and the tape was lost in my foreign work assignments. Thanks for the suggestion.

Anyone have the Robb Barr Rainbow Trout VHS Tape that I could beg, borrow, or buy? Thanks in advance.

Here are some Acrylic Leather Craft Wallet Corner Decoration Templates: https://www.etsy.com/listing/616675600/acrylic-leather-craft-wallet-corner?gpla=1&gao=1&&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=shopping_us_c-craft_supplies_and_tools-tools_and_equipment-tools-other&utm_custom1=_k_CjwKCAjw2rmWBhB4EiwAiJ0mtXfIBhtsPAH9abD4W7Ac9iZgmQP34MJjhBbvQWXSUpZjH_Tin-K12BoC4n4QAvD_BwE_k_&utm_content=go_12573354959_124822072212_507851843968_aud-1184785539738:pla-295604191622_c__616675600_101353926&utm_custom2=12573354959&gclid=CjwKCAjw2rmWBhB4EiwAiJ0mtXfIBhtsPAH9abD4W7Ac9iZgmQP34MJjhBbvQWXSUpZjH_Tin-K12BoC4n4QAvD_BwE

This? https://www.amazon.com/metal-book-corners/s?k=metal+book+corners