stelmackr

Just a quick note to let you know that PSLAC (Puget Sound Leather Artisans Co-op) and the DLG (Desert Leathercrafters Group) information can be found at: http://pslac.org Bob Stelmack Editor, RawHide Gazette www.pslac.org

When I go to the Blogs, I see many people who have one--I WANT one!

Notes are for FireFox browser: If I just click on the small images on some topics, I get an image larger than my viewing area. Trying to scroll around does not work for me because I can't really visualize the project. But by right clicking on the huge image, I get a window that allows me to "View Selected Source". The window that opens has an http link in it which when you click on it, it fills and fits the window that was opened by clicking on the "View Selected Source". If you grab the corner of the window and adjust the size of the window, then the image is enlarged or shrunk as the window changes. If you then depress the Cntl and S keys at the same time you can name and save the adjusted image. Attachments seem to come in many flavors and open differently. This may not work for all types. Hope this helps, Bob Stelmack

Interesting question. I was doing some embossing leather with old lead letterpress type and used a book press. From that experience, I found that the larger the item to press, along with the cross section of the area of the letters, (e.g. large bold face fonts) that the more force I needed to screw the book press to get a good impression. Looking up some equations on the internet, I found one that calculated the force exerted by the book press was proportional to the greater number of threads per inch and the larger wheel used to turn the screw. For my book press I calculated a proximately one ton of pressure. I have an embossing stamp that is approximately 3" x 4" that has some very bold print and large pig face. This embossing is very shallow. I expect that about 5 tons of force would be needed to get a good impression. A long time ago I used a 12 ton shop press for the lino block I cut and it made a good impression. The lino block was about 2' x 5" Hope this helps. Bob Stelmack

The entire Saddle and Boot Repair Shop Estate sale of Jim Bender, Madras, Oregon (Central), contact Patti Bender, P.O. Box 266, phone 541-475-6546 (leave message) and 541-306-8146 (cell). Posted by Bob Stelmack for Patti Bender

Topic is "Old Singers". How about Andy Williams? ?

Norm Lynds, Toolmaker Mallets, Modelers, embossing tools, lifters and others on request Phone: (425) 357-1001 E-mail: sagerat2003@yahoo.com Bob Stelmack

Naner, naner, naner. I just received all three patterns packs from Chan ;-) The cost was $12.95 each and $7.00 for shipping. I am impressed with the designs and one-of-these-days I will take advantage of his classes and meet the artist in person. Bob Stelmack

Try this: http://tinyurl.com/pmnjp5 Bob Stelmack

Since most everything I make is custom made, it always requires answering e-mails and phone calls. It is just the cost of doing business. I include all the information to calculate their own price, but there is always something a little different that they want. Also, it seems that people need reassurance that what they have figured it is correct and that someone is really on the other end of their computer web page. If you want to avoid the question: "Can I get a price quote for...?", then set up your electronic store so that every item is priced and let people add to their shopping cart with only those items priced out and ready for sale. Don't advertise that you make custom items and you should only get e-mails wondering where their items are. You could employ a virtual assistant to filter your messages and give straight quotes on your behalf, but I suspect that this is just an annoyance and wonder why people can't add for themselves. I'll bet there are some leathercrafters out there that would love to have the problem of too many quotations for their products ;-) Bob Stelmack

IMPORTANT—Change in date for the 8th annual Leatherworkers Trade Show in Pendleton, OR The Pendleton Convention Center has changed the show date due to a conflict in scheduling! November 6th & 7th , 2009 Show Hours are 9:00 am to 5:00 pm each day This is the 8th Annual Ferdco Leather Trade Show. Come and see the following Exhibitors! Pendleton Exhibitors Pending: Oregon Leather - leather Tandy Leather Factory - leather Stevenson/Paxton - leather George Barta Hide - leather Ron’s Tools - Hand tools Barry King Tools - Hand tools Bob Douglas Tools - Hand tools Wayne Jueschke - Hand tools Hansen Western Wear - Silver and silver jewelry Bee Natural - Horse Care Products Sheridan Leather Outfitters - Leather, tools and leather related products Herb Bork & Son’s - Cast Hardware J Cook Blades - Hand tools Muir McDonald - Leather Weber Stirrups - Stirrups The Hitching Post Supply - Big Sky Die Co. - Events: Hamleys of Pendleton. Friday Night - More to come - Classes: Joe Benner - 541-567-3533 - Building a Wade Saddle Watch Master Saddlemaker Joe Benner build a saddle in 3 days. Joe has done this class for 3 of our shows and his students have all learned many of the tips and tricks on building an exceptional saddle in a short amount of time. This class is for new and experienced makers. Please call Joe for the times and place of the class. The cost of the 3 day class is $395.00. Please call Joe with any questions yu have about the class for the start times and location of the class. Ben Bork - 509-588-3348 - Cincha Making Class Watch Ben, with Bork & Sons Cinchas make a cincha then make your own and take it home at the end of the day. Not only will you take home a cincha but also a free kit to make your own. Cincha making supplies and hardware will be available for purchase. Cost for the class is $125. The class will be held at the Pendleton Trade Show (Nov. 12th, 2009). This class is for anyone interested in making cinchas. Please call Ben with any questions you may have as well as the starting time of the class. Space in the class is limited.. Call and reserve your chair! Motels & Hotels for Leatherworkers Trade Show: 7-Inn I-84, Exit 202 - 74149 Barnhart Rd Phone: (541) 276-4711 or 1-800-REG7INN (734-7466) www.7inn.com Best Western/Pendleton Inn Exit 210 off I-84 - 400 SE Nye Avenue Phone: (541) 276-2135 or 1-800-528-1234 www.bestwestern.com Econo Lodge Exit 209 of I-84 - 620 SW Tutuilla Road Phone: (541) 276-8654 www.econolodge.com Holiday Inn Express Exit 210 off I-84 - 600 SE Nye Avenue Phone: (541) 966-6520 or 1-800-HOLIDAY (465-4329) Fine amenities include: cookies in the afternoon, enhanced continental breakfast, USA Today, 24 hour coffee and tea, and HBO. Kids stay free. Indoor pool and hot tub. Pets accepted with permission. Rooms with view of Blue Mountains. ADA facilities. Free high speed internet. 64 units. www.hiexpress.com Knights Inn 105 SE Court Avenue Phone: (541) 276-3231 or 1-877-722-8277 www.knightsinn.com Motel 6 Exit 210 off I-84 - 325 SE Nye Avenue Phone: (541) 276-3160 or 1-800-466-8356 www.motel6.com Mountain View RV Park 1375 SE 3rd Street Phone: (541) 276-1041 Oxford Suites Exit 209 off I-84 - 2400 SW Court Place Phone: (541) 276-6000 or 1-877-545-7848 www.oxfordsuitespendleton.com Pendleton Underground Tours Working Girls Hotel/Condo 17 SW Emigrant Avenue Phone : (541) 276-0730 or 1-800-226-6398 Red Lion Hotel Exit 210 off I-84 - 304 SE Nye Avenue Phone: (541) 276-6111 or 1-800-REDLION (733-5466) www.redlion.com Relax Inn 205 SE Dorion Avenue Phone: (541) 276-3293 Rugged Country Lodge 1807 SE Court Avenue Phone: (541) 966-6800 or (877) 7RUGGED www.ruggedcountrylodge.com Super 8 601 SE Nye Avenue Phone: (541) 276-8881 or 1-800-800-8000 www.super8.com Traveler’s Inn 310 SE Dorion Avenue Phone: (541) 276-6232 Fax and Phone: (541) 276-6231 www.travelers-inn.net Travelodge 411 SW Dorion Avenue Phone: (541) 276-7531 www.travelodge.com Wildhorse Resort & Casino I-84, Exit 216 - 72777 Hwy. 331 Phone: (541) 278-2274 or 1-800-654-WILD (9453) www.wildhorseresort.com See www.ferdco.com for more details as they are available. (Note: The above was taken from the FERDCO web site. Please see www.ferco.com for any changes.)

Ray, This is what I do to emboss letters into leather. The file was too big to upload so here is a link to it: http://www.pslac.org/download_area/Typography_in_Leather_Article.pdf Bob Stelmack Editor, RawHide Gazette www.pslac.org

Bruce, You remind me of my pre-adult years when I entered into a hobby of tropical fish keeping. I started with a 5 gallon tank, a few guppies, a heater, filter and an air pump. Later I found out that those little fish made more fish and I wanted to try to expand my collection, so I purchased a 10 gallon tank. I needed a larger heater, filter and air pump. The family was enjoying watching the fish and so I expanded to a 29 gallon tank. You guessed it--I needed a larger heater, filter and air pump. That was so successful the the family acquired a second 29 gallon tank with a stand that held them both. You may ask: "What does this have to do with sewing machines?" The cost of the upgrading and changing to a setup that met the hobby needs wound up costing four times as much than if I had bit the bullet and purchased the correct setup to begin with. You would think I learned, but the Boss, used Juki, Ferdco 1245 experience showed me I still have a lot to learn. I'd better hurry up--I'm getting older. Bob Stelmack

1. Cost of materials plus shipping costs to me 2. Cost of leather waste (off cuts, approx 30%)) 3. Cost of consumables (i.e. thread, needles, glue, dye, wax, finish, etc.) 4. Cost of labor (per hour) 5. Cost of shop (heat, light, space) 6. Cost of accounting and accounting software 7. Cost of filing city, state and federal taxes 8. Costs of shipping (packaging material, container, shipping costs) 9. Costs of transportation to get supplies, leather, and for shipping 10. Cost of storage and inventory 11. Cost of FICA, Social Security, etc. 12. Cost of Health Insurance 13. Cost to comply with government regulatory expenses 14. Cost of advertisement 15. Cost of capital equipment investments 16. Cost of bank interest of business investment 17. Cost of labor 18. Cost to create a new pattern 19. Retirement investments 20. Cost of paper for keeping track of costs. …and what’s left over from the money the customer gives me is profit… ;-) Bob Stelmack

When I lived in England I would visit the Tandy Leather Factory in Northampton. Peter Laight was the owner and Roy was the manager. Peter showed me leather that had pictures printed on it. He used a Xerox looking machine that deposited the picture directly on the leather. The last information I have on Peter is: Peter Laight, Holt Lane, Matlock, Derbyshire, DE4 3LY, 01629 581403 (W), 07970-698-115 (M), choco.co@talk21.com, www.theidentitystore.co.uk/ In fact, here is a link to the digital printing: www.theidentitystore.co.uk/surface_decoration.asp ...and I see that they moved to a new location: CHANGES TO THE IDENTITY STORE FROM THE 12TH DECEMBER 2008, THE IDENTITY STORE (NORTHAMPTON) HAS TEMPORARILY MOVED TO OUR HEADQUARTERS AT MATLOCK DERBYSHIRE. OUR LEASE IN NORTHAMPTON HAS RUN OUT AND WE COULD NOT RENEW FOR A SHORT TERM OUR NORTHAMPTON STORE MANAGER, TREVOR RHODES, STILL REPRESENTS US LOCALLY, AND WILL BE AVAILABLE TO GIVE ADVICE AND WILL BE RUNNING CLASSES. YOUR ORDERS CAN BE PLACED DIRECTLY WITH OUR MATLOCK STORE EITHER BY T: 01629 581403 or 07974 177239 W: www.theidentitystore.co.uk E: sales@theidentitystore.co.uk Peter and Roy were very gracious people that helped this poor American figure out those metric measurements and those strange words for things. Bob Stelmack

Try FERDCO's swap shop page at: http://www.ferdco.com/6.php Bob Stelmack

I use Krylon Gloss when I want a glossy finish and I use Krylon gloss, then Krylon Matt to get a matt finish. In either case LIGHT coats and dry between coats. (chirp, chirp) Bob Stelmack

Google is your friend for images: http://tinyurl.com/mjvlmf Bob Stelmack

Ray, You might consider fish skins. Take a look at these: http://www.sealeatherwear.com/ Bob Stelmack

Occasionally I find a reference to the use of oxalic acid to prepare a finished leather carving for the dye and final finish. This causal reference needs a little additional comment as to the toxicity of the chemical. Oxalic acid can be absorbed through the skin and can cause internal damage. Here are some cautionary notes from the International Occupational Safety and Health Information Centre: EXPOSURE AVOID ALL CONTACT! IN ALL CASES CONSULT A DOCTOR! ROUTES OF EXPOSURE: The substance can be absorbed into the body by inhalation of its aerosol and by ingestion. INHALATION RISK: Evaporation at 20°C is negligible; a harmful concentration of airborne particles can, however, be reached quickly if powdered. EFFECTS OF SHORT-TERM EXPOSURE: Corrosive. The substance is corrosive to the eyes, the skin and the respiratory tract. Corrosive on ingestion. Inhalation of aerosol may cause lung oedema. The substance may cause effects on the kidneys. Exposure far above the OEL may result in death. Medical observation is indicated. EFFECTS OF LONG-TERM OR REPEATED EXPOSURE: Repeated or prolonged contact with skin may cause dermatitis. The substance may have effects on the kidneys , resulting in stones. I might suggest those Nitrile Disposable Gloves from Harbor Freight which are better at resisting chemicals than the more common Latex Disposable Gloves. And just be careful: eye protection, long sleeved shirts, etc. Bob Stelmack

How about this: http://tinyurl.com/bqjvtu Bob Stelmack

The residue can be removed with a piece of crepe. Crepe stuff is what some shoe soles are made of. You see it in casual shoes--like boat shoes. I've got a piece I had for years and the more I use it the better it works. It's kind of like an art gum eraser, but much tougher. If you can't find it I'll send you a piece. I think it is also used to clean grinding wheels. Below is a picture of my ancient piece of crepe and along side is just a piece from a crepe sole (still virgin). Bob Stelmack

Something similar I made some time ago. The stacked pieces are long thin pieces that are glued with over lapping edges (like a wooden box joint). They were dyed alternating colors to accentuate the effect. Inside are leather dominoes. Nice project, but way too much time. Bob Stelmack

Interesting. I've stored magazines as Greg has suggested and it works just fine. I assume you are looking for something like this: I purchased these units while I was in Japan (use these keywords to search with google, then translate one of the pages: kokuyo mt160b). I always thought I would make some similar binders from leather, but only got just past the thinking stage. I did purchase some piano wire from a model hobby shop that were the same diameter and cut to the correct lengths, but the "U" channel for the top and bottom were my stumbling blocks. Perhaps someone on this group could suggest a way to purchase something "off-the-shelf" that would act as the channel to hold the wire and a way to bind to a spine that we could cover and decorated with leather. Bob Stelmack

This recent weather has delayed some of my leather deliveries, but those from Hide House were a little late, but exactly what I needed. As Bruce and others say -- any company can meet expectations, but fail at rare times. Bob Stelmack