esantoro

You might want to try Top Coat #200 from Weaver (actually an LCI product). You don't want to brush it on, but you might want to try spraying it on or even dipping the leather in in this solvent-based solution. Use in a very well ventilated area. This is only a suggestion, as I've tried this once, but it didn't fit the application needed. For bike seats, it might be a good idea. ed

Weaver has the best price on Bick 4 I've seen, but you have the shipping. I like Bick 4 for conditioning leather that already has a very nice finish, such as bridle leather. Bick 4 doesn't strike me as a very deep conditioner, but it does a nice job of quick polishing up. ed

found a strange video related to acetone. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gXjKYuD_AlY

yes, it's thicker.

The creamier consistency of Bick 4 seems to make it uniquely well suited for mixing with dye. Ed

Duall 88 is contact cement. I have bought it from Siegel of Ca. I'd buy enough at a shot to get free shipping. ed

Siegel offers two sizes for the screw crease and five sizes for the single crease. I think Abbey Saddlery offers only one size of each, but I must double check. Joseph Dixon doesn't list various sizes. ed

Heavy handed seems ideal for creasers, especially if you want to heat them up and have them hold the heat. The JD creasers may be the only ones capable of doing this. ed

Here's a link to the PDF page for a complete listing of Joseph Dixon tools, a page that is easily missed on casual browsing. http://www.josephdixon.co.uk/saddlersdownload.html ed

Thanks for the replies and offers of assistants. I'll hold off on an order to give us time to put through a collective order. I called Joseph Dixon. Screw Crease is 25.87 pounds, about $44. Single Crease is 13.88 pounds, about $23.50. Shipping for these two items to New York shouldn't run more than 8 pounds, about $13. We'll share the shipping to NY, based on either weight of individual items or number, and then you'll pay cost for shipping from NY to you. I've got to send JD an email to see if they take US Postal money orders, which I think are good internationally, as long as the world is still taking our money. Tell me what items you're interested in and I'll call JD for prices. I'll email to see if i can get a price list. I think JD may have some nice stitching awls for a reasonable price. Karl and UK Ray, what do you think of JD stitching awls? Ed

I like it. I was using it before Siegel raised the price, which prompted me to stock up on Tandy's old stock, before they changed to a more eco-friendly product and raised the price through the roof. When I need to stock up again, I will return to Duall #88, or I'll try Masters. Whatever I choose, price will dictate. I don't want to pay more than $13 a quart. ed

I need to purchase Joseph Dixon Creasers, single and screw. Siegel has them for a steep markup. I'm calling Joseph Dixon in the UK tomorrow. Might there be another good source? Thanks, Ed

Hi Joe, I'm still trying to get in touch with Marvin to see if he's still making his splitters. Do you remember what you paid? Ed

Might anyone know of a particular program for the PC that can extract scenes from digital video (DVD, avi, mpg,etc.)? Thanks, Ed

I've found out that the Dremel is my machine's best friend. If any of the needle plates don't allow the needle to go through the center of the slot, you can always grind a smidgen off the machine-end of the plate. ed

Binding with the 441..............Hmmmmmmmmmm! Steve, do you require any special attachment to bind with this machine? Ed

I think we can get that presser foot lift a bit higher. What do you think all those Allen head bolts are for?

Does it come in stainless steel?

Yeah!!!............. OBSESSSSSSIOOOOOOOOOOOOOOON! Don't fight it.........just sit back and let it run its course................

I had to order a Chestnut dye lot of Coats Dabond thread in 277 and 346 because I couldn't find it anywhere else. While I was at it, I threw in some black 277 and 346. I now find myself with a bit of surplus available if anyone is interested. I weighed the cones individually and found variation among them all. An empty cone weighs in at around 1.6 oz, which I'll subtract from the weight of each cone, which will be in the ballpark of 16 oz. I can sell this thread for $1.50 an ounce plus Fed Ex shipping. Of the black I have nine cones available of 277 and three cones of 346. Of the chestnut I have seven cones available of 277 and six cones of 346. Ed

Dyo is no longer in business. Their plant exploded , and remaining products, patents, formulas, etc. were bought out by LCI Inc. http://www.leathercoatings.com/index.html Give them a call. You'll need to set up a business account with them and make minimum orders of $100 at a time. If you're not willing to buy a minimum of 50 gallons a year, don't ask Carlos too many questions, as he is busy with much more lucrative clients. The other option is to find out who is reselling LCI's products. ed

If I'm not mistaken, that machine should be similar to the Artisan 4000P, heavier duty than the 4000R. From what I understand, Highlead is name to trust regarding these machines. What is your dealer asking for the machine? ed

If I opt to depreciate my machinery and tools instead of taking a one-time deduction, can/should I depreciate it over three years, or must it be five years...or more? Thanks, Ed

And somewhere in all of this a kilowatt usage measuring device showed up and has added itself to the list of gadgets I could do without but why should I. http://www.amazon.com/P3-International-P44...0451&sr=1-1 Plus I'm a sucker for free shipping. Ed

One obsessions invariably leads to another. My foray into soldering irons has went its way to embossing presses, which has lead to branding irons, which got me into temperature control devices for both branding irons and soldering irons, which has now got me intrigued about infrared thermometers to check and fine tune the high temperatures required for the above applications. Can anyone recommend a good infrared thermometer and/or point out any shortcomings I may experience with such devices, such as unexpected difficulty in getting a reliable temperature reading from the tip of a soldering iron? The price range I was thinking about is $50 and lower. Now, back to Amazon.com to read reviews. Thanks, Ed