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Hi Art, If I want to get the best color match for my edges, would you suggest that I go to an art store and buy the heaviest, most rubbery and flexible acrylic paint in the color of my choice, or should I mix that paint with something else? The one nice thing about edge kote is that it dries quickly. thanks, Ed

I'm headed to the hardware store. I've got some wet/dry sand paper for sharpening my tools. But what range of sand paper would be good for sanding edges. I've got a good idea, but thought I'd get people's actual experience.ed For a wax-based finish would beeswax be enough?ed

Hi Dave, Where do you get this .5" felt? I was thinking that the felt should be no wider than the width of the edge you're dying, but from your post that doesn't seem to be the case. ed

Art, Will any felt at a fabric store be sufficient for dying edges. I imagine all I must do is cut the felt the width of the edge I'm dying. Put the felt in a clothespin and go to it. Is this about right? ed

It's got to be this. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1623_in_literature

Ok, his 441 is the shortarm version of the model 6, which is similar to the 4000 and superbull 2000. The needle plates will be for either machine. ed

Beautiful stitching.

Great pics, Doug. Thanks. I've been wanting to make similar gussets, but I keep wondering if I'll be able to get everything to line up straight. I was in a Ghurka shop today looking at $1900 bags. Ghurka's gussets seem similar to yours in that the gusset wraps around the edge of the divider and stitched. They are about 3/4 oz I think and they are in three parts: middle and two sides that wrap around the corners. This would be a more economical approach, but the full length gusset I currently use is easier to do and is all one long piece. Sometimes I'm close to running out of hide to get all the pieces, hence a three piece gusset would be nice, but only as long as each piece is wide enough to cover all dividers and front and back face. Is there any special technique to getting the divider to line up straight, or is it simple and straightforward to gouge a line and glue the edge of the divider into place? Ed

nice work. Welcome.

Is that the Model 6 you're talling about? Call up Ryan and ask about some feeddogless needleplates.

Nice work. Is it handstitched or machine stitched? ed

That looks great. I also include a brochure on how to care for the leather. I'd like to get some ink stamps made to stamp my logo on the box. I wrap the item in 30 lb. kraft paper and then put it in a burlap bag for any moisture absorption while in transit. ed

nice work. welcome.

Ha, ha. I should photoshop in a kitchen sink, though your idea is better. I like it. This is an 18" x 13" bag. I'm curious to see how buyers will respond, as my standard size bag is 16" x 11.5". ed

Do you gouge a fold in the gusset for the center divider? I've seen this done in the Stohlman books. ed

I glue lightly and clamp. I remove the clamping clips as I stitch. The only gusset seam that is difficult is the middle one, and that is only about two inches on the corners. ed

This one is 5/6 oz oiled chrome tan.

Here's my latest bag, finally completed. ed

I like the type of gussets you have for the bag. Is it one piece all the way around? Did you skive the gusset yourself or buy thinner veg tan? ed

One reason I've stayed away from nylon is the the free nylon thread that comes with these machines is relatively speaking like a rubber band, where the stretching is noticeable pulling a foot or more. I've never tried a known good brand. Artisan swears by the Linhanyl. By the way, why did Rice go out of business, or why didn't anyone pick up the manufacturing of it? The folks at Artisan think the Linhanyl is equivalent. Ed

I got the bins from the restaurant supply store. Originally, I was going to buy only three bins. Then, I decided I'd buy 12 and get the bulk price. Now they're all full and could use a few more. Thanks,again, for the link. Ed

Hi Art, Is there a noticeable difference between tensioning adjustments in the Linhanyl nylon and Coats poly? ed

I'm looking forward to getting a sample of Artisan's Linhanyl Nylon to see its look and texture. ed

Steve and Dave have both been tremendous in helping me with certain issues. Ed

Thanks so much for noticing this. There's a whole philosophy behind these bags, and their construction is therapeutic as well. It just feels so good in one bag to trump all the crap that exists today in films, music, fashion, politics, education, the full spectrum of society. After I complete a bag, I just stand back and realize that I've actually done the very thing so many people seem no longer interested in doing. I love Ghurka bags, but even they lack a certain integrity and ruggedness. Little ol' me in my workshop has done what Ghurka has either forgotten or is no longer interested in. It's all about appearances now, not about the deeper lying ideas and questions. Your notice of all this thrills me and helps me in the conviction that I'm on to something and should stick with it. Other people are noticing too. There's something in these bags that comes out, that one just feels, and it has to do, I think, in the honest and rather simple way they are constructed. I also like that you noticed that because they are constructed the way they are they can be fixed and mended in the future to really last a very, very, long time. Thanks, again, as it's so wonderful to know that my obsession is pointed in the right direction. ed