gtwister09

Definitely a winner for sure. Very nice and clean. Regards, Ben

Mike, Thanks! I already have the article and the web PDF saved. There are actually two different swivel knife articles from Shop Talk., Actually one of them is on a saddlemaker, Mervin Ringlero, but it also has some swivel knife information. I was looking for this from our collections (not just old ones but to also see people's collections). Here the PDFs are together... Swivel Knives http://www.proleptic.net/ShopTalk_APRIL_web%20article.pdf Mervin Ringlero http://www.proleptic.net/Feb_article.pdf "I would love to see pictures of your collections and especially older swivel knives that have the cups, rings, etc or incising knives if you have some of them." Thanks again Mike. Regards, Ben

This goes out to all you swivel knife collectors. With the discussion on the earliest swivel knives, I would love to see pictures of your collections and especially older swivel knives that have the cups, rings, etc or incising knives if you have some of them. In the Ringlero article from Shop Talk News there was one of the cup models that was in Jim Jackson's collection. Clay, Wyoming Slick and some others have already shown some of their swivel knives. Look forward to seeing any and all your collections. Regards, Ben

I have been looking at how people are marketing via web pages and Facebook. I have been looking at woodworkers, knife makers, saddle makers, horse trainers, engravers, bit and spur makers and leather craftsmen/women. I am quite honestly amazed at how many people are out there trying to make money in these areas and yet they don't share the photos of the their work because they keep their information private. There are a number of people on this forum and several other forums that I am on where I know that these individuals sell products and yet when you go to their Facebook page they do not share information publicly. Likewise many of them have web pages as well and don't place that in their Info section. I have some questions for those who are selling products and are not sharing information on Facebook. How are people going to see your wares if you are unwilling to share even photos of your work? Why not allow people to see your work without asking to be a friend. With those who have web sites and don't list them on their info page, don't you think that this could be a possible missed opportunity in your marketing strategy? I would think that both of these would be missed marketing opportunities no matter how little they are. Just some things to think on as I noticed many did not share information publicly even though they are selling products. What do others think? Regards, Ben

Adam, Glad that you liked it. After several years I guess I could update it but I haven't got around to it. Hopefully others will get some benefit out of it. Dan always has good information on his site as well. Regards, Ben

Looks nice. Ha-ha - I'm sure Bruce will speak up for sure. I'm sure it will be a nice addition to used plough gauges. Regards, Ben P.S. Ditto to Pauls' statement.

Art, You are in rare form today with pink machines and a rare 901M111 Singer machine. Wiz hit the nail on head with PRICELESS. Regards, Ben

Ed and Beary, They look very nice. The black does look nice against the pink ivory and the holly. A new shop..... Regards, Ben

Elton Joorisity also makes burnishers. He is a member here as well. Regards, Ben

If you look at their Camo Accessories and Clothing categories you will notice that many leather items are listed so I would imagine that it works well enough for them to list them as items in their catalog. However I have not used it. Send them a request for information and ask them would be your best bet to ask them how durable it is on leather. Regards, Ben

I was only conveying information and not defending any particular seat foam or vendor. Brent...I have to agree on their costs because I buy almost nothing from McMaster-Carr due to their prices. Others sharing what they like is what this is supposed to be about. Having the ability to make comparisons like JW is worth its weight in gold. There are other factors that impact the weather resistance other than open or closed cell. The skins are another technical aspect that impacts it. As stated below they do provide a scientific means of measuring firmness, recovery from compression and weather resistance. Gum and crepe are usually at the fair end of weather resistance. However they are generally covered in a seat application so ozone, sunlight and such have a limited impact on them which are factors in determining weather resistance. JW....You are so correct. I never tried the material but I would be interested in knowing what the actual PSI hardness is for the crepe as well. From your statement of "very firm" it appears as though you like something that has the same consistency as styrofoam cups. As far as McMaster-Carr they do provide an EXCELLENT analysis of types of foams, uses and features so that you people can do their own analysis/decision. They also provide actual sample packs that have actual data behind them as well as providing you with a means of the "feels right" factor. Regards, Ben

JW, Thanks! They also have it up to very firm as well. I don't know if you looked at their firmness ratings on page 3550 (at the bottom) but it shows a car seat at 5, a mattress at 8, tennis ball at 10 and so on. Extra firm and very firm go into cups and life preservers. They also have the listings for the various foams that show their recovery and resistances to weather and oil as Excellent, Good and Fair that could aid in the selection. I know that Greg did like the 8 psi version of the foam. You can also pick up a Firmness Rating Selector Pack in order to determine what you like as well on that same page. Regards, Ben

Jeff, Quick-Recovery Super-Resilient Polyurethane Foam - Here's the link with part number on McMaster - Carr's website. It is presently on page 3554. The part number is still 86375 K134. http://www.mcmaster....18/3554/=g3tmez It is a open cell foam with skin on both sides. It is also called Poron urethane. It was chosen because it is one of the most resilient of foams as well as being suitable for indoor/outdoor uses. . Also select the firm and the one without adhesive backed foam. Here's the PDF for the page as well. McMaster-Carr Super Resilient Foam for Saddle Seats 3554.pdf Regards, Ben

Sorry! Here's the east wall with the table. Regards, Ben

Troy asked me to post this for him. So here goes. The panoramas have a little distortion to them but it allows you to see all of one wall at a time. Well it's not a doctor office but it sure is NICE. I remember a thread on the ideal home studio. Well this one goes a long way towards that end. I would venture to say that this isn't just a saddle shop but a saddle studio. Troy West Studio or something more appropriate. He has tray ceilings with exposed beams and crown moulding. The trays carry 24 can lights in them around the perimeter of the room. Notice the crown molding on the tray portion of the ceiling as well as in between the beam ceiling portion. Exposed stained beams are actually the 2 bys for the roof. Another feature of the crown moldings is the end blocks for the inside corners that tie the theme of stars together throughout the room...the molding, fan/light fixture and the floor mosaic. In the center of the mosaic/medallion is a quarter. The outside entry into the shop has a large star on it as well. The color selection and contrast is very good. On the North wall is his cutting bench and soldering station. Other things on the right side of the bench is a buffing station with a vacuum attached to it and a stitching clamp. All of his cutting tools as well as layout and other leather tools are on this bench (edgers, dividers, pounder, spikes, pliers, knives, punches, etc). There is a small area that he uses as an anvil on the right side of the bench. You can't see it at this time but there is a Landis 3 in 1 that is an a hinge and comes down over the round steel being used as an anvil. The east wall has the bench and an air conditioning unit. The Landis 3 and soldering station are also on that wall. As mentioned before there are also a 24 of the can lights in the tray ceiling portion. Both the stamping bench and the cutting bench have a set of florescents over them to add more light. Notice that almost all of the electrical outlets are at bench height as well. The South wall has the sewing machines, stamping and silver bench as well as a band knife. The machines are a Landis 3, a Cobra 4 and a Singer 31-15. Next is the stamping bench with a piece of granite inset into the top. The tools are also in a drawer as well. The engraving bench has a ball, GraverMax and other engraving items used to cut out silver and such. There's also an air operated shop press as well. There are a couple of Nikkel trees and one of Troy's that isn't finished. The West wall is the entry into the shop. The band knife, a saddle stand, a break/press, the wooden sink (make from wood and epoxy to allow him to be able to sit a saddle over the edge and wash it), a cabinet with mirror, some file cabinets and steamer. The mirrored cabinet holds all the leather finishing supplies and a few other things. Below the sink is various cleaners and so forth. Here's his drawdown stand and stirrup stretcher. Troy can add to this or make any corrections on describing things that I forgot or have incorrectly stated. Regards, Ben

Bobcat, That is truly an awesome piece of work. Thanks for sharing your work and the pictures of the work-in-progress. Regards, Ben

Clay, Denise and Bruce have said it so well. My condolences to you and his family. Regards, Ben

Debbie, You can search for casing/Lexol and such but here are some for you to look at. http://leatherworker.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=455&view=findpost&p=26112 http://leatherworker.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=20264&st=0&p=133199&hl=+lexol%20+casing&fromsearch=1entry133199 http://leatherworker.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=843&st=0&p=28036&hl=+lexol%20+casing&fromsearch=1entry28036 http://leatherworker.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=15493&st=0&p=156435&hl=+lexol%20+casing&fromsearch=1entry156435 Hope that helps. Regards, Ben

Paul, What a job... Great work. Regards, Ben

Adam, Here's something that I have been sharing with some other people that have Adler 205's for the past 3-4 years. It was compiled from various sources such as Groz Beckert, Schmetz, Organ and many of the vendors who sell needles like Dan. I tried compiling all of the various vendors and what needles they provide in the 794 class. All pictures are copyright of their respective companies and trademark names mentioned are owned by their respective companies as well. This is a compiled work with individual comments. Adler 794 System Information Compiled Rev C.pdf Regards, Ben

Hopefully it will help your next endeavor. Glad that you found it useful. Regards, Ben

Check out some old posts on rose leaves. Here's one. http://leatherworker.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=15827&view=findpost&p=99816 Regards, Ben

Steve, As others have said it looks good and is nice. Hope that it sells at a great price. Regards, Ben

Glad it helped. I didn't send it to make you feel bad. It was just informative. My son just got their samples for some projects he wants to do with English Bridle. I spent some time with him discussing the different aspects and feel so we had just been there. Regards, Ben

Here's their description of the differences... http://www.wickett-craig.com/index.php/leathers/description-and-grading Hope that helps. Regards, Ben