gtwister09

Joel, Greg shared this some time back. Go to McMaster-Carr's website and look up part # 86375 K134 1/4" plain back quick recovery foam, firmness rating 8, Black 12" x 12" pieces. If you change the last part of the number to K64 you get a 36" x 54" sheet. Hope that helps. Regards, Ben

Cody, FYI. Mine were finished and I have never had a problem with them. Regards, Ben

Cody, The angle is a personal one. Mine is not quite as pronounced but others do have a steeper one. If I read your note correctly, then all your holes are 1-1/2". I would suggest some variety for swivel knife storage as well. I have included a couple of links to some other threads on the forum. Check out the 4 that I have (actually 5 - one is much smaller) in the "To Montage". I don't show the lesser angle in this photo but you can see the variety of 1-1/2", 1" and 3/4" holes. http://leatherworker.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=34152&view=findpost&p=211630 The spacing and issue that Sam was talking about is apparent in the Sears box in this thread. http://leatherworker.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=27585&view=findpost&p=173533 Regards, Ben

Cody, I shared a number of different ones that I have made over the years as well as mosaic photos of past ones. I tried a number of ones from the Craftsman tool box with separate holes, saddlemaker rolls, cups,foam, pipes and many other options including one that was a separate one that allowed you to move blocks around mased on size with standardized block sizes....that one became too big. Some of the foam ones tend to chip out and I tried and epoxy finish for them but wasn't completely happy with the level of finish on those blocks. What I finally settled on was one that had larger holes where you could place all of one type of stamp in a particular hole and each swivel knife in a separate hole. It also allows each block to be carried as well as allowing the block to be set at two different angles so that you can view the tools much like your angled design. These are out of oak and can get heavy when fully loaded with stamps and swivel knifes. I made a small one one for a friend that was "lightened" up. The handle and angled approach was used but the block was not solid oak this time. I made an open box of oak (1/2" thick except for the final bottom which was 1/4") that had a number of holes drilled in it (1-1/2", 1" and 3/4" these match the ID of the particular pipe sizes). This was the top and the bottom was left open. On the underside of the top there was a slight recess for each size of hole(Forrester bit the same size as the OD of the pipe) that would allow plastic pipe to be glued to the top. Once the glue on the pipe and top was dry then expanding foam was shot into the cavity in between the pipe and filled to the bottom of the open box (it was turned upside down to fill). Once the foam was dry then the excess was hot-knifed even with the bottom and the bottom was then attached to the open box. Then this box was assembled with the handle and ends. It did reduce the weight. However it was a lot of time. He engraved some scenes on the sides of the wooden box. I don't have any pictures of this one but there are some other posts that show the oak block models. Sam has some very good points about tool spacing. It was the reason for making one that has larger holes where tools can be bunched together like a saddlemaker's roll. Regards, Ben

Take a look at Bruce Johnson's tool page. He generally has more than one on there. Regards, Ben

Sylvia, That is John's work...he is leathercrafter on here. Regards, Ben

Like Elton I have both of them as well. I wholeheartedly agree with Elton. There are several older threads on the forum that reiterate what Elton said. Regards, Ben

SInpac, One thought that I might add for you to consider. I would round the heel portion of the tools so that when you use them to lift the petals that it won't leave a mark on the leather. With a rounded polished heel this would be prevented. Regards, Ben

Elton Jooristy is also a member of this forum and produces quality tools as well at extremely reasonable rates. Others produce tools like Gore and Jueschke have tools as well. Regards, Ben

Aurelie, Keith is correct. Have you tried using a paper bag or burlap to rub your thread before you use it? If you use burlap make sure that you don't mix colors. Regards, Ben

Ed, Nice Christmas price for yourself. Regards, Ben

JW, Somehow I missed these. You have been quite busy making some good looking saddles. Regards, Ben

Darc, Great to see you posting again! Extremely clean saddle overall and the tooling is as always up to your standards. It has an almost understated quality about it with the overall clean appearance and the tooling that is all topside (fork, seat, cantle areas). Great execution. Always appreciate the many views and photos that you share. Hats off and like others have said she should be extremely happy with this saddle. Regards, Ben

Charlene, There are a number of threads in the forum concerning lasers. Just type laser into the search box to find them. Here's a thread that has a couple of ones in it already. It has some general information and the other one has links to many of the manufacturers. Lasers - Couple of Threads Hope that helps. regards, Ben

Ed, You probably should mention that this is a presentation style gunsmith mat and not one to be used for tear down and builds. Regards, Ben

Ed, That is a very nice looking piece and the execution is great. Maybe this could become another signature series product for you. Regards, Ben

These and other websites have been shared several times in the forum for Singer manuals (operating, parts, etc...). http://www.bootmaker.com/manuals.htm http://www.singermachines.co.uk/indstbooks.htm Hope that helps. If not do a search on the forum and you will find more sites. Regards, Ben

Ed, That is a very nice gun mat for sure. I am sure he will be extremely happy with the mat. Regards, Ben

Your son certainly will receive a great gift. You DID your part for sure... As some have said before.... time for a name change. Regards, Ben

John, Thanks for the closeup....as expected they look really good. Regards, Ben

Nice looking can! Regards, Ben

John, Would agree with leatherrookie on both counts. (closeup and usual great work) Regards, Ben

Wiz, I was reading this for someone that has a problem with his 111 and ran across your question. I ran back as far back as the BBS days and a 300 baud modem. Anyhow the answer is Coffee and Cats. Lately I have been seeing it used in groups/forums as critique and comment. Regards, Ben

Elton, I'm glad that you put the bug back out there. I knew that you were still working away on tools because Bruce was telling me about several things that you had made for him. Really glad to see someone else provide tools. Take care and thanks for the response. Regards, Ben

Elton, Glad to see that you are picking this up again!! Great looking tools. Regards, Ben