ButtonLady

I now have an intense craving for bacon steak... a food I didn't even know existed until now.

It's right at the edge of my brain... If something has been heated and dropped in oil [and left to cool?] = "heat treated", couldn't you just repeat the process? Or is this different from hardening/tempering? Very helpful... thanks!

I thought I was the only one... Just love watching the finish magically appear. I do it outside now because it smells so bad —not quite as much fun in January... THANK YOU! We use a lot of heat treated parts, and I had NO IDEA how it was done. Can you really never heat treat a part a second time? ...and how do you clean off the oil without affecting the finish? (sorry for the interrogation, but this is fascinating).

☘ ☘ ☘

Between Chuck's corned elk roast, Fred's entire menu, and Billy's link to Ye Olde Corned Beef... I am seriously hungry!

I thought those days were over...

Great photo! My family left around the same time. ☘️ Mom described Sunday dinner with her father's Irish family as "over-boiled chicken and limp, greasy cabbage, all from one pot." No seasoning, just... bleah. I have to believe Irish food is better than that (and that my great-grandmother was just a lousy cook).

DOT fasteners are an industry standard —excellent quality. Fasnap is also good. I use Fasnap more because it's easier to order direct from the company and I like my rep.

For what it's worth... I use bonded poly exclusively because: My machine seems to like it better. It holds knots a lot better than nylon.

This seems like a really good alternative to in-person road testing. I forget that not everyone has the luxury of living within driving distance of a dealer (or several dealers).

I third this suggestion. When I was ready for an industrial, I made an appointment with a dealer and showed with a bag stuffed with typical fabric. If a dealer isn't comfortable with you test driving some machines... find another dealer.

Just realized I probably mean "splitting" machine... (?)

Your dice cups are all amazing but LOVE the eyeball! ...and the way you formed the eyelid is inspired. Gorgeous work! You totally should!

Indeed...

Very similar indeed. Definitely a possibility. Do you happen to remember his name? I found some really gorgeous carving and a set of beautiful hand-painted dragon eyes, but nothing similar to the example. Of course, I'm not necessarily using the "search" function correctly...

Customer in Portland, OR needs leather skived for covered buttons. If you are relatively local, have a skiving machine and know how to use it... send me a PM and I'll put you in touch. Thanks!

Yes! Doesn't scream "horror" but really well done and definitely creepy. Wish I knew who did it so credit can be given.

Random photo, don't know who made it. The way the leather is formed to suggest brow bones and chin just adds to the general creepiness. Then again, it really is kinda cool. Two possible Etsy contenders: TurtleVillageKraft or CreatureClutches. Anyone know for sure?

My mistakes are getting expensive. The KAM "Green" machine is M8/19mm machine. I actually developed a 3/8" die adapter for M8/19mm dies but when assembled is very bulky = very little clearance. I have relatively small hands and still find it frustrating. So... I've been fussing with closed end rivets which require a pilot hole, but what about open end tubular rivets? Are they truly self-setting? And some have washers and others caps? And some posts have serrated edges? —but maybe only those with point back stones? Just when I think I'm starting to understand what's going on... life reminds me that I really have no clue. *bangs head*

Okay, so not so unholy...

Do you mean these?

I can't even imagine what that looks like. Sounds like an unholy union of hardware! PS: Sent you a PM

After waaaaay too many YouTube videos, I have learned that rivet die action is not standardized. Most have the cap as the "good" end, set with the leather upside-down. At least one die set has spring action and sets the male on top with the leather right side-up. As for rhinestone rivets... all dies demonstrated on YouTube, with the exception of Gold Star (which is spring loaded), set them rhinestone down. Agreed. I am now on the hunt for a 3/8" shank rhinestone rivet die that is self-setting (spring action). I may have to have it made. Le sigh.

I watched just ONE "Feed Off the Arm" video on YouTube... and now it's two hours later.

Well... what a surprise, I was wrong. Just found a GoldStar Tool video demonstrating a spring-loaded rhinestone rivet die set. You load the rhinestone part right-side up in the top die. I will slink away in shame now.