DwightT

FWIW: Before I retired I worked on printer firmware, specifically in the code for downloading and installing new firmware for an update. Obviously I can't say anything for older printers or for printers from other manufacturers, but as MtlBiker noted for newer printers at least it would be very unlikely that a virus embedded in a PDF file could cause damage to the printer. Any downloads that would change printer firmware or configuration settings must be in a very specific stand-alone format (not part of a valid print job), and must have a valid digital signature that verifies that it came from the manufacturer. The keys used to sign that download are closely held by very few people in the company, so it is very unlikely that a download would be accepted by the printer unless it really was from the manufacturer. So in short, while there is always a minuscule chance that a print job could contain a virus that could damage a printer, it would be so unlikely to have an impact on newer printers that I wouldn't worry about it. On the other hand, if anybody does happen to encounter such a print file, I would love to get a copy so that I could pass it on to my colleagues at my old employer. /dwight

Thanks Chuck. I dug through our storage, and while I didn't find any bottles, it turned out that I did have one lid/adapter in the collection of accessories. I just didn't know what I was looking at. Regardless I've ordered a set of bottles and lids (local Hobby Lobby didn't have any) so I should be able to start messing around with it this weekend. Yeah, I can see that a trip to H.F. is in my future. I should be able to start messing around with what I have, but there are a couple bits that I'll probably want (like the moisture trap). Agreed. I ran some acetone through it last night using the cup just to clean it out. I didn't actually spill any, but without some sort of holder I can see that it would be a royal PITA to use that way. I might play around with the cup until the bottles arrive, but I think long-term the cup really won't be all that practical for me. /dwight

Thanks all. As I mentioned the setup originally belonged to my wife's late husband, and he passed away back in 2010. He probably had it for a few years before that, so I'm guessing that it's all at least 15-20 years old. It's all been sitting out in storage since he passed, and it's possible that there are more parts out there that I missed since I didn't know what I was looking for. I'll have to rummage around some more to see what I can find. Part of my concern with it is if I find any issues, how available will replacement parts be? Haven't really had a chance to look yet. I like Chuck's idea of having separate bottles for the dyes, so I'll be looking into that. Hopefully I'll be able to find the adapter that lets me use bottles instead of the cup. I probably won't use that compressor since as noted it doesn't have a regulator or tank. I do have a 12-galleon compressor that I can regulate from 5# to 130#, so I'll look into using that instead. I imagine that I'll have to look at getting a water trap for it though. The unused hose in the bag has an inline trap. Will that be enough or should I look for something to add to the output port of the compressor? I think I like the idea of using the larger sprayers for sealers. I'll look at using the gravity-fed one for that since I'm thinking that it will be easier to clean up. Since I have two bottles for it I think I can keep sealer in one and acetone in the other for cleanup. Any thoughts on the Matheson filter? Will I need that for anything here? Thanks again for the ideas and comments. Looks like I'll be doing some tinkering over the next few days. /dwight

I know I'm late to the game here, but when it comes to justifying the cost of a sewing machine, one of the things my son will do when he needs a "specialty" tool for a one-off project is he will buy the tool, complete the project, then turn around and sell the tool on the local market. He sometimes will get the full price that he paid for the tool (typically when he bought the tool used to begin with), but usually he'll sell it for some amount less than he originally paid. Even then his overall cost is less than it would have been to rent the tool, and the new buyer is happy that he got the now slightly used tool at a discount. /dwight

Hello all. I've been MIA from the forums for a bit while dealing with some family issues. Got the issues mostly resolved and hopefully I'll be able to get back to leatherwork, but as a result of dealing with those issues I am now in possession of some airbrush equipment (see photos below). The problem is that I know next to nothing about airbrushing. So far I've watched some videos, but they generally seem to assume that I have at least some rudimentary knowledge of the devices. Bad assumption. I have seen others here talking about using an airbrush for dying leather, so I thought I would pop in to see if I could get some pointers to some basic tutorials. This stuff originally belonged to my wife's late first husband and generally seems to be in pretty good shape. He was pretty good at taking care of his tools. The compressor and at least one of the brushes looks like it's never been used. But do I need to be concerned about any paint residue contaminating my dye? In what I've read so far I've seen mention of filtering the paint to avoid clogging the brush. Do I need to do that with dye? In the third photo with the random accessories, the silver cylinder is a "Matheson 6164 Depth filter". Other than that it has 1/4" fittings, I'm not sure that it really goes with this set. Any thoughts? Thanks for any advice. /dwight

The area where I live is down in a valley, and it seems like if there is a fire anywhere in the western half of the continent, the smoke settle in here. My step-daughter is severely asthmatic so whenever that happens she has to stay in her house with the HEPA air filters. We also have the National Inter-agency Fire Center (NIFC) for the U.S. here. They coordinate the fire crews across the country during the wildfire season. Years ago when my son was in scouts we got to go tour the command center. It was fascinating watching all that goes in to planning how to respond to the multiple fires that are going on at any give time. My hat is off to the fire fighters and smoke jumpers. They are putting their lives on the line every time they go out for one of these fires. /dwight

@Mulesaw - sorry to hear about your wife's cancer. As you and others have noted, the early detection should go a long ways towards knocking it down. I lost my first wife to pancreatic cancer, which has a tendency to hide undetected until too late. Here's hoping that the side effects of the treatment are mild and the recovery is quick.

Nice!! Very fitting for the day. Thanks for sharing.

Beautiful work.

Services will be held Saturday at noon. Flowers may be sent to the local funeral chapel. Authorities have ruled the death as justifiable.

Beautiful work. It's been a lot of years since I was into archery, but I still have the compound bow that I made in H.S. wood shop along with the traditional target shooters quiver that I made when I was in the archery club. I never cared much for the bow-mounted style of quivers for many of the reasons that you listed, but if I do decide to take up shooting again I may have to re-think that and see if I can do one like yours. /dwight

Welcome from Idaho. You'll find lots of good people and good info here. Looking forward to seeing your work. /dwight

That is just phenomenal. I know it's way beyond anything I could ever hope to achieve. /dwight

Then your edging is really nice. The transition between the two layers is so smooth it looked like a single piece of leather to me. Nice job. /dwight

Nice. I like how you used the technique to make it look like multiple layers on the front. The only thing that you might want to do differently is in the stitching along the top and bottom edges, don't run the stitching over the false layer edge. The stitching along the top "layer" should continue around the corner, and the stitching along the bottom "layer" should stop before the false edge. Other than that it looks fantastic. /dwight

Thanks. I guess it's just the color or something. The crazy horse that I've been using is a light brown while yours looks like dark brown. Came out looking great. /dwight

That looks fantastic! What did you use to treat your leather? I use crazy horse for the backing of guitar straps and I'm only applying carnauba cream to it. Your leather seems to have a sheen that looks better than what I get. /dwight

Personally I think they turned out fantastic. I don't see a need to resize the diamonds. I don't have that particular stamp, but I'm going to have to play around with the idea with the stamps that I do have. /dwight

That looks great. I'd like to do one for my bike someday. I just have to figure out how to make it work on a Goldwing. /dwight

That is stunning. Beautiful tooling and good selection of colors. And your stitching and edge work are marvelous. Good job. /dwight

Beautiful. And real snakeskin too. And I completely agree with Pastor Bob. Doing something for somebody else and having them enjoy it is always a wonderful feeling. Good job. /dwight

@Fraulein - here is the belt that gave me the idea for the faux inlay: https://twentythreeplus.com/products/three-piece-look-alike-belt The belt was carved out of a single piece of leather in such a way to look like it has over-laid pieces. A friend of mine showed me that belt and his attempt at the process, and I thought it might work for this inlay as well. Like I said mine turned out OK, but I think I can do better. /dwight

Nothing wrong with showing good work. I love the baseballs. I may have to give something like that a shot one of these days just for fun. /dwight

Thanks. Just for grins I went and weighed it. With the strap locks it comes in at 8.3 oz. I'm not a guitar player so I have no idea if that is heavy or not, but doesn't seem too bad to me. Thank you. Thanks. The faux part is OK, but I've seen better. Next time I think I'll need to make the beveling deeper between the border and the "inlay". /dwight

Thanks. I was going for a dragon skin look. I had actually considered stamping the 'skin' on a separate piece of leather, then doing an actual inlay. But I decided that would have made the strap too heavy and stiff to be useful, so I went with the faux inlay look instead. Still need to work on that technique some more to really pull it off. Thanks. Dealing with cancer can really suck. Thank you. Those are "Ernie Ball" strap locks: https://www.ernieball.com/guitar-accessories/strap-locks# He uses those on his current strap, so I got him a set for this strap too so that he can easily switch between straps if he wants. /dwight