Hazza

@Basically Bob thank you for your kind words

@WalterF thank you

@hags thank you

@BruceGibson thank you

I love that the rationale for the 001 / 002 / 003 is that some people wanted it called different things... that is NOT rational

@YinTx and @Bert03241 thank you

@TomE The sizes you quote are all different... From John James website 25 Saddlers Harness needles in paper envelope. Size 1 54mm length x 1.02mm diameter Size 2 54mm length x 1.02mm diameter Size 3 54mm length x 1.02mm diameter Size 4 48mm length x 0.86mm diameter Size 18 (1/0) 57.5mm length x 1.09mm diameter Size 17 (2/0) 59.5mm length x 1.42mm diameter Size 16 (3/0) 61.5mm length x 1.63mm diameter

I posted a help request in February: https://leatherworker.net/forum/topic/105984-shotgun-case-renovation-1940s and got some great feedback, particularly helpful was @CharleyS. I finished the repairs a couple of months ago, and here is a series that I posted on a business forum, about the renovation.

I have just opened unopened old stock packs of size 1, size 2 and size 3 - and they are all the same - identical. I checked with John James and got this helpful reply... " There is no difference at all in the needles, the coding comes down too many years ago different countries ordering & knowing them as different codes, example America know it as a size 3 & generally order L3912 003. " Just a "heads up" to not buy "the whole set" of saddlers needles. https://www.jjneedles.com/buy-needles/bulk-loose-needles/saddlers-harness-needles-1.html#size-guide

Thank you all for your very helpful comments, Al Stolman was one of my first points of call, I got all three case books in the 1980s, but none was for a felt lined case, unfortunately. I will post the repair later, but have not been on the board for a while, as I was getting no notifications. Harry

Thank you @CharleyS That is what I tried and it worked. I have some photographs of the repairs that I will post soon. I actually used a very low heat hair dryer to do a test piece, and it started to give, so I steamed it. Thank you for the comprehensive reply. Harry

Thank you, Sir, I looked at his work online and will reach out to him.

Thank you @MikeRock It is a wooden case, covered in hide, and fitted to contain the various parts. All of the internal fittings have original purple felt lining throughout the case. I will check Huey Cases.

Thank you @PastorBob I am inclined to that too, which makes a $300 repair close to $750. I will do nothing until I am content that I will do no damage

I am renovating a bespoke 1940s Guncase by Holland and Holland, UK shotgun manufacturer. I need to remove, but not to damage the distinctive felt lining, which I presume is glued with animal glue. Will gentle heat be enough to loosen it, please?

At the Cordwainers Technical College we were using dilute PVA in the early 1980s, and being taught by trade experts and factory managers. I still use it on traditional light teathergoods. On russet or natural hide work I have my own mix of beeswax, carnauba and paraffin wax, rubbed on, and then heated a little, then burnished with a rough cloth. Some interesting comments in this 2012 thread https://leatherworker.net/forum/topic/38654-how-do-i-make-my-own-wax-finish/

I thought I had put this in the "For Sale" posts, please could a moderator or administrator move it for me please?

Rare opportunity to own a 1947 crew punch, one of two I bought. The photographs are of the one I am using, they are identical. I have cleaned the storage grease from mine, and it was sharp out of the box. 1" x ¼" It was supplied by Vernon Industries, a company from Liverpool in the UK, and looks very similar to many of the "Sheffield supplied" punches. It is stamped with "SFT (UK War Dept Symbol) 134" and the size "39". The one I have opened, and am keeping is in perfect condition. I am looking for £60 including postage

Thank you, @Cumberland Highpower It is really good on straps and thicker leathers, if you go wider than the roller, it will mark the leather H

Hi I have a working Fortuna Skiver, pictured below. Can anyone tell me anything about its age please? It is labelled "Fortuna New York" and L F 15240 The mechanism for setting the roller is "interesting" to say the least, and it workd well on thick leathers that are narrower than teh roller, as a splitter, but I would love to get a manual to use it effectively as a skiver. Any knowledge sharing would be really appreciated. I am also keen to get a different length guide. Thank you H

Hi I have a working Fortuna Skiver, pictured below. Can anyone tell me anything about its age please? It is labelled "Fortuna New York" and L F 15240 The mechanism for setting the roller is "interesting" to say the least, and it workd well on thick leathers that are narrower than teh roller, as a splitter, but I would love to get a manual to use it effectively as a skiver. Any knowledge sharing would be really appreciated. I am also keen to get a different length guide. Thank you H