BlackDragon

Merry Christmas everyone!

I've been trying to find out about this machine but I'm not finding much. The words "Marca depositata" is Italian for "registered trademark" so it's likely this is Italian made. The possible machine name may be Lince which is Lynx in Italian and Spanish. On the label in front of the L the graphic seems to have a tail and you can see the 2 front legs leading to it being an animal. So (Lince) Lynx may be correct. More than likely, since you got it from a cobbler, it's a sole trimmer. Sort of like a 5in-1 but it's a guillotine cutter and it only does one thing

Really cool! Just add some shearling on the inside and you have nice winter shoes. Just watch out for ice lol.

It's hard to say really. Can the error be viewed by a potential customer as a scratch because of use? I wouldn't worry about it. I tend to focus on my mistakes and I don't like something that's glaring to me. Other's may not see it but I tend to catch it and it bugs me. If I want to show off a purse that I'm selling for $250 I don't want something obvious showing up. It's my name on the bag and the price tag warrants redoing a strap that will cost me $5 to replace.

When you say groove line are you meaning an indentation with something like a compass or an actual groover where you're taking off the top layer of the hide? If it's the first one I would do it as Bruce said. You may be able to undue the indent and it won't be noticeable. If it's the second I'd start over. I would keep that belt for myself or someone that doesn't mind a blemish but I wouldn't give that to a customer that's paying top dollar for a belt

Thank you!

Thanks! Generally when I mention The Silmarillion people don't know much about it, this is why it's in a separate clamshell. Everyone knows The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings so it makes sense to have those 4 books in one box. I like to joke The Silmarillion is for the Tolkien nerds lol. Thank you, I really appreciate it. After taking a few product pictures I find that it's missing something to make it more cohesive. On the back cover especially, everything just looks to be floating there. I think a border will bring more balance to it, like putting a picture frame on a photograph. Making the borders gold on all the covers will tie the books together while the other things, like end pages, being different will state that you're in a different part to the story.

Wow great job!

Each book will have different color marbled end pages, speckled page edges, and ribbons to match. Each of those colors will reflect the mood of the book. For instance, The Hobbit will have light brown marbled end pages, a dark brown ribbon, and light brown w/rust speckles page edges. It gives the feel of the earth because Hobbits like to grow things. As to the border lines around the covers I still haven't decided but I want to be consistant with all the books.

The single star on the front and the 3 on the back are holographic so they change color. The silver may work because one of the trees on the back is silver but it would break continuity with the other Tolkien books I plan to make.

Thanks! No issues with copyright. With rebinding as long as I dont make changes within the text block I'm safe. So I can't add my own art or any extra pages inside the text block. I can add things on the back and front though. I can't recreate any Tolkien, Warner Bro, or Amazon art. Even their elvish script is protected. Thankfully a guy made his own "elvish" script that he gives permission to all to use for private and commercial work.

Like Chuck said neatsfoot oil will soften and darken. Adding to much oil can turn your leather into oily mush, so take it slow. Do a few test pieces from the same leather you'll be making the headstall. The dye looks to be Fiebings Pro dye in dark brown When I do a vegtan headstall I tool it then add pure neatsfoot oil, you dont need a lot just enough to dampen the leather. I let it set in for a few hours then apply dye. The neatsfoot oil will act as a carrier for the dye and help it spread evenly. Let that set for a day. If its still stiff I work the leather a little. I roll it up with the skin side up and again flesh side up, I do this a few times. If it's still stiff add a little more neatsfoot oil. If it's not dark enough add another coat of dye. After dying it a second time it may be stiff. Just work the leather and it should soften. If not add a little more oil.

Thanks a lot, I really appreciate the feedback. The thought process was to make it to sell. If it doesn't sell it was going to go on my bookshelf. Before I put the leather on it I showed it to a friend and he wanted it for his son. He just really liked the page edges and end pages. Lol Do y'all think I should put a 2 line border on the front and back covers?

I started a book rebinding project. It's going to be JRR Tolkien's The Silmarillion in a clamshell box and after the holidays I'll do a box set of The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings trilogy. I started by tearing off the paper covers from the text block. I painted the page edges black with white specks. I added a vellum title page, a black silk ribbon, burgundy headbands, and black marbled end pages. For the cover I used 2-3oz vegran goat hide. I gave it 3 coats of Fibing's green Pro dye, .095" binder's board. For the cover art I used gold and holographic heat transfer vinyl (htv). I sealed it all with a few coats of a mix of Resolene and carnuba wax. The clamshel box I used .095" binders board, burgundy book cloth, black marbled paper, and the art was htv.

Just saw a post on Facebook that Cobra Steve from Leather Machine Co has passed. Their website states: "It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Steve Tayrien, lovingly known as Cobra Steve. As one of the founders of Leather Machine Company, he believed deeply in people and dedicated his life to helping others grow and succeed. His kindness, vision, and unwavering faith in those around him made a lasting impact on our community." My prayers go out to his family and friends.