ClayB Report post Posted June 20, 2008 Hello,...while back in my studio in Australia last week, I gathered more things to bring back...amongst these was a very special leather ring. On a visit to the Stohlmans in the early eighties, I noticed a leather ring Al had hanging near his workbench. I took it down and was fascinated by the fact it was one piece of leather without a join. When I asked how this was done, he just smiled and said 'see if you can do it'. Well, I did it (the one on the right), and he was pleased when he saw my effort on another visit. So, now I say....'see if you can do it'? Peter www.petermain.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
yaklady Report post Posted June 21, 2008 Wow, Clay, I didn't know you went to Australia! The rings look like they could be made of leather putty. Can you get putty that smooth by sanding it on the outside? Looks like a challenge to me! Kathy Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Johanna Report post Posted June 21, 2008 Good one ClayB! I know how it was done.... (no, not telling! You guys figure it out!) Johanna Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
yaklady Report post Posted June 21, 2008 Good one ClayB! I know how it was done.... (no, not telling! You guys figure it out!) Johanna Jo, you're so hard on us!!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ClayB Report post Posted June 21, 2008 It would be fun to go to Australia impersonating Peter, but no, it was him that was there. He just asked me to pass on the challenge. I am not sure how the rings are made, but I have an idea I am going to try and see if it works. If it does, I'll post a picture. I hope nobody gives away the secret though. I think it would be more fun to let people figure it out on their own. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Johanna Report post Posted June 21, 2008 Moving to "Leatherwork Conversation" for more attention and retitling it. ~J Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TwinOaks Report post Posted June 21, 2008 hee hee hee I'm pretty sure I got it. Will post a pic in the morning when it's done. Nice riddle. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Clay Report post Posted June 21, 2008 Well I am sure that there is a simple explanation on the way that this is done it is way above my head and I am a tall guy!! LOL I tried cuting out a washer of leather and streaching it out but the problem I had was making the outside edge shrink to matche the inside edge. Hmmmmmmm. ClayM. Just a second here, I think I figured it out. The packers skinned the cow with out cutting the hide they just turned it inside out and then the tanners tanned it with out cutting it into sides or spliting it, then when Peter got the hide it was a big vegetanned cow balloon, the tanning process had some how shrunk it like the canibals in the jungles do with the little heads with the eyes and mouths sewn shut, so all Peter had to do was cut the legs off and cut them into rings.......Think I am on the right track here!!!!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pip Report post Posted June 21, 2008 aaah no fair, I just can't get my head around this one, or can I..... even as a type an idea forms hang on a tick....... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pip Report post Posted June 21, 2008 nope thats not itnope thats not it Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Luke Hatley Report post Posted June 21, 2008 OH ! THAT EASY, IS A PIECE OF A COWS INTESTIN............. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Crystal Report post Posted June 21, 2008 I tried the same process as ClayM - I got CONE. At least I don't feel so bad - someone else tried it that way, too. Crystal Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TwinOaks Report post Posted June 21, 2008 (edited) Yep, I got it. Those who got the cone, you were on the right track. I'll let ClayB reveal the exact method, 'cause I know I skipped or reversed a few steps! This is great. Inspiring us to think outside the box....umm.. ring. And yes, I know mine isn't as pretty as Peter's work, but I'm happy that I figured it out. Edited June 21, 2008 by TwinOaks Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ClayB Report post Posted June 21, 2008 Yep, I got it. Those who got the cone, you were on the right track. I'll let ClayB reveal the exact method, 'cause I know I skipped or reversed a few steps! This is great. Inspiring us to think outside the box....umm.. ring. And yes, I know mine isn't as pretty as Peter's work, but I'm happy that I figured it out. Good job Mike. I haven't had time to try it out yet, but I had the exact same ideas Clay M did. Maybe that's why our mamas gave us the same name? As for revealing the method, I don't know it yet. Peter didn't tell me just like Al didn't tell him. I'd like to leave it that way, make us all figure it out for ourselves, if we can. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
freak Report post Posted June 21, 2008 No fair ! TwinOaks, You did yours on the computer. **rimshot** I pretty sure i know how this is done but that by no means, means i can do it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TwinOaks Report post Posted June 22, 2008 "Knowing how is NOT the same as doing" - I grasped the concept in all of about 30 seconds. Applying that concept took more than an hour to work out the details. ClayB, I think you're right; this is something that folks need to figure out. And here's another quote, from a well liked book: "Knowledge without understanding only increases the frustration of the impatient."- L.E.Moddesitt Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ian Report post Posted June 22, 2008 My ring attempt. Not as neat as the original, but... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
leatheroo Report post Posted June 22, 2008 here's my effort... thanks for making me give the brain a stretch...i can see this technique being very useful Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pavilionpony Report post Posted June 22, 2008 mmmmm. This is going to have me thinking. Did I mention that hurts at times? lol Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
UKRay Report post Posted June 22, 2008 I got somewhere near the mark... A really good challenge! Ray Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
whtdove3 Report post Posted June 22, 2008 Since it's a fairly small circle, I was gonna say the tail of the cow. Could be wrong, though. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BigAlC Report post Posted June 22, 2008 One of the best topics we have had for some time. I have no clue as to the origional solution but I love the idea of a tail tanned inside out!!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ClayB Report post Posted June 22, 2008 Hey Ray, that looks just like the one I have been working on. Not as easy as I figured it was going to be. I'm starting to lean the way whtdove is thinking. We have an abundance of cats around here. Hmmmmm.......... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
whtdove3 Report post Posted June 22, 2008 ..... We have an abundance of cats around here. Hmmmmm.......... Gonna pretend I didn't hear that. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
whtdove3 Report post Posted June 24, 2008 I'm really curious...when do we get to find out how it's done? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites