Greetings from Devon, West of England

[Corvus]

Hi,

Here are two samples of my work.

The rifle magazine was made for a target rifle shooter in 3.5/4mm saddle shoulder. The bucket bag is a Waxy Butt Split, with saddle shoulder trim.

They look very good bags but I am not sure of the purpose of the bucket bag, what were you imagining it woild but used for.

[ArtS]

I thought guns were now illegal in England. I thought you could just have shotguns with a sporting permit.

Art

[UKRay]

I thought guns were now illegal in England. I thought you could just have shotguns with a sporting permit.

Art

Not illegal, Art. Just controlled so heavily that getting a firearms license is very difficult unless you can prove that you have a very good reason for owning/using a gun. Shotguns are also restricted but the criteria isn't quite so prescriptive.

[SteveBrambley]

They look very good bags but I am not sure of the purpose of the bucket bag, what were you imagining it woild but used for.

Hi Corvus,

A 'Bucket Bag' is a traditional type of ladies casual bag, that can come in various sizes. It is called a 'Bucket Bag' because that is, more or less, how it is constructed, like a bucket.

Steve

[SteveBrambley]

quote name='UKRay' date='Sep 29 2008, 05:47 PM' post='64127']

Welcome Steve. I'm based in Ludlow, Shropshire but my dear old mother comes from Ottery St. Mary near Exeter!

We would all appreciate seeing a few pictures of your workshops and machinery and examples of your work - on a personal level, it is great to have the opportunity to learn from a specialist like yourself. Enjoy the forum.

Here's a few pictures of our main workshop. Sorry they're not very good, the lighting is not to good, and my camera is pretty basic.

This building was once the village wheelwrights shop and dates from the early 19th century.

Steve

[attachme

t=15771:riveters...ters_etc.jpg]

[Luke Hatley]

THAT IS WHAT I CALL A WORK SHOP.............

[UKRay]

Amen to that, cousin Luke! Did I see two powered strap cutters - are they Merkle machines? And a BUSM creaser? Plus riveting machines and something I know not what... Whoooooo!

Can I organise a visit?

That big Singer is a monster... what do you use that one for Steve?

[SteveBrambley]

Amen to that, cousin Luke! Did I see two powered strap cutters - are they Merkle machines? And a BUSM creaser? Plus riveting machines and something I know not what... Whoooooo!

Can I organise a visit?

That big Singer is a monster... what do you use that one for Steve?

Hi,

The big machine is a Singer 11-38, I understand that it is one of the largest machines Singer ever made. I use it for anything that is tubular or cylindrical, as the feed is both up and down the cylinder which is 30" long; the 'Bucket Bag' in my earlier photo was made using it.

You are correct that you saw two strap cutters, however, one is a BUSM the other a BUSM clone, made by B & J Wright; there is a Merkle machine there, but it is an automatic hole punch, for straps and belts.

The unidentified machine, I think you mean, is an 'Epoc' automatic eyelet setting machine, again made by BUSM.

I just had a look at your website/blog and I see that you have a BUSM 'Pilot', you can't see it very well in my photo, but there is one there. Perhaps if you wish to organise a visit, you can show me how to thread the bobbin properly!

Steve

Edited October 4, 2008 by SteveBrambley

[torrbuidhe]

I recognise a few of those machines from the Needlebar gallery

[UKRay]

That Pilot bobbin can cause all kinds of grief unless you get it right. I'll gladly show you whatever I can, Steve. I'll PM you about dropping in to say hello sometime soon. R.