The merits of quick casing. Or how to start a fight with Leather workers :)

[YinTx]

40 minutes ago, immiketoo said:

He certainly is!

I sure hope so.  I placed an order and gave him my money for a flower center tool at the show last year that wasn't in his booth, and haven't heard hide nor hair from him since.  He also didn't give me a receipt, which has me concerned.  The tools I got at the show were plenty nice, and I enjoy using them.

YinTx

[Sheilajeanne]

Johanna, that's why I asked what the face of that beveler looked like. Not sure I want to wait a year, if I can find a similar one from another tool maker... 

Bob doesn't even have a catalogue on his website so I couldn't check it out there.

Edited May 11, 2018 by Sheilajeanne

[YinTx]

Also, regarding casing.  I have done both in my short time tooling.  On occasion, I will discover that the leather absorbs the moisture unevenly, and thus will tool unevenly if I don't let it sit for an hour or so.  If I am doing something small and simple, quick casing is great.  If I am doing something I feel is more complex and I don't want any difficulties beveling etc, I'll bag it for a few hours and let it set out for a bit.  I guess what I am saying is both methods work for me, and I adapt/use which ever one I feel I have time for or I think the leather might need for a particular project.  Nice to see I am not wrong in doing so, considering all the banter for/against each method!  Thanks for sharing, Mike!

YinTx

[immiketoo]

23 minutes ago, YinTx said:

I sure hope so.  I placed an order and gave him my money for a flower center tool at the show last year that wasn't in his booth, and haven't heard hide nor hair from him since.  He also didn't give me a receipt, which has me concerned.  The tools I got at the show were plenty nice, and I enjoy using them.

YinTx

Bob wont forget.  He took your information and he will surprise you one day, out of the blue.  That's the way it works.

29 minutes ago, Johanna said:

The old man never soaked his leather or put it in the fridge or buried a dead cat and walked counterclockwise circles around it. He spritzed it with water evenly every time he went to work on a piece. That's it. Simple. (He did prefer distilled water, but if he was carving most of it he didn't care). I was astounded when I first learned there were 47 ways to case leather and no one will ever agree. Bob Beard is still making tools, but get your order in soon. He's usually working at least a year out.

~J

Amen.  The sheer audacity of some of what's out there boggles the mind.

23 minutes ago, Sheilajeanne said:

Johanna, that's why I asked what the face of that beveler looked like. Not sure I want to wait a year, if I can find a similar one from another tool maker... 

Bob doesn't even have a catalogue on his website so I couldn't check it out there.

You wont find a similar tool out there unless you make it yourself.

15 minutes ago, YinTx said:

Also, regarding casing.  I have done both in my short time tooling.  On occasion, I will discover that the leather absorbs the moisture unevenly, and thus will tool unevenly if I don't let it sit for an hour or so.  If I am doing something small and simple, quick casing is great.  If I am doing something I feel is more complex and I don't want any difficulties beveling etc, I'll bag it for a few hours and let it set out for a bit.  I guess what I am saying is both methods work for me, and I adapt/use which ever one I feel I have time for or I think the leather might need for a particular project.  Nice to see I am not wrong in doing so, considering all the banter for/against each method!  Thanks for sharing, Mike!

YinTx

Its always whatever works for you!

[BDAZ]

I used to use a sprayer with a drop of dishwashing detergent in distilled water for carving. It's been a while as these days I only case for stamping and embossing of production work. A problem this time of year is the 5% humidity in the workshop. I use a piece of cellulose sponge and then keep everything covered with plastic till ready to go. Wet forming usually  takes a couple of hours in the mid day sun. 

Thanks for a very interesting and well produced video.

Bob

[immiketoo]

Hey Bob, when I lived in Chicago, we had that same thing in winter.  It would dry out so quickly!  Now, I have lots of humidity so I get great time with just spritzing!

[BDAZ]

Are you in Greece working with the refugees, retired or working?

I used to spend time in Greece when I was a kid. Loved it! Definitely in my immediate future.

If you want to PM me...

Bob 

[immiketoo]

10 minutes ago, BDAZ said:

Are you in Greece working with the refugees, retired or working?

I used to spend time in Greece when I was a kid. Loved it! Definitely in my immediate future.

If you want to PM me...

Bob 

Bob,  I retired from the police force in 2015, and I moved here to be with the woman I love!  Great move, and I haven't regretted it a single day.  If you ever get to Rhodes, let me know.  I'll buy you a beer.  Or a coffee.  

[ABHandmade]

@immiketoo  Mike, thank you for the very informative video.

I even find it difficult to decide what you are better at - working with the leather or in the ability to convey your experience to others.

Edited May 11, 2018 by ABHandmade

[immiketoo]

You're welcome.  I am glad you enjoyed it.