Greetings

[MagnificentHonky]

Hi, I'm new here.  I've recently become interested in the concept of working with leather.  I have not, yet, purchased the first relevant tool or scrap of leather, partly because I haven't been home, and partly because I'm looking at projects, tools, and techniques used by others. I kind of like to know what I'm getting into.

My other interests include (but are, by no means, limited to) radio communication, theology, psychology, history, and marketing.  Also, I've inherited my Grandfathers wood working tools, so an interest has developed there, as well. From time to time, I've been known to produce impressively crappy music; once, I may have even risen to the level of mediocre.

I'm looking forward to exploring the forum, asking questions, and learning new things.

I'm a trucker by trade, and am on the road for weeks at a time, so I probably won't be inclined to take on projects that are too intricate; at least, not at the moment. That could change, though. Other things have...

[wizard of tragacanth]

Welcome to the forum!

If you want to learn about leather work, you have come to the right place.

What are you most interested in making?

I am a ham radio operator myself. I have a General license but only work on UHF/VHF.

Have fun!

nick

 

[MagnificentHonky]

Hi Wizard!

 

Thank you.

Right now, my interest is in smaller projects. I'm a long haul trucker, so I just don't have the time for anything too intense.  What sparked my interest, though, was an old trunk that my wife picked up from an estate sale.  The trunk is covered in a nubuck material, with some simple designs burned into it. That material, being approximately a century and a half old, give or take a decade or two, is dry rotted and torn.  Looking into restoring the trunk is what got me interested in leather (which has been on my long list of potential hobbies for 25 years or more, anyway).  Amusingly, in researching that old box, I stumbled across a website for a shop in Maine that specializes in both leather and trunk restoration. Strikes me as an odd combo.

Other potential projects include experimenting with leather pistol grips, and making belts. I'm insanely skinny, so it's difficult to find belts in the right length. Also, I like to wear suits to social functions, and also like big, tacky belt buckles. Belts that accomodate such buckles, don't tend to fit in suit pant belt loops.  I'm sure I'll dream up other ideas; I generally do.

I am not, yet, an official HAM. I tried to study for my General ticket, while on the truck, which proved to be impossible. One, I have a wife that assumes that if I am awake, I am available to talk to. She doesn't understand "study in silence". (This is also why I put aside the book that I was writing.) On top of that, available study time came at inconsistent times and lengths. I'd learn something new, couldn't study for 3 days, and forget it.

I do mess around on the "Chicken Band", though.  Radio theory is radio theory, so I apply HAM techniques to my CB hobby, in an effort to achieve strong and clean signal.  I have been amazed at how every CB shop is wrong, on nearly everything.  One guy wanted to sell me an antenna that was "pre-tuned" at the factory. He was amazed that I didn't want it.  I guess they have a crystal ball at the antenna plant, so they can tune each antenna based on the intended use of the individual end user.

My work truck runs a vertical dipole that I assembled from a couple of fiberglass whips. I was having a hell of a time trying to get a decent groundplane on this modern, plastic truck. Not owning the truck, I can't drill new holes, either.  

Radio was one of my 1st interests.  I had a couple of HAMs in the family. When I was 5 or 6, I saw this contraption with gauges and lights, and a mic. And, I was told that I could use that thing to talk to people all over the world. I was amazed. Still am. To this day, some of the coolest people I know are HAMs. Many are generous, great neighbors, and useful citizens.

Ha! Maybe I'll wrap my CB in leather; don't think that I've seen that done, before!

[zuludog]

Hello and welcome!

There are lots of videos about leather on YouTube, both techniques, such as saddle stitch and edge finishing, beginner's tools; and particular items, like belts, wallets, and pouches. Just start Searching and away you go

You might have heard of this already, but Search YouTube for 'Tony Hancock The Radio Ham'.  British comedy, and a bit dated now, but still worth a listen

 

[MagnificentHonky]

Hi Zulu, Thank you.

I do love some YouTube, when it comes to tutorials.  I've watched a few videos, already. 

I'll look for Tony Hancock;  most dated comedy makes me laugh. In many cases, I prefer the older routines to the current ones.  I grew up in a house, mostly free of television, and we watched old Marx Bros, Charlie Chaplin, and a variety of musicals that my parents checked out of the library. I still think that breaking into song, in the middle of a grocery store, for no apparent reason, is a perfectly normal occurrence.  And, of course, punch lines delivered in a genuine British accent (or Australian, or New Zealand, Irish, Scottish, etc.) just crack me up, for some reason. So, I'll definitely check that out. 

[wizard of tragacanth]

On 8/6/2019 at 12:56 PM, zuludog said:

Tony Hancock The Radio Ham

Hey zulu... thanks for that pointer! I just watched a short bit so far, but it looks promising!

nick

[wizard of tragacanth]

MH... you will be happy to know that your vertical dipole does not need a ground plane. The lower element IS the ground plane. One thing though. You do not want to run the feed line parallel to either element. Try to run the feed line perpendicular to the antenna for as far as possible for best results. I will send you a PM regarding some tips on how to study for your ham exam.

 

[toxo]

On 8/6/2019 at 1:56 PM, zuludog said:

Hello and welcome!

There are lots of videos about leather on YouTube, both techniques, such as saddle stitch and edge finishing, beginner's tools; and particular items, like belts, wallets, and pouches. Just start Searching and away you go

You might have heard of this already, but Search YouTube for 'Tony Hancock The Radio Ham'.  British comedy, and a bit dated now, but still worth a listen

 

Whenever I go for a blood test I always manage to get in "That's very nearly an armful" Some get it most don't. (another Tony Hancock sketch)

[zuludog]

Yes, 'The Blood Donor' is probably his best known sketch, with Radio Ham a close second

As YouTube lists most of the sketches once you've completed the Search I thought I'd let people find out for themselves

[MagnificentHonky]

@Wizard: Yes, that's why I did a dipole; a good groundplane is nearly impossible to obtain on modern trucks, without drilling holes. When I found out about dipoles, I was excited.  Also, PM received and responded to. Thank you for the tips!

@Zulu: Tony Hancock is hilarious. Thank you for that. When driving for hours through the middle of the night, a good laugh is always appreciated.

[zuludog]

20 hours ago, MagnificentHonky said:

@Zulu: Tony Hancock is hilarious. Thank you for that. When driving for hours through the middle of the night, a good laugh is always appreciated.

During the 1950s & 60s there were lots of comedy shows on both radio and TV. Here are a few more , just Search YouTube -

Round The Horne; The Navy Lark; I'm Sorry I'll Read That Again; The Goon Show

I didn't like The Goons, even though it was very poular; of course there's only one way for you to find out

These were TV shows, so you'd better not watch them while you're driving!

Steptoe and Son; The Dave Allen Show

There were others but I'll let you find them for yourself, just follow the links on YT

All of these laid the foundations for Monty Python's Flying Circus

 

[MagnificentHonky]

I truly to love comedy from that era; it's a nice reminder that one can be funny without dropping F-bombs every five seconds, without being mean, cynical, and nasty, and without being overly political.

By the way, isn't Steptoe & Sons the British version of Sanford & Sons? (Or, the other way around, lol...)

Usually, though, when I'm not driving, and actively watching YouTube, I'm watching How-To videos, on topics ranging from leather work to diecast car customization/restoration; from musical instrument creation to building electricity producing windmills out of scrap car parts. Some well known military officer (and I forget who) was of the opinion that a man should know how to do as many things as possible, and he didn't have much use for specialists. I'm in solid agreement with his underlying principle, which I believe was that one should be prepared for any situation that should arise.  I have personally found that techniques from one type of project can translate well to another, and seemingly unrelated, type of project.  And, of course, some projects (whether that project be making something for personal gratification, or building/repairing an item out of necessity) require a variety of skills. 

This drives my wife nuts; she finds random how-to videos to be boring, unless it involves cooking or quilting.

[dougfergy]

Do you have a sleeper on your truck or do you stay in hotels along the way?  I could sure see my sleeper turned into a mini leather shop!

[MagnificentHonky]

Yes, I have a sleeper. I don't know that I'd much enjoy being in a hotel, every night.

Were I a solo driver, I probably would have a mini-shop set up in my truck, lol. But, it would be mult-purpose, so as to serve a variety of interests. (And I'd probably get no sleep! I can get hyper-focused on a project, and lose all track of time)

As it is, I share this truck cab with my wife, who is my co-driver, and my dog, who calls the shots (or, so she thinks, lmao). My wife has already turned the truck into a mini-quilting den, and crotchet cabin. I may try to bring the hobby with me, but I think that I'll likely find it frustrating, based on how frustrating it's been with other things.  There is a severe lack of suitable work surface, unfortunately.  

[dougfergy]

Yes, you have a lot going on in there!  Sounds fantastic to have your wife and dog as co-pilots.  It would be difficult to have space for anything much in the way of leather craft, unless she got into it too.  I wish you well!