simontuntelder

I just did some more research, and it appears, that George Barnsley sort of closed down, liquidated stock (which I have seen available through eBay and a couple of online distributers), but as you say, Barnsley tools are being made again. Edwin Hale of Hale&Co works with a relative of George Barnsley and they are setting up a small time production under the name of "Woodware Repetitions". The tools are often marked Geo Barnsley and there is a book on the company.

I know some other names of European/brit makers and I would like to share my list. There were some Swedish, French and German makers, but I have it written in a notebook somewhere, and I'll have to find it. I also have a book on the subject of leather tools, that might also include more makers.

But Dixon is without a doubt the best English maker when it comes to saddlery tools. Barnsley mostly made tools for the shoemaking trade, but is still of a very good quality.

If you use a clamp like the one, that the craftsman from Hermes is using, then I wouldn't want to use a pricking iron, where you prepunch the holes, like in the Dunhill video - but if you by pricking iron me an iron, where you mark the holes - and not punch through, then it might work.

A clamp that you secure between your legs is made to be used with an awl, as you make the hole with the awl, and follow the needle back through on the backside. However if you have the prepunched holes, it's more comfortable to have the row of holes in front of you, so you can see where the needles goes in on both sides very easily.

Makes sense?

Hey guys, what tools are you guys using right now? I need some recommendations on upgrades. All my tools are from Tandy minus my Blanchard stitching clamp. I've been looking at Vergez Blanchard, Joseph Dixon and Barnsley tools. I found a place in California that sells some Blanchard tools and I found another place in California that sells Barnsley tools. I'm looking for head knifes and pricking irons right now. Also, to anyone who orders directly from Horween, how much is a sq ft for Chromexcel right now plus shipping? I already ordered some samples from John at Horween. Thanks.

I just have to say, that George Barnsley, if that's what you are refering to, doesn't exist anymore, and hasn't done so for many years, so you are probably left for eBay buys.

Lastly pricking irons don't do well with a stitching clamp because of the angle of it. I just realized that the hard way... Unless you Blanchard clamp is a stitching horse?

I have tools from Tandy, Kyoshin Elle, Osborne, Seiwa, vintage/antique ones. I saw some Dixon pricking irons, and they are good - and so are all Dixon tools, but they are expensive. There is a good source for Blanchard tools here in Denmark.

Ray, you nailed it this time.

KU - FUCKING - DOS!

Yeah, exactly... But can't you find a tool with a lower RPM?

Does Three Mutt Customs still offer the cocobolo set? I saw it a long time ago, but never got around to ordering it.

I'm sure many of you have a Dremel lying around for burnishing and from what I can tell you need one to burnish oil tanned leathers.

Which model are you using or which model can you recommend? I'll only be using it for leatherwork.

BTW, I'm sure many of you have seen the video of the Dunhill document case (

) being made, and I was just wondering if you know what sort of glue he is using? Or what sort of glue/cement you are using? I'm not that pleased with the cement I'm using at the moment and I would like to start using a better one.

Looks good! Coincidentally I just finished my own take of the postal bag too as an experimental foray into the world of full sized bags.

I'm also super interested in seeing some pics.

I've been invited to a LVC project/competition and I have been assigned to the 501 1966 (although I secretly want to try out the 1978 again..). But I quite like the '66, so it's absolutely no problem.

I have a pair of '66 stashed away in the closet, and I just bought them TTS, which worked some years ago.

I'm just wondering, if the size/fit has been changed this season/last season?

Thanks for your input.

they look similar, but the 133k is bigger and can deal with more than the 45k. mine is a walking-foot model, but I think they do a normal feed version. I think you have the 47w in mind when you refer to a darning machine with no feed mechanism.

I bought some plain donut buttons and some some plain copper rivets. I also bought a handsetting tool, which is a poor alternative to a proper hand press. I think I had the stuff within a week of ordering.

I had already acquired some cone mills denim but I also spoke to Kenji at citronjeans about denim he had for sale. he ad three options:

A:(#348) width79cm 13oz/yard2 price:840yen/m

B:(#394) width83cm 14oz/yard2 price:900yen/m

C:(#361) width74cm 14.5oz/yard2 price:900yen/m

I didn't mean a darning machine - but I meant, that some of the 133's without a feeding mechanism would probably only be suitable for darning, repairs or even embroidery of some sort... Sorry for any misunderstanding.

A good hand press is very good to have, but I'm yet to purchase one. My hobby workshop, which is getting better and more well-equipped every day, is not ready for one yet. But it's on my to buy list.

What else are you making?

I think I'll stick to Cone, unless I can find some really interesting denim from Japan or similar.

The 133k looks a lot like a 45ksv machine, that I was supposed to have bought at one point, but the machine held some sentimental value to the seller, so he changed his mind in the very last second.

From what I can tell the 133k is quite a good machine, although I think some of them don't have a feeding mechanism, which would make them more appropriate for darning or embroidery or stuff like that. But I do believe, that I read somewhere, that it also handles heavy cloths quite well.

Laurel leaf donut buttons are almost exactly like the buttons, that Citronjeans are selling. What have you purchased there?

you probably want 5000m 36s polycore. should be able to get it online easily enough.

What he said... :-)

What machinery are you guys using?

I still haven't invested in anything other than my two household machines - vintage Singer 221 and 222. Although I have bought an semi industrial overlocker, which isn't working at the moment though.

As I also do leather work, so I can't really decide between getting a big leather sewing machine or maybe getting an industrial sewing machine for sewing fabrics.

And have any of your come across any laurel leaf donut buttons?

Isn't there something like this way of mixing 50/50 paraffin and beeswax and dripping it into water, while liquid and then moulding it, while it's still quite warm? It should make a nice soft, pliable wax.

I remember hearing about this technique from some old man, that does leatherwork.

I've had so little time to do leatherwork, that I've had to start from scratch basically.

Here are some card cases, that I made. Nothing revolutionary, but they are quite popular, but it still feels crappy, when looking at all the amazing stuff, that Corter is putting out!

ATD - læder by tuntelder, on Flickr

(Iphone pics, sorry)

Some more and more detailed pictures would be great!

The bag looks great. Simple and functional

By the way, have any of you tried making sandals before?

I thought about doing it for an ex girlfriend, but I never got around to doing it. However I recently visited a local cobbler, that also makes sandals - you can read about it here

And I have been thinking about asking him about co-creating a pair of sandals in oil tanned leather with a Vibram mini lug sole attached... Or do you guys have any good ideas?

Hey guys, just wondering for those that uses the pricking iron/ prong, what surface do you all work on? The tooling board from tandy?

I use it on a piece of wood... Sometimes I use a big block of wood, if I'm doing many holes. Pretty easy and cheap. It'll ruin your cutting mat pretty quickly

MORE LINEN LOVE, PEOPLE!

Please

Simon- have you had any problems with 4 ply waxed linen breaking? I'm about to place a rather large order, but I haven't used anything thinner than 7 ply before.

Thread is a huge mystery, unless you have it all figured out, and then you still might not understand any, as different brands are using different indicators of size.

I normally use Barbour 5ply for most work. I sometimes use 7 ply, but I think I prefer the 5 ply. I also have 3 ply, that I use on smaller items in thin leathers and I don't think I have had problems with it breaking.

I got a sample from the US once, and it was a 7 ply, however it wasn't as thick as my Barbour 5 ply.

I think you need to know, that there is another number to the ply. It typically says 18 or 20 after the ply. This is the thread count. This means that a 5 ply/20 is thinner than a 5 ply/18 thread - as this would use thicker threads. I know this doesn't really make sense, but I'll try to find an explanation for it.

Where are you ordering from?

And I don't think Seiwa is linen - I think it's polyester.

Thecolosseum: "this leather crafting thing ain't too hard, just really time consuming!" Greatest statement in this thread. Hahahahaha

Have you hired some help or are your hands bleeding?

Well done, Corter

I like the roping look of the sewing awl thread, but it feels horrible to me. I guess I just like using linen.

I only use Barbour linen thread (and I have a couple of polyester ones too), and I'm quite satisfied with it. I have been thinking about switching to a German brand, that I just recently discovered, but the name escapes me.

SEIWA thread is also quite good. But too damn expensive. And polyester if I remember correctly.

Thank you very much, Zissou. That table will serve you well, because Denmark used to make some of the best furniture.

I decided to have a maker's stamp - or rather two - made - and I can't say, I have had any regrets

IMG_3692 by tuntelder, on Flickr

IMG_3693 by tuntelder, on Flickr

IMG_3694 by tuntelder, on Flickr

IMG_3695 by tuntelder, on Flickr

IMG_3696 by tuntelder, on Flickr

IMG_3697 by tuntelder, on Flickr

They were made by Laser Gift Creations and Brenda of LGC is a saint!

I may find the marijuana reference just slightly tacky, however the craftsmanship is just sublime. Very nice work, Lazybum!

What do you need doming tools for?

I'm always up for some quality snaps. Are they solid brass? Do you know what the sizing is? I mostly use line 20 and 24.

If they're brass and don't require bizarre setting tools, I'm interested too.

I'd be up for some snaps too. Can you disclose any info about them?

Sorry no info just yet, I have to make a good deal with the seller.

I use line 20 mostly - but these are done with a different number system, which I don't know. They are a size 7, I think. Basically the same size, from what I can gather from the seller.

If this materializes, then I will let you guys know.

And they are both brass, nickel, copper, gunmetal and some colours as well. Pretty stocked about this, I hope they are all as good as the first ones I received, which I will post pictures of, as soon as I get some time during the day.

And no, they require a pretty basic setting tool

Good leathers, good threads and good hardware is half the work.

And I just came across a big lot of very good snaps from a lesser known maker (due to the company folding in the 70's, I believe)

Would any of you be interested in buying some snaps?

I can't disclose much more, but I'm thinking off buying all of the snaps, that are available, and sharing some of them with you guys - without making much profit of course. But I would be hesitant to pick up the lot, if I didn't know, that there would be some interest.

Makin' my own Vinegaroon these days. Had a lot of try to found the right formula which gives real black and not dark grey (photos sucks, sorry really need a serious camera).

As i'm pretty proud of my recipe, i'm considering selling a few bottles. But before that, i'd like to know if some of you guys would be interested and eventually produce a few sample flacon. Let me know.

You should show that to the guy from Tender Co. He is active here under the moniker Rodeo Bill.

He likes his dying and stuff like that.

Interesting results, though not my thing. Really.