Well, I'm glad we've cleared that up.

I'm a bit of a stickler for a clean floor. Besides crawling down and picking up the odds and ends, I use a cordless sort of dustbuster mini-vacuum cleaner for the bench and the rug area beneath the bench. It's rare I'd use a Dremel for edge finishing (normally a form of emery board) so dust isn't a thing. Short answer - Dustbuster

Congratulations on pulling the pin on the Bell Skiver. Mine tends to be more ornamental but when its needed, it's a life (and time) saver. Not to tell you your own business, could I suggest you get a spare bell knife and double check which feed rollers it comes with as there might be a rough stone one as standard. There's no shortage of replacement parts from our friends in the Far East and any reputable sewing machine distributor will sort you out for motor service, pulleys etc. Welcome to the club.

I'm with Phil on this one. As far as I'm concerned, if gravity worked for Sir Isaac Newton, its good enough for me. I also binned that little lip for "removing" the scrap. Tip I learned - some of the very fine scrap shavings mixed with PVA makes an excellent filler.

Can both sides of this be seen? On one hand, Hermés and similar French brands are backed by a massive political movement there protecting the “Made in France” badge. It’s something that’s hounded other artisans in the past. I recall a cohort of Hermés crafts people making bags using genuine materials and techniques for Asian buyers on the side. Another was this one https://hypebae.com/2021/2/hermes-counterfeit-ring-sentenced-charged-prison-jail Surely someone must have realised that sometimes the bear pokes back. Whatever the case, I can categorically assure this - I’m glad it wasn’t me!

Hi

I need one of these!!

There it is, in living colour. I got them from Shoetechnik in Italy. Absolutely no reason to doubt them but twice bitten now so I'll pass until I know what's what. It says MINOR, just like the one from Abbey England. That's the new one still wrapped up in plastic, unlikely to see the light of day until I need a new brush. I couldn't make out any markings to elaborate on the plastic type, PP or PE or similar. I could suggest BS as a suitable moniker - just look at that bottom corner crack. Anyhow, that's the story. Choose well, folks. You have been warned. ... and just an update from Antonio from Shoetechnik, he mentioned that the pots above are good for neoprene and water based glues only. Solvent based will damage the container. I already figured.

You're on to a winner there, Philip. Do you think you could roll up in a new Bentley and try pull off the same fiddle? The gauntlet has been cast down.

I'm afraid I'm somewhat removed from the workshop at the moment. I'll be back after one too many mince pies and Roses and we'll see what's what. In the mean, if anyone else out there has purchased Minor brand pots, any issues?

I haven't a clue about clicker presses, but having had a go once, I could only suggest second hand to start with unless you're totally committed to frequent use. Having said that, I've only just seen some small desk mounted ones available from wuta.com

The very best of luck building your collection. I could suggest that it can become an addiction akin to drugs and regrettably, there is no suitable substitute. You have been warned. One opinion is that "you get what you pay for" and generally that rings true. There are a number of excellent compromises from the Far East including a few hand made by tool makers. Some may even offer tools with different steel grades depending on your budget. The Blanchards and Regads of this world, in my own opinion, seem to trade on reputation. That's not to say you cant get something nice - I've only just this week received a number of items from them and admittedly some were just for the love of the name. But do your comparisons. Tandy/Crafttool have recently gotten very sexy with their ranges and prices aren't half bad plus availability is second to none. I've purchased a lot of second hand tools from eBay and classifieds - most are superb. There is a reason they're that old and still in use. Good sharpening technique, proper storage and use for purpose I recon will see them last beyond your lifetime. In short, if I had to start again, I'd probably get Wuta, JunLin, Dixon and save my money for materials like excellent leather and good thread. My missus has no idea what I've spent on tools. I do. And I'm bringing that number to the grave.

How do, Greg, Nice to meet you here. I'm a frequent traveller to MA (with family in Charlestown, less said about them the better) but I've not found any regular suppliers of leather while I'm there. I think, don't quote me, that Buckleguy is nearby. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Your last sentence struck home with me as it was my time on a family stud farm as a kid that was the subliminal Genesis of my leather journey. IF you're keen on fragrance, I could suggest CUIRS by Carner Barcelona for something 'close' but still something special. Not a very "butch" way to start a conversation!

Assuming you don't go straight onto your backside, each step would feel like you scraped your car off every bollard, kerb and brick gatepost only before seeing your favourite pub burn down.

Looks like that'll do the trick. Nicely done. I assume you're undoing it for a good reason or just being nosy. My tension is akin to a plastic packing strip you'd commonly find keeping boxes around large electrical appliances or a bungee under tension. Seems to work, doesn't slip, doesn't labour the motor. Hope this helps some.

Yes, I too, have experienced a physical reaction to this video. Being a gentleman, I shouldn't elaborate. Suffice it to say, I've just found my next account to follow on IG. There are crafters and there are crafters. But this... This is not even a different league, it's a different sport.

Well done on joining the skiving machine community. My first piece of leather skived was the tip of a finger when stupidly reaching into the machine to clear something. I suppose you only do something like that once (or no more than ten times). Like above, there'll be that nut to loosen at the back of the motor attached to something like an L-shaped bar. If I had to guess, just going by your snaps, I think it might be the one circled. Let us know how you get on. and send us some more pics of the machine. I'm always curious to see other ones. Good luck.

Dear Customer Open Unit Check Wire Voltage No? Send Back You Pay ____ Regrettably, the only other manufacturers are the French. Although I’d expect a decent build quality (despite owning a Peugeot years ago) I’ve could reasonably expect a comparable level of email support. Assuming they reply at all.

Another suggestion, if I may, is that the unit is not getting a continuity of the circuit hence thinks you’ve not attached an iron. I’d have a good guess this is the same message you’d see if you switched it on with nothing connected at all. If it is possible, can you open the unit and check (with a meter) if theres voltage moving through the connection points? You could also check for a break in connection in the cable using the tone function but that might necessitate disassembling the handle. Any half assed electrical engineer will know how to do this and you’re bound to know one personally. I’m just throwing this out there instead of forking out for a new unit. Manufacturer will probably tell you what’s what with a short, monosyllabic email. Best of luck and please let us know how you progress with this. I’ve a reasonable suspicion you won’t be the only one here with such an issue. Stephen

And a big thanks for the Big Duck too! I'm Stateside every few weeks so I'll be all over this one too!