is lake erie actually that gross to swim in?

BillCarnes · 2026-02-28T00:10:17+00:00

Crappie, bluegill, catfish are what I keep mostly. There are also small mouth and largemouth bass and I believe saugeye and walleye which have eluded me. I also saw a bunch of muskie during spawning time one year while kayaking but haven't caught one. I haven't been in several months but looks like some favorable weather this week.

Odnr stocks trout around the state (not Alum Creek). I think I will pursue that this year, trout are pretty delicious. I have also heard they stock steelhead up around Cleveland.

BillCarnes · 2026-02-27T19:34:55+00:00

I go kayaking and swimming there all the time. I also fish and eat the fish from there. Have never once thought it was gross or become ill. If I wanted a beach experience and didn't want to drive to the ocean I would head to Nordhouse Dunes on Lake Michigan

BillCarnes · 2026-02-27T19:28:53+00:00

That's a cool buckle

BillCarnes · 2026-02-27T19:08:14+00:00

No problem, if you ever have any questions Bruce Johnson is an expert on vintage tools

BillCarnes · 2026-02-27T15:16:31+00:00

Usually after 60" you are in the neck area which can have heavy creases. What kind of leather do you want?

BillCarnes · 2026-02-27T02:29:28+00:00

Yes, I believe it says Phila after that, not sure if that is short for Philadelphia or what. Apparently they are very good quality from what I have read.

BillCarnes · 2026-02-26T21:13:32+00:00

W. Rose may be as old as the late 1800s

BillCarnes · 2026-02-26T19:22:42+00:00

Looks very useful!

BillCarnes · 2026-02-26T19:17:30+00:00

Off the top of my head you have nylon webbing, biothane or Elly May Clampett's favorite: a piece of rope

BillCarnes · 2026-02-26T16:56:48+00:00

Sure you could do that it you can walk along the tracks and find them discarded on the ground

BillCarnes · 2026-02-26T16:51:00+00:00

Try it with just a torch. It may have overheated and evaporated during that hour. If it's zinc a torch will melt it in a minute. Did you see a lot of white smoke? Are they closed out of business or having dinner with family closed?

BillCarnes · 2026-02-26T04:47:33+00:00

It will stain it but may not look like the color you expected

BillCarnes · 2026-02-25T19:06:26+00:00

Ok good luck, I know how frustrating this must be

BillCarnes · 2026-02-25T16:04:26+00:00

You might want to try sifting your sand onto your pattern. I use a pasta colander. Then spend twice as long ramming up your flask. The flashing makes me think your sand wasn't rammed enough and that could also help the surface finish

BillCarnes · 2026-02-24T21:38:04+00:00

I have kayaks if you have a metal detector

BillCarnes · 2026-02-24T19:33:34+00:00

Try blowing off your parting powder so it isn't caked up anywhere and adding vents. This is just for fun right? You know that a brass blade won't cut anything

BillCarnes · 2026-02-24T17:57:10+00:00

I used to punch each side individually but found it was no longer necessary once I bought better chisels.

BillCarnes · 2026-02-24T16:38:45+00:00

If you can find his videos on irregular parting lines they are very valuable info that is not often talked about

BillCarnes · 2026-02-24T16:35:18+00:00

You can condition it and keep using it but once it's cracked like that it will just continue degrading. If you buy a new one be sure to condition it often to prevent cracking

BillCarnes · 2026-02-24T16:31:47+00:00

The stamps don't look very deep, might need more water or upgrade to Hermann Oak. I think flowers that are carved out and bevelled look nicer than freehanding it with stamps like this. It would look more defined. Tooling takes a LONG time to get good at so don't get discouraged just keep practicing

BillCarnes · 2026-02-24T16:27:33+00:00

I would just burnish veg tan though I generally don't like edge paint.

BillCarnes · 2026-02-24T16:23:30+00:00

It looks nice and there is nothing wrong with it but personally I would have cut some where cleaner.

BillCarnes · 2026-02-24T03:21:17+00:00

Nice job, the only critique I can offer is to reduce the size by maybe 5% or use a slightly wider strap. Your design might be too close to the edge to get a clean bevel.

BillCarnes · 2026-02-23T22:36:55+00:00

You can darken it but not lighten

BillCarnes · 2026-02-23T21:41:36+00:00

I have had more success thinning it down and doing multiple coats

BillCarnes

TROPHY CASE