SIMON LEACH - Toolkit update .- patience please !

[laume281]

Forgot to mention that I love your videos and please keep them on the site and add more. I am a beginner and have learned so much from your videos. Thank you Ivie

[laume281]

How much are you going to be selling your kits for? How can we order them and the other tools you will be selling? I am in Las Vegas Nevada so would need to know how much postage would be too.

[60char]

Simon, are you really giving up potting? I would have thought that with your students and your studio work you would go on--especially with the new addition to the studio--it looks good, by the way. You gave me a real boost and would hate to think you are not continuing. Watch you on video frequently. Char Manning

[sleachpots]

Hi Char ...how goes it up there in Victoria !! ....no no no i am not giving up potting , that was a joke ! ...as I was spending too much time on these toolkits, it was 'as if' I had given up .... regards SL

[rubberstampman]

Great looking kit Simon. I have made the trimming tool and the turning tool from scrap banding steel, "edged" with a bench grinder like you are doing. I made the turning tool double ended to give a second option but I like the wood handles. I think they will be much more comfortable in the hand. (I wrapped the steel handle of mine with duct tape).

Thanks for you wonderful videos.  I always learn something new.

Cheers,

Marc Rosenthal in Las Vegas

[sleachpots]

hi marc ..well done , yes they are not hard to make ...the wooden handle is definitely worth it though , as it gives a much better feeling of confidence when trimming, fitting in one's hand better . SL

[digidante]

Looking great Simon.

There is a Warren McKenzie show in Houston Texas right now with about 200 or so pieces. It was a wonder seeing all of his wares dating back over 40 years.

There were pictures of him using the Leach wheel amongst items which I feel had the essence of what he picked up in Bernard's studio.

It is a great show, comes down soon though.

[sleachpots]

I would like to have seen his show ! SL

[roz3273]

Do tou think the shipping will be outrageous for the US?

[sleachpots]

I thought i had replied to this one !! I hope not ,but thats why I may not include the strap trim tool as it then may put it into the next postal tariff bracket.The strap trim tool will be available with wooden handle possibly separately , as other items will also be , ie aprons, T shirts, etc SL

[roz3273]

I don't remember seeing the answer, thanks anyway!!

[NiciRuggiero]

How about including a credit card! Not for spending on Christmas presents..but for compressing the clay!

Nici - England

[sleachpots]

Hi ..everybody has plenty of ribs these days & as you pointed out they are dead easy to make , so I may leave that out of the kit . My main problem you see is the postage costs & keeping them down ! SL

[mariechantal15]

I've always been cursing the standard aprons because they never protected my legs. I would almost consider purchasing something cowboy chaps like so my jeans would stay clean! and I won't have clay in the washing machine. I think split aprons would be the best choise. Maybe with straps so you can tie them around the legs... Just an idea.

[sleachpots]

Thanks for that feedback . SL

[avidgolfr]

marie, i also encounter the same problem...what i do is go to your local salvation army and purchase two pair of old jeans....cut the legs down the seam and take the middle out. Use JUST the seams from the other pair as your straps....they work GREAT!

[quickhalfpint]

Excellent Simon. The trim tool looks amazing. The kit seems quite complete to me,as you said it's the basic kit. Agree to keeping the apron as a single item. Prefer the split leg myself- not all that tucking to get next to the wheel. Robin Georgia, USA

[thesiamcat]

I'd like to make a request for a special 'keep praticing' apron please, to go along with me toolkit. :P

[ClayDust]

Does Catherine embroider? A little bit extra for a little bit extra.

[sleachpots]

mmmmmh ! ...500 kits !  SL

[Annemasque]

Wonderful work Simon!

Yes indead you can go on and on with ideas.

The aprons for sure, and then maybe a CD with 'Simon Leaches favorite tunes'to get in the pottermood! HA HA

Annemie

[leeuw666]

i forgot something... i want also a shirt...:-) i dont know the name in english :-))))) with pocktes and keep practising.. :-)

Gerda Belguim

[leeuw666]

hi Simon, i want a toolkit.....it looks GREAT! and verry nice work!!!

Gerda Belguim!

[sleachpots]

Gerda ...you will get your toolkit, first I have to make them all !! SL

[DASRAY]

I do worry you will wear yourself out Simon.

New ventures and taking a break can be good a thing at times and as many of us know artists are prone to A.D.D. or A.D.H.D. if you will. It's very understandable your urge and willingness to help out your followers, not sure if there is

profit in it always not that, that's your motive. I do agree that providing the more unique tools, like your trim tools, is better though. I was a seamtress for many years, will you sew your own bags & aprons?

[jprattart]

Sounds like you're building quite a potter's army! I think it's great to supply the tool kit. Can't wait to get my hands on one! Aprons are also great idea. I'm ready to fight for our right to ignite in the Leach Brigade!

-John Pratt (Yes that's my real name and yes we can all be a prat every now and again)

[ClayThrower]

Smart Ass sayings on an apron is a good idea, but aprons are easy to come by where as your trim-stick is not. So I'd say just produce things unique to you and leave the more commonly available stuff to the other supply shops.

Your spelling error is funny. I do that all the time. I write little things on pots and hate it when I pull one out of the kiln and my wife says, "that's spelled wrong". Can't correct what is etched in stone....ware.

[ThatLynnGirl]

Great looking tools!! Hey Disisdkat, You can just wear cut proof gloves and bend that strap with your hands under a ruler. We cut miles and miles of that strap at work and no harm at all with the rubber coated knit gloves - leather's good too. I haven't sharpened mine yet, guess I should since it chatters so bad.

[ClayDust]

In the states we use child labor, but in this case I would suggest Elves.

[trurkona]

by the way, I am sure that there is not enough there to go around. What have you got your self into Simon! A fan awaiting to uy these on your website. Debbie

[trurkona]

hi simon, a rib and a small sponge are things that i use as well other than the items you have included in your kit. other than that anything else should be seperate. of course a little mirror would be lovely, considering it is your idea. keep making videos and I will keep practising. Boy do i need to. Debbie

[mudpuppy61]

Wow - that trim tool is very impressive!

[potterybysybil]

love the apron idea, the tool kit is

great. look forward to getting one.

sybil

[MauiCin]

The tool kits look great. Nice work.

I really like the idea of "Keep Practicing" Aprons. I'll take one of those for sure!

[clearvision5]

Aprons as a seperate item would be great. How about,"Keep Pracitcing" with your signature on it as someone else suggested. Just a thought, could you make the tool pouch turn into an apron? (probably good in theory, but sounds fun anyway). When I get my apron I'll shoot a video with it saying, "Keep Practicing" :)

[pensandcalls]

How about an apron that says 'Keep your distance, I'm THROWING a fit!' or some similarly fitting comment. Come on people, suggestions???? For my wood lathe, I have an apron that says 'I'll be turning in my grave' with a picture of a skeleton at the lathe.

[pensandcalls]

That's more work than you imagined, isn't it? Also more than most viewers imagined as well!!!

[andrewwiddis]

Good on you Simon!

A tool kit made by a true potter is a must. Have you considered a wooden kidney with a hole in the middle for grip. I make mine from Jarrah as it tolerates being left in water for years.

[smathewspots]

Simon - If you want to keep the cost down, don't worry about the roll up tool holder. I will keep mine out on my wheel all the time anyway. Looks great so far, I would like to have an apron as well, don't have them printed though, just autograph it. :) - Skip

[angeldetierra]

No entiendo nada de ingles, pero me imagino que tu mismo haces tus herramientas. Mis felicitaciones... Tu taller me sirve de inspiracion para el mio que es mucho mas simple je je Exitos y suerte...

[disisdkat]

P.S. Note how everyone has ignored your comment about giving up pottery. Just thought I would point it out if it wasn't obvious. Wouldn't be tolerated you know.

[sleachpots]

yes you know it was a joke of course ... even i would not tolerate it ..ha ha ! Sl

[tripanfal]

I'm surprised you are omitting the strapping tool. I have heard you say it is one of your favorites. Mine 'chatters' on leatherhard clay, I think because it is not as wide as yours.

[sleachpots]

Hey hold ya horses ! .... as i said i am open to suggestions , perhaps we might include it ? mmm h ! SL

[reynolpe]

There is nothing wrong with making it and selling it separate like you mentioned in the video. It's always good to leave us wanting something else. BTW I will order one of the kits the first I see they are available. Any idea on cost yet? Will you take pre-orders?

[disisdkat]

I must say that I want the 'Prat' trimming tool. Far better than a 'Pract'... I was hoping this vid would show you making the strapping trim tool - I have the strapping and not a clue how to bend it without damaging myself further.

It is a nice set and there really isn't anything else I would add other than the apron and strapping tool - well perhaps the winter hat ;) . D

[tripanfal]

I just bent mine in a vice (with a hammer to get sharp corners) then taped it with electrical tape. I then ground an edge on one side.

[ComebackJoey15]

wow it all looks awesome,how much do you think the tool kits will cost.and the aprons sound like a good idea