Pictures from Japan: The import will be here July 18th 2012!

Chobi butterfly

Azuma nishiki

BBR TVR

The Farm

Another look

Store room

Mr. K san

Ponds and ponds

Lovely Tubs

Japanese born Wakin!

Seibun top view oranda

Roger, Roger.

Tokyo? Check. Seattle? Check. Go for 18 July!

Christmas in July is coming.

All of these breeds will be in the Japanese import

The shipment will include Osaka Ranchu, Top View Ranch, Top View Oranda, Ryukin, Wakin and Seibungyo (Metallic Blue Oranda)

From National Geographic vol. 17

http://books.google.com/books?id=VBAOAQAAIAAJ&pg=PA527&lpg=PA527&dq=national+geographic+osaka+ranchu&source=bl&ots=nU1zYi7cgU&sig=CbfqbF-F0Z7ze5xPCZOb91ynZHk&hl=en&sa=X&ei=HkH6T_LpBsiYrAHtpNGLCQ&ved=0CFEQ6AEwAQ

Extraordinary Gold-fish
The gold-fish is the characteristically oriental domesticated fish. Its beautiful bright coloration and graceful form, with long, flowing fins, appeal most strongly to one's sense of the beautiful. It also is intensely interesting from the scientific standpoint, and proves a source of endless surprises to the biologist, for it is a plastic material with which skillful breeding can, within certain limits, do almost anything. Our gold-fish breeders seem to have understood the principle of
The history of the gold-fish is lost in obscurity. Like so many things in Japan, it seems to be an importation from China. There is a record that about four hundred years ago—that is, about the year 1500— some gold-fish were brought from China to Sakai, a town near Osaka. The breed then brought in is said to be that now known as the "wakin." There must also have been several later importations, and the Japanese must have improved vastly on the original forms, as in so many other cases of things introduced from foreign countries.

First Net with Coats DaBond thread and a new net knot

This is the first net made with the new high quality sail making thread: Coats Dabond. It worked great in the Riccar RZ208B Japanese sewing machine I picked up at a garage sale for $25. It was just serviced for $30 before I bought it. They sold it because they couldn't lift it anymore. The thing is a tank. Cast iron and all mechanical. I finished the net off by stitching the mesh onto the frame with a new knot I found while researching Japanese Tenkara fly fishing nets. Damn, didn't need a new project but I think I'll be making those soon.

And a demo from Youtube so I can remember how to use it.

My Man Joe Purdy "Rio Grande" AKA "Goldfish"

Most recent with a full band:


Solo Acoustic:


With a few Friends:


And from the Album "Take my blanket and Go"

COATS dabond® V69: a major thread upgrade for my nets

COATS dabond® 

Sun, salt water and wind — marine conditions can be tough on any thread. But even tough conditions like these are a breeze for COATS dabond® — a bonded, twisted continuous filament polyester thread. Combining superior sewability with excellent UV and abrasion protection, COATS dabond is specifically designed to provide resistance against nature’s toughest elements. And because it’s from Coats, you know you’re getting the guaranteed quality and performance globally from the world’s largest thread manufacturer.

Key Benefit:

Can withstand UV degradation in all outdoor applications exposed to marine water and sunlight.

Main Applications

• Sailmaking 

• Boat tops 

• Flags 

• Tents and awnings 

• Canvas and tarps 

• Inflatables/hot air balloons 

• Marine lift slings and tiedowns 

• Military supplies

• Applications requiring chlorine bleach-fastness

Special Features

• Excellent UV resistance for sunlight protection

• Unique bonding technology that safeguards against ply untwisting in zig zag and can sew through many layers of heavily finished fabric

• Dual level lube finish for needle heat protection and smooth sewing

• Excellent bleach, mildew and rot resistance

• The only environmentally-friendly bonded polyester thread available in the market

• The industry standard for sail making and other outdoor and marine applications

Chemical properties of CF Polyester

• Melting point 480-500oF (250-260oC) 

• Low moisture regain 0.4% (drip dry) 

• Excellent resistance to visible sunlight and UV rays 

• Unaffected by mildew, rot and marine water 

• Good resistance to acids and cold alkalis 

• Excellent bleach resistance (chlorine, peroxide, etc.) 

• Specific gravity = 1.38

Japanese Import System Nearly completed

Just a few loose ends to clean up.

 Drain for each tank with a check valve.

 How they'll be placed.

The 3 inch main drain line (elbow instead of tee)

Love my Milwaukee m12 drill!

Not an easy fit but very tight and water tight.

 Fitting the Uniseal tank adaptor 

Putting it all together.

2.5 Cubic Foot Aquabead. 

 1 x 1/2 for 1 foot airstones to be run by a LP80 Medo Linear Piston Blower.

The air system.

DIY UV 130 watts

The system all on top of the sump.

 A close up.  Always sign your work <}}}><

Cycling with DIY urea and Dr Tim's Bacteria.

 Nearly 200 square feet of ponds and nearly 400 cubic feet of water.

Now the fish can come home.

Off to Japan: sending a culling net to a Japanese Ranchu Master

I made this net for a famous Japanese ranchu breeder who is sending me his BBR. It was sent in the post today and is signed and inscribed that it was made for the breeder.  This is my first net to go to Japan.