edishere54

l'm with you Hidepounder! I've been using the Tandy tracing film for over 25 years myself. I buy the roll, and it lasts me for ever. The patterns I pencil on to the film, and the film itself can be re-used over and over again. For me, price is not an issue either. That's why we price our products accordingly.

Looking real good!!! What method, and liquids did you use for dyeing the strap??

I am a CyberThrasher fan all the way, especially on Guitar Straps. This job is an inspiration to me as a guitar strap maker myself. I bow down in worship man! Major coolness once again!!! Seems like I have much to learn....

I have used water...not bad...but I also use the Gum Tragacanth by applying to the edge with a dauber, letting it sink in a little, then hitting it with my Cocobolo wood dremel burnisher until I reach the look I'm shooting for. I ordered the cocobolo burnishers (2 with varying channel widths to accomodate the leather's thicknesses.) My dremel running at 1000 RPM, don't push too hard because it slows down the motor. I attach the dremel to a stand, but this can be done with dremel in hand. So, in conclusion, run some test samples and see what work best. I use it for 6/7 oz weight leather used to make Guitar Straps.

So what is the recommended drying time between coats of Liquid Latex. I would love to try this out. Cyber, you said you use 2 coats, and later you glob on some more. How long does this stuff take to cure before you can attempt the dye....??

Yeah, I have to echoe everything that was said. I have been there myself...I started when I was around 19. Living in Puerto Rico at the time, I set up a table near the Junior High school, on a busy street lined with other street vendors. When the kids got out for lunch,they' come to me for wrist bands, chokers, and other stuff I could pound out while they waited. I have hauled my tools wherever I go, and now at 58, and living in California for nearly 30 years, I started pound on the leather again...this time, it's guitar straps. I screwed up the first few. I told myself, "man, this is getting expensive, and all I'm doing is scrapping material left and right..." . Anoter trip to the Tandy store, and a couple of hundred dollars later, it's all coming back to me...My 2 passions...shredding on guitar, and pounding on the leather from the days of my youth....Please, never call it quits...Do what makes you happy, and what makes you who you are....this stuff doesn't happen by accident....

I applied Antique Gel to a large area, and I panicked when I saw the darker blotches i several spots. I followed the Tandy instructional videos. I applied it in circular motion, and didn't "camp out" on certain spots, just kept on moving. The final results were unsatisfactory, to say the least...Where did I go wrong??? I used Medium Brown as my color. Help!!!