Emily Report post Posted March 31, 2008 (edited) Hi everyone! I'm new to leather working and would love help! I'm a jeweler, but am trying to make a line of fine dog collars with gold and gems on the ID tags. I've been reading through a lot of the topics, and have already learned a ton...but I have more questions: 1) I'm not doing any tooling or stamping and I want really vivid colors, so I've been buying tannery-dyed leather (from Siegel). So far, the bright colors I want are light weight, so I use a black or brown 4-6oz leather on the inside and sew the two layers together. (is that bad...I'm a little worried about stretching??) Any suggestions on finishing these edges?? It seems like the gum tragacanth and edge kote work better for veg tan than for what I'm doing. 2) I've been using tubular rivets and matching caps, and a Heritage riveter, but the caps are falling off. It's almost like the riveter is bottoming out and not flairing the rivet out all the way when I use the caps. (I've tried it with different lengths, and no improvement) The only way I've had them stay on is to smash them in a vice after they're on the leather, but then the caps are all smashed. Nice huh? Anyone know what I'm doing wrong? Anyway, any general advice would be great, I don't know if I'm totally of base for what I'm trying to achieve. Thank you!!! Edited March 31, 2008 by Emily Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wildrose Report post Posted March 31, 2008 Can't help you with the rivet issue since I'm lousy at setting myself, even after years of "practice"...LOL...but I have to say that is a nice looking collar you posted! I actually like to use Chicago screws instead of rivets, for the buckle hardware. I think you are on the right track with the sewing a backing on. The collars I've made have been with heavier leathers, veggie tan, which I stamped and stained, and I didn't line any of them. But they were just for my parents' dogs. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Johanna Report post Posted March 31, 2008 Some dogs are allergic to raw veggie tanned leather, so lining them or using a drum-dyed piece as the inside is not a bad idea. I also saw a poodle with a bright green neck, from a veggie tanned color that was dyed, but then ran. It took a month for the green to be less noticeable on the apricot dog. Welcome to leatherworker.net! (Somebody get Emily a coffee and a doughnut, please?) There are a lot of great people here- hope you enjoy yourself too. Johanna Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TomSwede Report post Posted March 31, 2008 (edited) Coofee and donuts served!! Hi and welcome to the board, Emily! I have no help for you on rivets other than that there is something called a chicago screw that might be someting for you. Not sure bout this but look it up, I guess Tandy's would have some. I read in posts here that gumtrag is not any good with other leathers than veg.tan and there's has been mentioning of something called plasti-dip in threads. Look in watch strap posts and also there has been some posts recently about edge treatment. You have come to the right place for your questions so I'm sure you'll get some advice soon. Tom Edited March 31, 2008 by TomSwede Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Beaverslayer Report post Posted March 31, 2008 Welcome Emily, glad to have you join the forum. That's a good looking collar you've made there. As to the Chicago Screws that the others have mentioned, here's what they look like. Ken Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
reb101 Report post Posted April 1, 2008 Welcome Emily, glad to have you join the forum. That's a good looking collar you've made there. As to the Chicago Screws that the others have mentioned, here's what they look like. Ken [/quot Chicago screws might be the trick as for someone may want to change the collar . this would make the job simpler. ps. u might use alittle fingernail polish on the threads so they do'nt back out!!! because they will once in awhile. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Don101 Report post Posted April 2, 2008 Hi Emilly welcome to the forum it sounds to me that you have to find the right lenth post of your rivit to the thickness of the leather and trial and error with your setter, practace, Don Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Emily Report post Posted April 3, 2008 Hi everyone! Thanks for all your welcomes and suggestions so far! I will definitely try the chicago screws (and keep practicing using rivets). -Emily Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Duke Report post Posted April 4, 2008 hi emily. it could be that you are using the wrong setter with your rivet. you should switch to a double cap rivet, and see how that works for you.the collar looks good, keep up the good work.as an afterthought, if you can post a pic of the rivet you are using, I can tell you what kind of setter you should be using. thanks Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Emily Report post Posted April 4, 2008 (edited) hi emily. it could be that you are using the wrong setter with your rivet. you should switch to a double cap rivet, and see how that works for you.the collar looks good, keep up the good work.as an afterthought, if you can post a pic of the rivet you are using, I can tell you what kind of setter you should be using. thanks ooohhhhh, that sounds very possible that I'm using the wrong setter. I'm using #104 tubular rivets with matching caps from Weaver Leather. (pic) When I ordered them, the guy that helped me said to use the heritage setter, but I got the impression he was a little confused. (I'll also check out the double cap rivets) Thanks!! Edited April 4, 2008 by Emily Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Spider Report post Posted April 8, 2008 Welcome Emily, I look forward to seeing more of your work. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tina Report post Posted April 9, 2008 Welcome Emily, I look forward to seeing more of your work. Hi Emily, and I join the rest and say...Welcome:-) The only rivets I'm using is Jiffy rivets. I have a rivet press for that and it works great. Unfortunatly for the US market, I bought the tools for it in Sweden, I have yet to find them here and trust me, I have been looking for them high and low. If I need anything longer I also use Chicago screws. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
