All Activity

Hey, I have some advice straight from a saddler’s workshop Apply edge paint in the direction of the cut, using light pressure, so loose fibers are pushed flat before the paint sets. You’re smoothing mechanically, not burnishing. Use a sponge; for very thin edges, an old awl or a small brush works well. Both give you more control. Wipe off excess with a cotton cloth (e.g old t-shirt), again in the same direction, to avoid lifting fibers. Work in thin layers and let each one dry properly. No burnishing beforehand. Sanding isn’t needed if the edge is clean and even, but lightly sanding helps a lot if layers meet or the edge is rough. Some people use an edge filler where two layers meet to level the edge before painting—that can help get a very clean result. I can't tell you more about this, but also want to try it out in the future. Hope this helps Best Tove

I think dyes, stains, etc is the right place for edge paint questions. Moved it.

Beautiful job, thanks for showing it.

Wow, beautiful job, like all of your work.

nice

So to start, outside of a few coasters that I made months ago, I’ve never used edge paint, so I have some basic questions… Do I still slick the edge with gum trag before applying (I also spit shine after the gum trag)? Will I need to buff to a shine again, or will the neutral/clear paint (EcoFlo Edge Flex) let the shine through? If I have to to buff again, do I need to worry about accidentally damaging/cracking/removing the paint? Do I use my slicker or something else? Sorry, it’s my first rodeo with edge paint. Thanks for any and all advice and wisdom, and may you never burn your bacon, AZR

I always keep an eye out for any old purses, belts, or other things like that. Take it home, and keep the hardware in a box (well, an old Butter Cookie tin), and then I make bracelets out of the leather if it is a belt, or a card holder, or a key chain if it is a purse. There is just so much potential in old stuff.

Just wanted to show off a card holder that I made, and of course, ask for any feedback. This is a two-pocket card wallet that began life as someones couch. As this is chrome-tanned leather i am not able to get a classical finish on the edges, but some black dye makes it look nice all the same.

When others talk to me about leather, often they are asking about upholstring. Skidoos, boats and even some furniture have all been subjects of interest. Our local upholsterer moved his business away too, so maybe I'm hearing about it more than you would. In any case welcome, and I hope you not only find something particular and satisfying, but that you share it here.

This is exactly what I am trying to do. I just do not know what to do in the future, and to be honest, retirement scares me. I know too many people who retire and then waste away because they have no plan, no direction, and nothing to do. I do not want to do that, and so I am trying to find something that will give me a purpose to get out of bed in the morning.

Good work May God bless, Dwight

Thank you for the idea... I had not thought about doing repairs, but that sounds like something I would enjoy. I find personal enjoyment in fixing things (not sure the reason), but I find myself going out of my way to try and find things to fix for no other reason than I enjoy it. My wife thinks I am crazy when I bring home another discarded stand fan or vacuum cleaner to see if I can give it a second chance. I then turn around and sell it on Facebook for a low price. It makes me happy because something isn't going to the landfill, and it makes the buyer happy because they get something they need at a reasonable price. I have fixed some bags and luggage in the past, and I guess I could expand this in the future.

This is a good thread for that: https://leatherworker.net/forum/topic/125148-replacement-pulley-for-tapered-shaft/

(At least some) Machines with a horizontal hook axis and a rotary hook (such as the Juki DDL-8700) don't have a latch opener. Yet the latch opens before the thread gets to it. I suspect maybe the thread dragging across/around the bobbin case is doing it, but I haven't studied it enough to be sure. Maybe that's why the hook moves the opposite way on those machines versus a lot of the machines I see with a horizontal hook axis + oscillating hook like the Singer 31-15.

Welcome!!! I retired about ten years ago, or more. I do what comes to mind at the moment. I have taken up just learning new stuff, so leather is not the world to me. Last year, for example i deciced i wanted to make clay pots out of local clay, so i did it, found clay, cleaned clay, built a raku kiln, and made pots both in a fire pit and the kiln. I forge and make tools, knives, and just about anything I need. I learn to make lol. Last winter i rebuilt two bamboo fly rods. I still need to make the cases, this fall, tanning leather hair on, and moccasins. I've got two staves of wood drying for making bows this spring, some staves for arrows, also i learned to make arrows a few years back. Just live, man!!!!

Welcome to the forum. Lots of inspiration to be found, no matter what you like 🙂 You mention that you would like to do leather work as a side hustle, I get that you don't like to deal to much with the public or run a business, but.. Unless you can use all the leather items that you create yourself or gift it off to families, you will end up having stuff all over. (Based on experience from my other hobby which is woodworking/cabinetmaking). A solution could be in doing leather repairs. I have a small company with my son, where I do the leather work part. I am not a trained saddle maker, but I can do most repair jobs on saddles except for restocking them with wool. A lot of people are daunted by the thought of sewing leather, and while it might be more fun to craft something new, there is also a satisfaction in repairing something so it works well again. An advantage (to me) is that repair jobs are very seldom exactly like, so I don't risk making 25 of the same thing in a row, but, one week I can repair a saddle flap, and the next week a stitching in a computer bag or a set of chaps etc. It is just a side hustle, but it is a really nice feeling to be able to immerse myself in a good leather repair project and being paid for sewing and sitting and listening to a podcast or the gentle snoring of our dog at the same time. Most of my customers know of me from word of mouth, as I don't do any advertising. Equestrians often need a lot of leather work to be repaired, people with vintage motorcycles (1950'ies and older) are also possible sources of potential customers, for saddle bags, seat repairs etc. I don't repair leather items exclusively, also horse blankets and replacement of zippers in riding boots etc. I do like to create new things as well, but selling new leather products is difficult in my area, so that is one of the reasons for the repair business. Brgds Jonas

cool !!! Bloodknots look pretty good on these as well.

A lesson a person only gets one chance to learn sometimes. Was working as a roustabout. We had snowed in the day before in a small town; it was Thanksgiving week, so in November. Luckily, one of us had a girlfriend there, so we had a warm floor to stay that night. Got up to drifted snow that totally packed into the engine bays of our trucks. Spent half the day getting them running, then the boss says our pump station was offline again, so buy as much food as you need and head out, the station was 30+ miles into the desert lol. No problem, got there, fired up the station just as the storm started, hopped in the truck happy and warm, put it in gear, and it died, wouldn't start... There we sat. A vehicle goes from warm to freezer in about 30 seconds. Then the compressor station died again, so there were no lights or heat even at the location. We just huddled up together and did everything we could to keep awake through the night. All three of us were local boys and friends and knew not to leave the truck, and not to go to sleep, so we just sat there in the dark watching snow blow across the windshield at 40 mph plus doing about anything to stay warm lol. Yeah, it got colder than hell, about two hours in we figured out that all the really good canned food we had bought was frozen solid as well as our water. Luckily, the storm died, and the sun came out. There was about 6 inches of frozen vapor in the truck just from our breath that we had to knock down because it was thawing on us. Anyway, as the sun warmed us up and we felt safe we fell asleep to be woken up about 2 in the afternoon by another crew sent out for us. It took two graders from sunup to blade the road to us out.

@tsunkasapa i am saddened reading about your loss , my condolences. I lost Mum few years back. I wish you and your family the very best . HS

I think I got it figured out. Needs a little tweaking, not crazy about the buckle but pretty happy with the results. Pattern is available for free if anyone needs it.

I've wondered why you were absent. Mere words pale after such a thing, but my condolences on your terrible loss. I'm glad you're finding your way back and back here.

Doesn't sound right to me. It really doesn't take much to disturb the thread path. If this bloody weather ever breaks, I'll go up and check it out. The last couple mornings the car said 20 below (F). The craft area isn't really cozy right now.

So, it's been quite some time since I've been here. I was offered a job as Traffic Control Supervisor on a road project that was keeping me busy with 60-70 weeks. Didn't give me much time for anything but work and sleep. That was back in '24. The job lasted until November, and on the day before Thanksgiving I took my wife to the Dr for 'abdominal discomfort'. We were told she had a mass in her abdomen, and we would have to go to the hospital and get a CT scan. Turns out 'the' mass was 3, on her liver, pancreas and kidneys. I will condense the next 7 months, but it was a very ugly fight with cancer that didn't respond to treatment, and I lost her the end of June last year. So, the last half of '25 I just really didn't feel like doing much. But it is a new year, and I have been getting myself back together. So, I hope to be back here more often going forward.

I do the same thing. I like to go to the thrift stores to see what they have. I find a lot of good looking hardware. Thanks for reminding me. Tom

Thank you. I have just found my next small project. I like to do these kind of pouches. Not only are they fun but challenging. If I can make one that looks as good as yours I’ll be very happy. Nice work Tom