Yukonrookie

Perfect. Thank you kindly @ScottWolf. Polysorbate 20 should work well enough as an emulsifier, I’d think.

I bought and downloaded a couple of his books. Thanks for the advice.

Apologies for replying to an older thread. I’m trying out options for a casing solution that I can add to water. I read that a lot of people add some Lexol conditioner to their casing solution, but from what I read Lexol changed their recipe some. Would your recipe dissolve and mix with water? If I added an emulsifier like polysorbate 20, for example? At first my main goal was to make a diy version of bee natural pro carve since it supposedly contains anti fungal ingredients. I’m in a fairly humid region at the moment. While browsing online about this I read that some folks add a bit of a leather conditioner to their casing solution. Since oil alone won’t mix with water I figured it would have to contain some type of emulsifier. So an option would be to make my own lexol with water, NFO, emulsifier and then add something like Listerin, tea tree oil or lemon juice, to have some anti fungal properties. That said, if I added an emulsifier, would you happen to know if one of your recipes could an option, as well? I apologize if my question is a bit of a “no brainer”. I’m still just figuring this stuff out lol. Thank ya kindly!

Right on. Thanks. Gotta check those out. Apologies for the late response.

Right on. I should get some more books. All I got so far is a sheath making book by Joe Keeslar. Apologies for the late reply again. Going through some health issues at the moment and I’m in the hospital sometimes.

Thanks for all the replies everyone. Lots of great new info for me to get better with and practice. Much appreciated!

Lots of good Tips! Thanks a bunch. I especially like how you modified your stitching pony. That’s a great idea. I’ll try something similar. Thanks again.

Now that makes a bunch of sense. Actually I had a 2mm awl come in the mail and I picked it up on my run to town yesterday. It works better than I had imagined. Just need some more practice now. I’m also surprised how quick it goes through, after I sharpened it up some. So you don’t use stitching irons at all then? What thickness do you still go through? Yup, that makes sense too. Thanks Northmound!

They look nice. Do you use them on heavier leather/multiple layers? Thanks a lot @Northmount. Much appreciated.

Thanks. I’ll do that!

Right on man! Lots a miners run cat up here. Just an old komatsu dozer myself and just for opening the road up to my place in the spring. Too long to keep open during winter. Plus I got a decent enough snow cat that gets me home just fine. Anyway, that’s a good chunk of change for some chisels. I’m sure they’re worth it though. I actually tried my drill press with a 2mm bit and it actually worked well. Just that the holes didn’t close up as nice, like they do with a chisel, I think.

Right on. Yeah, I’ve had a hunch that 4 to 6mm would not hurt to have, eh? You use those for all your projects? I’ll have to check those out. Sounds like they make good tools, eh? Thanks for your input @DieselTech btw you work with Diesel engines?

That sure makes sense @toxo. I guess for me part of the whole journey is treating myself to some new toys…I means tools lol. But you’re definitely talking sense. Different strokes…. I sure appreciate your advice though and mighty thankful to all the help everyone has been here.

Apologies for yet another question folks, What are y’all using for stitching irons? So far I’ve been using a couple 2mm diamond irons and there’s nothing wrong with them. Just curious as to what you folks prefer. I’m wondering on getting wider spacing and maybe better quality. Mine are craftool and I got nothing bad to say about em, just that I’m thinking if trying out some higher end tools in general, as I’m enjoying this leather thing a whole bunch for sure and will keep on learning for many years to come, praise God. I’m guessing some sizes and spacing are better for some tasks and so forth? Also, I see there are “reverse” diamond irons that give sort of an offset pattern, if that makes sense. What would be the advantages to them? I read some calling it the “perfect saddle stitch”…. Thanks folks Hank

Thats a nice idea @toxo. I think myself, I’ll just try and get the right ones. I still have use for my regular ones as they are since on some edges I like to use the “45 degree” edgers. Thanks for the tip though. Btw, if an edger comes with one of those steel rods for sharpening, wouldn’t that be a “round“ edger anyway?

Yup, thank you. I think I found what I like on Bruce’s site. Thanks again for your help. On a different topic which stitching irons do you use mostly? I just have a couple craftool 2mm diamond ones. Just curious what everyone runs mostly. Been thinking on maybe a bit wider spacing and better quality. Also curious if many people rock those reverse style ones and what they like about’em. I know I’m sort of high jacking the thread but, then again, I’m the OP

Thank you Bruce. I found them in your site. I’m in the process of putting an order together. I’m also thinking of getting one of your jueschke mauls. Not quite ready to place the order quite yet, but pretty quick here. Thanks again

Yup. Thank ya! I just recently watched a video on a guy going all the way up to 2000 grit or something crazy like that. I thought, boy that sure can take a while on bigger projects. He was hand sanding after a 150 grit belt, too

Gotcha @DieselTech and no worries. Thanks for the tip on those edgers. I’m gonna mull it over some. I kinda like those grooved edger. At least I think that’s what they’re called. Gonna give it some more thought. Thanks a bunch

Thanks for the offer. They certainly sound like good quality. That’s what I’m looking for quality over money. Good quality for fair prices lol. I checked them out online and it looks that they go up to 1.5mm, being the biggest. Is that correct? Do those cut grooved or 45 bevels? A lot of my projects are with 8 to 10oz leather.

Ended up ordering a couple pencils 9b to 12b. Thanks for all the replies folks!

Very impressive. First try at upholstery?!? Dang, you sure are talented then.

Holy shit man! That’s really cool! I know what I’ll try my hand on next… Well, first I should get this leatherwork thingy more perfected lol. Definitely really cool though. Hands above than any craftool plated stamps, if I may say so. I got tons of bolts and old tool flying around and some metal shaping tools too (been also trying my hand at making knives). Not sure if I got the talent to make em to get as nice of an impression as yours but I’ll surly give it a try anyhow. Mighty fine job there sir.

Right on. In a way that’s how I’ve been doing it so far, but it’s those little tips that make me correct things and do it the right, or better way. Thank you Sir. So you’ll sand the edge nice and even with a coarse belt like 80ish or so, then shape and clean up with 220ish grit belt and then bevel the flaps off and then slick it up? Or do hand sand to yet a finer grit? Sorry about all the questions

Beautiful Belts! Sorry, pressed the wrong button. Those belts look beautiful. Just How long did it take you to make all of them?