ETW Grumpy

Excellent info. Thanks all, that points me in the right direction(s). I have a tombstone that I tool/pound on i just didn't know if this stuff would hold up to it. Appreciate the help folks. God bless. Levi

I do chain mail, I might could make you something a little fancier out of brass.

I have noticed on several posts and tutorials that a lot of folks have a green cutting surface with squares laid out over the whole surface and that has measurements across the front (and possibly sides). What exactly are they called and where would I find one? Is it sturdy enough to set snaps on etc? Thanks much.

Awesome, thanks for the info.

Hey Tom, thanks for going to the time and effort to make the templates and do the tutorial. That was a lot of very well done work and I, for one, really appreciate it. You mentioned that Ohio Travel Bag has the aluminum frame if we don't want to make one. Is it the same size as the one you made, or will we need to adjust the size of the bag pieces to accommodate the OTB unit? Thanks again, I guess I will have to finally get off my back side and get one made for my brother. Levi

Man, that is really cool ! Nice nice work. Congratulations on a job very well done.

Thanks for the suggestions guys. I'm still deciding.

I'm doing this wallet for a friend. It's a biker style with a veg tan back and pre-made insides. I uploaded a graphic that I threw together in Photoshop to explain what I'm asking. It's not to scale or anything fancy like that, just shows the elements involved. The black line inside the perimeter of the piece represents the stitch line. My question is this, the graphics look kind of odd just floating around in space so I thought I might do a border with the standard border tools you would use, the ones that look like little sea shells or fans, but considering the subject matter it just didn't seem to fit. I have the meander tool set with a cross on top, but even the smallest one will crowd the graphics and detract from the tooling. I thought I might come in another 1/8" or 1/16" from the stitch line and cut another line and bevel it on the inside of the cut basically framing the graphics. I might also do a little texture right inside the frame but not much. Hopefully all of this babbling makes sense. Can I get some opinions on my idea and maybe other suggestions too. Thanks y'all. Levi

They also sell a piece of brass dog leash with a couple of clips on the ends for $135. Really? That whole "fool and his money thing." I understand what LTC is saying and yeah, If you can get it, get it, just look at Pro athletes for example. (No hate mail please, it's just an example). I also agree with jmann in that I could not charge that for a wallet even if the quality was that good. To ConradPark, That was an excellent explanation of micro economics for the craftsman, I learned several things myself. May have to start charging $350 for a wallet after all. Finally, to the OP, Conrad's explanation is very good and you should consider the principles involved, and BadHides response was kind of a rubber-meets-the-road distillaton of Conrad's. Both good answers for sure. My bit of advice is if you are going to compare the prices of other leather workers producing items similar to yours, you should really look at local craftsmen and try to find out how long they have been doing this and compare other variables like time, shop rate etc. Comparing your price to other craftsmen in other places is kind of apples and oranges because you don't have access to the data; labor rates, tax rates, cost of material, cost of living etc. Just my $.02. I like badhide's suggestion of keeping a record of start/stop times and all that. That's the only real way to know the specifics. As my last employer stressed repeatedly, "It's all about the data. Without data it's just a rumor." (Always hated that statement.)

Diane, this might not be exactly what you're looking for but might do until you find what you want. Tandy has (or at least used to have) some plastic craft aids that you cased your belt blank, lined the craft aid up and rubbed over the design with a modelling spoon to make an impression. Almost like a tap off. Also, where you from in Arkansas?

That's very tight Bob. Good work.

You got a lot better images than mine. Thanks for posting those. If you want some help with the Photoshop end of it, I would be happy to help. Looks like it could turn out to be a pretty cool belt.

Looks good. Be sure and post pics after you get it finished.

Ok folks here are the screen caps that I took in answer to cudofcow's request. Not the best resolution, but may be a good place to start.

I've got some screen caps of the very beginning and the very end, but they're not on this computer. Later this evening I'll try to post them. The resolution isn't great, but they may give you some help with making sketches.

Hey Butch, just wanted to thank you for providing this pattern for everyone. Didn't think my request would take off like this. I love how leatherworkers are so generous in helping other members of the community.

Man, that's off the hook! Love how you got the color to match in all the pieces.

Looks good man. Getting the lacing symmetrical and pulled tight enough comes with practice.

I like the inverted image and that backgrounder is one of my favorites. The lacing looks great to. Solid work.

Good looking work Tom and good suggestions from everyone. I did a seat cover a few years ago with a similar type design. I put the wording the guy wanted in a big curving banner with the appropriate ragged edges etc. He really liked it. You might do something big and bold like that to make up some background.

Really cool looking and very well tooled. Would you mind showing us the inside of the wallet as well?

Nice work on those. I've got one of those derringers, they're great.

Your first project looks a hundred times better than my first one. The ammo loops are a nice touch. Where are you from in Arkansas? PM me back if you need to.

Those are really very beautiful.

Very nice workmanship. The stitches are beautifully done. Machine or hand sewn? You got some very good lift on the inside curves of the leaves. Very well done.