kevinhopkins

Hi Lui, Looks Great! I wish you all the best, and If I can ever be of any help, don't hesitate to call! Kevin@Springfieldleather.com

Hi... I'm not too familiar with the eco flo stuff... too many issues for me, but if I remember correctly, I think that stuff can be thinned with either tan kote or bick 4, and if so, it should stop the streaking and splotching. It's probably worth a try... Kevin Springfield leather co.

Hi...We cut ours from 4-6 oz indian tan...pretty tough, and we sure sell a ton of them... Kevin

For what it's worth, sometimes it's not rawhide... If it is rawhide, you'll be able to see it. If it's not, it could be an area of the hide that's been "burned". Too strong of tanning solution, or for some reason, that part of the hide was a little too eager to absorb tannin. when that happens, the inside of the leather will be a darker brown rather than have rawhide in it, and it's really hard to cut. Kevin

Fiebings or Angelus are far superior in my opinion..... (I have both) Kevin

Actually, that white glue, Tanners bond from fiebings I think.... works pretty well for that... Kevin

Nice.... Quality always sells, and it always comes back for more! Kevin

Hi Kiwi, That's a great picture! It really shows when someone has that "natural" sense about color application, and you've obviously got it! Kevin

Glad you're here! Look forward to conversation! Kevin

Hi.... Bleeding color is not typical. (and not good) 99 % of the time, whoever tans that leather knows that there might be a color bleeding issue before he sells it. Whoever buys it will normally get a super good price because of that. We also sell deerskin. Kevin

Hi.... Normally you'll be right most of the time. But there will be certain times and applications that might require a finish after sewing. Just remember, there are no written rights or wrongs for this sort of thing. only guidelines, and final results! Kevin

Hi...just wanted to second what John said... lots of good thoughts there. I have a rule here at SLC, that applies to every single employee. Here it is: You can do anything that you want to here. All I ask is that you have a good reason. If you make a decision that I don't think is the best, I'll let you know, and we can go down the road, and we'll all be smarter. I think there's a time and place for everything in business. I don't like dickering, but I can't say that I won't. One guy wanted a machine from me at a real discount. He worked for Sears. I asked if I could get a really good discount on a lawn mower..... I don't mind giving something away, as long as I feel the reason is there. I don't mind dickering, as long as I feel that it's the right thing to do at the time. I don't mind being hard as a rock on prices, as long as I feel that it's the right thing to be at the time. I don't mind sending someone to the competition, as long as I feel that it's in the best interest of the customer. I guess my point is, there really isn't a right or wrong when it comes to pricing, as long as you do your best for your customer, and are at peace with your decisions. I've rambled enough! Kevin

Hi... The price is ok, but like Steve said, unless you're a "sewing machine person", you'll probably want to put a servo motor and a speed reducer on it. Otherwise, you need to get used to the idea that you're going to have to go thru a learning curve with your happy little foot! Those clutch motors take off like a shot! Good machines tho. Happy sewing! Kevin

Hi... another good source is Ron Burkey, Texas Leather Machinery, 940-736-4707 (cell) shop is 940-437-5400 Kevin

Actually, George left tandy back when LF was starting up, and worked for them for a while. He actually came back to Tandy after a short stint with LF, and as most of us know, was instrumental in making leather craft fun, and profitable, and possible for many of us. He was fired by Tandy back in the 90's, and that's when he started HC. So really, he's not going back to Tandy, he's actually going back to LF! Funny how we seem to make big circles sometimes. I'm sure he'll be an asset to them, and I'm also sure that wherever he's at, we'll all benefit from his experience. Kevin

Hi Greetz, I think you're using leather wisely! Some of the older leather jackets were made from extremely nice leather, and it's always nice to recycle in the manner that you're doing. Congrats! Kevin

Hi Peter, The plastic bag idea is great!!!! I learned something today! Kevin

We've been selling Craft Japan, Craftool, Kyoshinelle, and Hideco tools for years. I wish Craft japan made all the stamping tools that craftool does, but they just don't. The Craft Japan are about the best of what the average crafter can buy, at least in my opinion. The Hideco tools are good, and most are made by Craft Japan. But if you're making a living with stamping tools, it's pretty hard to beat Barry King and Bob Beard. Kevin

Hi David, I hope all works the way you want. I think the secret is to do smart stuff, and don't do stupid stuff. Give me a call anytime, and I'll be happy to help any way I can. 800-668-8518 Kevin

You'll probably do fine...just remember, the thicker and more solid your pounding surface is, the less grief you'll have! Kevin

Hello Tim, we've got double shoulders that are #1 imports for 4.49 per ft. They avg 12-14 ft, and are pretty good. I'm sure Zack White's are good as well. We've also got an argentine double shoulder for 3.99 per ft that I think is a real bargain. One thing about the argentine leather is that it molds exceptionally well. For what it's worth, argentine leather will usually be just a tish darker than most other south american veg leathers, but they've really got the tanning process figured out pretty well. We buy double shoulders from all over mexico, brazil, and other countries, but the Argentine ones are the best for tooling in my opinion. Email me sometime, and I'll send you a sample of each so you can see the difference. Kevin@springfieldleather.com

Hi... A 24 needle will most certainly carry 138 thread, but it sure does make a big hole.... I think if I were going to buy a machine to sew leather that was that heavy, I'd be looking for a new one if possible. It sounds like you've got some experience with sewing, but 2 layers of 8-9 is pretty heavy, and I think for that sort of work you'd be better off getting a machine that is designed to sew with heavier thread and needles, rather than try to push the upper levels of a machine that really isn't designed to do what you want.... You might want to consider a Toro or Cobra... Of course, that will affect your financial outlay, but it might head off a lot of grief at the pass! Kevin

Hi... if you're making pouches with holes at the top for drawstrings, just make sure you have an even number of holes. You can use 2 strings threaded from the opposite sides of the pouch to achieve a nice even draw. But I wouldn't use Jute. It's really not happy as a drawstring. Just use something that isn't so "draggy", and you'll be fine. Don't worry about perfection. it's not necessary (unless it is to you). If you've got a sewing machine, then pouches are easy... But I'm assuming that that isn't an option... Happy pouching! Kevin

Hi Stephanie, Nice that you're here.... I'm not a glove maker, but I might be of help in other areas! And I'm a helpful kinda guy! I'm sure you'll enjoy this site! Kevin Hopkins

Hi Rickey, I've never found a really good way... Kevin