Spinner

I used W&C exclusively for quite awhile but became disenchanted last year when 3 orders in a row had 15%+ loss on their #1/A grade, mainly in the shoulder area. I started ordering HO from Goliger and Sheridan Leather and was quite happy with the quality of the leather but on the last Goliger hide I found a ton of small scratches from either improper stacking or packaging. Took me all afternoon with a glass slicker to work them out of the hide...I just don't have that kind of time to waste. Both of my orders with Sheridan have been very good looking. Never satisfied though, I just placed my first order with ALD with the same instructions I have with SLO & Goliger for a single back so we'll see how that one comes out, I'll report back on how it looks. If it works out to be good stuff it would be great as it's less expensive than either of the other two even when ordered as a double back.

As for my personal choice, I went with a Paypal/Square combination. Overall the costs are cheaper for how I do business (primarily via phone or email) and I already had everything I needed between my computer and Android smartphone. Paypal allows me to invoice clients who use paypal and I have a Premier Advantage account that doesn't cost anything outside of transaction fees. Square is the back-up for those clients that don't like paypal and want to pay with a credit card. **TIP: if you decide to use Square, do not purchase a card reader from Radio Shack, etc. when you set up your account with Square via their website, they will send you a reader for free. With the Paypal Premier account, I get access to invoicing, multi-order shipping (process batches instead of one at a time) and the Visa debit card that allows me to access the funds as soon as they clear. Square simply processes deposits to my personal checking account everyday that I have a transaction. So far the longest I have waited for funds to get to my bank out of the last 15 transactions was 38 hours and that was a transaction processed on a Saturday night. The main determining factor as to how long it takes is how often your bank retrieves ACH transactions from the ACH system. Larger banks do this on a daily basis whereas smaller banks may only do it every other day or so. The main drawback to using two systems is tracking & invoicing. For Square transactions I have to generate my own invoices and then to track all my sales in the same place I need a good spreadsheet or something like Quickbooks. When I figure that my bank (Wells Fargo) quoted me $675 in account related fees (annual, set-up, monthly and card terminal lease) and only save me approximately $2.80 per transaction, the math came out that I would have to make 241 sales this year just to break even compared to Paypal/Square. What about website integration? Well, paypal has it's nifty little "buy me" buttons that are really easy to set-up and Square doesn't work with the web. So what happens when a client visits your site and sees paypal buttons as the only buying option? A few unofficial studies have shown that about 12% either don't like Paypal or don't know how to use it. This could mean a lost sale if they aren't in the mood to call you or it's in the wee hours of the morning when you're sleeping. An easy solution is something like Mal's E-Commerce shopping cart. The premium version is only $8/month and even if the only payment option you use it Paypal, Mal's masks the Paypal info so your client sees a normal shopping cart and enters his/her credit card like normal. In case folks want to check things out, here are the links to the services/vendors I mentioned above: Paypal: http://www.paypal.com Square: http://www.squareup.com Propay: http://propay.com Mal's e-Commerce: http://www.mals-e.com/

I have a bunch of different ways to process cards & payments and as I'm working on making my business official recently (DBA, licenses, etc) I thought it was about time to settle on one or two and dump the rest to simplify payment tracking. I figured I would share my findings with the chart and some additional information folks getting started will find helpful and some payment pros may learn from too. First question is, is there a service that will do everything? Yes there is, but you pay for the convenience and sometimes additional services to get it all done. Most banks have Merchant Accounts that you can set up for payment processing via a card machine (gateway) and the internet. The machine allows for keying-in cards but to use the service at say a Craft Show, you need to provide power & an internet connection or take the info manually and enter it later. Online services allow for in-person, mobile and manual payments but lack the speed at which the money arrives in your account. Either way, there are trade-offs and figuring out which one suits your business needs is the key. The attached chart compares the services, speed and fees charged by most major banks (costs can vary based on bank size and promotions as well as your history with them) compared to the three major online services, Paypal, Square and Propay. I did not take into account whether software like Quickbooks is already part of the business but that will effect how certain functions affect you. The green highlights indicate which platforms rank the best for that option/category. Cheers, Chris CC_Processing.pdf

Wiz, Just wanted to say thanks for this, you answered a few questions I haven't had a chance to post yet. Chris

Nope, no need to condition the wood. As you suspected, the friction, oils & waxes from burnishing the leather will keep them pretty well sealed. If you're concerned due what sounds like you might live in a dry environment you can always rub on a little bit of beeswax and then burnish it into the wood with a paper towel. :spoton:There's nothing wrong with burnishing your burnisher between burnishing sessions if you want to.

Ah, ok. It actually sounds like too much water, at least based on how I do it. I open the tin of saddle soap, spray a light mist of water on top and use the little bit of moisture to create the suds. Then I simply scoop up just the suds from the top with my finger and rub them into the edge and then burnish. I recently heard some really good feedback about Sheridan Leather's "Wyosheen" so I ordered up some with my last leather order. Would be nice to have a pre-prepped product if it does all they say it will.

Very interesting...wonder what the difference is (leather type, burnishing speed, etc.) as I have found the reverse. Well, either way the important thing is you have a method that works for you and results you are happy with!

Yep, it's a sad state of affairs and I knew it would happen eventually. I won't be able to stop it completely as you mention, the market for knock-offs is age old and rampant but at least I can say my piece and draw attention to his true colors for those that may have considered dealing with him.

Actually Bear, I just checked and the ones on Etsy are made by Gary Lyons. He's a good guy and we've had a few conversations about burnisher styles & construction. He does make them for dremels as well but he and I came upon similar designs (but turned slightly differently) independently. One main difference is he makes stands for the sets which I prefer not to get into. He also makes drill burnishers but our designs are completely different. He doesn't have his own website but you can find his stuff of Etsy, Facebook and his ads in the Leatherworker's Journal. Actually now that I think about it, the message above portrays how good, honest folks do business. Gary and I both turned burnishers unknown to the other for awhile. He started with drill burnishers and I started with dremel burnishers. As demand and requests materialized, we each developed our own style of the other type as a product. When we discovered the other's work via Facebook, we had a few friendly discussions about how we got started and where we were taking it. Even though we didn't talk about it, interestingly enough we've managed to stay out of the other's 'backyard' as well. Might not have been intentional but it's worked out that way. I've no complaints against Gary and wish him the best of luck.

Thanks folks, glad you like them! Hey Joel, try adding a touch of saddle soap or glycerine soap to the water you use for burnishing. The fats/glycerine in the soap will penetrate the top fibers of the leather better and allow you to slick it much easier and faster whether by hand or mechanically. Not sure of your process to prep the edge, but Bob Park's method is the one I recommend. Short version is: edge the leather, lightly sand the edge to get a truly round profile, dab on a light coating of saddle soap/water combo with your finger/rag, burnish with your chosen tool, dye the edge if you haven't already, seal the edge (wax, neat-lac, etc) and do a final buffing with a soft cloth. Hope that helps, hit me up with any questions.

Thanks for the support Kevin! Hey Robert, will do..next batch ordering starts next week. As for the nothing stopping him part, these burnishers fall into a neat little area of Industrial Design Intellectual Property copyright law as they are in essence a woodturning sculpture. While the manufacturing process and tangible item are not protected without a patent, the asthetic design (number & placement of the coves, the step design of the tip, etc.) are protected and Ebay recognizes Copyright Infringement of Items as well as text. I'm submitting a claim this morning to have the items removed and the person in question blacklisted from ever selling them there in the future. Hey Cleveland, I'm hoping to hit him harder than that...Ebay IP claim submitted this morning. As for production, the main part never really stopped I simply had to place a hold on new orders while I catch up. I did have some issues making the large custom burnisher sleeves for a bit due to a drill press issue but that has been resolved. Drop me an email or PM, ordering for the next batch opens up next week.

That's the kicker here...if I had given this individual information on making his own, it would be my bad and I wouldn't have a whole lot of room to complain. However, I talked to Mr. Loy about how to use the ones he purchased, not about how to make one. He obviously used the ones he purchased as patterns for his. And then to top it off, he's charging more for them and then padding the shipping charges to boot. And yeah Cheryl, I'm pretty pissed off. The other burnisher he purchased & then stole the design for was a special request dremel burnisher and not something in my normal line up. Hey Robert, I'm still making them just a little backlogged right now. Should be taking orders for the next batch early next week.

I am so outraged by this that I am making a post. Should the Admins feel the need to delete it, so be it but I need to get this off my chest. Silvia brought to my attention today some burnishers that are being sold on ebay that look almost exactly like mine. I say almost as it appears from their pictures that the party in question couldn't quite get the tips turned correctly. Any of my clients that own a "Holster Maker's Special" will recognize the difference and inferior work from the pictures. Now, normally I don't mind competition and in fact will often invite someone to give my other hobby, woodturning a spin. I have even given folks that can turn tips on making themselves a burnisher. NEVER have I said, "hey, purchase one of my burnishers that I spent a good deal of time and research developing and then turn identical ones to sell on ebay as your own design..." Not once. It happened though. On August 4th, 2011 Mr. Richard Loy of Herriman, Utah spoke to me on the phone and purchased one of my HMS Burnishers, a few weeks later he purchased a dremel burnisher as well. I recall speaking to him with tips on burnishing, etc and have receipts showing the purchases. On December 24, 2011 Mr. Loy, aka highcountryoutfitter on ebay began selling replicas of my specific burnishers. He made no attempt to alter the design or to contact me regarding selling them or to give me credit for the design. In other words, he is a THIEF and a LIAR and I feel that folks should know what kind of person they could potentially be dealing with. Here is a link to one of the ebay listings in question: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Leather-burnisher-leather-tool-cocobolo-11-/290656674647?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item43ac7ce357 Thank you Sylvia for bringing this to my attention. Chris

Hey Steve, Beeswax works just fine as a final burnish but I recommend saddle soap suds up a little for the primary burnishing. Reason being that the saddle soap doesn't seal the edge and allows to dye a contrasting edge if you like. Beeswax will seal the fibers and prohibit further dying. Hey Sylvia, thanks for the heads up. Those are poor imitations and definitely not my work. I don't bother other folks selling burnishing items that are of their own design but this schmuck has blatantly stolen my very specific design (Holster Maker's Special) and will be reported to Ebay's VeRO Unit for it theft of intellectual property. Thanks. I enjoy a good & fair competition Elton, good luck with yours! I've heard good things about your tooling/stamping tools also.

Only the one genus of the species, nonfictionalis existus chupacabrum are endangered so you should be fine.

my vote is for Chupacabra.

With my MC gear I reserve testing for clients that I have noticed are more knowledgeable about the bike in question. This assures me that not only will the piece get an honest & thorough review but if you think you get a good testimonial from a client who likes your work, try a client who likes your work, has paid for it and then gotten a tester to keep. I also need my client's help designing new pieces from time to time due to access limitations to certain bikes. For those that will endure my questions and requests for measurements, etc. they receive the first one of the new line as a thank you for their help.

You can put it over but it will gum up a little when you first put it on. DAMHIKT I would suggest cutting a small amount of the Satin Sheen with 50% water to create a penetrating coat & apply with a soft sponge. You'll need to keep the sponge damp with the SS and work it in over the piece in overlapping circles. If you notice the sponge drag in a spot, this is where the LBwAW and SS are gumming...make sure the sponge is damp and rub it out until it feels smooth. Basically you are using the water in the 50% mix to buff off the top layer of LBwAW so the SS will soak in and create a base coat. Let dry completely (at least a few hours) and then begin apply your full strength coats of SS.

Congratulations Bobby, well deserved! As a few of the others mentioned, I too have looked to your work for inspiration more than once. Back in the day when I thought I might try Sheridan (that bug still hasn't bitten me yet) I had a few of your pieces taped up in the shop for reference. Are you entering the ATCM show this year? Even though it would cut my chances of placing, it would be cool to see your work in person as I'm hoping to attend. Chris

HAHA...I wish. Seems folks either got cash or gift cards to spend so business never slowed down, I'm currently booked though March! I will see about making some time here shortly to add a bit more for those that are interested. Cheers, Chris

Thanks guys. This was a fun project and has spurred a few new ideas if the bike leather business ever slows down (hopefully not). I checked in with the couple last night, the one month mark of wearing the rings and they're loving them and people are constantly asking them about the story behind them so they're more than thrilled. Definitely makes one feel good about a creation.

Hey Nanci, Welcome back to the forum. I recall the article you wrote for the Leatherworker's Journal a few issues back about making tank bibs, good stuff. Cheers, Chris