dirtclod

I have used alot of Blackrock over the years and it's good stuff. It looks like a dark gray mud in the jar. Just like the directions says a little goes a long way, when i used t i put it with my fingers and rubbed it in. On light colored leathers it won't change the color of the leather or if it does it's very little. I would still be using it if i could find a wholesaler. Personally i likes it better than the Aussie Wax.

That one may more of what you want. But if i'm looking to buy i'm going to pass it by because i can't see any detail because it's to dark. JMO

You did a really nice job on it !!

Dan the first thing i would do is get a better knife. You might try wetting it a little and then see if your groover works better on some scrap. I had some hard spots in piece of imported leather to and i've had hard spots in US leather to. But a sharp knife made it bearable. I guess it's just the luck of the draw.

Look at the Al Sthoman making cases books one of them has a scabbard on the cover and directions inside. You can get the book at Springfield Leather http://springfieldleather.com/store/product/2328/Book%2CArt-Of-Leather-Cases-%233/ . Tandy and other places.

Sense you already have a 800 number i'm guessing that is the number your customers expect to call. If you do change it to a cell phone it could be some time before your customers catch up with the new number. As far as everbody or most everbody has a cell phone i wouldn't bank on that, just their are a world of folks still on dial up internet. My guess is theirs a world of folks that either don't have a cell phone or a prepaid one like me. Thing is i can talk all day for a 2.00 a day charge, but do i want to spend 2.00 to call you and it's the only call i make that day ? If their like me they have a cell phone prepaid or other wise is for one reason only and that's in case they have a emergency and the rest of the time it's turned off. Another bad thing about a cell phone is i giving your credit card number on one, if it bleeds over on to some body else's phone and they do just like a cordless phone that person can get your CC number. Bottom line is changeing to a cell phone right for your business or not only you know that. Plus i'm sure you can take the 800 number charges off of your taxes if you don't already, but check with your tax people to make sure.

I have bought quite a bit from Siegel's over the years without any problems and all of the sales people i have talked to have answered my questions and if they didn't know they found out. In my book that's great service and i appreciate it !!

Nice job !! Give yourself a Gold Star.

If the saddle is new check the skirts and see if somebody drove a nail into the sturrip leathers. I have seen that before. All you need to do the jockey is lift it up with your hand and spray on both sides of the leathers same thing for the skirts. Don't be afraid to spray them good. If the saddle is a pretty nice one i would try my best to talk the lady out of cutting the tops of the fenders off. Even if it's a cheapie that will ruin the resale value as in zero. Try to get her to let you make some shorter fenders.

Looking good on your box and a nice looking seat to.

I took a look at most of your pictures in the album. You have some neat things. The Photo Albums are my favorites. I bet you do good selling to the tourist. Hope so anyway.

Nice job on your holster. I really like your ideal on the holster. It's far ahead of the commerical ones i have seen. I wonder if you would need a strap if the drill sat a little more up right in the holster ?

Raise the seat jockey and spray liquid saddle soap on them. Then turn the saddle upside down and spray the other side of the leathers and then do the same thing at the skirts and pull hard. You may have to get somebody to hold the saddle for you if their really stuck. Works just about ever time.

You could make one of every thing to let the customers handle and when you think you have a for sure buyer get the non handled ones out. Kinda like you only get to see them when your ready to buy and take them out of a velvet bag or some kind of fancy case.Make them feel like their getting something that most people won't be able to have or afford.

Not to give a smart answer, but why don't you ask them what they want, how they want it made ? Then you can go from there on making a pattern.

Motorcycle chaps are just a shotgun chap with the yoke cut different. The one i have worked on have the zipper stopping about the knee and 3 or 4 snaps to close the rest of the leg. If you have a shotgun chap pattern you have the pattern just change the yoke.

Annette i cut the small tines off and use them for rub sticks and burnshing. The tines are handy for molding a case around a wood form to. You can push alot harder with them than you ever could with your fingers.

I wrap most of my things in cheap white paper towels and wrap then them in bubble wrap and ship using Priority Mail with Delivery Conformation.

Your sheath looks nice. Wish you had a picture of it with knife inside. One thing i think i would do on the next one is start the stiching one stich higher on the right side where the knife fits. Just incase that get that gets loose over time.

Nice job on your holster Boothill Bob !!

Type makers stamp in the search box and you should find some body to make a stamp for you.

Craft aids are plastic. I'm not sure what your talking about. Do you have a picture ?

Scott to use the craft aids your leather needs to be damp. Then put the aid on the leather and rub it with a modeling spoon ( you can them in the catalog you have ) or you just use a regular spoon. Lift up one end while holding the other to make sure have all of the design and start cutting with your swivel knife and start tooling.

Nice job Kate!! Makes wish i knew how to play.

No picture.