TTcustom

I am going out on a limb here because I don't know an iota of what some of these guys do but, water content in the leather is one factor to consider. Too little and the stamp will not be deep enough or "take", and too much and the stamp will mush up and lift up as it dries. The bounce with the basket weave is going to give that double impression that you don't want. Hold it really good and stop the bounce. Maybe you need a heavier hammer? Keep practicing on scrap and such . Having fun and taking out our cow-worker aggressions is part of the benefits.

neatsfoot oil and gunsmoke pardner!

I think that black is the worse offender for rub off. The oil dye doesn't seem to rub off like the spirit dye does though.

Hej Ulf Welcome to the forum. Wishing you success and prosperity with your endevour. Knut I would like to see some pictures of your mountain man saddle. Are you using a Hope saddle tree?

Nice! I like the color. very clean and classy.

Ooops!!! I apparently liked the 2's yes 201 is the same I use. Old boards i use for more permanent patterns after I have drawn them on brown paper they go on illustration board if I plan on making that project again. Heh Grüße Johann! Actually i am an Erdinger by history and Bayerische by heart but out west in the wide open desert physically.

Boesner in Munchen Weißer Grafik-, Reinzeichnungs- und Präsentationskarton, Stärke 1,4 mm,Format 50 x 70 cm. Sehr gute Planlage, spezialgeleimt, glatt,radierfest, klebebandfest. Sehr gut geeignet für Tusche, Bleistift,Marker und Airbrush. Der Karton lässt sich auch gut alsPassepartoutkarton einsetzen. I think this is the same as the Crescent brand hot pressed #202 illustration board. There was a artist supply store in Rosenheimer Platz also that had it but that was a long time ago that I was there. Hoped this helped. I am not sure if this is an appropriate thing but I will admit that I use the blue painters tape on the back of my leather and then glue it down. Then the glue comes off when I pull the tape off the leather. Don't use the regular masking tape though ( I learned! ) it doesn't come free as well as the blue stuff.

Sorry to hear about your unfortunate encounter with a shady Ebayer. You're in the right place to get going on a leatherworking jouney. There has been a couple of amazing bike seats on here. Almost too nice to sit on and cover up!

I curious now to see what the ol' hands have to say too. I have always used a wood table covered with black neoprene rubber from WW Grainger

Welcome and good luck in you ventures, look forward to seeing pictures of your projects.

I play harmonica, guitar and bass. I played harmonica in a blues band in Germany, bass in local bands and guitar to torture the Mrs. and the animals.

I have lived a few places but I am a native Arizonan. I lived in Rome, NY for a year and a half. The Hudson River valley is beautiful and visiting NYC was a highlight. For three years I lived near Munich Germany in a smallish farming community. The view of the far off Alps and the wonderful warm people make this a fond spot in my heart. Check out the hops fields when you visit and have an Erdinger Weissbeir, The BEST weiss in the world! I am back in my homeland and it is familiar and...well home. The traces of the old Butterfield stage line run through the desert not too far away and in a short drive I can be in the mess that is the metropolis of Phoenix. We do have four seasons here too but you have to drive to see them! seriously the seasons here are hot, not so hot, warm and oh my god it is 122~! Ray if you are ever in the area feel free to say howdy and there is beverages, conversation and a place with us.

Awesome belt. Like the theme and the layout, really cool!

The file case is 6-1/2" long and is about 1-1/2" tall. The wood ends are sections of a mesquite branch I had drying in my shop for about a year. The diameter was set by them. The leather was a heavy 4/5.

Richard- I used a ball end mill in the tail stock on the metal lathe and for a #14 domer I used a 3/8" radius. For the #10 I use a 5/8" radius. I attached a picture of ball end mills. Hope this helps.

Seriously I was just eyeballing a $40 rawhide mallet and thinking about it myself. I made two new stamps that get used like a meander style stamp. Had to show them off. Thank you Kazakhstan!

basic shape finished. I may add interest detail in them.

The first thing with that new blade is you need to strop the thing up until it is smooth. I use the white rouge and strips cut from a file folder. Then doodle away on scraps ... a lot. The guys I know that are good use their swivel knife a lot. Either doodling away or making something they are always carving.

Hi ya David! Look forward to seeing some of your work. I am a new member to this site and everyone has been very nice so far.

I have almost finished the stamps. I will take a picture of them stamped in leather. So far they look really good! Thanks again.

Welcome Shoes, pull up a chair and sit a spell. Bootmaking, wow. I take my hat off to that fine art!

A couple of large belts.

I had a "AHa" moment seeing it in the context of the frame. Thank you for your help.

We talked about "sleeving" the shafts with stainless tubing but haven't taken that step yet. Hearing that some have broken I may want to move that closer to the top of my to do list. Yeah all of those stamp really nice and crisp. I wish they would make a nice ram's head stamp.

This is really cool. Now I have to stop in at the thrift stores looking for a blender!