OdinUK

I do move the top part over. There are slots at the top so it can slide to take different thickness's of leather. I use a straight edge to line them up properly. If I get good results Ill post them here.

Hello and Welcome from the UK Im trying to get into hiking myself.

Hi and welcome from the UK:)

I made a simple sketch and my boss was so kind as to make it for me! See attached picture. I had a few goes with it, but it requires some practice. I might try using a razor instead of the french skive. I posted the picture in another thread but I'll post it here anyway. It requires slotted holes in the top piece so that leather of different thickness may be cut.

Im having the same problem/learning curve. I did a sketch based on some advice I got on the post about Frech skives. I showed it to my boss and he made me this simple jig for holding the leather while its cut at 45 degrees. Useful for making boxes. The top piece has slotted holes so can be adjusted for different thicknesses of leather.

Thats really nice, I like the braiding and colouring.

Thanks all! Some ideas to try there. I think the one with the two pieces of wood mitred at 45 degrees and the leather clamped between them might be the most reliable. Now to find some wood:)

Im tyring to use a French skiver to get the flesh side of thick leather (about 6mm) mitred to 45 degrees so that I can sew leather boxes or cups. The trouble lies in obtaining a straight cut along the length. Also, there is about a 1mm border on wither side of the cutting area, If this is in contact with the cutting mat, there will be a small region at the edge of the leather that is not mitred. Im thinking of making an Aluminium jig where one edge is mitred at 45 degrees, a bit like a rule with one edge sloped. Has anyone had much experience with this tool? Thank you.

Welcome to the forum. I'll have to take a look around your shop next time I'm passing Where about in Billing is it?

Great bracers, those would be perfect to wear at an Alestorm gig:)

Nice work. I like the pouch, and bracers. I have yet to try anything like that.

I asked the metalurgist at work and he's going to give me some denatured alcohol to try. I learn something new every day:)

I thought that Denatured was the same as isopropyl. Im glad I asked!. Thanks for the tips.

I'll be using rubber gloves next time I use dye Thanks Rawhide...

Hi Ray, I recently got one of these from RDG tools, its about £74!!!: http://www.rdgtools.co.uk/acatalog/info%5f1622%2ehtml The compressor is great for the price and I was suprised to get 2 air brushes for the price, I assumed they would be so cheap they would be useless but they are ok to get started with. When Ive learnt how to use them I'll get an Iwata.

Does anyone know what to add to Fiebings dyes to make them lighter? In particular Id like to the make the Mahogony dye lighter. I thought about adding isopropyl alcohol but im not sure if this would work. Does anyone have any ideas?

Acording to the Leatherwork Manual, it states "...mix your own by dissolving about 1 teaspoon of oxalic acid crystals in a pint of warm water and shake well" Hope that helps.

I intend to get this book. The author holds leatherwork classes not too far from where I live. I hope to go on a course later in the year if I can afford it.

Welcome Andy! I'm living in Herefordshire, but originally from Manchester.

Ah, Thanks! This thread has been very informative, thanks all.

Thanks for that, I will try to get the brighter red by doing the same as you, I have a bottle of red and yellow but have not tried mixing yet. Pardon my ignorance but what is a sharpie? Is it some sort of paint marker? Thanks.

That's really nice. Can you describe (briefly) how you did the dying/colouring and what dyes and/or paint you used? Thanks.

I noticed the same. I also have yellow but Ive not tried to mix them yet. To mix, do I apply the red first, wait for it to dry and then apply the yellow dye?

Great seat! What sort of background tool did you use for that effect?

Are you sure its min not seconds? Im planning on doing some drawing/art classes as I would like to start painting with an airbrush. Ive had a leather jacket and waistcoat painted and even though Ive not tried painting since I was at school, I'd like to give it a try. Id like to be able to paint on leather (or anything else for that matter). I'll try the iron method as soon as I buy one:) Thanks.