OdinUK

I've had some success with Saddle Lac, I hold the can about 8 inches above the work and spray a light coat and keep it moving reasonably fast but consistent, as if using a paint spray gun. I practiced on some scraps at first till I got the hang of what gave me a suitable thin coating. Keep the coatings thin. I usually apply one thin coat, sometimes I apply another thin coat after the first has completely dried, I tend to leave it overnight. I use this method on my back patches and its worked well (if you require a slightly glossy finish). After every couple of passes I wipe the buildup at the nozzle, if you don't do this you can get some splatter which can spoil a job. I have recently been experimenting with Cyberthrasher's advice with Resolene mixed 50/50, and I apply it with an airbrush. Ive had great results so far. Thanks!

Excellent tooling! I'd be so proud if I could do that

I like the artwork and tooling. Very well done!

Fantastic tooling and assembly. I aspire to do work like this.

Very creative. I love it!

Hi James, I have my trusty Suzuki Bandit 600 that Ive ridden to Scandinavia and all over Europe with no problems at all. I recovered my seat in red leather with a gel inset set into the foam. I have a singer 31K15 but it needs a new hook. I hope to be learning some upholstery, just got a book on automotive upholstery. I bought 3 old seats for my bike to practice on. Ideally Id like to try making tooled leather seats with the braided lace holding it together, as typically seen on cruisers. If you happen to be passing Leominster I can give you a few small scraps for practice, PM me if youre interested. Free off course! Paul

I guess you get what you pay for. Its my opinion that most folk in this disposable society want it cheap and don't have an eye for detail or don't care. Thank goodness there are folk who do appreciate a quality hand made item and are willing to pay for it. I'm one of those guys

Thats a great hall. Quite a treasure trove!

Welcome to the forum! All good work for a beginner, you should see my first (and to date only attempt at a horse!) I use to live in Hereford for a while, I'm now in Leominster just up the road!

I'd probably use a triangular bevel in the corners first before the background tools.

Jax, Thanks for that, I have some of the frog tape but haven't used it for that purpose yet. I'll give it a try. I assumed there wouldn't be enough tac from masking tape. I did have one brand of clear parcel tape that worked well but I can't remember where I got it from! Every other tape I tried since left gunk. Fingers crossed for the frog tape

Welcome from England Juerge! Yes, this is a great forum for all leatherworkers. I visit Germany a lot and I'm considering moving there eventually. Paul

Welcome from the West Middlands! You will find all the resources you need here, they are such friendly folk. I attempted a horse carving but I have a long way to get as good as some of the pictures Ive seen on here. Already being able to draw them should put you in good stead. Im sure you'll have lots of fun on your journey. Paul

Hi Em, Welcome from the West Middlands (almost Wales). This forum is is especially friendly to newbies. Yep, leatherwork goes hand in hand with motorcycles and rock/metal. That's how I got started, by wanting to make an Iron Maiden patch for my bike jacket. You will find all the resources you could imagine here. Paul

With the rubber cement, do you apply it to one or both surfaces? Ive used Parcel tape (and then double sided tape to stick it down) and other types of tape but it leaves the gunk behind on the leather when I peel it off. Is there any way to prevent this? Does the rubber cement peel off cleanly? Thanks.

I would have thought that a fraction of a millimeter either way would have no adverse effects in setting equivalent fastners.

I have not used Resolene much but I will be using it on a pair of black (with a white tooled logo) bracers that I'm about to start making. I will be using an airbrush to spray it 50/50 with water. I will try it on some scraps that I'll prepare first before using it on my project. I'm sure I'll find your advise useful too

That's a great idea. I like it.

Wow! That is a truly stunning case! If the customer isn't happy with it somethings wrong with him! I'm sure he'll be blown away by it. I was just by looking at the pictures!

I like them, especially the panniers and tool bag. How are the things held onto the forks? Snap fasteners or velcro?

I like it. What dyes did you use?

That's absolutely stunning! Excellent work!

Very nice.

I use a small stitching pony for the time being, until I make something better. I find it much easier and more consistent to punch my awl holes in advance too.