Gremlin

Nice find. Thank you.

Very cool. As far as lining a vest goes, that's is a personal thing. Some folks want, some don't.

Another fantastic tutorial Ken. I'm going to be saving this one and give it a try very soon. Many thanks!!

Thanks guys!! Troy, check out Ken's (Beverslayer) tutorial on vest making. He shows you how to measure up for one to make your own pattern. The ones you buy are generic and to get a fit you like would likely take some adjustments. Much easier to follow Kens method.

Thanks Ken and Tom. Ken, your tutorial will be a big help to many people that want to do this sort of thing. I still think you should look into what I suggested via pm for it. Tom, I have to agree that when the sun does it's thing it should just get better. Sure hope so. ....... I'm seriously thinking of changing the side strings tho - just don't look right to me.

Beautiful job Beeza. This is now one of my favs that you've done.

Thanks Pam. Lou and Tiny are good people and know their stuff. You should ask Tiny to bring in his vest. It is really nice and well done.

Well, it's finally finished. Took a bit longer than expected. Side laces are black and glow in the dark paracord braided in a 4 strand round braid. I have to thank Dave Anderson for the styling idea and Beaverslayer for his tutorial that answered a couple of nagging questions I had in building one of these. Thanks for looking: Interior is made from a shirt I found at a local thrift store that just looked right for this project.

1st one in 20 years?? Sure don't look like it. That is amazing work. *VERY* well done.

hummmm ..... interesting ..... I like ...... a lot!! If I may make a suggestion tho, burnish the edges (if they aren't already - can't tell). Makes a big difference.

They grow up so fast that you have to take these moments and cherish them. Great pic of the 2 of you.

Why not make your own?

The Bruce Grant books are fine for someone that has some braiding experience as they can be confusing. The ones by Ron Edwards are much better to start with. Don't be afraid to look at some books on knots as well. You would be surprised what you can find related to braiding in them. Altho they may be geared to rope work, the mechanics of braiding are the same for rope and leather. I suggest this because the photos in some knot books can clarify things immensly. I learned the Turks Head from a book on knots when I was not able to understand the concept in any of the leather braiding books. You will find the books on knots to be a lot less expensive as well. Check some of the local bookstore bargin bins before laying out the cash. Good luck and keep practicing. It is very satisfying and somewhat addicting. Once you figure one thing out you want to try something else and it just keeps going from there.

Thanks John. As for landing some projects for the summer, I doubt it. I don't accept jobs over the summer as it is riding season here and to short a time frame to spend indoors. Will help promote for items I do over the winter months tho - hopefully.

Beautiful pieces Marlon, all three of them. And to be able to add one of Peter's to your collection must have been a thrill.

Very cool!!

Thanks beeza. Not planning anymore vests, that I can tell ya!! I'll leave those to Dave Anderson and Beaverslayer. However, I've been working with a lot of paracord lately. Thanks Larry. My boy is going nuts over it so I guess it is coming out pretty cool.

Thanks. As we all know, natural lace darkens in the sun. My hope is it darkens enough to cut the brightness of the natural tan color. If it doesn't, I'll take some british tan dye to it.

1/8 inch lace is kangaroo and it is absolutly wonderful to work with. 1/4 inch lace is 2.5-3 oz vegtan cowhide which I cut. It softens as it is worked and is surprisingly flexable. I was going to use roo but my supplier doesn't have any hides at the the moment. There is also some stingray used in the backpatch. Sure ....... when it's finished. Ken, I think that tutorial of yours is going to help a lot of people.

I've started working on this vest before Christmas (07) and have been poking away at it bit by bit. Ken's tutorial helped answer a couple questions and consequently gave me the incentive (as well as riding season is coming) to get a move on and finish it. Well, it's not quite finished yet but is close. Here is a teaser shot: Have about another week left before finishing.

Absolutely!! BTW, nice touch braiding the ties on the sides.

An air powered rivet gun is an investment you won't regret if you are doing seats. Sometimes it seems there are not enough hands when attempting to rivet with one of those squeeze type riveters. There is some debate on what type of rivets to use tho. I personally prefer to use wide flange rivets on seats. You might want to do some checking into these rivets for yourself.

Many thanks for the tutorial Ken. Very informative. I am using some of the tips you give in the one I'm building for myself. And yes, pics will be posted when it's done. Folks, for what it's worth, since I don't make vests for other people, Ken is one of the two vest makers I recommend on my website or when asked. You can see why from this tutorial.

To round a core, lay it on a flat surface. Take a piece of lumber (I use a 2 X 4 that is 14 inches long) and roll the core across the flat surface underneath the lumber. It really is just that simple.

Well, I must be one of the few that use the aussie strander on my thumb. To be honest, I use it both ways depending on what I am making the lace out of. Neither way is wrong. You do it in any way that works for you. As for skiving the lace down, I use a very small hobby wood plane with the lace fed thru the bottom and drawn upwards with the flesh side towards the blade. Fast and very easy.