RobDude30
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Everything posted by RobDude30
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Vinegaroon
RobDude30 replied to Sticky's topic in Dyes, Antiques, Stains, Glues, Waxes, Finishes and Conditioners.
I'm no expert -- only on my first batch of vinegaroon and made just a few items with it, but the reason I use it is because once it is in the leather, it's there to stay. It won't wear off like a dye will. There are difficulties in using vinegaroon, but once you get the process down it's not too bad. -
Here's a mag pouch I just finished. Made of cheapo 7/8 oz Tandy leather, hand stitched, vinegaroon for color, and Resolene for the finish. I feel pretty good about my edges on this one -- used a little wax for the first time during the burnishing process and think it helped get a much nicer finish. Practice, practice, practice! What do y'all think?
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You can put the Resolene on both sides. It will seal the leather like you want. For a smooth finish, apply the Resolene in several light coats with a damp sponge, allowing dry time in between.
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"No One Will Notice!"
RobDude30 replied to particle's topic in Gun Holsters, Rifle Slings and Knife Sheathes
As others have stated, your work is always beautiful. If it were me, I would probably carefully dye the rest of the thread on the back only with a small paintbrush to keep it from bleeding through to the front and then sell it on your website as an in stock item. You could still get full price as you would supply pictures up front and the customer would know exactly what they were getting (and would never know the difference). I would re-make another for the original customer because he/she is probably expecting white thread. Just my .02 -
Need High Ride Owb Help
RobDude30 replied to Deanimator's topic in Gun Holsters, Rifle Slings and Knife Sheathes
The first holster I made was a very high ride for my CZ 75 compact. While the name says compact, it really isn't and it is very heavy when loaded with 15 rounds. I used to carry this holster a lot and it works fairly well on a thick belt. Obviously it is very top heavy, but it does not lean much with the belt kept snug. It hides pretty well under a loose shirt. I recently made an avenger style holster and I use it almost exclusively now. -
Fiebings Pro Oil Dye Vs. Fiebing Regular Dye?
RobDude30 replied to skyblast's topic in How Do I Do That?
I recently began using the Pro Oil dyes and have had very good luck with them -- I have been able to get much more even coverage than with the regular spirit dyes. I do not airbrush. I use either a rag or a dauber to apply, depending on what I am dyeing. -
Belt Pouch
RobDude30 replied to hivemind's topic in Purses, Wallets, Belts and Miscellaneous Pocket Items
I like it. Very interesting to look at. Nice work! -
I always seem to splash a drop or two somewhere every time I open a bottle of dye. I have started opening the dye bottle on the other end of my workbench from where my subject piece is just in case. I think the bottles are a great idea. I have some I bought from Ace Hardware that I keep my vinegaroon in. They are small bottles with a spout on top and come with a little red cap that slips on to cover the opening when not in use. I would have to wonder if they would seal tight enough to keep the dye from evaporating, though. I would assume the alcohol dyes would evaporate if left uncapped???
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I'm no expert by any means but in my experience I have found that when burnishing with a machine of any sort sometimes less is more. I use a burnisher I made for my Dremel on the lowest speed that it will go for the initial burnish. I go over the piece very lightly and only for a very short period of time just to get it started. I then use a piece of heavy cloth with some saddle soap to finish by hand. My edges have been holding up pretty well so far.
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Kicking N' Screaming
RobDude30 replied to PANTHER's topic in Purses, Wallets, Belts and Miscellaneous Pocket Items
Gorgeous work! Very interesting style. I like it a lot! -
Business Card Case
RobDude30 replied to RobDude30's topic in Purses, Wallets, Belts and Miscellaneous Pocket Items
Good idea! Thanks! -
Feeble Attempt At A Wallet
RobDude30 replied to RobDude30's topic in Purses, Wallets, Belts and Miscellaneous Pocket Items
Thanks! I just started a new one. Going to vinegaroon this one and do a red-dyed inlay design on the outside. -
Business Card Case
RobDude30 posted a topic in Purses, Wallets, Belts and Miscellaneous Pocket Items
The pictures are terrible. Makes the stitching look more wavy than it really is. Case is made of 3-4 oz. cow. Stitched with hemp thread that I hand waxed with beeswax. Dyed with Fiebings light brown and finished with Resolene and a Kiwi Neutral polish. The hemp turned a little yellow for some reason. Probably a little dye rub off during the finishing process. -
Make me an offer. I won't use it for anything and hate to see it go to waste!
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Feeble Attempt At A Wallet
RobDude30 replied to RobDude30's topic in Purses, Wallets, Belts and Miscellaneous Pocket Items
Thanks! -
Feeble Attempt At A Wallet
RobDude30 replied to RobDude30's topic in Purses, Wallets, Belts and Miscellaneous Pocket Items
Thanks for the kind words and advice. I did have a tough time with the stitches on this one. There are a bunch of "firsts" that likely played a role - new awl with a smaller blade, much smaller linen cord than I have used in the past, leather too thin to get a good stitching groove, uneven surfaces with the differing thicknesses of leather and cloth. I'm heading back to the bench to practice, practice, practice! -
Here's the finished product. My first attempt at a hipster wallet. Overall, I think the construction of it turned out well. It seems to be very sturdy and functional. Pigskin lining leather inside. Calf outside. Used some cloth for lining in the bill pocket. Hand sewn with country red 3-cord waxed linen in the visible areas. Pockets sewn together with Gutermann's 100% polyester thread. Dyed with Fiebing's mahogany and finished with Resolene and Kiwi neutral polish. It still needs some work in the "looks" department. Not the prettiest thing in the world. Let me know what you think!
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Just in case anyone is interested, I found a very strong, 100% polyester thread - Gutermann Extra Strong Thread - that works very well for what I have been working on. I use it in my home sewing machine for sewing my wallet interiors in the places that aren't visible in the finished product only. I use it mainly to sew the credit card pockets (pigskin lining leather) together. I am still hand stitching everything that can be seen. From what I found researching this topic, 100% polyester thread is best for what I need it for. It is very strong and should last a very long time. Some of the other types of sewing threads can be damaged by the chemicals used in the leather tanning and finishing processes. Rob
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Nearly full 300 yard spool. Used about 4 yards at most. Waxed and natural in color. Tandy item number 11208-00. Regular $24, Sell for $14 including parcel post shipping to the continental US.
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I had a very similar thing happen to the very first belt I ever made. I used eco-flo dye and could not get it colorfast, so I tried deglazing it with denatured alcohol. It removed most of the surface color, but as you also found it did not remove the dye that had soaked in. When it dried it had a white haze on top. I dyed again with some Fiebing's and top coated with Resolene with decent results. I think the white haze comes from the reaction of the eco-flo with alcohol. An acrylic topcoat seems to cover it up (at least in my experience). I would also suggest chunking the eco-everything and stick with Fiebing's products. Most of the things I make need to be colorfast and resistant to moisture and I could never seem to get that with the eco stuff.
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Yes they can! I have thrown away nearly an entire 3 sq. ft. piece of pigskin lining in the last two weeks trying to make a nice, thin credit card pocket assembly in a wallet interior. As of tonight, I have finally come up with a prototype that works for one side of the wallet. Off to Tandy tomorrow for some more pigskin so I can maybe make the other half!
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Be sure and take pictures of it -- even if no one but you ever sees them. That way, in a few years, you can see how far you've come. Either that or hang it on the wall over your workbench! Keep at it. You will be surprised at how much better each new project gets.
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The 3M does come in different numbers. Around here, the 76 and 77 seem to be the most prevalent at the hardware stores. Intended use is listed on the front of the can. The 77 has been working fine for me. If you try the Tanner's Bond, put it on VERY sparingly. I tried some on the thin cloth that I use and it just soaked through and made a mess. I did kind of just slather it on there with the big honkin' brush that comes in the can, though.