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Everything posted by terrymac
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Little Advice
terrymac replied to chevvy64's topic in Dyes, Antiques, Stains, Glues, Waxes, Finishes and Conditioners.
What kind of dyes are you using? It almost sounds like the dye is not penetrating the leather. I use both Fiebling Professional Oil and Spirit dyes, and have not a problem with dye coming off. For finish I use Clearlac(Neatlac), not the spray version. but the wipe on. It is probably not the best for water proofing, You might check the section of the Forum that deals with motorcyle gear as those people are dealing with leather seats that are subject to all kinds of weather and use. Hope this may help a little. Terry -
I am no expert, but it looks like you are going to end with a considerable amount of background areas between your flowers. If you have a chance. buy the "Sheridan Style Carving" by Clinton Fey. There are a number of photos of saddles tooled by the Masters. If you look at those photos, you will see what I am talking about. I wish I had half of your talent in drawing. It is going to be nice. Terry
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In looking at the picture of the wallets, I am guessing it is real thin leather, and they have inserted a stiffner of somekind between the cover and the insides. Thin plastic sheets or even cardboard can be sewn in, giving the piece the stiffness you desire. The only thing I would suggest in ordering kits from Tandy is to stay away from the pre-punched stuff. I personally don't like them, and would rather assemble and punch my own holes. Another supplier you may want to check out is Springfield Leather who is one of the sponsors of this website. They are really nice and knowledgeable people, and I believe they ship international. Sorry I can't help with the helmet. I would have no idea to do one, Terry
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Tandy has a couple of books on dyeing and coloring leather. One is put out by Fieblings and the other is their own. You might also go to the forum section devoted to dyeing, etc. There have been a bunch of questions asked and all kinds of answers from very knowledgeable people. Your tooling leather is primarily veg tan, and the weight needed will vary according to what you are trying to do. There is also a section in the forum that addresses all different kinds of leather and their applications. Good luck, Terry
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I am probably prejudiced, but I am a big fan of Barry King tools. I understand what you are saying, as I am slowly converting over to Barry King as I can. I wish I had started sooner. I have not used his swivel knife, but have not heard anything but good things. If nothing else, get one of his knife blades as I believe it cam be used in a Craft tool barrel. The big difference is in the steel quality and the ability to hold an edge. I am personaly using a Leather Wrangler SK swivel knife, and it is on a league way above the Tandy product. It looks like a lot of the tools Hidecrafters is selling are Crafttools, but don't know for sure. I just know that as you progess in your ability, you will want the better quality tools at some point. When you are first starting, it probably doesn't matter. Tandy tools have gotten more people involved in tooling leather than anyother, and a lot of beautiful work has been done using them. Terry
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Find a business that manufactures or installs granite counter tops, and see if they have any rejects or cutouts for sinks. This stuff works real well, and cost should be minimal. Saves them from throwing it away. The only comment on what you purchased is that after you start learning, you are going to want a rawhide mallet or a maul. It is hard to do a good job tooling using that little wooden mallet they sell. Good luck, Terry
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The Quest For The Perfect Round / Head Knife
terrymac replied to RawhideLeather's topic in Leather Tools
Richard, I have not tried the round knife, but if it holds an edge half as well as his swivel knife blade, it should be outstsanding. Outside of stropping, the blade holds an edge for a long period of time. I have been using mine for a year, and I think I have had to put it on a stone three times, and then it has only been the super fine grit. It truly is an amazing swivel knife. Hope this helps Terry -
Beginner questions about Edge Beveling and dyeing
terrymac replied to Freddo's topic in Getting Started
Fred, If you will go the "How do I do that" section in the forum, you will find an explanation of edge finishing written by Bob Park (Hidepounder) that is the best I have found. He can finish an edge better than anyone I have seen. I keep trying to duplicate his results, but haven't quite been able to achieve his finish. It gives you something to shoot for. Terry -
Mike, I would let the leather dry before staining. Can't answer concerning the Eco Flow stains. I will stick with the Fiebling products. The times I tried the EcoFlow did not turn out well. Other people seem to get along fine with them. I just stick with what I know. Terry
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I agree with what everyone has said about holding the leather in place. The only thing I would add is that I would not worry about holding a tool above the leather while stamping. I have heard this before and makes no sense to me. As long a you are not applying a downward pressure on the tool, you will not mark the leather. Too me, correct tool placement would be a heck of lot harder if I was trying to hold it above the letter rather than letting it rest on the letter. Good luck!! Terry
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Antiquing Trouble
terrymac replied to bison's topic in Dyes, Antiques, Stains, Glues, Waxes, Finishes and Conditioners.
Dave I didn't even try to salvage. I was so disgusted at that point I just started over. Fortunately I did not have near the time in mine as you do in yours. You really have a nice piece, it would be a shame to waste all that time. Sorry I can't be of more help. Terry -
Antiquing Trouble
terrymac replied to bison's topic in Dyes, Antiques, Stains, Glues, Waxes, Finishes and Conditioners.
Dave, Clearlac (Neatlac) do not work as a resist with the Eco Flow Antiques. I found this out the hard way doing just what you did. I ended up with some of the ugliest colors and coloration you have ever seen. As you might guess, I am not a fan of the Ecoflow products. They may work for some people but not for me. I will stick with the Fiebling antiques. Terry -
Mike Something I learned the hard way is that any of the Eco antiques and Neatlac do not mix. Ended up with all sorts of weird colors. Some people will actually apply a couple of coats of Neatlac and still get the contrast with the Fieblings Antique Paste. The more Neatlac just blocks out more of the color except in the areas that are tooled or embossed. Good luck Terry
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Mike, Get yourself some Clearlac(Neatlac liquid, not spray) and rub over the entire piece as a block. After it has dried, use some Fieblings antique paste and rub it then over the whole piece, and then wipe off. Where ever there is an indention or mark on the leather, a bit of the antique paste will remail and give you the effect I think you are wanting. When you first apply the paste, you will think you have really screwed up, but just wiping the excess off. Hope this helps, Terry
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Is Veg Tan Leather Good For The Environment?
terrymac replied to TomBanwell's topic in Leatherwork Conversation
It is called a "Reality Check" -
Is Veg Tan Leather Good For The Environment?
terrymac replied to TomBanwell's topic in Leatherwork Conversation
I've asked the question before of what is Eco Friendly leather, and what is its benefit to anyone, and now I am going to ask what in the world is the difference in a hide from an "organic" steer to an "non-organic" steer. I really get a chuckle when people start touting the benefits of organic whatever. It seems that all of these concerned people seem to forget that a couple of years ago when some people died from eating tainted fresh spinach, it was organic spinach. Seems like an organic fertilizer was applied to the spinach that happened to come from a place that had an outbreak of coccidosis that ended up in the organic manure that was applied to the spinach. Sorry gang, I will stick with a nitrogen pellet that has no chance of giving some damn disease that is going to kill me. These same peolple also forget hemlock is a natural and organic poison that will kill you just as dead as a commercially produced one. At some point in time, a sense of reasonableness has got to enter the equation. Go in the grocery store and you will see milk that is from dairies that have sworn from using BST to increase milk production. Only problem is, BST is a naturally occuring hormone that is found in every milk cow in the country, and that much of the increased natural milk production has been the result of selective breeding naturally increasing the amount of BST a cow can produce on its own. Didn't seem to bother anyone as long as the cow was producing it, but when someone figured out how to increase it with a shot, all hell broke loose. Sorry guys, I just tired of all the hypocrisy that is out there today. Still can't figure out what would be the difference in hides. Maybe someone more enlightened that me can shed some light. bdt 46, I am with you. -
Is Veg Tan Leather Good For The Environment?
terrymac replied to TomBanwell's topic in Leatherwork Conversation
There is a post in another section of the Forum touting some Italian purse maker that is using Eco Friendly leather in all their products. I thought someone must have figured out a new way of raising beef. Found out they were just talking about Veg Tanned leather. It just amazes me how many people are jumping on this bandwagon, and using it as a marketing gimmick. Guess I am just old fashioned enough to start thinking enough is enough. All you ever hear about is how bad raising cattle is on the environment from the methane gas cattle produce to how unhealthy a good steak is, but now we can have eco friendly hides. All I know is I have been wearing leather boots for over 60 years , and so far my feet haven't come down with some dreaded disease as a result from exposure to some non-eco friendly leather. I am sure that at some point in the past, tanning hides could have been a hazard to those doing the work, but I would be willing to bet in this day and age, with all the rules and regulations, it is probably no less hazardous than any other occupation. I'd also be willing to bet that as long as you don't start eating chrome tanned leather, it probably won't kill you either. I just wonder if the good people at Herman Oak and Wickett/Craig realize how they have been saving the planet all these years. JMO Terry -
Luke, Thank's for the heads-up. Anybody try the skirting that Siegel's is having tanned to their own specs by Wickett-Craig? Terry
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Thanks Randy for the info. That is what I was wondering. Terry
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Have a question for someone with more smarts than me, is there any difference between skirting and tooling leather other than the obvious weight difference? I always assumed they were one in the same with the skirting just being a heavier weight. I read somewhere that skirting leather is actually tanned a little different, and I am curious if this is true. I've also heard of craftsmen using only skirting leather and having it skived down to a 8 to 9 oz range, supposed to tool better? Anybody have any ideas? Thanks for the help, Terry
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I wonder if anyone has told the people at Herman Oak & Wickett/Craig how they are doing their part to save the planet?? Terry
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I guess I am behind the times, but what in the world is Eco Friendly Leather?? I have heard of organic and natural beef, but not EcoFriendly Leather. Maybe someone has figured out a new way to raise cattle. I don't know about the rest of you, but I sometimes wonder if this green thing is getting carried a little too far. Just my opinion. Terry
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Chris, I had a 97 Dodge Cummins, put almost 300,000 miles on it, and never had it in the shop. It was running as good the day I sold it, and it was when I bought it off the lot new. It was during the 1998 model year they went to the 24 valve configuaration. That old Cummins has been around a long time, and is one of the most dependable every built. Terry
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Chris, If you go with a Ford, stay away from the 03 and 04 diesel Power Strokes. They had a lot of problems with their computers,and it took a couple of years to get them straightened out, If you can find a 7.3, they are a good engine. Ford produced them through the 2002 model years. I don't think you can wrong with a Dodge/Cummins either. Not a fan of the early Duramax put out by GM. If you can't tell, I'm a big fan of diesels over gas. Terry
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Ed, I also need a price for a 18 oz. Bob Beard special. Thanks, Terry