JLSleather

Who still sells those machine embossed wallets. Tandy used to have them in half a dozen designs -- deer, fish, ducks, florals .... Don't see them any more, and I can't find them with the suppliers from the directory.

Actually, it's Jeff ... and I should mention that the shading and the "decorative" cuts look GOOD.

That temp won't hurt anything, long as the humidity isn't bad. And, if you're going through several hundred feet of the stuff a month, don't sound like you're doing alot of "storing"

Tough to design from anywhere but YOU, since you're the one who knows what you're trying to end up with. A suggestion, though ... I really thing your flowers will look more natural if you bevel the lead petal the other way (lines marked in red beveled TOWARD flower center) and use a little smaller stop tool.

I was really looking forward to this thing. Weird for me, cuz usually I'm the last guy to care about such things. While I appreciate your gracious attitude, I'd really like to conform more closely to the selfish pig that I am and have my fun in this thing I'll send you a pm, so you can confirm that I didn't send the thing to the wrong address (on top of pig-ish, I'm not that bright, either). I thought I'd missed out, but if other folks aren't "done" yet, I can still get in ... Really? Message blocked? Well, Okay. ...

Yep, only one of the "tan" (or British Tan, I forget - pic is pretty close, though) On the far right. Up to you folks when they go outta here ... I can't get to use them for a WHILE (hoping to do less lacing and more stitching anyway), so you 'guys' can figure what you need. I just want the room in my shop (which is already small enough) and I'm NOT throwing them out, so you let me know when you need it. Virginia must be a few days out ... I sent a small package out there two days ago and I see it isn't delivered yet... I've gotta finish that painting, so I'll leave it to you folks to read any posts above you and not "crowd" what the last guy wanted

Sorry, I was off working. This is 50 yard spools of 3/32" lace.

I have WAY more lace than I'll use for a good while. Tandy calfskin lace, full spools but not new (stored). Two black, two each of two shades of brown, one that's maybe "tan". Selling for $12/spool plus actual shipping, or 7 rolls for $75 and the shipping is my problem. Maybe help somebody who likes lacing more than I do (that's not all of it, I'll still have some).

Jeez ... tell me I'm not promoting Tandy again (doh!, did i say that out loud?). I'm the dissenting opinion around here, Capri. I've ordered from Springfield and paid for the wholesale club, but I've been in no real hurry to get back there. Enough about that. In any case, I know Tandy does carry some usable items, including those you mention. More important, there's something to be said for your local guy. Don't like the quality, you can go pick out your own. Build a relationship, and the guys will probably "heads up" you when they have something you usually like.

Alrighty, then. Been like 10 days, and since the mail lady said it would take 2-3 days, I'm guessing Storm's card is in the wind. No tracking number, thought it was all in fun (figures). Anti-climactic now, but here's what he didN'T get...

You went the right way .. AMAZING how many times I see fellas spend their budget on tools to do leather, then don't have any money for the leather (doh!). Here's the rule ... you can't do leather work without leather. Been a good while since I did any bags, but the boys I know are making them out of 7/8 oz. I like doing that stuff, but got so many people wanting either skulls or flames, which just ain't my thing. Those boys remind me ... remember the movie "Blues Brothers"? ... We got BOTH kinds o music -- country AND western... You should be able to get the tools with any of the links at the top of the page. Might want to spend the extra $3 or so and go with the saddle groover. Same as the stitching groover, but reaches a little farther and a bit more sturdy.

May not have been the color you were thinking, but the way it is looks GOOD. Nice.

If you're cutting out bags, I think a "strap cutter" would be fine ... inexpensive "draw guage", much cheaper and sturdy enough unless you plan to have it for years. Much as I like Stohlman's work (cuz I DO), I think the "brand" with his name on the tools are overpriced. Noticeably less money will buy tools that will do the same thing just as well. Most of my "cutting patterns" are taken out of a hide with a heavy razor knife (saves time sharpening, just replace the blade for about a quarter), an X-acto kit, and a Pro Shears. Personal preference, I'd rather cut on a "poundo" board than the poly stuff. Just my preference. Rest of your list looks good. I don't know that Stohlman's series on cases will apply to the bags, specifically, but there are alot of good principles in there, worth seeing. Diamond shaped awl ... YES.

Are you talking, like Bob P., about "burnishing" edges, or are you referring to the CREASER that made that parallel border?

Only "donation" I make is every so often I put some key cases or the old "wander bag" into kits and take it to the local boy scout troop. Kids love that they can bash a name on it, lace it together, and USE it. Never count the cost, I mean, they're dirt cheap to begin with and my only labor is seeing some kids have fun and a sense of accomplishment. Grown men can get their own, I think.

Okay, call me crazy lazy ... I was doing some fishing scenes, and had some blue left in the jar .... pictures tomorrow when they're dry. Got a little behind tonight when my old buddy showed up with the checkbook I made him about 8 years ago. Held up pretty well for spending that long under a 300 lb guy Oh, yeah ... the woodgrain is one of those pull the trigger on the airbrush and close your eyes things. Taking the advice of another crafter on the site, I left the lid off the glue bottle, too. Back to key cases , here's another pattern in case someone is looking for one. Came in some stuff off of Ebay, I bought some stuff, came with like 20 of these key case kits (what WAS I thinking, I hate these things. 3-4 were old n moldy, went in the trash - figgered I'd paint the rest ...

WVC.... It's easier to tell if we have a photo, but pro'lly the #1 reason for marks in the background is leather still too wet.

Bob P.'s tutorial is about belts, but works just as well on other items and covers the issue pretty well. For a 4oz wallet, I'd go with a #1 or #2 edger.

Morning, Pete ... If you're talking about a "billfold" wallet, I generally cut the "guts" 1/4" shorter than the wallet back. Looks pretty to lay it out flat, but causes the insides to "bunch" when closed. The shorter inside cures most of this. Glue the sides first, then work the middle down. This will keep your edges lined up, and the wallet back will "come around" to suit. Personally, I like a 1 1/2-2 oz goat lining. Very thin, yet still strong. I know lots o folks use pig, 'cause it's generally a little cheaper. Also find pig in most of the kits I've seen. But pig is very stretchy, meaning it's not very good at holding it's shape. Someone will say it's inside a wallet, so it's under compression,not tension, thus it's "justified". I disagree, and here's the short version of the pros n cons ... Pig ...................... ............. Calf or goat cheaper ...................... it's only about 1 1/2 feet, so from $1.50/ft to $3/ft means you spend $2.50 to go from "ewwww" to "sweet" cheaper ...................... nice crisp lacing slits, versus the pigskin actually compressing into the slits, making the lace look less professional cheaper ..................... .... smooth, soft, luxurious (even the "pebble grain" calf is nice) and still sturdy enough to hold it's shape There are others, but clearly the bald guy recommendation is lightweight calf or goat. I try to color match the lining. Saddle stitching (which I love the look and feel of) makes me dislike the pig even more. Eat the pork chop, and save the pig for glued-in linings where it's backed with something sturdier. Somewhere around here, there are some wallets in my posts. If you can't easily find them, there's a thousand more done by others ... Just saw at the bottom of one page, one girl recommends these folks.

Black lace, dk brown lace, medium brown lace, tan lace, ... phew. Last one. Now, on to the saddle stitching...

Thanks much, Hilly! I asked on the board a while back what kind of flower that was on my craftaid, and the consensus was lily. So I googled "lily pic" and got like the first 25 of 25 million or something like that (translation, paint it any color you want). Course, there was included alot of pics of some scant-clad girlie named Lilly, which distracted me and threw me off for a week or so ...

Here's ALMOST all the others I did yesterday. If you fellas are about tired of seeing them, you can guess how tired I am of lacing them Only one left to go ...