JohnD

Hello to you and welcome, I'm pretty much just starting out myself, so I might not have the best answers to your questions. My opinion would be to pick up a starter kit from tandy( http://tandyleatherfactory.com/ )and try a few small projects to see how you like doing it. The only book I've bought so far is Al Stohlman's hand stitching book http://tandyleatherfactory.com/products.asp?number=61944-00 I bought the kit that came with the book and tools http://tandyleatherfactory.com/products.asp?number=11189-00 and it is well worth it. I've had other books recommended to me but haven't gotten around to getting any others yet, so I can't weigh in on that. Most of what I've learned has come from talking to members here and reading through the threads, which I've been through every thread in every topic a few times. there's a ton of info on the web, also, but this place is the best. Anyway, good luck and enjoy yourself and if it makes you feel any better I'm 36 too. John Fixed the links~~Johanna

Cool, Thanks for all the positive comments. I can't take credit for the grommets, I saw them on a seat done by Jay at Truckalope leather here in NH and thought they looked sharp so I "adopted" the idea. I was planning on trying to sell the seat, But I, regretfully, tried it on my bike and well, I guess I'll be making another one to sell. Roger, I'm sending you a PM Thanks again for the kind words guys. John

I haven't posted any of my work yet, So I thought it was about time. I took these with a cell phone camera. I started this last night after talking with Dan (Leathernut). It's a medieval eagle, that I got the idea out of a clip art book, on a maltese cross. The top is 6-7oz laced to about 6oz sides. The lace came from a tandy starter kit and its laced through brass grommets. The dye, I started with saddle tan antique darkened with a medium brown pro dye to chocolate brown pro dye. The edge is burnished with gum trag and a piece of old Carhart jeans and the whole thing was hit with neutral shoe polish and lightly buffed with lambswool. the padding is 1/2" neoprene foam that I order from http://www.foambymail.com/neoprene.html , Attached to an old Corbin-Gentry solo seat pan that I had kicking around. All in all it took about 10 hours. This is the first time I got a dye job exactly how I wanted it. I'm really dissapointed with my swivel knife work, despite practicing alot lately, it's still very sloppy. I don't quite have the hang of the bevelers yet either, but I think (read:hope)it has alot to do with the fact that I only have one size. Can you tell I'm nervous, I'm Babbling.... Let me know what you think. John

Wow, nice work. How long does one of those take you? Is that hand stitched? Very impressive. John

I'd have to go with good, definitely good.

I don't have a camera, yet.I have a cell phone camera but I can't resize them to post, plus the quality is not good. I think there are about 3 of my seats still in the show room at ACME, or still in the totes from the smokeout. Yeah, I'll probably be there Mon. I just hang out and get in the way. I actually got started with leather cause he needed a seat on short notice and his usual guy was not available so I said I'd give it a shot. I'm like the short notice guy. It takes me about 3-3and1/2 hrs per seat, since he uses the same pattern for the pans I just transferred the pattern to some MDF and use that to cut the shape and punch the holes. John

Meredith. Wayne (from ACME) is my Brother-in-law. I'm at the shop after work almost everyday, maybe we'll run into each other. John

Nice job. I do seats for ACME Choppers too. I've done about 5 or 6 so far. I've seen your posts before but never realized you were from NH, Cool. John

Wow, very nice Roger. My brother is waiting on me to do a softail seat for him. I noticed you don't do the seam in the back and I can't tell if there's one in the front, that most folks do. Your sides look real tight, is it better to leave the seam out? It actually looks like apholstery leather those sides are so smooth and tight. Outstanding work. John

Very nice work and a great post, with the progessive pics, thanks.

Thanks Clay, That's exactly the info I was looking for. I think I actually have one like the craftool, only a bit smaller. I just had no idea that's what it was. Thanks again. John

I have heard a few folks talk about lifters and was thinking about getting one (some?). Looking at some web sites, I see the patterns they make but no pictures of the tool itself. I have also heard a few people talk of making their own and was wondering if someone might post a photo of one, homemade or not, so that I can see if it is within my skill set? Thanks. John

Very nice, Did you do the scales with a stamp or with a swivel knife?

Roger, The seat is awesome. It was great meeting you this weekend. John

Beautiful seat and an excellent thread. Thanks for all the insight and info. Also, Saw the Chop-off seat in person this weekend, awesome job, definitely a highlight of the bike.

Very nice bags. I came across some of your work today in NH. A '67 BSA (that took first in the brit class). Excellent work. Chris had nothing but good things to say about you and your work. If you do make it to the smoke out this year, Check out the ACME Choppers tent. I'll be hanging out there. It'd be great to meet you. John

That seat is beautiful. I am definitely going to have to look into an airbrush setup for finishing. Very nice top to bottom.

I'll be at the smokeout this year (first timer). I'm looking forward to seeing your work in person. It's awesome in the pictures. The bike you refered to with the "smokeout" on the tire was the Indian Larry Legacy entry, far, far from amateur. (not that I take offense to the comment, but they build some of the nicest bikes I've ever seen in my life.) You should checkout some of Paul Cox's work, he does all their leather work. That particular bike you mentioned actually had a leather strap as the sole method of holding the gas tank on. Oops, I apologize for hijacking your thread just wanted to add my 2cents.

Hi David, I think all your seats are incredible. Your posts are actually one of the things I check for almost daily, To see if you've posted any new pics. As for a needle for lacing with 1/4" kangaroo lace, have you tried the Jumbo Perma Lok Needle (part# 1193-02) frome tandy leather factory?( http://tandyleatherfactory.com/products.asp?dept=260 )The lace threads into the back end of a solid brass cylinder with a rounded point tip. I've used them before, not for anything fancy just a crisscross type lace, they seem to work well. just wanted to mention it. keep up the great work. John

Thank you for the responses, I don't know if he wants the strap tooled. If not I'll just use white leather. he said something about rhinestones, So he probably doesn't want tooling. Maybe I'll check out some white Ostrich or something more exotic? Thanks again. John

My friend wants a solid white guitar strap. What would be the best type of finish to get a solid white finish that would be flexable enough for use on a strap? Any help would be very much appreciated. Thanks, John

Not to highjack your thread Indy, But, I'm curious if anyone has used a Fleur-de-Lis in a Sheridan style floral pattern and how you would go about doing that? What type of leaves and stems and such? how would you do the different views of the flower, etc.

That's good advice Romey, Thanks John

Wow, Amazing work.

Wow, Thanks for all the responses! This site is awesome. I had also e-mailed Mosby guitars last night (that is where the strap photo came from) and he responded already. His reponse was similar to Bruce Johnson's above. He said he uses 3 separate punches: an Osborne #13, Osborne #0 and a piece of flat stock that he sharpened to a flat slot cutter. I have several old chisels and a bench grinder so I will definately save my money and give that a try. Thanks again everyone. John