JohnD

I came across these books this morning. I thought someone might get some use out of them here, as there is a lot of info on design and such that may translate to leather work. http://placidchaos.com/AM/index.php/2006/02/21/andrew_loomis You can download the books one at a time in .pdf or all at once in .rar format, for which you will need Winrar or bitzipper to extract them. For all the folks (myself included) who have trouble coming up with designs to tool, this would also be a good chance to get your hands on a very good resource to help improve your artistic skills for free. Hope this helps. John

Just wait, it'll come. Probably not so bad way down south in Nashua though. If you get some time you should definately take a ride up this way, lots of nice riding up around the lakes. John

Welcome to NH, I believe we may have spoken on the phone. I placed an order a few weeks back. I'll have to make the trip down sometime to say hello. I love NH, Though I'm definately not a redneck, there are plenty here. I moved up to Meredith from MA about 10 yrs ago (I'm what they call a flatlander). Actually, I do like to fish occasionally (no bassboat though), I drive a Jeep Comanche 4x4, But I don't trust horses, I keep my distance from them. Did you make it up this way for bike week? John

Oops... Sorry. I hadn't checked back. We'll try this again: http://www.tandyleatherfactory.com/product...?number=8072-00 Hopefully that worked, if not it is a Craftool Adjustable Creaser (8072-00). . Hope this helps. John

I tend to shy away from the basketweave, although, someday I plan to sit down with it and learn to work it out. I think the end result came out great. I dig the pirate bottle. John

I think this: http://www.tandyleatherfactory.com/products.asp Maybe what you're looking for. I've never used one, but I believe, heating is not necessary, but casing is. I think, also that this is adjustable. Hope this helps. John

I, also, believe that the lace serves a purpose on the seat, as David does not wet form there would be slack in the leather over that contour on the front. Correct me if I'm wrong, but the laced seam takes up that slack to help the leather fit the shape of the seat. Vey nice work, from both of you. David, I finally got to see quite a bit of your work up close this summer, both at the smoke out and the Greasebag jamboree. ( David actually donated a seat for raffle and sponsored a trophy for the show) There must have been 10 or so bikes with your seats on them at the smokeout. I was not disappointed. All very impressive. Roger, missed you at the SO this year, Spoke to your friend on sunday. Hope all is well, See you next year? John

So, you're officially an old man? Just kidding. That strap makes that bike. now, just pop that drivetrain in a rigid frame, spray the whole thing flat black, bang out a hand shifter and you're there. And for god's sake, convert that thing to a chain drive!!!!!! (them's jest jokes steve) Really though, very nice bike. I'd have been afraid to touch anything and the strap does make the bike your own. (more than any chrome skull accoutrement). John

nice work. Are those your own designs? Very nice. John

If you use the tape method, don't stretch the tape!!! It will shrink when you remove it. I use paper like Beeza said and cut it just so it breaks over the edge, if that makes sense. For hole spacing I generally use anywhere from 1/4 to 1/2" , both for the spacing and distance from the edge. That's if you're doing a typical cross pattern lacing. Different lacing methods have there own rules, that depend on the width of the lace or thinkness of the leather. most lacing books will give you that info. hope that helps, John

I know that this post is probably worthless without pics, But I still don't have a suitable camera. I have made a few different petal lifters out of screwdrivers, a few different stamps, pear shaders, etc. I have also made a folder/ burnisher out of hardwood to work specifically with a pattern that I make regularly. There used to be a few threads around about homemade tools, I think it is a great topic and always look forward to seeing what other folks come up with. John

I have been using gum trag and canvas, but didn't like the white specs I would get, so I tried saddle soap and canvas. It burnished very easily but for some reason didn't last, when I would burnish more it would turn an uneven black and look dirty. I was told by another leatherworker to try beeswax with the canvas, so I will be trying that soon. John

The chinks came out great, But, I'm sorry to say that that smile steals the show. He looks so happy, it's contagious. Great work on both the chinks and whatever you do that makes your nephew so happy. John

I'm interested in other ways to apply super shene also. The owner of the shop I make seats for insists on it. I also apply it per directions and it always streaks. If you apply more than 2 coats it looks like plastic or patent (?) leather. I tried appying it with an airbrush but couldn't get it to flow, which could have to do with the fact I've never used an airbrush before and only bought a cheap one to try out. I will definately try the lambs wool method, but am also curious what works for other folks. Great topic Wolvenstien. I hardly use antique so I have no input there. Thanks John

How hard would it be to form the top without wetting? I would think that the tooling would lift if you re-wet the top. I'm not an expert but I have made a few seats and I've never found it necessary to wet the top to get it to form to the seat. I do use spray adhesive, though. I spray the top of the seat and the back of the leather and let it set a bit then I line it all up and press it together, kind of working it to the shape of the seat. I do wet the crap out of the sides and after getiing the first couple rivets in I pull and form the sides as I rivet around the bottom. After the rivets are all in, I trim all the folds and wrinkles from the bottom and use a bone folder or whatever to smooth and flatten out the bottom. I hope this helps, like I said I'm not an expert but this is what has worked for me. Hopefully someone else with a little more insight might chime in. John

I started at around 12 and smoked until I was 24. I had tried to quit several times after joining the Marines, but, whenever I would drink the urge would win. Having a girlfriend that smoked made it harder too. I was on a ship for about 8 months. It was an LPH ( Landing Pad, Helocopter. I think) So, when the pilots were doing their thing you couldn't smoke. I remember waiting one night and at about 10pm they announced that the smoking lamp was lit. By the time I got topside (no smoking within the skin of the ship.) Every smoker on the ship was crammed up there to get their fix. I got halfway through my butt when I realized I'd had enough. I gave the rest of my pack away, headed to my berth and tossed the rest of the carton on the table. I threw myself into working out and whenever I felt the urge I would either workout or write letters home to my new girlfriend (now my wife). I think that, due to the restrictions of being on the ship, where smoking was a PITA, made it alot easier. Most of my closer friends didn't smoke, so that helped. One thing I did do though, was, for awhile, I would keep an unlit cigarrette with me and I would pull it out while playing cards, hanging out or when we would hit port and have a few beers, whenever the urge would hit. by the time I was done with it it was all taped up and tattered. But it helped. After that night, I never smoked a cigarrette again. That was 13-14 years ago. I know that was a unique circumstance, But I think the key would be, first, REALLY wanting to quit. I hated smoking but just kept doing it? I felt like crap every time and I knew I was going to not smoke anymore eventually. I think, removing yourself from the environment that makes it easy to smoke. Make a rule no smoking in the house, so you have to go outside to smoke. It might help. carry a placebo to use when you do the things that normally you would have a cigarrette during. Guys would laugh at me and offer me a light, it would even piss some guys off. I would sit at the card table or at the bar all night with that unlit butt, going through the motions like I was smoking,even inhaling, Silly, but I know it helped. I would still go topside with all the smokers, with my unlit cig. for the social reasons I suppose, just not as often. I still to this day, during a wedding reception or any type of gathering end up outside with the smokers, shooting the shhhhtuff. find something else to do. When you're bored, or at least, when I was bored I tended to smoke more. I would keep a running letter to my girlfriend going and mail them out every few days. I brought my guitar and the gym was an easy commute, ( I was on a ship) So I tried to keep busy. Well, I wish you luck on your endeavor, Everyone. If you really want to quit, You will. Find a way that will work for you and do it. It might take making some changes in your situation to make it stick, but there is a way that will work for you. Good luck John

Ryan, Nice, Do you cast them yourself? I've been threatening myself to get into casting, aluminum and brass. I have been collecting pieces parts to build a furnace. I just need to find the time to get it all together. If you do cast them yourself, would you mind letting me pick your brain at some point? Very nice work. John

Sometimes nothing. Right now the CD thats in the player is "The Threetles", Three friends of mine that play Beatles covers. They're really good and I like hearing a different take on the songs. I have a few cds of local bands from when I was younger. Of course I throw in Sabbath, Maiden and I've really been digging on Deep Purple lately, for some reason. Bob Marley, JohnnyCash and even Eddie Cochran at times. I guess anything listenable........ When stitching or lacing, I come up and watch TV.

http://www.foambymail.com/neoprene.html Here's where I get mine. John

I fished a ton as a kid (saltwater, grew up on the MA coast). My older boys didn't have an interest in it as they got older, so I hadn't gone in years. Took this guy for the first time last summer (freshwater, NH lakes) and that was it, he's "hooked". We even did some ice fishing this past winter. I tried flyfishing as a kid and just couldn't get the hang of it. maybe someday I'll try again. John

Jim, I love seeing the stuff people make on this forum, including the tools. Let us know how the maul works out. I wonder if perhaps a flexible epoxy might work for a filler. I'd be curious as to how well the PVC will hold up to the abuse. I've been wanting to make a push beveler for a lttle while now, Maybe this will inspire me. Nice work, let us know if you tackle that swivel knife. John

So, ice out was last week here in NH and my 5 year old was ready to get a rod in the water. We took a short walk through the woods and after a few hours he managed to pull his first fish of the season. We went a little early so the fish weren't biting too well, but he's a very patient fisherman and, I think, just enjoys being out there. Catching the fish is an added bonus, although he does rub it in when he catches the biggest ( or in this case, the only) fish. John and Owen

Very sharp indeed. It's great to see young people taking pride in their patriotism and honoring their country's history and those that came before. God Bless. John

Very well done Tom. Shes gonna love it. John

Nice, Thanks for the tip Johanna. The things people ask me for the most are belts, to the point where I was debating whether or not to just start buying blanks. This tip will come in handy. Thanks again. John