CustomDoug

I'd like to add too that the Campbell Randell guys offer not only Matt but gloss too, Tandy no. However, I am not seeing the primer (AR6250) that was mentioned above: http://www.campbell-randall.com/shop/index.php?route=product/category&path=43_51_162&page=1 Regarding the above steps... just to clarify - does STEP 1 take place AFTER any sanding is done at all or not ? Doug C

Guys, I just watched the video on the Professional Edge Paint that Tandy sells (which is Fenice's Matt finish) and it mentions in the video that on chrome tanned leather it is recommended to first apply a "gloss edge agent" (does that mean their gloss top coat? I don't know) and letting it dry BEFORE adding the color coats. It does not mention why, but perhaps it has something to do with adhesion on soft leathers. Here's the page, click the how-to video then skip to 4:00 - http://www.tandyleatherfactory.com/en-usd/search/searchresults/2810-02.aspx The other things to remember is that leathers have different absorption qualities depending on how they were tanned. I have wondered how well a water based paint would fair on the edge of say.. latigo or English Bridle with their oils, waxes, etc. Doug C

I was just thinking about ordering some Fenice edge paint.. but this has me reconsidering. Has anyone else had a problem with it peeling off? I was not planning to use dye under it, just a good sanding and a heated iron to set it, done twice. Doug C

Thanks, I was hoping to get some sooner than later, so shipping from the UK is not ideal.. but it sure looks like what I'm after. Maybe they just don't use this stuff in the USA, opting for synthetics as usual ? I'll mark this company for later, thanks again. Doug C

Yes Algeos was the one that I had found.. but I'd prefer it in sheets. If I can't find it listed elsewhere I may have to research them more. thanks. Doug C

Does anyone know of a place that sells leatherboard? It's a product sometimes used by shoe makers. Sort of a particle board product composed of leather chips or strands and adhesives. thanks . Doug C

MIght be ok, but there does not seem to be a way to control the heat. Doug C

Thanks I'll look into panhandle. Doug C

I read the other day in a thread here that one of the usual suppliers offered a free splitting service, or whole hide skiving. I can not recall which thread I read this in, and I did not jot the info down. It was not W&C, I know they do this too.. but it was not them. Anyone know of another place? Maybe STL, Hidehouse, Zack White, something along those lines? I'm wanting to buy some veg tanned lining leather, but would like to get it thinned to under what it normally comes if possible. Doug C

Yea I did, they have a very good selection of colors in #69 and below (like a lot of other places), but less so with the larger threads. Plus, they have like a $200 minimum on first orders if I understand correctly, just to qualify to be able to purchase from them. Buying from a manufacturer would seem to be the ticket but I can't get any of them to confirm that I can.. and I'm beginning to doubt that it's possible really. Doug C

I just happened upon this article, fits this thread perfectly I guess: http://www.forevergeek.com/2010/06/the_best_use_of_louis_vuitton_products_youll_see_all_week/ Personally, I think these art pieces are cool... and LV should have no right to interfere with it. Doug C

Thanks guys.. the Solar Guard (which is bonded polyester) from Superior thread looks interesting. Again, not being too picky but the bigger thread producers advertise like 100 colors or so on their websites for thread - yet finding it available is next to impossible, especially in the larger sizes. The Cansew place seems good, but pricey.. the cones go for about double what I normally see them sell for. What I'd really like to do is standardize my threads .. that is to say, have the same 6-9 colors through out 3 different thread sizes. That seemed like a reasonable thing to do, but is proving not to be. Thanks again for your suggestions. Doug C

Oh, not looking for waxed thread.. it'll be machine used. And also, I've already looked at the thread exchange. Doug C

I have not been able to find #277 thread in various colors. I only see the typical few offerings of white, brown, natural and black... I'm wanting to find some vibrant colors though, greens, blues, yellows, red, etc. - does anyone know of any? I'm not really picky on the type, since this doesn't seem to be too common, but bonded polyester would be a preference. Doug C

Andrew... do you have a link to these? I might put one on my list to buy. Doug C

There are about three different Korean based websites that I keep coming back to that have items that I would like to buy. For some reason these websites have like half of everything printed on the screen in English and the other half (descriptions, specifications, prices) printed in Korean text. There is no place on these sites to switch countries, like you often see on websites from European based suppliers say. The other thing, is that at some of these sites (all maybe?) you can not 'highlight' the text at all to do a 'copy and paste' language translation somewhere else (using a language translation website). Anyone know the Korean money unit you'd use to convert to US dollars? How's the dollar compared to theirs? I translated a note and sent it via email to an address that was written in english on one of the sites (which is strange to me), about some goatskins, and the reply I got back was very friendly and he confirmed that international shipping is possible and he'd send me a paypal invoice after I told him what I wanted to purchase. But I can not read the full descriptions, so I'm reluctant to go forward (what weight leather, sq. footage, etc.).. plus I haven't looked into pricing. Here's a site (not the one I mentioned above) that has several items that I want, things that I have not been able to find elsewhere.. It looks absolutely legit (to me) but see what I mean about the site and info in mixed languages. Is there anyone in Korea or who knows the language, or who's purchased anything from there - that can offer any insight? Here's that one site: http://handon.co.kr/front/php/category.php?cate_no=1 Doug C

Not a problem Mike - we all appreciate you even taking the time to think of us in this regard. All info and help is more than we would have had without you going to the trouble. Doug C

It's not that a battery charger can not be made into a heat control unit.. they do it for wood burning units, so it would work for us too. But who needs the hassle. There are seperate heat control units available and on the market already, for the pyrography market. I feel like Mr. Regad is playing down the non-digital units as 'laughable toys' in hopes of selling the much more expensive PRO units. I can't blame him for that, and I'd personally prefer the PRO units if I had the extra money.. if for no other reason than they look cooler. But honestly their "toy" unit (R300) is a more refined set up than what is sold by the Campbell-Randell (Leather machinery specialist and supply) here in the US, made for doing the same exact thing. The price looks to be about the same too, give or take. I was planning on the Campbell-Randell unit to tide me over until I can come up with the $700+ for the Pro unit.. but honestly I'd much rather have the R300 toy. One advantage is the multitude of tips that Regad already offers. Another is the threaded handles of the R300 toy unit, are so cheap that you could potentially have a dedicated handle for each tip, seriously : http://www.vaissiere-peintures.fr/manche-pyro-regad-produit-564.fr.html I've found about 4 different places that offer these.. but none seem to ship internationally as far as I can tell. Maybe one of them is in your neighborhood or close to you? http://www.vaissiere-peintures.fr/pyro-r300-regad-produit-379.fr.html http://www.creavea.com/mr.html?query=R300&sid=0B288D792E492E7948566784FBD774EB.boutique1&productsPerPage=90&channel=fr https://www.eanfind.fr/produit/T2OWWD2Z69 http://www.rougier-ple.fr/pyrographe-r300.r.html http://www.scrapyro.com/appareil-multifonctions Though probably not necessary, I'm thinking that the following tip could possibly be made to work with the tips from Campbell-Randell (less expensive?): http://mando.fr/fr/fileteuse-manuelle/142-resistance-chauffante.html Alternatively, there is another tip (#SD21) that could possibly be threaded (tap and dye) to accept the Campbell-Randell tips (less expensive?). But then again, the non-Pro tips at least are really cheap: http://www.vaissiere-peintures.fr/pointes-a-pyrograver-regad-produit-381.fr.html Doug C

Any updates on this ? Personally I don't see why those smaller units would not work just fine.. maybe not as professional looking but they heat up with a controller (and leather doesn't need that much heat), enough so that pyrography on leather is possible. So it should be able to handle edge creasing and help with burnishing. Also the tips look to be built exactly like the pro units use. So if the tips were definitely interchangable, I'd like to try one of them before shelling out for the digital ones. I'm sure the pro tips would have to be sourced from Mando or Regads - Anyone in France close to a store that sells them? Doug C

Thanks for the confirmation Galloways on running linen thru the machine... That Hermes video that you linked to is the very reason I posted this thread in the first place. I paused the video @ 3:06 and you can see that it is indeed Barbour thread. However, I'd never heard of anyone running linen thru a machine. Since then I have looked for Barbour linen thread on these big Grey color industrial spools with red Barbour text (like in the video).. and can not locate it. I researched it quite a bit. I was only able to locate the unwaxed smaller non-spool type offerings in colors. On the other hand, I have come to the conclusion that the thread in the video is actually Coats/Barbour "Terko Satin" - I've found it (on the net) on those very same spools (though not always) and the Coats website recommends it for Horse harness work. It is a cotton wrapped polyester core thread. It's got a descent color range but I need to find a good consistent source. Any ideas? Doug C

Yes.. I have a poly/cotton blend (I even started a forum thread on the subject a few weeks back). I like it a lot unfortunately it's only available in one size and very limited color options (thru the threadexchange.com ). I've asked if they can get more options - no. As for Serafil, yes been at the top of my list for the last couple of days. Has lots of color options. Where can you get it in the US though? Doug C

OK Rick, sounds like an effective method - I especially like the 'one side at a time' part. It's simple and I never would have come up with it on my own. Thanks for the tip! I shall try it. Doug C

Hi Im Joe - I've read that list a couple of times now and it's a little disappointing that the writer ended up purchasing only lambskin when calf and goat is what Hermes uses the most. The "KID" skin at hidehouse is interesting too, I've considered it before as an option. I guess I should send off for some samples. But it does seem to have a little bit of texture to it and a good choice of colors. It might be glossier than I'd prefer, it's hard to tell from the stock pics. I agree with LVleatherWorx though.. and that's the fact that we here in the US SHOULD have planty of options for calf skin.. the problem is finding some with a shrunken grain or embossed for texture/grain and in a variety of non-traditional colors. There are a few places in the US - but the leather is usually really smooth and offered in about three or four of the most traditional colors. LVleatherWorx - if you know of any other places.. do tell. thanks. Doug C

yea, I guess my stitching clam could work.. but mine's not as wide and i kind of like the idea of holding these small pieces in a "mobile" way, that allows me to easily move it around and hold it in different light angles to see what parts of the edge need to be hit more. However, It will be my go to if my paint stick idea bombs. Thanks for the tip. Doug C

A needle and awl machine is going to be too big for what I'm wanting to use the Linen thread for (watch bands, small straps, etc.). I plan to hand sew these items (and I have the thread for that figured out) but I'd like to also offer a less expensive alternative with the machine sewing. I know other threads can be used but I was hoping linen wouldn't be out of the question. Not the end of the world if it is though. I wasn't mistaken liquid silicone for the actual thread wax - I really don't know the difference (obviously) but I posted what was recommended by Campbell-Randle for machine sewing with linen thread... perhaps that's why you are having problems with clogging etc, you're using wax instead of lubricant. Just a thought. What about a 'glaced' or glazed cotton or linen thread.. for small leather goods? These are commonly used (at least the cotton) in sewing machines. Do you see similar problems or some less obvious ones, as the ones you've already pointed out? Doug C