TomG

FIrst, I'm not a big user of NO, but have read a lot on it and am gonna relay the general tips I've read. I usually use Mink Oil Paste on the flesh side. 1) Use Pure NO.. Not the Prime NO Compound. 2) Use a LIGHT coat only.. A few folks I've read sday a single light coat on the flesh side. 3) I just went through a belt I put way too much NO on and the Resolene is flaking off. Remember, you can always add stuff to leather. It's hard to impossible to go back. Tom

That's kinda what I read.... I have made 2 batches now. I added steel wool to the first batch to see if the stuff would eat it. It ate some, but not all. Still smells The second batch has almost digested it all in 3 weeks. Going to add another half pad to make sure it's saturated. But they DO blacken like crazy!!! Later Tom

Case, Tool, then Dye. I use SuperSheen and Resolene. A couple of very light coats. You can even dilute it 50/50 with water to make it thinner. You'll probably get a dozen ideas for coating. I think it's all in what you have tried and prefer. They all seem to work to greater or lesser degrees. Tom

Thanks Mike. I've just recently been experimenting with the Resolene. I've mainly been using Satin Sheen. I did read somewhere here that they diluted the Resolene 50/50 as well and airbrushed it on. Since it has such a strong ammonia smell, I was not sure I wanted that running through my airbrush.... I've got another belt in the works and will lightlen up on the NO and try the diluted Res. with the airbrush... I really like the depth of the color with the Vig. It's not for quick turnaround jobs because the smell takes a week to go away, but it's got USMC black beat all to hell for not rubbing off onto clothes:thumbsup: Tom

My first "real" project using Vinegaroon was not as expected. I'm not sure what I did wrong. This is a belt. I dipped the strap in the vinegaroon for about 3 minute and then took out, wiped down with a rag and then dipped in a soda bath for a while. I rinsed in running water for a bit, wiping it down. I put a light coat of NO on both sides. Let dry in front of a fan overnight and then applied a bunch of coats of NO until it was soft. I let it dry for about 3 days. Then I applied around 3- 4 light coats of Resolene, letting each dry for 15-30 minutes between coats. The resolene is flaking off. I can scratch with my fingernail and it just crumbles off. Fortunately, the lady I gave the belt to is a friend and she knew it was something new I was trying. Anyone have a clue as to where I went wrong? Tom

I'm still experimenting with this stuff off and on till I get it right. I don't get a lot of call for black, so my experiments are sort of spread out... My vig is a couple of months old and has dissolved as much steel wool as it could. I did a belt yesterday and it blackened great.. I used a soda rinse but left it in too long -- about 45 minutes. I then rinsed it really well and oiled it after the rinse. I THOUGHT I had used what I considered to be an ample amount of oil. It looked wet. I hung it up to dry in front of a fan and tonight when I checked it, it was very dry and had a couple of light spots. I added a tone of more oil and and left it to dry again. Have I screwed it up with the soda? How much oil should I be rubbing in? I don't want it leaving oil on a pair of jeans when worn... Thanks Tom

I give up... What does ** bump ** mean? Tom

This is pretty much how I've always doen my casing with pretty good results. The only issue I have is with my piece occasionally drying out too fast. The only difference is that I have been puting the piece in water and waiting until the bubble stop. Then I wipe it down with a towel and bag it in a ziplock overnight. I then let it dry to the "return to normal but cool" state. I'm doing to try some with the technique of letting it almost dry to normal and then bagging it and see what thay does. One question.... I read a tutorial by Paul Burnett on the forums here and he talsk about wetting the top surface but not letting the core get wet, and then stamping immediately. This is for stamping only.. He used the method here for any and all carving. What's the story on that? Any opinions on it? Tom

Hey folks, I've been asked to make an ovalish shaped belt and they want a leather ruffle around the entire piece. Any suggestions? The picture does not look like suede. Not sure what it is, but she swears it's leather. The company she saw the picture is no longer making them and hasn't for a while, it seems. Also, about how much would be a fair price for it? I'm thinking in the $40-$50 range, but since I've never done one of these, I'll a little lost. Thanks Tom

I actually looked at his before I looked at yours and saw the difference in quality just from the photos. That and the fact that you have a website. I do not like to buy on eBay if I can help it. TO ALL: I just received a set of Chris's burnishers today, and I can personally attest to his quality, integrety and over the top customer service. He's A+ in my book. Thanks for a great product Chris. Tom Legacy Leathercraft

I've made 1 watch band but want to learn to do more. I had a real issue with the thickness of the leather going around the pins. The band was 13mm (1/2") and using the thinnest leather I had (around 4 oz) I still had to skive it where it went around the watch pins. Now, that was veg-tan leather. I'm not sure of the differecne in flexibility between it and oiled leather. Tom

Thanks.. I seem to call seeing a roller foot somewhere I'm gonna check with my local sewing machine shop for it today Tom

Thanks... I though about hand sewing and is what I may have to do. The stitching is so close to the upward curve of the molded piece, that I can't figure out how a a machine can hold the leather down and then pierce it with the needle without it bouncing up. Even the walking foot on my machine has more metal between the needle hole and the outside edge than the distance between the upward wall of the molding and the stitch line <G> Of course I don't have to be that close to it. Contact cement it in place and stitch it as close as I can and it should be good to go. Later Tom

I want to make a case for my wife's Nook tablet similar to her store bought one. I am planning on doing the same sort of attachment as it uses. But how do I sew this close to the molded leather? I know I will leave some excess outside of the seam and trim later, but that raised partion stumps me. The picture might not be clear, but that top to bottom edge is flush with each other like a holster, etc. I have a Singer 111W155 machine. Tom

I just found your post and must say they are very nice. 2 Questions. What thickness leather did you use Are they hand sewn or machine sewn Tom

Awww I'm just mouthing off...... I'm certain that I'm not the "inventor" of this style of bracelet. I just found it odd that the line about using it as a necklace as well, is almost verbatim what I had in an Etsy listed a while back on some of them.... Until I realized that most ladies would not wear something like this as a necklace, unless they were of a certain societal bent We use quality leather and the best metal spots, and pyramids we can find.... I DID discover some time back that they are pyramids and spots made for leather and heavy fabric and those made for the thin stuff...... Anyone need some shallow post pyramids <g> Tom

Wow! What an honor. We've finally been cloned by a Chinee manufacturer. We've been making these - By Hand - for a couple of years now..... But not for a stinking $2.00 Tom Legacy Leathercraft

Thanks Tracy, Can you name a few so I can look them up? Tom

Not sure what that is.. I'll do some searching tomorrow. thanks

I need to simply wrap a steel or brass ring with a layer of lace. I have played with a couple of ideas, and since I need it wo be smooth, I would like to just wrap it. However, I can not figure out how to secure the start and finsh ends so that it does not unravel. I need ti as tight a wrap as possible. It will have a lot of rubbing - it's going on a dog collar for a dog that is metal sensitive. Thanks Tom

I have searched the boards for this question. I could swear I saw it. Sometimes when I and sewing and make the 90 dgree turn, the thread on the top stitch pulls into the center, creating a curved corner. I'm not sure what I am doing wrong in these cases. Anyone have a clue? Thanks Tom

Actually, I settled on a Halter buckle from Tandy that I had. It's a bit heavier but looks good, and suince the customer wants "simple", it will do just fine. It's a 3/4", Item # 1503-01

I'm an old BBS and IRQ guy. Did a little with news groups but not enough to remember all the acronyms and stuff. I don't think I ever knew that one.... I'll wait and see what ya stir up outta the woodpile though

Did you ever find a source? I am looking for a 1/2" to 3/4" dress belt buckle like this one. I've tried OTB and a few others but so far no luck. In fact, I'm not finding a whole lot of center bar dress type buckle in any size.

Ohio Travel Bag has a good selection. Here's the link http://www.ohiotravelbag.com/Products.html Standard rivet is another source, but I have not purchased from them and don't know the order requirements http://www.standardrivet.com/contact-us.php Good luck Tom