Ferg

Bobby, Another inspiration for many of us. Thank you, ferg

Nice clean design and redering. ferg

You didn't ask for a critique but...... Your design is done well. It appears you used a pear shader for you background or at least one that has some "round" to it. Your background isn't crisp next to the carving. Round the corners of the wallet a little more. It makes the stitching look nicer. ferg

You need to use an edge guide with your sewing machine. ferg

Try JoAnn Fabrics for the foam. I bought some for our ottoman/footstool. Pricey stuff for the high density foam which is what we bought. ferg

tg, In lieu of having one blade cutting with your swivel knife, the beader blades make two cuts side by side. They come in different widths. I believe 1/8" is the smallest width and up to at least 1/4". Check some of Bob Park's work. He uses the beader blades. ferg

Billy, The person I communicated with said they were three months behind, I just didn't wish to wait that long. Thanks, ferg

My wife and I recently bought new couches for our Great Room. I am in the process of building an 18" square foot stool/ottoman to cover with leather. Bought upholstery leather from Tandy, nice stuff, probably 4/5 oz. It is heavier than what is on the couches but I think I will be able to copy the stitch style. As to pointers, we are in this together my friend. I am going on what I can glean from all the leather items I see. ferg

Excellent work. ferg

My point here is this: You lay out the leather so you have a specific area you wish to cut the belts from. Take the "Off-All" from the hide and use it for other small projects for instance. When you cut the entire hide into belt blanks you destroy leather that could have been used. Get my drift? ferg

ENCO evidently has numerous "Numbers" to give you. I called, ask if they had them, said, "yes". I asked how much. $121.00. Sorry but your website says $89.95. "Let me check that, You are correct, $89.95." "Okay, I hear you are shipping that free to some areas of the states." "Oh no! That weighs over a hundred pounds and UPS won't ship it, has to go by truck." "Okay, thanks for the information." I didn't want it that bad anyway. LOL ferg

I cannot let this go past without telling what we use "rubbing alcohol" for. I get leg cramps from working on a concrete floor or climbing around on the roof of our home, usually well into the night. IF I can get my body out of bed my wife rubs the alcohol on my legs. Sops it on would be a better explanation. Isopropyl Alcohol is a mild anesthetic. Do I need to go any further? BTW: Been dong it for over 35 years, I still have my liver. LOL ferg

Jeff, You do glue your two layers together before you sew don't you? I cut my belt blanks with an inexpensive strap cutter from Tandy. Never have a problem. 8/9 oz. top, 3/4 oz bottom/inside cut exactly the same width, glue them with contact cement, sand the edges, burnish edges, then sew. I just don't think the belt blanks are an economic solution if you intend to make very many belts. ferg

I think I have a good solid idea for you. Your offer smells like rotten fish to a large number of us on this forum. Your getting $40 dollars sent to you without knowing what we are getting, mostly nothing probably, has about as much chance as the proverbial snowball in Hades. Sooooo.... I sincerely believe it would be advisable for you to pull your product back into India and snooker the home folks. ferg

tg, The process is well known in "Transfer Technology" circles. The printing machine aka "Direct to product printer", actually places ink, for lack of a better word, onto any substrate that will fit in the straight through opening of the printer. Most have a type of conveyer belt that moves the product through. First printers available for small business use were way up in the thousands of dollars. Some good ones are available for about $15,000. Everyone should have one or two. The transfer dye or ink is not necessarily a secret. Light fastness is the bugaboo affecting most. I do not really know how much scuff resistance it would have but the one year cycle on a well used wallet would be about right. Someone that doesn't have the "dirt" I accumulate in my pockets could probably get two years easily. Then you will have a less than great image. I am not trying to knock these folks product but please do not begin with the "smoke and mirrors". ferg

Well said and much better than I could convey. Thanks ferg

Welcome to the site. I can't help you much on the info you are needing but someone on here will certainly be able to help you. Enjoy all the loads of info available here and ask questions. ferg

Access the Tandy Web Site. Consider one of the Starter Kits they have. This will provide you with a few small items to try your hand at. While on the site read and observe the free content that involves "How To". This will get your feet wet ferg

dirtclod, I am more than happy that you have been treated fair and square by Seigle. There are obvious shortcomings concerning the company at this time. Fact they have been in business for so long does not parallel the problems some have encountered this day and age. ferg

Nice story and nice product line. My take on having fun? If you do not enjoy it, get something else going. LOL ferg

Honey, Get used to it. All we can do is try to make good decisions and hope most everyone else does the same. I could tell you many stories but won't bother. ferg

You have done an admirable job with one caveat. You do need to include what I call "Beauty Marks". The little cuts with your swivel knife to add character and volume to your design. We have all been to the "Sore fingers/hands/wrist" place in the sky. Masking tape on your fingers helps a lot but some soothing hot water baths for your hands is about the only thing I can suggest. It gets better. ferg

I think you will be pleasantly surprised. ferg