Aven

The April 2021 issue of Shoptalk has a boot lasting photo tutorial by Deseree Olsen of Burns Boot. There are seventy seven photographs covering the process from attaching the insole to the last. It stops short of welting. No, it doesn't cover the entire process of making a boot, but it does shares a wealth of information. If you are interested in making boots/shoes and you don't Shoptalk, it might be worth ordering this issue.

Nicely done. That should serve you very well. I would have been proud to carry that in the field.

Welcome Klara. We all start where we start and there is no shame in that because you are beginning a journey. The collar is perfectly functional, so for that alone, it's a success. The fact that Rita likes it is a bonus. You have figured out how to make it with the tools you had on hand. The next step is learning how to make it match the image in your head. Leather working, like most other things, is a mastery of a bunch of little things that allows you to create what you envision. Like learning how to sharpen your tools, learning the best way for you to hold/control a tool or learning the order of steps for a project. You've made a fine start. I hope you decide to continue.

Thank you so much for that Dwight. It made me laugh after such a day. I needed the smile. That's the best description I have every heard, describing that phenomenon.

I'm sure that your first saddle was intimidating as all get out. But I bet building saddles is like making shoes, one set at a time.

I thought blood was expected, if not required.

Okay. Gonna share what that machine is?

Welcome to the forum Fellowleathersmith. I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but you will need to pick one either belts/sheaths or wallets. No machine is going to do them both. There is a world of difference between the total leather thickness for belts and for wallets. And that difference will require different machines. So... which one do you do more of, want to do more of? Which one can you do by hand?

We were neighbors, sort of, until Oct. I worked for Pierce Co. Gotta support my homies. Go Army....

There are a couple of cool businesses in WA vying for the grant. You got my vote.

I have no idea, but this might help. https://www.leatherandbraid.com/braids.html/

Battlemunky, what dyes did you use?

Thanks. I get that. One issue is do-able, but when they start piling up....

KKG, just curious, why have you put your 1245 in time out amongst the shadows?

Ken, I'd say you are getting really good at this. Those are going to turn out very nice. Are you hand sewing the uppers or have you started collecting machines?

Rounding the corners might help getting it in and out of his pockets. But honestly I think what would work better for him is to have his wallet in some sort of a pouch/pack, so he can see what he's doing since he can't feel it. I got to say that this is one time that you really should talk to the recipient. Maybe you can make up a gift certificate for the wallet and she can give him that and tell him that she wanted him to have a very custom wallet, so he has to be part of the process.

You can get metal stamps at Lowes in different sizes, but mostly the same font. They are plain, but should work nicely for what you want. Here's an example of what's available. https://www.lowes.com/pd/Capri-Tools-36-Piece-Professional-1-8-in-Letter-and-Number-Stamp-Set/1002622266

Tsunkasapa, give them a call. In their FAQ's they say that their automated shipping charges generated by the software can be excessive and they suggest you call and talk to a person.

Thanks Johanna, I appreciate the heads up. Ordered mine this morning. I do hope that they aren't tiny squares. I'm really want in seeing how it takes different dyes and colors. Has anyone tried their line of dyes? If so, thoughts?

Nice print. I get that feeling. For me, it's kinda comforting knowing you have a direct link to the past.

Thanks, it does help. Interesting tool. The square hole surprises me a bit. I would have expected round, to put less stress on the leather, but I'm sure there's a reason. And I will admit to not paying that much attention to the tack when I was riding, all those years ago. The only thing I will add is that stitching irons are available in different configurations, slant, reverse slant, straight as well as those that punch round holes. I hope you find an old one. Old tools have a certain something about them. I'd say over half of my tool collection is about as old as I am, if not older.

Forgive my ignorance, what's the difference between a strap pricker and a pricking iron? Abbey's description wasn't very helpful, except that it seems that the strap pricker is available in one size/spacing. Is it the spacing? 5.8mm is a bit wider than most iron configurations I've come across. But wouldn't 5.4mm be close enough? I'm just curious.

Have you looked at G&M Tools or with Bruce Johnson?

Those as the same planes that are flogged as musical instrument planes. There's no reason they wouldn't work, unless it has a poorly heat treated blade. I can't tell what size they are and that can make a big difference with how comfortable they are to use and sharpening a small blade like that is tricky. I have several that range from a few of inches long down to less than two inches long. I find the little one painful to use with my older hands. You don't have to use a spoke shave or a plane. You could use a carving chisel like a sweep. Whatever you chose to use, it comes down to the same thing. Learning how to use the tool safely and correctly and learning how to keep it very sharp.

That turned out a treat Mike. KGG, ours were suede filled with fine gravel or sand. No where near as cool as Mike's