Dmitri

I am not sure if you are LARPing or SCA fighing or live steel re-enacting. When I form for pauldons for SCA fighting I don't go any higher than around a 10oz. Soak well and form over a stainless steel bowl to give me my basic shape held down with clamps there will be some stretching but not much at even 10oz.. Then I harden with Bees Wax, let dry then do my finished forming with a heat gun when it is cut to shape. I think you are just too heavy to get a good stretch or any at all. and yes I only use Veg Tan for any armour I build.

Nice work....I have that york write up as well. I plan on making a few for friends of mine with the right personas. Event season is around the corner. Time to finish(start) the projects I have only been thinking about.

I still need to do my attemp for my wife and myself for Quad War end of July in Marsden Sask. Canada. We do early Rus but I think I will attempt later period for the footwear, a little more ornate. and heck I have alot of red leather kicking around any way. I think you do a very nice job for a first attempt. I hope mine turn out as well.

Very nice. Glad to see someone else just taking the initiative in this disposable society trying thier hand at things and just not biuing something. Once again good job on something you can be proud to wear.

I am not too sure on the consew products, but I have a Mason open arm powered by a 1/3 hp motor. I can sew 2 pieces of 10-12 oz Leather together. I am carful and guide it alot with hand pulls on the wheel, but it does do it.. I am using a DP-17 125/20 needle without issue. So I guess I am saying that the Consew should be able to sew through one layer of 8oz.

I just saw this posting on Avacal Circus for the York article Just released for free download http://www.yorkarchaeology.co.uk/resources/pubs_archive.htm

Hello All: My name is George and I am located in British Columbia, Canada I started my leather working hobby as a young guy helping my father with his small business doing harness repair and some custom work.. I have been pretty much away from the whole leather working scene for about 18 years. I am part of the SCA, a Medieval recreationist Group so I still did the odd bit of work with leather armour making and some repairs. I am just restarting the hobby hoping to focus mainly on medieval footwear production with still keeping my hand in the armouring side of it. My hobby area and tools are limited, some coming from my father amd others slowly getting purchased. I did however luck out through a friend and purchased( really cheap ) a Mason open arm machine, a Robi 3 in 1 shoe machine, Free standing eyelet and snap machine. So I guess my shop is coming together. Just want to thank alll the people who keep this site running and all the good work that everyone does here. I am sure this resource will help me continue my hobby.

I started learning about leather work from my father who learned it from an older gentleman many years ago. My father was mainly into harness repair and production but also did some custom work. I got away from it many years ago and am just getting back into the craft. I am part of a medieval recreation group and we make alot of our own armour and other items. So leather work is a well respected and sought after skill. I have just started building my shop up. Hand tools( some passed down from my father ), I just got a Mason openarm heavy machine, Robi Shoe 3 in 1, Foot press eyelet machine and a table mount snap setter. Now is the time to start making stuff again. I am thinking about getting into medieval footwear as it is tough to come by at times.