Tree Reaper

The sealer is used to protect it, aging will still darken it and the neatsfoot will darken it some. The best thing to do is try your finish on some scrap to get the desired effect. Let it dry well between coats, the neatsfoot should only be applied to the finished side and let it dry a day or two before adding anything else. Someone else may offer other options but this is what I do.

You don't wet it then. A light coat of denatured alcohol will clean it then you will be bending it so I would apply one or two light coats of neatsfoot oil to help that. Then dye or what ever other finish you want. You may want to use a sealer to protect it. The only time you would use water is prior to bending the leather or folding it. Wet the joint where the leather bends, let it sit for a few minutes then bend the halves together and hold them in that position until it dries.

Will you be carving or stamping this leather?

I don't buck stitch but it looks like 3/16 to 1/4 inch from the edge in this video when you consider the lace is 1/8. http://www.tandyleatherfactory.ca/en-cad/Buckstitch-Lacing.aspx

Chief is a very experienced craftsman. I'd be curious to know the reason behind your option Chief.

I always try and go with the natural curve of the hide on the animal.

You're welcome, some people won't take two seconds to even say thank you.

If you can glue a backing like suede to it then it will lay flat but if you flex it then the surface of the leather will likely wrinkle although it will remain attached to the backing, it will be surface wrinkles that you see. If you want premium results always use premium leather, some places will cut the belly off if you request it. If they don't cut it off then you pay for it.

Belly leather will do that, what part of the side did you take it from?

Hit the save key just above close on the picture and you'll get a smaller picture.

This is the buckle I ordered, http://www.granitebuckaroo.com/catalog/images/buckle04000floralbkass.JPG I'm generally not in a rush but I have a belt waiting to go out the door and the order was still being processed after ten days or more so that's why I was trying to contact him in the first place. He seems like a decent guy with maybe one too many irons in the fire.

Andy; If it will help I can give you my personal email and you can send them to me and I'll post them along with your write up. Kevin

Thanks Rayban, he emailed a few days later saying the buckles had been back ordered but I wasn't aware of that at the time. He was quick at sending them out once he got them.

You can get single left and right feet. If you just used a left foot then the rolled edge wouldn't interfere it. The problem is your right foot can't sit on that rolled edge and wants to fall off pushing the collar to the left. Another option would be to slow down and operate the wheel by hand until the needle is in the stitching position just above the leather on every stitch. This is a single left foot http://shop.raphaelsewing.com/images/5100-left-toe-foot.jpg

Are you keeping pressure on the roller guide as you sew? Do you have a single foot?

Can you not use a guide like you have on the other side? I'm assuming the material is shifting to the left as you sew?

Are you saying the needle doesn't advance or there isn't a bottom stitch when it doesn't grab?

You can use an edge clamp or a straight stick clamped to the table to stop the shifting. How thick can you sew with your machine and how thick is the collar? Does the foot press down with enough pressure?

You could also make them out of kydex and mold them to fit.

I don't seal it but use it as is. It's very resilient.

Last Active Jun 12 2012 11:03 PM You might want to send him an email.

You can buy Alphabets For The Leather Crafter # 61936-00, trace cut, carve and bevel. Kevin.

Rachael; Take this down to the sewing machine thread and you'll get help. A few things that come to mind are, is the thread coming off the bobbin in the correct direction? Are you holding the needle thread when attempting to pick up the bobbin thread? Is the needle in the correct way and not backwards? Kevin.

Anyone know Tom Lamprey from Granite Buckaroo? I ordered a couple of buckles from him two weeks ago with three day delivery and I'm wondering where they are. He hasn't answered two emails and a phone call so I'm wondering if he's sick, out of town or in jail? Thanks. Kevin.

Velcro works.