Tree Reaper

How long do you need it?

I would slowly advance the need manually and see where it's hitting causing it to break. Post you question here http://leatherworker.net/forum/index.php?showforum=50 for better results. Kevin

If I was making one of these I would laminate between two pieces of 1/4 plywood and then cut it out. I may get around to it soon.

I don't think you would want to turn that, it would be labor intensive and costly. A circle cutter or bandsaw would be my choice. Circle cutter would be my first choice. http://www.cherrytreetoys.com/734-x-3434-Maple-Wheel-P3527C202.aspx

Very happy with the stamp Steve, thanks. Kevin.

Is there anyone other than Springfield that has embossed alligator belt blanks? Thanks. Kevin.

It's called a turnbuckle. http://www.homedepot.com/p/Lehigh-1-4-in-x-5-1-4-in-Stainless-Steel-Eye-to-Eye-Turnbuckle-7101S/100207338?N=c2ge#.UXc000pLkUo

Sand it with a fine grit sand paper.

You can always add a couple of rivets at the top .

You can attach a broach pin to a light piece of leather and glue leather to leather.

You do nice work, best of luck at the show.

It's easier to know what the camera looks like when offering suggestions. If I was making that, I would wet mold it in my press. If you can't do that then you can still stitch the front to the back and then stitch in a separate bottom. Bag the camera and mold it in place.

Which model is it?

If I was making that I would wet form the front and sew it to the back.

Thanks for that, pretty much what I am doing, I was just finding it time consuming.

That's really nice, can you describe how you stitch the cartridge loops? I've done a few on the machine but I had to measure and scribe each stitch line and I'm wondering if there is an easier way. Kevin

There isn't much to tell. You measure and make a light grid pattern on your leather or use a craftaid. Line the edge of the tool with the lines on the grid and start stamping. You should try several test pieces if you have never used this tool. I always start in the center and work my way to the border checking the measurement from the stamp to the border at the top and bottom of each row.

I have to use a grid pattern on the leather to keep those stamps in line.

I'll take a stab at some of these. If I buy the leather already blued I won't need the chromium, will I? Blue is just the color of chrome tanned leather. How much dye does a load of leather need in a drum? That would depend on the drum size, I would refer to a dye producer for that information. How long does the leather need to be dyed for? I just put 60 mins in a drum because I couldn't locate the information. For a complete hide I would guess several hours for total penetration, again back to the dye producer. How long does leather hang dry for? I put 12 hours for this because I couldn't find this information either. It would be more like 18-24 hours for a large hide. A company like Herman would be more specific with the times and process involved.

That's the problem as I see it, not enough diversity, if you get into the dye process that's a business in itself and I don't think you'll pay for operating costs let alone make a profit with just one product. The way to beat that is let someone already in the business do the dye work and then claim it as an expense to your business. The only other option is have several different leather products to manufacture using the same facility. You will also need more than one client to stay alive.

Thanks for taking the time and making the effort to do that, it looks like it's less than 40, I'll give it a try.

If I was doing this I would be buying predyed chrome tanned leather and concentrating on splitting and cutting the laces myself. Is this an option? Companies are already set up to do the tanning and dye. If you were making laces for family and friends I would say dye them yourself, it wouldn't be feasible to dye them for large quantities in my opinion.

Lisa; If you squeeze it between your thumb and index finger and it doesn't move, it will be close to 40 durometer.

You would buy your leather from a tannery, laces would be split then cut on a lace cutter, no certification required,the tumbling machine is normally just a drum with baffles in it, the machinery would be subject to your factory and production, re doing it at home or industrial site. Employees would be governed by the size of your business and how much capital you have. This is a veg tan process but chrome tanning is the similar but uses different chemicals. http://www.hermannoa...nery-tour-video You will need to know how to dispose of these chemicals which could be a big expense. Kevin

Can you compare this foam with a 40 durometer in relation to hardness? I'm looking for something less than 40. Kevin