Jump to content

Schpacko

Members
 View Profile  See their activity

  • Content Count

    66

  • Joined

  • Last visited

Posts posted by Schpacko

  7. Posted · Report reply

    Hey Guys

    It's been a few years since my last post!

    Question: What edger can you recommend for thin (1 mm / 2-3 oz) veg tan? Especially if you have curved edges.

    I am using the Barry King 00 Grooved Edger, which i generally like. But for curved, concave edges it's not that great.

     

    Cheers

    Schpacko

  9. Posted · Report reply

    Hi Guys

    I am recently having a problem that drives me insane.

    I dip dye all my stuff with Fiebings Pro Oil Dye that is diluted with denatured alcohol to 40% - 65% of the original strength. This usually works great. But i when i dye thin (around 3 oz) vegtan, it sometimes looks like this (see image). funnily enough, i have never had this problem with the exact same leather in 5 oz or above.

    Any ideas what the problem is?

    5arKT28.jpg

  11. Posted · Report reply

    I am struggling with a task that is actually pretty simple: Rivetting two layers of 4-5oz leather with Double Cap Rivets like this: http://d31snyb1jsf9xb.cloudfront.net/services/image.aspx/media/images/product/1379-081-L.JPG-600x

    The Problem is that the male part is usually waaay too long and the result is that the two Caps arent in line. I tried to shorten the post, sometimes it works, sometimes it doesnt.

    Do you guys have a more reliable technique?

    Also, are there other rivets i could use? Sure, i could use copper rivets, but often times thats not an option for me for a number of reasons. Other alternatives?

    Thanks, Cheers

  13. Posted · Report reply

    Hi Guys

    I bought a plough gauge about one year ago. It was in a pretty good condition, there was only one bad thing about it: It didn't cut. I tried to sharpen it, but i guess my nonexistent sharpening skills made it even worse. So, i put it in a box and almost forgot about it, until i stumbled upon this thread. Since Walter is a fellow countryman, i asked him if he wanted to recondition the tool, and he agreed. He found out that the blade has been sharpened over the years to a point where it was just unusable. So, i bought a blanchard blade and below you can see the result. I guess i dont have to tell you which one is before and which one after :)

    post-21032-0-37140100-1382033828_thumb.j

    post-21032-0-88825800-1382033674_thumb.j

    I can only applaud to Walter's work, he did a great job. The gauge looks just like new. Also, he's a very nice and helpful guy and VERY knowledgeable when it comes to leatherwork. He also offered me a little crash course in sharpening. Since he lives only about 100km away from me, i guess i'm gonna take this offer sooner or later.

  15. Posted · Report reply

    Hi guys

    After a few years of hand stitching, i feel like the time is right to buy a sewing machine.

    I have read several threads here, trying to figure out a few models i can "hunt" for on ebay, but thats almost impossible for a beginner like me. So i need your help.

    I have only few requirements:

    - What i want to sew: Usually two layers of 4-7oz veg tan. If it can handle more, that's great, of course.

    - When i stitch by hand, i usually use 3 ply or 4 ply linen thread. Ideally, the machine can handle something similar.

    - Spare parts should be available. Since i am in switzerland, i guess it makes sense to choose a european brand (Adler and Pfaff come to my mind).

    Here is some of my latest work, maybe that helps:

    http://i.imgur.com/eTCocL8.jpg

    http://i.imgur.com/FSB94of.jpg

    http://i.imgur.com/IQc0daT.jpg

    http://i.imgur.com/7bY0AQ4.jpg

    http://i.imgur.com/H8vBS7p.jpg

    http://i.imgur.com/oiIjzlC.jpg

    http://i.imgur.com/wX7frxZ.jpg?1

    http://i.imgur.com/9FbesVb.jpg

    http://i.imgur.com/NQ2VoFy.jpg

    That is all i can say so far. I would be very glad if you could name some models i can keep an eye on and maybe some i should stay away from.

    If you need more info, just ask.

    Thanks a lot, cheers

    Schpacko

  17. Posted · Report reply

    I know there are literally thousands of years of experience in leather crafting on this forum. I am sure every one of us has developed some small tricks that make the life of a leathercrafter easier and would like to create a thread to collect as many of them as possible. Please post them here, no matter how small or trivial they seem to you.

    Here are some of mine, there's a picture attached for every one:

    1. "Improved Washers" to cut small radiuses
      As i know, many of you use washers to cut small radiuses. So do i. But i noticed that the ones for countersink screws work better for me, they are easier to hold. Plus, i punched some round pieces out of a rubber sheet and glued them to the bottom side of the washers for better grip on the leather
    2. Rubber bands for Spools
      This one is so obvious, it took me years to find out about it. Its simply keeps them from unravelling and makes it a lot easier to find the ending of the thread.
    3. Felt Pens for Stitching Grooves
      It annoied the hell out of me that i had to re-dye the stitching grooves of dyed pieces. It was messy and time consuming. So i tried some Felt Tip Pens and it just worked out great. As you can see, its not a huge difference, but enough to weaken the contrast between the groove and the rest of the leather. On the finished piece you would notice an undied groove underneath the Thread, but you would not after re-dying it with a felt tip.
      I guess you could use any waterproof Felt Tips. I use the ones on the picture because the have a huge range of colours (more than 100 iirc).

    Now i'm excited to hear some tricks from you guys!

    Thank in advance

    Schpacko

    post-21032-0-09254900-1373729159_thumb.j

    post-21032-0-03129800-1373729167_thumb.j

    post-21032-0-71468300-1373729173_thumb.j

  18. Posted · Report reply

    As i wrote in another Thread, i am having problems with nickel plating rubbing off of plated brass buckles. So, i would like to offer only solid brass and solid stainless steel buckles. Solid Brass is not a problem, i got tons of them. The problem ist the stainless steel ones.

    I am looking for 1.25- and 1.5 inch buckles. I really dont know why that is, but for some reason i can only find two kinds of stainless steel buckles: roller buckles and rather small buckles (1 inch and smaller). And almost all of them are pretty ugly, compared to the brass ones.

    1. Can anyone explain the lack of "pretty", belt-sized, non-roller stainless steel buckles

    2. More important: Any sources for "pretty", belt-sized, non-roller stainless steel buckles i haven't found yet?

    Thank you very much

    Cheers

    Schpacko

×
×
  • Create New...