Cyberthrasher

I can't speak to the knife issue because I only have 2, a bad one from Tandy and a less bad one with an adjustable blade. But, I have to agree with Bob here. There are times where a beveled line works and is just what the portion of the piece calls for, but unless you're working really lightweight leather then I can guarantee that your tooling isn't deep enough to last. If it is, then you're really doing it the hard way with twice the work to get the tooling that deep. I normally agree that "anything goes" in art, but this is one of those exceptions. What are you referring to in regards to "smooth corners"? Are you talking like like 90 deg angles or points? Most people will say that when doing stuff like that, it's good to either stop your cut short of the corner or really lighten up the pressure then finish it off with the beveler, otherwise you'll end up with a mess of disfigured leather in that spot. The good news is, that's just a technique issue that doesn't cost any money for a fancy knife. Mix that with the definition and longevity you'll see in your work and it's definitely a win-win.

I'm probably going to have another go or two before the months up. Someone's gotta keep this thread alive!!

That sounds like a good idea. Maybe line it with some felt or something to make it look more like a jewelry display that people would see at a fancy store while at the same time highlighting your work.

I use my practice pieces for more practice or figuring out dye schemes and stuff.

SHE'S GONNA BEAT YOU!!!!! Good call on selling the body. Nitro finish takes A LOT of work, so better not to ruin it and let someone else enjoy it (Ok, maybe it's just a lot when you're the one who has to wait for it to cure before playing it)

Glad to hear we could help. If you're buying a lot of stuff, definitely look at their wholesale club. The $35 cost paid for itself on my first order. Since then I've saved bundles on all the little stuff I've needed.

it's not problem man. Come around and get involved more often. I don't know where you're at in your work, but participation has made me a lot better at my stuff. Hopefully I'll be getting some bags out the door soon.

Yeah, that's a given. But, I don't think either one of us were equating Sportster's with Ironhead's!! I'm keeping my eye out for something around a '73 right now to rebuild with/for my daughter (because they're shorter and cheaper - nothing to do with "girls bike" mentality). Some of my closest friends ride some really cool ironhead chops. Now, can we re-bury this thread??

yeah, I thought about that after I asked, but it's still great looking either way.

Looks great. Now you have a round to it and you can get to work on everything else you've been putting off (or your friend can).

I gotta agree with Chancey. Brush some highlights around your lettering to set it off from the background and maybe dye the border that same brown that you have on the knot, then call it good. Is it just me, or does it seem like people are having a lot more fun with the challenges when we dye them?

Cool!! What weight of leather is that? Looks like your tooling is sitting up like 1/2" or something like that.

I think it will look fine. Mine went through several schemes before I settled on that outcome.

I had a credit at Springfield, so I through some in there with some bigger eyelets that I needed. I'm heading to Joanne's after work to see if they have any to get it done now. It's funny, we're a big rodeo/western town, but there isn't much for supply stores around here. That's a great job Winter. Can't wait to see what you do with it.

Yeah, that will have to wait about a week I think. I reached for my snaps......gone!! I'm assuming my klepto kid got to them, but the new ones are on order.

Hey, I didn't say celtic. I said IRISH - you're the one who said Celtic!! Got it all finished - I punched the holes already for my snaps, but that's not part of the challenge.

Cool, then that means I can print out a picture on my inkjet and call it a painting Nobody said anything bad. It sounds like it was an unfortunate case of "what the customer wanted". But, hand working our leather is what sets our stuff apart from Walmart or any of the other mass produced products that can be purchased. Yeah, Chancey has every right to be upset to see leatherworking go this direction. When you've done something by hand your entire life, just like your father and his father, you're allowed to be upset when people start using machines to produce stuff. This is why we all have a hard time selling our stuff for what it's actually worth because the machines have made all the mass produced stuff so cheap that most people expect to pay less. Stitchwizard, I don't mean any of this as a put down to you at all. I'm just stating the facts and pointing out how this effects every one of us who has ever picked up a setup of leather tools. It is very unfortunate that your customer didn't want any tooling whatsoever.

Did you get it all figured out? My brains working a little better today, so if you still need help with something it might not sound so sporadic coming from me.

That's what those scrap bags are for. And, most of it is actually premium leather that was either cut off or has a little flaw in it somewhere. I have a hole side of HO sitting here uncut because all the scrap stuff I have is just fine for making projects with at little to know cost.

You did an excellent job for a first try. I think all the problems you had can be summed up with the words above: "pre-shaped Tandy coaster". All their precut leather is junk. Order yourself some practice tooling leather scraps from Springfield or Zack White. Springfield is $7 for a 2lb bag and there are lots of different weights and sizes in it. Message me if you need a link to it or anything. As far as exceeding your skill level, that's what these challenges are about. On top of that, I find that the only way to really get better is to push yourself past your comfort zone. I like to think that's the only way I've gotten as far as I have in less than 3 months (that and all the help from the others in this thread ). keep on going. Look forward to seeing how far you go.

I always judge a guitar by how it sounds unplugged. I'm an amateur luthier as well, so I know that anything outside the wood I can "adjust" to my liking with ease

That's funny. I always tell my wife "yes your highness". I swear, my next wife isn't getting such a large weapon....I mean ring!!

I kind of messed mine up by trying to work on it some more with Sylvia's migraine effecting me. But, all is never lost