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Thats always a problem and one good reason to read the books that are suggested on this site. There are things that people do that are so natural they figure everyone knows it. This is why its so great when you get a chance to sit and watch a master at what you do. You learn all the little things that they do by nature. The books that are available are the next best thing to sitting at the foot of a Master. Michael

....i thought everyone knew that....... Michael

"Nobody can be so amusingly arrogant as a young man who has just discovered an old idea and thinks it is his own." That was me. I figured out how ot cut the belt notch or slot a fast and easy way. Then I read Al Stolhmans Leathercraft Tools book and there on page 10 is my new discovery. Even if I didnt invent it its a great way if you don't have a bag bunch.FYI it works just as well with a chisel, which is how I did it.

Double click. If a moderator wouldn't mind this can be deleted or moved. Michael

Ok, the ones I know the answer to. 1: Should I cut out leather with the flesh or grain side up, or doesn't it matter? I find I get a better cut and I dont scratch the grain by cutting with the grain up. 2: When cutting out, what is the best way to ensure multiple pieces fit neatly? Should I over size them and trim after stitching? I cut about a 1/16th oversize and then trim and sand when I am ready to burnish the edges. You have to take the extra into account when you set your adjustable groover. 3: What is the normal sequence for the major steps? For example: cut out, dye, groove for stitching / crease, bevel edges, wet form (if required), cement, stitch, buff edges, polish. You will get 15 different version on this one. A lot depends on what you are making. 4: Should dye daubers be soaked in dye, or just a light dab? Are you dyeing a whole piece or touching up a little spot? see the difference? 6: A specific question about the adjustable Crafttool stitch groover - how to you join lines in the corners at sharp angles, around bag flaps for instance? I stop before the corner start again at the other side adn then go back to the first groove and bring it to the start of the second groove. This way I do not over shoot. 7: When using the edge beveller, should the leather be moistened or not? Moisten it. You get a much better and cleaner cut. Those are the ones I know the answer to. Warning. There are at least 5 ways to do every step and most are correct. Find someone you trust and follow their suggestions. The other suggestions are probably correct also but why mix methods. Michael

Wiz, Yes you did post it earlier. I apologize for it slipping my mind. I even wrote it down so I would not forget. We see how well that helped. As long as I have you here Wiz, nylon or polyester, which is better or does it matter? For belts or holsters. Michael

I agree with you on price. The latests prices At tandy are $49.99 a pound for all 207,277 and 341. Thats way to much. With my gold discount its still $40.00. Where do you get thread for $15.00? The Tandy thread is pre-lubricated. Does that matter in any way? Michael

Not soaking new leather in oil is just what I have been told by people I respect. I could be wrong. I knew vegetable oil was wrong just could not remember last night why. As stated it goes rancid. I cant imagine how long it would take to get the excess oil out of a large piece of leather that was new and soaked. You would not want your product leaving oil stains on your customers clothing or furniture. If you want super supple and flexible leather in 3/4 try this from Springfield leather. I just got some and its amazingly flexible and soft. I just got some and its unbelievable how flexible and soft it is.

I know someone that uses Tandy 341 and it looks and works great for them. Different machines work differently on the same thread sometimes Thanks for your experience. Michael

What kind of leather are you starting with and what thickness? . As far as I know its never a good idea to over saturate any leather with any oil. If you want to restore some leather you can use olive oil or neets foot oil. Vegetable oil can be any combination of oils and not always the same from the same manufacturer. If you want really flexible leather get leather from the neck or the belly. I am sure there are other things that can be done and there are people here that can tell you but I would not soak any leather in vegetable oil. I wouldnt soak leather in any oil. Only use as much as you need.

I know a business owner who says, "you need to fire your worst customer". I have seen it work and in the long run its the right thing to do.

Ok, Im getting the Boss. I will need suppliers for needles and thread. I could buy bonded lubricated Nylon thread 346 at Tandy but it seems a bit expensive even with my gold discount. I can get it from Tippmann but they only handle White, Black, and Brown. Im going to start with 277 Bonded Nylon white and black. I will have needles for 207, 277 and 346. So I can experiment. I do like the look of the 346 on a belt. Anyway. Where are the good places to get thread and needles? I see that Zack White has thread and needles. I have heard about Thread Exchange but do not know anythng about them. Please, I would like to benefit of your experience with suppliers of thread and needles. Thanks Michael

PM me I'm interested. Let's talk. Or. All me after 12:00 noon 303 eighteightone 1045 881 Michael

Where?? I'm not against used. Michael

Another issue, I figured a knife with the name "Al Stolhman" on it would be quality. Seems they are really abusing the name for all its worth. I would think that whoever owns the name now would be more careful of the products its put on. O well, What do I know. Michael

Thanks for the link. When it was $69.99 It wasnt worth it but at 32.99 I thought maybe. Seem like it has to drop to $10.00 before I will get one. Thanks for the input. Michael

For the moment it will be mounted to a piece of wood and c-clamped to a heavy oak table. I need to build a shop in the spring. I also have a portable work bench I want to try it on. I figured I would not need the stirrup pad but as you said, what I dont use I can sell. Thanks guys Michael

Thanks, At the moment his lowest is $80.00 The wife is buying me a Tippmann Boss Monday, early Christmas present, so thats so much. Ill just keep my eye out for something. Michael

Thanks for the info. I called my tandy and they had no idea what was in it. They are going to try to find out. I just got a call back and all they can tell me is that its Stainless steel. O well It looked like a good deal. Ill keep looking. Michael

I am going to order a Boss on Monday. Below is the list of things I am ordering. Anyone see anything I am missing? Tippman Boss Machine The Master Crafter accessory back which includes: Material guide attachment, Stirrup attachment, Left pressor foot, Right pressor foot, Center foot, Fleece foot, and 6 Additional bobbins 794 200 needle pack (10) B277 black thread 1 lb The Boss ships with a 1/4 lb spool of white but the current catalog says its a 1 lb spool so they are giving me a 1 lb spool of white 277 Is there anything else I should get. Im looking for needs at the moment. Wants like 794230 needles and 346 thread will come later. Any suggestions will be appreciated. Michael

Art, Im confused, You said, "This Tandy knife is a round knife, not a head knife. Blade if round knife is usually a circle if extended. Blade of head knife is a oval if extended." I called it a round knife, the page at Tandy called it a round knife. Did you mean that its actually a head knife and not a round knife? Ive got a great utility knife that works very well. I figure if its worth it Id get this to play with to see if I like it. Thanks Michael FYI according to Stolhmans Leathercraft tools book this is Head knife. But I have seen them called both all the time. (the only advantage of buying the tools book as a digital file is for posting examples. I wound up buying the paper version too. )

Tandy has this Al Stohlman round knife on sale for members for between 28 and 32 dollars depending on level. Is it worth that price. I do not yet have a round knife and its over 50% off. It seems like a good deal for the price. I just want to make sure its not a waste of money. It's normally retail for $69.99 My price $54.00. Id like one so I hope its worth it. at least for a starter. Thanks for the input Michael Sale ends 1/15/12

It should be dark enough by next Wednesday. Sorry I could not help myself

You might want to get "LeathercraftToolsby Al Stohlman. IT has instructions for almost all the tools used in leather crafting. The picture below shows how to hold and use the Crafttool stitching Groover you are talking about. Michael