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Slider

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Posts posted by Slider

  2. Posted · Report reply

    I have had one in my tool box for decades (bought back when tandy had them) never used it until I read about it here. Anyway my point is I just ordered a few from Springfield i am going to try taking some off each side of the blade to make it smaller to aid in geting around tight curves and the like. has anyone tried this yet?

  5. Posted · Report reply

    First let me say that I have learned more in my months I have lurked this site then I have in many years of trial and error. That said I have tried and tried and tried again but I can not seem able to cut an accurate mitered corner. Is there some secret that I have not yet found? any help would be greatly appreciated.

    Thanks

    Tom

  14. Posted · Report reply

    Hello all my name is Tom but I go by Slider (the result o a "smooth" move on my motorcycle). I am recently retired and have returned to leatherwork to fill the time and maybe add a few shekels to the coffers. I started working with leather when I was 12 years old and have been at it on and off sense. I am currently re-honing my skills and hope to sell locally and on line in the near future. I was a cad drafter so I use cad software to design some of my projects and just print the pattern or tooling design. I am also the president of the local chapter of Bikers Against Child Abuse (B.A.C.A.) an international 501-c-3 charity that works directly with abused kids.

  16. Posted · Report reply

    I am fairly new here and can't answer the country of origin question. As for made in the USA I prefer "Handcrafted in the USA" after all that is what it is regardless of the leather's origan. It says an American was employed in its creation and will profit from is sale..

    How do you tell where a "side" of leather came from? in other words what country it originated in. Had a customer ask this this weekend and All I knew was it was from one of three countries that supply my supplier.

    That is why I am reluctant to claim "Made in the USA" I know all of the metal parts come from Asia but never sure where the leather comes from.

  17. Posted · Report reply

    For light and medium weights I use a stainless steel ruler and a roller cutter.

    Okay I am about to drive myself crazy not being able to cut a straight line and then match up two pieces of a notebook cover. Does anyone have any suggestions about making pieces of a pattern the same... I don't know if I am just letting the pattern slip or something to keep having this problem..

  18. Posted · Report reply

    Thank you for the speedy reply and the detailed info. It was quite helpful.

    The main difference is the size of the pigment/colorant used in the two.

    Stains are essentially very thin paint. The pigment is larger and use a binder so they tend to stay on the top of the surface. The color is deeper and more lightfast because the larger particles can absorb & reflect more light but they can also be more easily removed (on purpose or accidentally) due to their weak penetration. The main drawback is that because it is a surface coating of sorts, it can "fill in" some of the leather grain's finer details. This gives a more uniform color surface but when layered on can take away from the natural look & feel of the leather.

    Dyes penetrate deeper due to the fact that the colorants (pigmentation material) is much smaller than those used in stains so they can work their way further into the leather's cell structures. The drawback is that dyes tend to need many more coats to achieve a similar color depth as the colorant is absorbed & penetrates and dispersed throughout. Dyes are transparent by nature so some of the underlying materials color will tend to come through (this is why leather dyed with just black dye can have a golden tone to it). Dyes don't build up, they simply darken as more colorant is penetrates the cell walls and therefore can take more abrasion than stains and doesn't build up on the surface so the nature feel & look of the leather grain remains.

    Short version:

    Dye:

    Pros: deeper penetration, better durability, no surface build up, can be blended with finishes that use the same carriers/solvents to create tinted finishes, longer shelf life

    Cons: not as lightfast, can be more difficult to clean up, less intense colors, can leave a residue (see also USMC Black), longer drying times

    Stain:

    Pros: more intense color, better lightfastness, generally easier to clean up, blends/hides imperfections, generally dry faster, little to no residue/rub off

    Cons: very little penetration, hides/distorts grain patterns, can not be used as a tint, shorter shelf life due to pigment/binder separation, less durable (scratches show underlying material easier)

  20. Posted · Report reply

    I have never tried this buy you might try using an undercut beveler to make it look more like the edges are rolled back. by the bullet.

    Leather workers, Here is a photo of what I'm working on. I need this to look like a bullet hole and it will be in black leather. I got the image off of the internet but when tooled it looks like a odd flower. I need depth where the bullet goes through and any suggestions otherwise I'd appreciate. Thanks a bunch!

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