TSGLeather
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Posts posted by TSGLeather
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Hello all,
I apologize for the horrible picture, but it was all i could get on short notice. I came across this pretty lady, still runs, a bit dusty but its nice. I just wanted to know if any of you would be able to identify it since i cannot find any tags stating its model or version. Also would like to know if it is appropriate for some leather work, I dont see it doing anything heavy, but if it does, great!. but more intended for light to medium jobs so i dont have to do it by hand and save me some time. Again, sorry for the poor picture, but I hope posting on here, the wonderful plethora of knowledge amongst all of you could be able to identify it. Thank you all again for your time
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Im loving your work, you are a true artist and a big inspiration to the rest of us on the site to do better and be more. I really enjoy your lacing style, im not sure if you have covered it or not but what is the technique used to do this particular lace look, its fantastic! Thank you for the tutorial.
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Howdy!
I wanted to introduce my self and warn y'all that there's a RANK newbie lurking around your forum! In fact,I don't even own a single leather working tool. As a craftsman inanother field, though, I know it's better to get advice beforejumping into something 'blind' and buying poor quality tools or toolsyou don't really need. So, I joined y'all in the hope that you'lltake pity on a newbie and help me get started properly!
Here's a little background: Growing uparound a ranch in NW Wyoming, and working as an outfitter and cowboyas a young man, I've always had an interest in leather work andsaddlery. I drifted into a totally different business, though. I leftthe country behind and had a terrific career as a tattooer and artist, becoming very well known for my traditional American and Asian style work. A few years ago I got totally fed up with city life and the politics of the art world and began missing the country life I grew up in. I went into semi-retirement from art, moved to a tiny town here in South Texas and became the ranch manager for Texas' largest bowhunting ranch. I still tattoo and paint but only on select, large projects that interest me. Moving back to the country and my ranch work has re-ignited my interest in leather work. Believe it or not, there's a lot of similarity between the art styles I specialize in and traditional western leather tooling designs. I would like to use leather as a way to bring the two together.
I'm hoping that some of y'all will help me to get started. I know that buying quality tools up front can make the learning process easier; but, I also know, that it's possible to over-buy or spend more money than necessary for tools that can't be appreciated until you are a real master of a craft. I'm looking to y'all for help finding that middle ground. Also, I need guidance finding some instructional material - books and, if at all possible, videos that will show me the basics. Once I have acquired some skill at tooling, I would like to buy a sewing machine and begin making chaps, spur straps and similar items; and, ultimately, I would like to attend a saddle making school.
Can I please get some recommendations on leather tooling instructional materials, which tools (brand/maker)to start with and where to buy them?
Thanks for taking the time to read this long intro post and thanks to everyone that tries to help me out!
Nick
P.S. Feel free to email me any of your suggestions.
Welcome to the network,
As a start, id probably say like most on here would, would be to check out the tandy leather factory nearest you and they can set you up with what you need, they are basically the one stop shop for all your leather needs from tools, leather and know how. Their tools arent the highest quality that is available but they are the worst out there either and are great for a starter to learn. They can advise you as to what you would need to get you started, they have kits with the basic starter set of tools and projects to help you along or you can forgo all that and just get the tools separate and start on your own project, as well as having great staff that can also guide you at how to do things. Also visit the website at tandyleatherfactory.com to see the products list as well as they have free online tutorials and videos to see what you are getting into, id say watch them first to see mostly what you'd be interested in you you can see what tools you'd actually need and which ones you can either forgo or improvise. They also have the new site of leathercraftlibrary.com for more pay and free tutorials, patterns, how to's and other things. To compliment that just surf these forums, check out the how to's, ask questions and hopefully the people on here will be able to help you out and you'll be on your way to making premo leather items. I hope that this helps, and that when you are ready, post up some of the things you are working on. See you around this site,
TSG
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hi here are a few pictures of my work thanks for looking DMP
Some really nice carving, I like the eagle heads and face portraits, and some pretty nice coloring in that full dance portrait. Although im not really liking the last one, mostly the carving on the man, he looks more like leather than the stuff its carved on. You have good talent, id say just need some refinement in the finishing skills though, I know im in need of the same since im not the greatest at the carving side either. Good work
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wow...it doesnt even really look like leather.
Yup, thats what a crap load of burnishing looks like, in box form. I can just feel the carpel tunnel set in from this one, but overall still fun to make, I like making boxes
Thanks for the reply -
Nice to see a personal touch of style. Like the way you carved the leave button. Good job.
Thanks for the response Resqman, the button was the final icing on the cake and fun to make as well, I think it tied it together. Thanks again for the feedback!
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Here is my second attempt at making a box out of leather, its a simple design but pretty functional. Made with 10oz veg tan leather including the hinge which swings on a 1/4" wooden dowel, then dyed midnight blue with a bit of a silver highlight to give it a starry appearance. hope you all like it.
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Well, luckily all of the ones I pictured are also available on Amazon (the second link on most), so if you just want to get one or two, you can, and have it shipped quick. Another option might be to get one that is unchromed nickle silver (for a "silver" color) or solid brass (for a "gold" color) that is close to what you want, then grind any surface decoration off. Obviously, this wouldn't work for anything plated or chromed, as you wouldn't be able to put the plate back on without a lot of equipment. You can then shine it back up to a mirror finish after the junk is off, or use a wire brush wheel to put a brushed finish on. A coat of jewelers lacquer would protect the new finish.
Thats a pretty good idea about modifying the buckles, but Ill have to wait on that, I dont have the set up for that, bad enough im taking up half my living room with my leather stuff, the wife wouldnt be too happy with metal and such flying around now, lol. Youve been a great help WinterBear, thanks!
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Hello All!,
Sorry for the late introduction but here it is, Im still fairly new to leather working, but as soon as I saw it I jumped in with both feet without looking back. Ive always been working with my hands since I was a kid. I started working in steel with my dad when I was 13 and have progressed in the trades since then working both as welder and even blacksmith for a few years. From there I trained as a custom goldsmith and wanted to merge both the steel with the jewellery to create something new, but alas I was in a car accident and had to give them up. after a number of years of feeling caged up in my own skin. for some reason I walked into a tandy store, got some info and basic kit and took ti from there. Now I do a lot of different things, have a small workshop in my living room and am starting to do some sales as well. So far I love making things out of the ordinary and working with the exotics, still have a ways to go in carving but in getting there.
Im loving this site, and appreciate everyone's info, experience, guidance and skill at this and love how you are all willing to show, help and give info, lets face it, there are those in any trade that dont want to show any secrets. Just want to say a big hello and thanks to everyone on here, see you all and hope to be an active member in this.
Here are some examples of what ive done so far. Hope yo all like it.
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Hello All,
Just posting some of the stuff ive been working on. This is actually my very first project, made to fit an odd size tablet that I have without buying the horrible manufactures' pouch. I was inspired by nature and hopefully got everything to flow. Everything was made out of 10oz veg tan, with black pigskin lining, black hand stitching. I also made the cocobollo button into a leaf to fit with the theme. what do you guys think?
Sorry, pics are big
3
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I've bought a bunch of lovely belt buckles recently on EBAY.
Thank you for the idea Somawas, Ive been hesitant to look on there, this belt is for someone and I would think buy the time they see the buckle and decide if they like it or not, it may be gone, or just over charged, but ill definitely take a look regardless, who knows, I may get lucky.
WinterBear, thank you for this site as well, much closer to what I want, I think this one may be a winner. As you can see, this has been the frustration Ive been having for sometime just finding something I would think is very simple to find, but I guess not. Thank you for your efforts.
I am still certainly open to others suggestions if they know of other places to get buckles without having to buy the minimum 100+ order. Thank you all for your time and trying to help me out
Something like these maybe? They are all from the same company.
http://www.beltiscoo..._campaign=10379 AND http://www.amazon.co...3537971&sr=1-73
http://www.amazon.co...538264&sr=1-266
http://www.beltiscoo...ampaign=ET40904 AND http://www.amazon.co...538062&sr=1-114
http://www.beltiscoo...m_campaign=C243 AND http://www.amazon.co...538189&sr=1-205
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Love the colour and design of it, GREAT JOB!
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You are looking for a military style belt buckle. Like the ones on this web site.
Thank you Busted for your help, the look is great, but still not the ones I need. The ones on the site are either the slip through with friction or the flip top with the teeth in it, where I need the one with the hook or ball on the back that goes through the belt holes like these pics. Thank you for your efforts
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I just went to Etsy.com and did a search for "belt buckle" in the sub-category "supplies". There were a ton of results... Might be worth browsing. Here is one that is fairly similar -
Hey, Thanks for the quick response! Unfortunately that would still not be what im looking for, that particular buckle is to put inlay and ends up with a groove/border around the buckle that is unwanted. I have checked on etsy as well before hand and I end up getting the same results of either alot of these inlay ones, or the other pewter ones that just wont do. Sorry, I also forgot to mention to try and stay away from the western look of the rope work and scroll work on it, like I said, more towards whats in the picture. Its getting to the point of having to just buy a belt with the particular buckle that is wanted and just get rid of the crappy leather they have on it and switch it for mines. Very frustrating. Thank you for your efforts Sixer, they are much appreciated.
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Hello All, thanks you for taking the time to read this, im new to the site as well as to leather working, so please forgive me if this is something simple to answer or that has already been covered. Im looking to find just a simple business/elegant style belt buckle, not sure what the actual type of buckle would be called, the ones with that are a plate with hook/ball on the back. Any of the belt buckles that I have scoured over on the net are nothing but the pewter cast ones that have some sort of logo or mascot and so on on it. I didnt think it would be this hard to find one that is comparable to the bigger named buckles on belts like CK, Hugo Boss, and Guess of all things. I dont have anything in a particular design needed, just something that is more for business without it being a roller buckle type. The pics are just some examples of what I am talking about, like I said, it doesnt have to match them in design or name, just that style of buckle. Thank you very much in advance for looking and helping me out if possible.
Does Anyone Recognize This Old Imperial Machine?
in Leather Sewing Machines
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Thank you all for your time and efforts with this.
Thanks for that little tidbit, im pretty sure its as you said the model is, both a clone and japanese. Helps narrow things down
Indeed, this was my initial thoughts as well, but since I have no experience in sewing machines, I have come here seeking the expertise of all of you, and yo0u have given me a lot to ponder on. I shall still see what can be done with it since, in all honesty, the machine was free, so no big deal if it does not do a thing for me or not. I appreciate the response, and as Wayne E stated, comments and info from great members like you are invaluable both money wise and time, to those of us that havent had that much experience with these kinds of things. Thank you.
Wayne E, you are absolutely correct, not just to Wizcrafts response, but overall this place has saved myself, and im pretty sire all of us a lot of headache, time and money inthe long run because of great members like you all that are willing to share and help fellow members out with things that may be out of there limits. Thank you all for your time, you are all grand