raysouth

Hello Cheryl, They are very nice and sure that they were fun to create. Do you have large farmers market in your area? Nothng around here. Plenty of Rednecks and Pick-ups. lol. Good luck at the market. God Bless. Ray

Hello Elizabeth, Thank you for the information and yes, there is a few items there that I will be able to use. I do prefer to order directly from suppliers, when possible, as costs can soon become beyond what I could expect from return on investment. I am not a major seller, by any means, just on fixed budget, most of the time. I am always amazed at the different terminology used by the craft and suppliers. Words I would never think of using. Never thought of using "findings" even though I have seen it used elsewhere for a couple of things I was seeking. Never learn enough and I suppose that is part of the pleasure of crafting. Again, I cannot thank you enough for the assistance. You have led me down a new and wonderful path of enlightenment and I will be forever grateful. God Bless. Ray

Just sent you a pm. Thank you for the assistance. God Bless. Ray

Howdy Folks, With all of the searching I do on the net, I have been seeking sources for hardware, primarily clasps/latches/catches, or whatever the proper name may be, for flat leather bracelets. The closest I came was to a t-bar type catch now being offered by Tandy. Searched Ohio Travel Bag and still nothing that I could find. I have been asked to make a small volume of different flat leather bracelets varying between 3/4" and up to 3" plus but the request threw me when they asked for multiple different styles of catches. I found a ton of sources for round and braided type bracelets but not much of anything else for flat leather use. If anyone has any idea of a source or sources for this hardware, please help me out. God Bless. Ray

Howdy All, I have decided it was time to look for some good advice pertaining to glue/adhesive application tools and methods. I am the worlds worst when it comes to any glue application and know nothing about the proper consistency of the contact adhesive I use. I always seem to have a string of glue following me from the container and landing on the surface where it does not need to be. lol. It seems to me, that it is rather thick but I do not have any idea of what it should be like. Can you help? Also need suggestions as to type container or glue pot that is best for contact cement to allow me to get away from using it from can as I now do. Rubber cement--- Another mess but cleanup is a bit easier. Is rubber glue always the suggested adhesive to use when lining wallets, bracelets, etc???? Things that flex need it and never contact cement?? I would really like to become a better crafter and not become frustrated with the glue thing, as I seem to do, and hope I can pick up enough tips and advice here to help me smooth out my methods. Thank you for taking time to consider assisting. God Bless. Ray

Spent a little time browsing an interesting site thas has a number of items that leathercrafters could use, ie; magnets, clock items, and so much more. I have had their site on my favorites page for some time but never got around to looking it over. If any of you have searched through all of their pages, you know of what I speak. I have seen requests for magnets, and they have many assortments and types, for bottles, many in various sizes in glass and plastic, clock mechanisms and components as well. Just a great place to visit and browse when time permits. Also saw a number of tools that are good for modeling tool use. Thought I would pass it on; www.sciplus.com should take you there. If not, try searching for American Scientific on Google. Hope you find something of interest. God Bless. Ray ps; I have never ordered from them but have spoken with others who have and they gave them good reviews.

That is a neat pattern. Great idea. I enjoy using things around the shop to make unusual tools. I have experimented with bolts of different sizes, using the thread patterns on various items. Also used hex nuts held by fastening to bolt and from watchmaker size to very large, gives some great patterns. Great for steam punk items if anyone does them. heads of carraige bolts make nice impressions as well. Old gears and miscellaneous junk can make unique items that look very good when completed. Sockets also make some interesting designs. 6 point and 12 point both . I also look around when I shop at the hardware store, just to see if they have an interesting item to try. Oh well, sure that everyone has tried many different items. Just my .02 God Bless. Ray

Happy that you have joined and welcome aboard. You should be able to find what you need to know by searching the site. Folks will be happy to help you out so ask questions if you become stumped. I am in Opelika, Al. God Bless. Ray

Welcome to the site, Cole. Your work is very nice and great to have your own site. God Bless. Ray

Superb in every way.. Thank you for sharing. God Bless. Ray

Received some information about two auctions coming soon. 1. Chatanooga, Tn. on 9/27 at 10:30 am and will be a two day sale. First day mostly antiques but second day is leather shop goods from former owners of Southern Saddlery Co. and has a ton of goodies listed. It will begin on 9/28 at 10:30 am. Also to be sold at this auction is an assortment of new and used tack. Being held at; 2001 Chestnut St., Chatanooga, Tn. 2. Eaton, Ohio, 10/18 at 9:30 am. Leather, tack, saddles, machinery, and more. Prebele County Fairgrounds, 722 So. Franklin St. For more info, go to; www.auctionzip.com ans sign in with ID, 8433 Conducted by Cox Auctions. Thought this might be of interest to some. Wish I could attend as probably very interesting. God Bless. Ray

Very nice and wondering where you got the concho/emblem. I enjoy unusual items. God Bless. Ray

OUTSTANDING !!!!! Beautiful workmanship. God Bless. Ray

I use Fiebings USMC black as well as Angelus black and have experienced no problems. I do allow to dry overnight and then buff with clean cloth and any residue seems to wipe off. I then follow through with finishing steps that I wish to use for the project. Belts, holsters, cases and other miscellaneous items, and fortunately, no problems to date. Same results have worked for me when applying a very liberal, "keep it wet" amount of dye and when using a single coat application. It seems that several dark colored dyes, ie; black, dark blue, purple, very dark green, etc; do impart residue that needs to be buffed off before proceeding to the finishing steps. I follow up with heavy buffing, by hand, on nearly all of my projects and so far, no headaches. Hope you find an answer that works for you. God Bless. Ray

Hello Papaleather, Welcome to the site and you will find answers to nearly any question you have. As Ralph said, use the search function to find things of interest. I usually browse the different categories to learn what has been updated. Great pleasure to be found on this site. I am in Opelika, Al., so only @ 100 miles away from you. If ever coming to the area, send me an email to see if I am in the shop that day and drop in for a spell. God Bless. Ray

That is great news, Stewart. Now you can really get at the leather again. Happy to hear that all is well. God Bless. Ray

I have used Fiebings and Angelus purple before. No idea if they still make it but it may not be dark enough. A drop of black can cure that. Be careful as the black goes a long way and can overpower a color very easily. Hope you find something. God Bless. Ray

Thank you Cyber and Olds Cool, I agree with the practice thing Cyber. It would be easier for me to have the image tracing done by computer to provide me with a good image to start my transfer to the leather due to issues with hands. My tracings seem to go astray, at times, but will probably continue as I have in the past as computerese is a tad over my head and any dificulty with the process would give me fits. lol. Thanks Olds, and was curious if it was a simple matter and I believe that I understand about the ink transfer against the leather. I truly appreciate the time you took to provide the information. God Bless. Ray

Hey Malabar, They are superb. Great job and sure that any customer would enjoy the workmanship. God bless. Ray

Can it be done with office jet printer? Never tried. God Bless. Ray

Thanks Steve. For some reason I seem to have a problem remembering names if I don't use them every day. lol. Now that you have straightened it out for me, I have remembered that the name I gave makes tools for the home shop, like compressors and more. God Bless. Ray

Well, I suppose everyone has an opinion about everything in their life. We either like it or we don't, and perhaps a few "in betweens". If you like it, use it, if not, don't use it. Folks tend to have different market areas where some things work and others do not. Try to find what is good for your use and others will find their preferences. Any idea that produces is the way to go. You can decide at your leisure if it will help or hinder. I may like the idea, (I do), and you may not. Easy decision for all of us. Creativity is something that we all strive for. Just look at the varied uses of leather found on the site, and the talents of those having discovered what they like to create. Amazing !!! We are all blessed and entitled to our individual likes and dislikes and should be thankful for the opportunity to share our ideas. We are also allowed to make fools of ourselves when we forget, or for some reason, become "uptight" and neglect to stop and think before acting. Been there and done that more times than I care to recall. Life is GRAND, and I hope that we all continue to be creative and enjoy the craft. God Bless. Ray

Hello Walter. The edging tool is very unique. Are such tools still available today? Have never seen anything like it in the U.S. God Bless. Ray

There are a few conversations about the type skivers on the site but I do not know how to dig them out. One of the things I remembered during my quest for info., was, a dual feed machine is best. Please don't ask me just what that means but it made an impression on me at the time. Seems that the Fortuna machines are some of the best and used are, I think, available from Campbell Tool. Cannot remember their full name either. Oh well, comes with age. Campbell-Hausfield??????? Sure that others will be more helpful than I. God Bless. Ray

Had mine made in 2" size and this is the sketch from Jeff.