Sylvia

Very nice. I like them both. May I suggest that you get some sort of template going or some end punches so you can make a consistent end on these? I can't tell if it is my eyesight or the angle of the picture but the end on the Skull one looks just a little off balance to me. (I'm cursed... I'm sure... ) I can see that you put tons of time into these... very nice work.

Yes, you definitely got a good deal. Too bad about the leather, but I'm sure someone went "Cool!" and grabbed it. (At least I hope so)

I love to see ingenuity like this. I wonder how a set of bicycle gears would work? Instead of 3 gears, one could get 15 speeds... Hmmmmmm.... wish I could weld.

I haven't. I hope you see some sales from your entries though.

I've tried it but wasn't impressed. On my stuff it cracked and flaked off when flexed... which since I was looking for a distressed and aged look.... I guess it was ok. I ended up scraping most of it off because of the cracking. I would not use it one something I wanted to look perfect and new. I can see where it would do a pretty good job on the edges of hard leather like boot soles and heals. I kept it for that reason alone since I have some black cowboy boots that could use a shine and touch up. I would suggest testing it yourself before putting it on a project piece.

I think you did Ok. That daisey-like flower stamp I've seen go for $15 by itself before. You have a 2 piece edge slicker under the paper bag(?) and side cutters. I see an Xacto knife and a couple figure carving tools (with F prefix to the number) too. It would be interesting to find out what that long red thing is at the top of the picture. Let us know when you get it.

Hello Aart: Sounds like a fun project. I did a google search and came up with a wikipedia article that talks about middle age harnesses. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horses_in_the_Middle_Ages#Harness_technology The issue I see is that since then the technology has improved, most likely to prevent injury to the horse... a valuable animal.

I've used a few things to make templates. File folders, cereal boxes, Milk jugs cut open and ironed flat under some wax paper, aluminum flashing on a roll.... And Black River Laser's templates. Of all those... the aluminum and black river laser templates work the best.... The aluminum has draw backs related to the material such as sharp edges, difficulty in cutting out intricate designs and you can't see through them. I've also use the sheet protectors that someone else mentioned but tend to use them mostly to transfer a tracing more than a pattern template.

LOL I would have to be responsible for cleaning the yard or kennel after they ate all that food. To the original poster... very nice work.

I think it was the late Paul Burnette who said to cut outside the line. The trouble comes from tracing with a stylus which human tendency is to trace in the center of the line. Then when we cut and bevel down the line that narrows the pattern even further.

Yes, I called my local Tandy and asked if they would replace the tool and they did... they even sent it to me rather than asking me to drive into the city.

Hi Phil: Tandy has a nice selection of free carving patterns on the leather craft library site. I'm pretty sure some of those are suitable for wallets. If none of those work for you, check out the "craft aid tracings." they are $0.99. https://www.leatherc.../c-85-free.aspx

Very happy you got it working.

Hi Martimar: I can't say it was a mistake because I got one in January for some tools I didn't have (mallet, adjustable swivel knife, dyes and finishes) The problem is that the tools in the kits are worse than the tools you can buy from the shelf at tandy. In fact the same basket weave stamp number, sans the X or Z or what ever is included to indicate they came from kits... And the same basket weave from the shelf are two different sizes. I had one bend... another member had one break in the middle of a project. As a beginner I think the kit is fine for you. Just understand that your first projects are not so likely to turn out perfect. Eco Flo dyes and finishes give some people fits and you'll hear a lot of "get rid of that eco flo crap" which has some validity. Still when you feel ready to move to the next step and buy better tools, go for the best quality you can afford. You can always donate these tools to the local scout troop... or veteran's home, or wounded warrior program. I hope this helps... but ultimately you and your wallet will have to decide what's right for you. Good luck.

Hi guy. I have a few questions for you that may or may not help. Are you grasping the threads as you start to sew? Have you increased pressure on the presser foot? Is your needle in good shape and not dull, bent or otherwise damaged? These are all things suggested by a domestic sewing machine company... but the prinicples are the same for commercial machines. Good luck.

It's sad how poorly things are made these days. I feel for you, Brent. But I do have to wonder why you didn't call and make a complaint directly to Blevins or your distributor about the nasty state of the product upon arrival?

Dharma Trading company has powdered dyes. I suspect that the "fiber reactive" dyes are the ones to go for and mix them with an acidic base instead of water for protein based materials such as silk and leather. http://www.dharmatrading.com/html/eng/3796-AA.shtml?lnav=dyes.html

I was always told that "Opinions are like @ssholes, we all have them and they all stink"

LOL I'm going to show you fellas something. This is my Dean Performer, Faded Pink... guitar. I bought it second hand from a MAN who played at live shows. Ha! He even had a Daisy Rock Candy electric in hot pink.

Hi: After watching how this machine works, doubt that a foot operated thing would work UNLESS, maybe if it was a two pedal set up where one pedal pulled the handle forward and another pulls it back. Could be something interesting to try.

I wonder if Bruce Johnson would have something like this? Couldn't hurt to ask that's for sure.