Sylvia

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.

Thanks Star.... but the link doesn't work.

Hi Heather: Sound interesting.... does the fellow make his own soy milk from soy beans? If so perhaps you can get a recipe or something. Clearly Vanilla Silk soy milk isn't going to cut it on leather here in the USA. Also it would be nice to know how well this stuff wears. Maybe some pictures would be good too.

LOL My husband was navy... and does a lot of Punchy Sounds intersperced with lots of M-F, C-S, G-D, ..... A couple month or so ago, I literally kicked the corner of the wall trying to get to the door in a hurry. I bent my toes back and heard the "crack"... it turned black almost immediately. I just whimpered.... Hubby goes "You ok?" "hmmmm No!..... " It's weird that I don't cuss when hurt.... but when I'm seeing red in anger.... there's has on rare occasions been a blue cloud surrounding my head. Thankfully that doesn't happen much.

Brian: I think mallet or maul weight depends on the user. I have a Barry King maul in 16oz.... that is more than enough to punch things for me. (Of course I keep my punches sharp!) I tend to like my cheapo mallet (11oz) for tooling better than anything. I hope to be able to get a 14oz eventually. I would recommend the 16oz only because it can handle the heavier jobs and with a practiced hand I think could handle the lighter jobs too.

Basic 7 for the stamps A good swivel knife(or 2) with good blades A 14-16oz mallet or maul. Granite slab. (sink cut out work great)

It's pretty permanent. It would take a lot of washings before it releases from the inside. But from what I understand of your process you'll encase that between 2 layers of canvas right? If so, just capture the edge of the stiffener in your seam allowance and you are good to go. I use something similar to this in machine embroidery. Iron on is much easier to work with than the spray glue (which gums up the needle. Remember when you iron this on... it's more of a pressing motion. Press, press, press. Allow to cool... move on to the next piece. Avoid an ironing motion or it will move on you as the glue heats up. Syl