digdug18

Just found one on ebay for cheap, I'll deconstruct it, and make a pattern for it, I'll post the dimensions up here when I get it all done.

I tried searching, couldn't find anything. I was looking for a pattern, or how thick to make it, what weight leather, etc. But couldn't find anything. It seems like the perfect product to me, that big open space for a pattern, figure carving, perhaps some stingray inlay? You'd figure that they want to stand out, make a statement when at the gym. At least they do at the gym I goto. I might just buy a belt, perhaps a used belt just so I can copy it. Andrew

You might try using a press for the stamping dies? They keep coming up for cheap on ebay. A buddy of mine makes wooden pens in his apartment, and got in some trouble for turning antler on a mini-lathe. It has quite the smell when you burn it, lol.

I don't think there is really such a book out there. All the books teach you a little bit, the rest the information you need to gain on your own. What I've been doing, is finding something I like, buying it and taking it apart to learn how it is constructed. Though Anymore I think you need to goto china or a third world country to learn many of these skills.

ok, I made the pouch design that I wanted, twice already in paper, but some of the shapes, corners aren't exactly what I'm looking for. I'm planning to cut the seems that I'm going to sew together oversized anyway. So that they can be cut and dressed after I sew them.

what are you using for your pattern? I'm guessing clear plastic acrylic? cutting it out with a miter saw?

Do you finalize the design, modify it, etc on a piece of paper, wrap it around whatever you are doing? Build it using paper and tape or whatever medium you have handy. Taking into account seam allowances, etc? Do you them transfer the pattern to hard plastic or something if it's something that you think you'll use regularly? Andrew

neat looking posters. Can't say that I'd pay that much for them.

Great looking bag. However we are always more cirtical of our own work then anyone else would be, so saying that. What did you learn along the way? What would you change or do differently on your next bag?

George, You might consider getting an address for your garage, basement, etc. With a seperate mailbox number, its a loophole that alot of at home businesses take advantage of, that way. That way "the business" is renting the garage from you. So the IRS sees that your LLC is renting, making deductions on upkeep, etc on the space they are renting. It's how guys have FFL's for gunsmithing out of their houses. The pain of it though, is that you have the charge "the business" a nonimal amount each month for rent, and show it being paid. Benefit being that it's a tax write off for the business, depending on how you write it off.

Kinda what I figured, but thought I'd check to be sure.

Cleaned out my grandmothers attic after she passed last year, and found a box of bits. Any value to these? They're pretty plain, but just thought I'd ask. Not trying for this to be a FS thread, but they might just end up in that area, because I'd rather they go to someone that would use them for their intended purpose vs scrap. I'll add some pics so you see what I'm talking about, I'm guessing ages range from the 50's to the 70's. My mom is the rider, they were her's, but she doesn't want them. I think she said they were from a barn that she rode at back then, and they were throwing out old tack with bad leather. Though as you'll see the one bit is leather where the horse's teeth actually goes. Andrew Full box so you can see what I'm talking about. Steel. Leather bit, steel ends. Steel? Steel. Painted steel. Aluminum, seem to be a couple of these in the box.

Adult area doesn't seem to be listed on the forum page for me.

I'd like to be added as well please.

Be careful firing it, I'd recommend light loads only. The steel used isn't the best, they tend to explode... Its one of the ten or so gun I refuse to work on when gunsmithing...

I'm more of a proactive person, though It's gotten me in trouble in the past as well... If it were me, I'd copyright the name Grizzly Gear, Grizzly dog collars, Adam Erwin Benjamin Leathercrafting, etc. Then send him a nice letter from a lawyer asking him to please stop using that name, that it infringed your copyright.... I'm sure he would appreciate it.

thanks for the pack

I'll bite for $.99 for a pdf...

I realize I'll need to sand to finish the edges, but if my 2 pieces are so far off that they need to be sanded every time, then I view that as me just rushing.

Agreed, but I'd prefer to have even pieces to start with. That way I don't need to sand them down to even them up. I think it all it coming down to my setup right now, I need to get my bench setup the way I want it, then go from there. Thanks!

I was on the site yesterday for awhile, then nothing. The website was down for about 6+ hours. Is that usual for saturday nights, or whats up?

Good suggestion on the cardboard, I'll try that next. As for the floor, I have a 2 year old around me most of the day, so cutting on the floor is a no no.. I will be picking up a self healing cutting mat so that the leather will slide around less.

I'm having a problem when cutting patterns I make from paper, or even when I trace that pattern onto leather with a pen. I'm finding that I don't cut like patterns, which is a problem when it comes to then cutting a grove to stich into on each side. I know one problem is my work area, I need a larger area to lay out the leather on, and to then cut on as well. I'm currently doing it on a book sized area, where as the leather I'm cutting the piece off of is 4-5 times as large. Though I'm sure more experienced people can off me some good tips or suggestions on how they make matched pairs of items. Currently I'm trying to make a nice knife sheath, using a 3 piece design, the top, bottom and middle layer being all like pairs. My thought process being that if I get good at doing sheaths, and cutting out like patterns, I can scale it up to larger projects. Suggestions, Tips? Videos? Andrew

Did you line the inside of this scabbard with a softer leather? Are you worried about rubbing the bluing off your gun?

I'm looking at buying this: http://www.grizzly.com/products/18-x-24-x-3-Granite-Surface-Plate-No-Ledge/G9654 It's a surface plate, that one is 154lbs. Forget about shipping it, I'm going to buy it in person. I've tried one that a friend of mine has, it makes no sound at all when you hit it with a mallet, it's solid.