Bluesman

Well I bought a Faux helmet and tore it apart for the pattern, then transferred it to some poster board and then the leather 8/9 oz. That was the easy part. Trying to figure out how to glue the helm panels and straps together for stitching ..........Mmmm. So I took a Pyrex bowl about the size of my melon and covered it with tinfoil to increase the size, added two sided tape and attached the panels. Worked great. Then I glued on the four main straps, let set up and then removed everything from the form and reglued and clamped were needed. So far, so good. While that was drying I made the main head band with the ear flaps. Okay, now how do I do the ear pieces, I know.......Off to the hardware store and picked up some hard rubber tubing, a double barbed connector and some 5/8" dowel rod. About an our later I had a form built. So wet the leather and form the ear flaps. Filled the back with some leather weld and dryer lint and viola ear flaps. So up to this point everything is looking good. Well the helm is dry and I start to do the stitching, I really don't like hand stitching In any event I have one flap side completed...............Yay 11 more to go. I can't wait. Need more Ibuprofen So, I check the helm for size on my melon and no go. It's about a size to small. So here is my question. I read up on hardening and was going to create another Pyrex bowl mold for forming. Can I get this helm wet and stretch it to fit or will I do other damage I haven't thought about.? I intend to do this after all the stitching is completed. Thanks in advance. I will post process photos when the helmet is complete, If I can still move my fingers.

Ed, will they fit the regular blade? http://www.sheridanl...-awl-blades.htm Or should I be using the slim. Let me know which handles are available and I'm in thanks, Jon

Thanks TO

I'm doing some hand stitching and really need a good awl. I bought an Osborne and though its better than the Tandy I had, it's nothing to write home about. I found the Douglas Diamond Awl Blade at $27 and the recommended handle is $75. So, this puts it at about $110 with shipping. I have no problem spending this kind of money for a really sharp, no hassle tool. So, what's the verdict out there in leather land? I don't want something I have to continually sharpen, as sharpening and awl blade, to me is a royal PITA. Any and all comments are appreciated. Thanks, Jon

Great idea Sylvia, but I have used that one, after 28 years of wedded bliss.................WAYYYYYYYYY to many times.

Okay we'll go with dat..hey

Me too now I just need a green light. Maybe I'll buy one and tell my wife she gave it to me. Think it will work?

Now if I had the Green Light, you could pick me up on your way through he Fox Valley and we could go to Toledo together. Would be a good time. 1/2 the gas and twice the sewing machines.

Both tools were made from standard 100 carbon steel stock The round one from drill rod and the the other from key stock. These were hand made with a file and a grinder. Both look like border stamps. If they work go with them. Look like nice stamps.

You can use that for any stitching project. not just for saddles. Sure makes thing comfortable. Great job!!!!!

Nice find I cannot see, by the photo what is missing. If I would have found it, and it functioned, $100 would not have been a problem. I would of had to think about more. But, there is a lot to make one of those. I bet, once you clean it up it will be a very cool treasure. You done good.........

Nice stuff Frank, been following you on FB as well. Good luck at the show! Outstanding work, as usual.

+1 Chancey. It's yours do what you want. They are meant to be played and enjoyed. I have had much more abuse and damage from other things, than my strap. If you hang it on the wall and play it in the parlor, you don't need a strap.

Nice job! I like how you made the stripes of the flag.

One more please todryk@charter.net Thank You

Nice work Chief. I like the BW on the guitar strap. all around great job!

great job!!!!!! Is the pick guard covered with some plexi glass. I really like the head dress. You done, did it, again!!!!!!!!

Hi Gang, Had a customer over today picking up a project I did for him. His girlfriend uses a canvas bag, about the size of a gallon zip lock to carry her things. He asked me to make her a simple bag. So we discussed some options and came up with this. I would use 8/9 oz for the bag portion large enough to include a flap closure. Inside of this he wants an inlay of sting ray. Then we would add a gusset to allow for an accordion effect for more room. All this with a 1" adjustable strap. Now, I'm thinking about the gusset. Oh, everything is to be lined with 2/3 oz pigskin. For the gusset I thought two lined pieces of 2/3 oz veg tan sewn together. Then sew the gusset to form the purse. i would inlay the sting ray on the flap and then add, maybe a strap with some sort of closure. Am I thinking this through correctly and does anybody have some sage advice for me? No pockets, required, just a simple single compartment bag. Thanks, Jon

PM sent

Congratulations Cheryl!!! Nice job, and good luck with the craft show. With your new found success maybe you need to change DoubleC to be Cheryl the Conqueror

George, this right up your alley. Think about it and get the entire project straight in your mind. Think about covering a mini saddle. You'll do fantastic. Have at it!!!

You said it all Chief...............Barry's tools are KING!!

Put my name in. i for one would like to see it as a sub category.

Welcome to the board and nice work, indeed. If your passing through to Waukesha, give a shout, I'm in Fond du Lac. The invasion of the cheeseheads

Dude, that's obscene. You killed it this time...........................................for sure. Hey did my 40th class reunion, bandmates from 40 years ago. We smoked!!!!!!!!!!!!! Playing through a full stack of Fullertones. Finished the night with Boom Boom....................A ha ha ha...............hey baby........................