Studio-N

Don't look at Hobby Lobby. They didn't have it.

Hello. While I have not done it, I have sold a fair amount of leather to tattoo students. Apparently it is very common to use veg-tanned leather to practice with before they are allowed to try it on a live person. One problem that occurs since the hide has been tanned and has no natural oils in it is that the dye tends to expand due to capillary action so it is difficult to get sharp lines. That's all I know about it. Cheers!

No one has mentioned a bench press yet, so I'll add my 2 cents. I'm using the press from Weaver. It is well made, totally welded so there is no movement in it, and is ready to accept some steel plates, which they sell as well. I've been using it with my embossing plates without problem. My only complaint is that it only comes with a 5 ton bottle jack which is a little weak. I upgraded to a 12 ton jack from sears and am happy as a pig in mud. Cost of the press was about $350 US. Cheers!

From the Republic of Texas

Have you tried using some skirting scrap. It's not going to be as stiff as a sole bend, but it's comparable in thickness. Cheers!

Hello. I'm going to give a vote to the Dusty Johnson video on chapmaking. It was no nonesense, very straight forward. It's available direct or from various other sources including hidecrafter. Cheers!

that looks like it would be fun just about everytime you go to click something. Nice find.

Thanks Tim, and Thanks to ArtS. It was his article and pictures on here that motivated me to make them. Cheers!

Here are a couple of purses I finished. One has a basketweave trim the other is embossed. These are total fun to make. The basket weave has an adjustable strap. The other makes use of handles.

I'm glad you brought this subject up. I really hate seeing big makers marks in the middle of the item. I go to a lot of gunshows where people are selling holsters. Even on plain holsters the big honking mark is right on the front. I would never buy one. Leather holsters are expensive (relatively speaking). I am not going to pay a lot of money to advertise for the person selling it. I'm sure I'm not the only one that feels that way. There is a nice spot on the backside of the holster where that could have gone and not distract from the holster itself. Now on smaller items like the spur straps you mention, I have no problem with a small mark on the buckle piece. On belts, up near the buckle look is a spot that is not gaudy. If fact, it might even be covered by a trophy buckle. The bottom line - I can see the need for brand recognition, and I can see that you will be proud of the item you made, but somewhere where it is a bit inconspictuous (sp?) is a good spot. Look at it this way: when you buy a nice table the maker didn't put his big gaudy mark on the table top did he? It is usually on the bottom, or it is in the drawer of furniture items. As a woodturner, the signature is always on the bottom of the bowl. You see this in most crafts. That's my 2 cents, but at today's prices it's only worth half that much. cheers!

One of the best setups I saw when I was on the circuit was someone who had a marine battery mounted atop a battery charger on a dolly which ran an inverter. This powered his wares and florecent bulbs. He would simply plug it in at his hotel to recharge it after each day.

Is this the type of thing you are after? Do a search for 'plate staple' or 'staple plate'. These are available at most hardware stores for about a buck each.

They are both technically a split - there is no top grain. Suede is a more 'softened' version and used more as a garment grade. Seating and moc splits as an example have a much firmer feel.

I live in Wichita, KS. It's boring. 'nuff said.

It looks like a buildup of EdgeKote. It's available at any leather supplier.

The whole rig looks great! I loved both shows. And if you are interested in obtaining a mare leg - check out: http://www.jbcustom.com/mares.htm There is also a picture of a couple of holsters for it. Cheers!

Thanks Tom, I'll be in touch.

All I can say is that it all came in the original Tandy packinging. I've seen several others sell on eBay since and all the pictures have always been resin. I did see the one that sold last night on eBay and the picture was wood.

Thank you Ben, I will contact him and let everyone know. I'd still like to know if any can makes the molds. I'd think I'd trying to cast them as well, 'cause I just don't have enough hobbies.

It is only about 4 to 5 inches long. It was part of a mini saddle kit for display and also reused in a lamp kit.

Hello. Please take a look at this picture. It is the saddle tree from the old Tandy Ranchero saddle or lamp kit and is about 4 inches long. I picked one of these up on eBay and would really like to make more than one of these. The leather part is easy, but since these are no longer available getting another tree is the problem. However, it occurs to me that obviously this is resin to start off with. So does any one know where I could get this cast commercially to be able to make multiples? Or perhaps there is someone here that might want to make some? Of course the horn should probably point the right way. Any help would be appreciated.

TLF discontinued those at least 3 years ago. Some stores may still have some though. The metallic lace that Hidecrafters carries is RealLeather brand lace. It is also available at your closest Hobby Lobby here in the states.

The pro-oil dye has a conditioner in it. Whether it is neatsfoot oil I don't know. It doesn't dry out the leather in the same way the spirit dyes do, but it does take a lot longer to dry. I usually use it on something made for outside use. I (use to) use neat-lac over the item then some Aussie conditioner with beeswax over that. I'm not sure what I'm going to use once I run out of Neat-lac. I'm sure others will join in with some good suggestions. Cheers!

I am so happy you stated that. I hear that urban legend weekly. I say it is an urban legend because I have never met ANYONE in five years of selling leather who has actually seen it. They have only heard of it from a friend. When probed a little deeper their friend only heard it from another friend. Or - the other way I hear it is much like you stated it, "I THINK" I read it somewhere. Is that a yes or a no? I know people who buy all manner of chrome tanned leather for sheaths, holster liners and rifle scabbards and who never have a problem. So let's hear from everyone - have you ACTUALLY seen this happen with chrome tanned? Was it your gun or another friend story. Ok, not to completely hijack the thread, Veg tan can be molded to shape, dyed to your particular taste and is stiffer which I feel offers more protection. Chrome tan is a soft leather, so whatever you build is a bit floppy due to its softness and stretch. I have only ever used a good vegTan for all of the above. Yet on one loading stick I made (basically a flat board with bullet loops), the brass casings all were corroded by the 3-4 oz veg tanned leather. I do have pictures and will post them. Cheers!

I saw these at a trade show some years ago and ordered it specifically because of the barbs in each corner. I figured what better way to reduce any slippage. However, when I finally got the tool the corners were smooth. I have not ordered since.