Studio-N

Greetings from Wichita KS, I'm finally back on the web. Loving it here in Wichita and the store is going like gangbusters. More than that, I can finally get back to my favorite websites. Anyway, jUst sayting HI and getting caught up. Cheers!

Greetings, TLF no longer carries the Fiebings Institutional products as a catalog item. However, most of the EcoFlo products will meet that criteria. As for glue, TLF LeatherWeld has always been a non-toxic product. It works very well, except for having to wait for it to dry. peace.

Remember the Leatherworkers motto: "You can always dye it black".

Well I made it. Only 18 hours on the road. The UHAUL handled like a pig. I think I'm gonna like it here. The store is HUGE by comparison ot the 1300 sq ft shop we had in Monty. Now I get to fly back to pick up MY truck and do the drive all over again. -NIck

Hi Regis, Thanks for the kind words. Yep, Don Cash is taking over and is already in place. Give him a call and give him a test drive. I'm outta here today. -Nick

I'm moving there permanent effective Monday.

I'll be off the board for the short term. I'm heading north to take over the TLF store in Wichita, KS. YEHAA!!!!! This is such a great move for me. I should be there by Monday. Hopefully the hotel will have WiFi so I can keep up with everyone. Ya'll stop by, I'll have coffee ready. -Nick

Howdy. These sets fall into 2 categories: Workshop or Decoration. The workshop kits include the tools for cutting leather, punching holes, setting fastners like snaps or rivets. This is leather working. The other kits are intended to teaching carving and stamping. This is decoration. The pro leatherworkers kit on sale is a pretty good start for the former. Wanna cut belts - it contains a strap cutter. Wanna cut holsters it contains shears for cutting, a knife for cutting, groover and punches for stitching, beveler, and tools for setting fastners. What it doesn't contain is stamps - which are for decoration. These you can find in a lot of places. I don't think you'd go wrong with this set. That will still leave you with money for buying leather. peace!

Hello. It only appears that there are no instructions because of the Canadian laws that insist that labels be in both English and French. If you look closely, you will see a peel away flap. All the directions are underneath. peace.

Here is mine. This was usually engraved in via the laser engraver. Nice thing about, I can resize it to any size. peace.

I know how you feel.... Woodland Scenics list Hobby Lobby as one of thier dealers.

I'm adding a positive vote too. Loved the color combination and design. Simple but eye-catching. peace.

All TLF stores are participating. Best to phone it in if you didn't get the card in time. peace.

I have exactly done the above when making multiples. The question that often arises is whether the laser can 'replace' the swivel knife. The short answer is no. The cut is simply too thin. Very tough to bevel, and because it is not a wide channel to start, you don't get much of a shadow line. But as a replacement for the pattern transfer phase, it is a very useful tool. I can get cutting very quickly. I have heard rumors that there are indeed saddle shops are using it to transfer patterns on production saddles. peace.

Greetings, well the picture of my avatar is one example of what can be done on leather. Mostly, it is an easy fast way to do silohuette drawing, fancy lettering, or cutting through as in filigree. Primarily, material is removed by burning it away and leaving a recess on par with a backgrounded area. Coloration will always be dark brown. Any other questions, I'd be happy to help. peace.

Anytime you order online it will go to the same store based on your zippy code. If you're unhappy order directly by phone from another store. At any rate, forward your concerns and problems to: tlfhelp@leatherfactory.com and they'll make it right, even if means they never send an order to that store again.

The blade you use for your cuts will also make a difference. I get a lot of people wanting to use the 1/4" angled blade, just becuase it is angled. I try to tell them that in reality this is a filigre blade for cutting through the leather. The end result is that it makes a very skinny channel. Personally, I use a hollow ground blade most of the time. This gives a nice wide channel that when beveled, gives a deeper shadow. Just my 2 pennies worth. peace.

Hello. If you have the thickness set and it is not splitting evenly it may be the sharpness of the blade. YES - I know it's new, but remember these blades are 'factory' sharp. Spend a little time honing and polishing the blade as you would with any blade. It makes a world of difference. As to setting the thickness, save a piece split the thickness you want so that you can just set it in and match the gap. I just use a piece of cardboard that seems about right. peace.

Very Nice work. I really like things that are more than just 'plain jane'. The most unique one I've seen so far, was a chain mail guitar strap. Very goth, but quite appealing. peace.

Yep it's not only confirmed, it has been mandated by the big boss. I'll be there with a thermos full of coffee and chomping on doughnuts whether anyone shows up or not. Jim, the holidays are probably going to get in the way of any carving classes, but I'm working on some other ideas to turn into more project related classes. Maybe I could get you to show us some braiding, eh? -Nick

Oh yeah, about the avatar: This is a laser engraved picture of Wild Bill Cody which I used on my leather sample business card back in the day. peace!

Hello, These are just some samples I used at as class samples last month. Not the best resolution pictures, but you'll get the jist of them. #1 is carved on 6/7 oz vegTan with cowhide suede front and backs. Double loop lacing. #2 is the same vegTan dyed Red with cross stitch lacing down the center. #3 is black dyed Veg with a pink chromeTan cowhide front and back. The white horsehair conchos were used to contrast the colors. These are quick and easy. Thanks to SmilinJim for attending.

You can continue to get Fiebings dyes at the Tandy 10 minutes away.... just not in Cafilornia.

This is definately doable both by laser and by hand. I have a customer who does excellent work. The different shading is done by altering the amount of power and heat used. Multiple tips are also used. peace.

If you are referring to the hand stitcher, it is a joint venture between Weaver and TLF called StitchMaster. It is similar to the Tippman machine, but with a longer throat depth. Both companies will carry it and I belive it has both names on it. They should be available next month. No picture available yet on either website. peace.