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DHauser

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Everything posted by DHauser

  1. DHauser
    Plan, then plan again and if that does not work plan one more time...
  2. DHauser
    Thanks. Keep working to increase the art...
  3. DHauser
    I always get something up front. If the customer sends me the item that a piece is created for then I normally forgo the deposit or take 50%. If they do not (or do not need to) I always get 100% up front. I always give an estimate of time but also advise that time in custom leatherwork is relative. I do however ALWAYS communicate with the customer via e-mail while the project is in process.
  4. DHauser
    Ive had a Tipmann Boss for over 10 years now as my main machine. Just recently bought an electric but the Boss will always stay in my shop. Learn to use it and it will treat you well.
  5. DHauser
    Good find. I was going to suggest "the internet"
  6. DHauser
    So, I am guessing that the idea of a "craftsman managed" system for ranking "quality" custom leatherwork has died? I have been creating professional leather products for at least 10 years and have been looking for some association or designation that ranks the "good stuff". If I am going to place an association logo on my website I want it to mean something. Many of us have worked for years to get the products right, to create works of art vs. just a bag to carry something. I started out my business from the git go with custom leather work and custom leather work only. No mass production, just one at a time. It's been tough to grow as none of us have major marketing budgets. Personally, I would love to see a new "member managed" custom leather professional designation.
  7. DHauser
    I do not know of a putty that is pre-made for leather, however, I make my own. I use a belt sander on my edges and always collect the leather dust and sort it by color. I can then create a mixture of leather dust and fiebings leather cement to create my own putty mixture. Works for me but then I never use it except on edges if required. I am certain it will fill the holes but they will remain visible depending upon whether you dye the leather or leave it natural. The putty may dye but it will never naturally color.
  8. DHauser
    I am lucky enough to live less than an hour from Zack Whites. I may buy supplies online but I handpick all of my leather.
  9. DHauser
    Me too! I have been experimenting with laying an item on the dashboard of my car in the sun. The heat from the sun keeps it warm in the car. Take a while but seems to work OK.
  10. DHauser
    Atom wax. Feibings makes one. Lay it on with a rag and fingers. Let it dry really good and buff. Do it again and polish muchly (new word).
  11. DHauser
    Too sweet!
  12. DHauser
    I mark all of my items but always place the mark on the back or inside. To me a mark is critical. I want people to know who made the item when they show it off.
  13. DHauser
    The holster clips are standard chrome. I give them a good steel wooling and blue them myself. I kinda like the blues/marbled effect. I figure that in Afghanistan they definately dont need anything shiny flashing on their leg! Interesting idea on the black walnut husks. May have to work with that a bit. What technique did you use?
  14. DHauser
    Are you letting the leather dry a bit before tooling? I've never had tooling imprint properly with freshly wet leather. I wet the tooling leather, let it soak in completely. Wet it again and give it 5 minutes or so before I start.
  15. DHauser
    Thanks for the comments and kudo's gang. Stopped leatherwork for a bit but have created a new website and started back again, this time for keeps! More coming!
  16. DHauser
    Just finished the project in the pic. It's now on it's way to Afghanistan to house a Smith and Wesson SWHRT7T. Apparently the guys over there love the knife but the sheath leaves much to be desired. To check out the rest of the pics click the link here http://dragonleather...y/#.UMpBpXewV8G and scoll down to the bottom of the page. DH
  17. DHauser
    Thanks Ron, that's the knid of info I was hoping for. I have no problem in setting up a machine for each job as I do purely custom work at the moment. Would the 441 still be good all round even with consistantly having to set it up each time? I do that now with my Tipmann Boss.
  18. DHauser
    Man, what a great website! Unfortunately it's way too much info (not really, just brain overload at the moment). I am in the market for a new machine. I have been using a Tipmann Boss for 10 years and it does pretty good (just tired of pulling the lever). I manufacture many various items and many various thicknesses of leather. As a team-mate for my Boss is there a single machine that I should look at to handle all leather sewing? Thick, thin, stiff, flexible (you get the picture). I have been seriously looking at the Cobra 4 ESP but after reading many of the posts on this site I just dont know anymore. Better to get 2 machines vs. 1? I really believe I should keep my Boss as it is portable (kinda) and stitches about anything. About the best I've narrowed it down at this point is that I need a walking foot machine. Anyone have some fairly simple suggestions please chime in.
  19. DHauser
    Hmmm, good stuff. Looks like everybody's trying to figure it out. I also double the price of materials up front. I also have a minimum of $100.00 for anything that goes out of my shop. A complex design adds more (no real rule, just a rule of thumb as it were). I also add a bit for the complexity of manufacture. Unfortunately I am probably luckyto get $15.00/hour for labor. I do keep patterns for everything I make so at the worst I only have to modify the original pattern for a bit of a different piece. The better I get the more the price is going to rise. I've just got to figure out how much the market will bear.
  20. DHauser
    Thank you sir. As you know you've got to keep at it to get good.
  21. DHauser
    Not sure what happened to the link in the above post. Should read http://dragonleather.net
  22. DHauser
    Thanks gang. After taking a few years off looking to build the business back. Dave
  23. DHauser
    Good day, I am an established leathersmith from Greensboro, NC. Always looking to learn new techniques and such. I work with any leather and any iem but concentrate on custom work. Check out my website at http://dragonleather.net. I can be contacted from the contact section of the menu. Good to be here. A few samples of my work are attached. Obviously you can see more at my web site. Dave
  24. DHauser
    Good morning, I am also in North Carolina (Greensboro) and am well skilled at custom leather knife sheaths. If you still need some one to work on the project please email me at dave@dragonleather.net. YOu can visit my site at http://dragonleather.net Looking forward to hearing from you.
  25. DHauser

    2 Suitcase Straps

    DHauser replied to a topic in Help Wanted

    TwinOaks makes some good points. I would be interested but need the .pdf before I could quote a price. Can you please email the .pdf to dave@dragonleather.net? My website is http://dragonleather.net
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