bruce johnson

I forgot about one other maker of cutting plates in my previous post. Harper Manufacturing in Las Vegas, NV has some listed on their website. I have not used their's nor no of anyone who has. Several have their maker stamps and are very happy. \ On a sad note, I have just heard from two different sources that Mitch Botts passed away. He was one of, or the, principal behind Gore Tools along with Jay Lynn Gore. I mentioned them in the previous post. Bruce Johnson

I have used several tap offs for quite a few years. Have also followed this thread regarding making your own out of other materials, and references to the Gore tool ones. A few considerations. The Gore tool referred to are not tapoffs, they are cutting plates. Tapoffs leave a line to cut with the swivel knife. The cutting plates actully cut the line, much like a cookie cutter. The lines are raised to a depth that allows the outline to cut onto the leather. Tapoffs are recessed and leave a raised line to cut,actually they depress the leather around the line. I have had cutting plates from Gore, traded them off a few years ago. I currently have a lot of plates from Richard Fletcher. He casts them, and has several "stock" flowers, leaves, and a few silhouettes. He has done some custom ones for me out of laser engraved Delrin. The plates from Richard do not have handles. They are designed to be used with a press or tapped with a mallet. The plates with handles tend to break at the joint of handle and plate if the plate is very large. Besides, Richard, Jeff Mosby in SC makes plates also, although I believe only Delrin at this stage, no casting. Bruce Johnson

For leather, Skirting - Siegel of California Lining and Chap leather - Siegel of California lighter weight tooling leather - Hide House in Napa For tools, Osborne - Siegel of California Stamping tools - Hide Crafters, Barry King, Wayne Jueschke French edgers/Round Bottom Edgers - Jeremiah Watt (Horseshoe Brand tools) Sewing machine thread and supplies - Ferdco!! Hardware - Weaver, Walsall, Tandy/TLF Silver - Hansens Western Gear/Hansens Silver Monel Stirrups - Trina Weber (Weber Stirrups) Saddle Trees - Quality Manufacturing/Timberline That is my short list!! - Bruce Johnson

I am Bruce Johnson, and am seeing a lot of familiar names here. I know some of you by sight, and others through the net. I have attached a picture of me, so if you see someone who looks this, Just say Hi. I have been doing leatherwork as a side business for about 16 years. I have evolved from checkbook covers and personal goods to saddles. I still do about everyting western related, but the saddles are starting to take a bigger share. I pretty much have a part time business that is full time. -Bruce Johnson