mikesmith648

I was visiting a friend last week and he has an 8000 grit diamond hone........looked like a flat piece of steel................10 minutes on that and it will GLIDE through leather like butter!!!

dye first......and saddle soap will darken leather a bit

Blue is the removable LocTite

wash with soap and water and it will take most of the dye out........I use dawn, or used to, don't use Eco-crap much anymore if I can help it.

I really like the case...........beautiful. For a critique if you like..........I would work on finishing the edges up.........would make it look even better than it already does!!......JMHO

I use the Judd copper rivet setters and my maul..........I have the Tandy set also but the finished quality and ease of use is like night and day....using a metal hammer is ok if you like buying new tools every so often

from looking at the edge of the first one it appears to be veg tan......on the other ones you can't see the actual leather edge so it is hard to tell. If you have these and the leather has a blueish tint to the edge then it is chrome tan. You can dye the leather in a block dye technique and get this effect. JMHO

PM sent

And let me guess..........Your BF you met on the internet.........and he is a French model???

Nicely done!!

you can get the Judd setters at Sheridan Leather Outfitters...........not sure who else might carry them

Nice knives and sheaths.............we need to talk..........PM me when you get a chance. Mike

Ray, the Tandy hand press is on sale at 99.00 and the dies are also on sale too.......I just got some of the dies and they are a little pricey but if your setting a lot it is worth it to me......just my 2 cents

It also sounds like the tools are not necessarily the proper size........I use Judd setters and have 3 sizes..........I have never had the problems you described unless I tried to set on a too soft surface as Dwight said. also not setting the washer tight or the piece moving while you set will cause these problems.......A combination of the right tools, proper surface, and hitting directly down and not a glancing blow will result in a better looking rivet. PRACTICE................as again Dwight suggested

Nice saddle!!

I agree with Glendon on that.......be flexible and usually good and usable stuff

yes.......Lee Valley is good place too!!

lots on Ebay

depends on how it is finished...pics would help

also jett sett is used by physical therapists to help people rehab......great stuff

have you tried stirring it?

OK Bryan.........but if you want to be like Mike2 ya gotta learn to like squirrel nuts and farm animals!!

between work and the stuff I ordered being sent wrong...........and misplacing stuff............I finally got it finished!!! If you turn your head very sharply to the left if will look upright..................LOL

not sure what it is made of............but if it is eco flo it is probably water based.........JMHO

Ed.............let me know when they get set up.............I also have a real neat full size plan for one but can't find anyone to make it!