GoldenKnight

+1, ditto, & amen to the leather curb couch recycle. Twice in my neighborhood area when some folks moved out, they left their leather couch or chair along witu other bulk waste furniture pieces for bulk pick-up. Both times it appeared it was left on the patio before making it to the curB. I got busy with my knife.

( PLEASE EXCUSE ALL CAPS - MY KEYBOARD IS STUCK/BROKEN) I HAVE HAD A FEW KITS FROM TANDY CRACK ON ME TOO, WHEN I FIRST STARTED DOING SOME PROJECTS. THE FLAP OF A LITTLE COIN CASE AND THE FOLD OF A KEY FOB IN THE SAME KIT. AFTER THAT, I BOUGHT VEG-TANNED LEATHER AND USED THE TANDY KIT PIECES AS MY TEMPLATES TO MAKE MORE PROJECTS. THOSE TURNED OUT BETTER. I RECENTLY BOUGHT LEATHER FROM WICKETT & CRAIG ... WOW! NOW THAT'S THE AQUALITY I'VE BEEN LOOKING FOR. FOR SIZE, PRICE, AND HIGH AQUALITY, IT BEATS TANDY'S LEATHER QUALITY ON MANY LEVELS. CHECK OUT THE W&C BELLIES. AMAZING QUALITY, PRICE AND COLOR CHOICES.

Definately Daddy's Leather & Supply in Miami, FL. 5-stars www.dleathersupply.com Lui "Daddy" Rayon Daddy's Leather Supply 7495 NW 7th. Street unit 9 Miami , Fl. 33126 305-260-4532 *** check out his Facebook page too *** Lui (Daddy) is an artist and master leather craftsman with a wide variety of backgrounds ranging from saddles to key chains and everything in between (Sheridan style carving, custom tooling, motorcycle accessories, seats & bags, gun holsters, knife sheaths, leather jewelry, tack, and more). I am a regular customer and attend the free classes he gives on Saturdays - always a great time and learn so much. I learned more there in 3-hours the first time I found the store and met Lui, than I did at the closest TLF store in the Ft. Lauderdale area attending 4 weekend classes there after visiting it several times for supplies. The TLF store has nice folks, but the teaching side is rather lacking as compared to what some folks describe going on in their local TLF stores. After going on an extensive hunt for a real leather craftsman's shop, I stumbled upon Daddy's Leather around April this year. Amazing! A true working leather shop with a down-to-earth master craftsman/owner who has a great skill and talent for teaching and sharing his trade to others. There is nothing like it from the Keys to the Palm Beaches (that's 4 counties in a row) and likely even farther away. He is an authorized distributer/dealer for various leather tools and accesories from hardware to leather dye & care products. He has new tools (and some cool/rare used/vintage items) and accessories from C.S. Osborne, Barry King, Tandy (Craftool), Weaver, and more. He stocks a variety of top-quality veg tan leathers (Wickett & Craig and recently Hermann Oak) and others as well as a nice variety of real (not embossed) exotics ranging from shark, snake, gator, lizard, stingray, and more. He hosts free classes on Saturdays in his working leather store/shop where a variety of topics are covered. Everyone is welcome. There's a core group of us that regularly attend and we are always having new folks come in for the different classes and leather goods. This Saturday (yesterday, now) the topic of the class was on finishing leather with spirit dyes, antiques, resists, hi-lighters, stains, sealers, etc. Lui supplied everything from latex gloves, leather, the resists, various types of dyes, antiques, hi-lighters, conditioners, and more. We learned a lot! The cost: $0.00 The gain: more knowldedge than a book would have provided, more fun than expected, and experience with the various Fiebing's products so we could determine what was best for our needs prior to buying products. Each week we cover a different topic with leather and if you're on the mailing list, you'll get a notice of the topic that will be covered. We have had classes on such topics as: Sheridan carving, how to make our own designs (took us from the ground up and how to properly draw patterns and make them flow), swivel knife exercises and tooling projects, embossing projects, air brushing class for leather, leather finishing, and much more. If someone wants to know more about something or has a topic they'd like covered, Lui will prep for that class and bat a home run every time. We are members of the Florida Everglades Leather Guild and have our own 'sub chapter' out of this location. Next Saturday is the 3rd year anniversary, so come join in the celebration with us and have some snacks, talk leather, and bring some of your finished projects as we'll be having a casual expo of recent projects and some prizes will be given. We are made up of leather-bug-bitten folks from blue to white collar, doctorate to GED education, made up of various races & cultures, job/professions, with the common bond of leather crafting and working to better our skills by sharing and helping each other. Come join us. We'd love for you to come and hang out. If you don't like it, you don't have to stay (but we bet you will have a great time & return). Some of our guys will be going to Nashvill, TN in October this year for the 46th Annual International Federation of Leather Guilds Show (2012) and entering some projects. If you need more info, check out Daddy's Leather by clicking on the link above. He's listed in the Leather Crafters & Saddlers Journal on page74 (July/Aug. 2012). Take care & be safe. No dead ends -- only detours. J.D.

(SORRY ABOUT ALL CAPS ... MY CAPS LOCK IS STUCK) I SAVE MY SCRAPS TOO AND FOR VERY SMALL FRAGMENTS, I USE THEM TO GRIND UP IN A SMALL WHOLE-BEAN COFFEE GRINDER TO MAKE LEATHER DUST TO MIX WITH BARGE CEMENT TO FILL IN WHEN DOING EMBOSSED TOOLING.

I know this is years after the original posting, but if ever searched again ... Being that it's Tandy, isn't their antique Eco-Flo which is water based? So ... wouldn't the dried/thickened antique be able to be thinned by adding a little water (very little at a time) until the consistency is same as the factory's original thickness?

This may be late, but a out an 1 1/4 hours east is a Tandy Leather in Lauderhill (greater Ft. Lauderdale, FL). About the same distance away is Daddy's Leather in Miami at the warehouse area located where SR 826 and SR 836 interchange. Daddy (Lui) is a great guy, master craftsman, saddle maker & repair/restorer, and has a great assortment of tools from Barry King to Osborne to Tandy Craftool & others. He also has hardware and a variety of leather & exotic hides & pieces - a true working & teaching leather shop.

check Wicket h& Craig. I have recently ordered a few selections od their harness, latigo, English bridle, and veg tanned leather. WOW! I had only previously got my leather from my local Tandy store. For the quality & price ... WICKET & CRAIG.

Sgt. Grit catalog The Sgt. Grit catalog has quite a lot of USMC items that can be added to leather projects.

Another source for neoprene is a pawn shop that may sell used scuba gear. Wet suits are made out of neoprene & you should be able to get many uses out of that.

Very cool. Nice work. Really like the black collar with the name tag. Some observations and feedback from some of my similar projects: As a dog owner, remember that conchos that stick out past the edges of the collar present a risk of getting snagged on something (even a paw's claw during a scratch session). Also, on an indoor dog, any time you have metal attachments on a collar (other than a buckle or D-ring for leash), they are more things to potentially scratch furniture, wood floors, door jambs, or snag cloth furniture, drapes, or carpet, etc. On an outdoor dog, it could get snagged on brush/shrubs, wire fences, etc. An option is to counter sink the area of your project where the concho will be placed in same the dimensions of the concho so that the concho doesn't stick up so high. You could also inlay it (lots more work and double thick ...). When I add conchos, I will also use contact or epoxy cement between the concho and leather so it won't spin over time. Also, I use LockTite or clear nail polish on the concho's screw to ensure long-term durability without coming loose. Keep up the good work. The name plate looks really nice. One last observation: rivets. For longer durability, use solid copper rivets instead of double cap or rapid rivets - especially with larger dogs or dogs that pull a lot. Just something that keeps customers happy. I'd rather have a happy customer that buys 1 or 2 collars that lasts and them spread the good word about a quality product, than someone who buys 1 or 2 collars and still never buys again because a product was poor quality and they spread the bad word about a product. Just my $0.02. What I did was make the collar and then tool or stamp the dog's name and artwork on another piece of leather and that is cemented and stitched it to the collar. Edges were skived down reasonably to avoid snagging. Had very positive feedback with that method -- feel free to use it with your projects. With the collar one color and the tooled/stamped name tag in another color, it's been a hit. Keep crafting. Options are endless. P.S. --- love your dog's brindle coat --- beautiful.

I ordered the exact size I was needing (18" x 28" x 1"-thick) from Indusco (Hydroma Cutting Pad). They charge $0.19 per square inch & will cut to any size you need. This is the HY-72 red-brown Hydroma. It took about 3-days to get to me. Your round/head knife will glide across it like sharp ice skates without digging in and allows curved cuts without risk of damage to your round knife blade. This is SO MUCH BETTER than the white cutting board that I use on punches or other types of cutting. For those punching holes for lacing, etc., I use a scrap or two of 9-11 oz leather under the project piece I'm punching so that if/when it goes through my target piece of leather, it goes into another piece of leather before hitting the cutting board and does not risk damage to my tools.

Those do look like well made nippers @ the link you provided, but for less than 1/10th the price, for a hobby or entry level crafter, and for less expensive shipping costs these Tandy lacing nippers are hard to beat for general projects. I've started to get a few Barry King tools that I use most for my projects, but my first assortment of tools have been Craftool by Tandy. The same principal applies here too - if I waited until I had the funds to to buy the high-end stuff, I wouldn't have been able to hone my skills & experience or begin doing any projects. There's a lot of folks in this category. I'd rather have a new Mercedes Benz, but my 11-year old Ford is running & is good transportation. Thanks for the link, though. When the piggy bank gets fatter those nippers might be an option.

Tandy has some lacing nippers in stock. I just picked up 2 pair in my local Tandy store here in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. The Tandy stock number is: 3460-01. They cost me $4.99 (Gold Membership price). ... thought I would pass on the info ...

Indeed, the 3rd photo does show that feature. I stand corrected and further impressed. I could blame it on the fact that I viewed the photo on my phone, the background doesn't contrast enough with the subject, or the fact that I'm used to seeing gawking/huge weather flaps on typical motorcycle products. The fact is that this feature was done with such skill & integrated so well into the design that it was not a focal point. I withdraw my previous 'Con' and add an additional 'Pro' for incorporating the functioning weather flap feature in an astethically pleasing manner of purposeful design. ... Excellent work, Chris.

-------------- Pros: 1. Looks amazing! I'm a huge fan of the colors & textures. Very classy. 2. Has quality appearance and is not typical of scooter bar/tool bags. 3. Wish I was up to your skill level. Con: (The only one) As a motorcycle owner/rider, the only thing I noticed that I would prefer is for the guesses to be higher & fold over the top of the opening (under the flap) to help keep out weather and/or dust & dirt to protect the contents inside - especially since the bag is on the front & will be the first in contact with weather & wind. That's the only thing I'd change if it was me. Nothing more. That would be in my specs as a customer and very easy to even add on by stitching a 3" flap on each side if wanted after production. Again, very nice & very cool choice with colors & textures. And Honda motorcycles - bullet-proof. [Honda VTX 1300 Retro dressed]. Of all the Harleys made, 80% are still out on the road ... because only 20% ever made it back home. (just a joke between me & my HD buddies I ride with)

W Rising poly maul I have this poly maul & it has been great. They have raw hide & poly mallets also which I have & use. Some folks have drilled a 3/8" hole in their wooden mallets and filled the hole with lead. You can pour melted lead if you want to go that route, or cut a shotgun shell or two open and pour the lead shot into it an cap it off with some epoxy glue and a thin wood or cork plug.

... So this response is really late, but still on the subject I have used Goo a few times for heavy outdoor gear utility stuff. It does remain flexible & holds well. I too stitched where glued. If this is all you have on hand and need to get on with a project, use it with caution. * One big drawback is the smell. It will take a good week or more for the smell to dissipate. * Also, don't get too generous as it will ooze around if not monitored and could be a problem in some situations with smaller items. * You will also need to immobilize & clamp the item in place for at least 5-hours for a good hold before stitching. Use waxed thread or it is possible you will have excess glue on your needle(s) & thread. Bottom line: the current formula of Goo (shoe) bonds strong & flexible, but it's not ideal for most things and rubber cement or better yet contact cement is preferred and easier to use. Contact cement will do everything Goo will for leather & contact is more user friendly, less messy, easier to control when applying & setting, and doesn't hold that strong odor as long.

I have the Al Stohlman Damascus (SUS410 High Carbon stainless steel) medium (4 1/2") round knife that I got new & on sale. I have used it on my projects & it has replaced my utility knives, my scisors, and shears for most general purposes. I have had the privilege of using Osborne, Leather Wranglers, and some no-name versions as well as the regular (non Damascus steel) Al Stohlman round knife. THIS IS NOT THE SAME AS THE LESS EXPENSIVE AL STOHLMAN. The Damascus version is better steel, holds the edge great, and is a quality knife. I may buy another knife of a different size for other purposes, but I really like this Damascus steel round knife. The micro layers of the Damascus process seem to act as micro cutters that help you to slice accurately through leather. You will be able to cut curves and precise corners as well as straight even cuts, skive, and bevel cut Knowing how to use this knife is probably the biggest hurdle to most. A good understanding of how thiwith ease. s knife is used will make all the difference in the level of satisfaction one experiences from this or any tool. I don't work for Tandy - just an occasional customer - but do own this knife and this knife I'd on special right now.