Rawhide

JoAnn Fabric sells a little quilter's thimble that you can fit on your fingers and they work great. http://www.joann.com/joann/catalog/productdetail.jsp?pageName=search&flag=true&PRODID=xprd1002396

rayban, Glad something I posted could help. I get so much help and so many ideas from here it's nice that I can recipricate. For perfect stitches, it takes perfect practice. Oh and as for the Bob Douglas awl, wickedly sharp! Sharp enough to slide through a fingernail down to the nail bed! Ask me how I know!

Rob, This is how I stretch mine. Fast forward to 9:13 in the video

I use the Angelus Jet Black. and I like it. I think the color lasts a little longer than Fiebings. I do like the penetration depth of Fiebings oil dye for edges, but I like the angelus dyes better for overall use.

Thomas, I use Leathercraft Cement. It's a white glue, that dries clear and is left flexible and strong. I'm not sure why you use epoxy, as I would think this would make all your articles very stiff. In any case I probably wouldn't use epoxy. Leathercraft Cement can be found at any Tandy Leather, or several online retailers. Next, to punch the holes, I use a diamond shaped awl also available at Tandy and the like, however, be sure NOT to get the 4-in-1 set, get the osborne and sharpen it before you use it. There are several discussions about it on LW, so you should be able to find more info with a quick search. Marlon

I've seen people use the minwax wood stains.You might try that....

I'll see if I can catch him. I'm not sure if he's in the country or not. He travels internationally quite often. Marlon

You should be fine with that. I tool on a cutoff of about 18 x 22 and it's about the same thickness as yours. I would probably place a poundo board underneath to minimize noise, but you should not have any problems tooling with it. As a matter of fact, I think that the Tandy block is only 1 1/2" thick.

Hi Aaron, I don't use a punch, I use nippers and and overstitch wheel. The only thing I use a punch for is the angle. I mark my guideline, then use a #7 overstitch wheel with 1/8" lace, and a #8 with 3/32" lace. I then take an angled punch (doesn't matter which size) and lean it so that only one finger of the punch is on the leather and use it to set the angle of the holes. I mark each location by pressing the punch with hand pressure just to get a mark. then I punch each slit with nippers. It takes a little longer, but I like the look. I also bevel my lace on the flesh side so that the edges lie flat against the surface when I tap the laces down. I hope this kind of makes sense. Marlon

@Sam, Ice cream land has slowed quite a bit, but it's to be expected. As for the maul, gotta give credit to Mr. BearMan, Ed LaBarre. This thing is freaking fantastic. Very well balanced and I can tool with it for a long period of time. I love it. @ Randy. She did love it. I managed to keep it hidden from her until I completed all the coloring. She was quite the happy camper.

Thanks guys. I appreciate all the suggestions. I will look for the crocus cloth and try that out.

If you really want the best, look for a Gomph or C.S. Osborne on ebay, or call Bob Douglas. I prefer Gomph. I have a set of Gomph from 5 to 12 spi and love them!

Don't know if this is the proper method or not, but here's how I do it: I completely finish the work, dye, resist, stain, topcoat, etc... all of this is done first. Then I use a channeler (stitch groover), to remove a thread of leather from the workpiece. Then I stitch in this groove. The stitches then sit in this groove, below the surface of the leather to prevent wear and tear. I haven't had much "hard" use of my items so I haven't had them get dirty. I do wax them pretty good, but that's all I do. Marlon

@ Pete, thanks for the best wishes...it is an italian ice and frozen custard shop (www.ritasice.com). @Dustin29, Thank you much. I enjoy doing the work, so I'm glad you enjoy looking at it!!!

@Ed, Thanks Ed. I've been trying to do a little more color. I still have a long way to go, but, at least I'm trying. (Notice how I slipped the maul you made for me in there?) As far as the lacing goes, It's something that I think I work hardest at second only to handstitching. I think it's these finishing touches that can set work apart...now if I can just get the rest of it down like that, I'll be good. @Pete, Pete I've been terribly busy. My wife and I opened a franchise in March and have been in full swing with that since then. It took me about 5 weeks on and off to complete this little thing. The star's borders are cut with swivel knife and then rounded with a modeler. Then lightly beveled on both sides. @Kate, Thanks a ton Kate. I'm glad to know I'm improving. Still have mountains to climb, but I'm still hiking!!!

Hi LW.net family, Here's a business card holder made for my wife. It's been tough getting to do any leatherwork here lately, but finally got to crank something out. It's made of 6 oz, Wickett and Craig, and dyed with spirit dyes, resisted and antiqued with sheridan brown. The lace is hand cut kangaroo from Tandy's new line of kangaroo hides. Any questions or critiques are always welcome. Sorry for the picture quality (cell phone) Thanks, Marlon Close up of lacing... Back

Try this webpage: http://www.sewingmanuals.com/Sewing_Machine_Manuals/Pfaff_Industrial.htm

Holly, I'm definitely not an expert on sewing machines, but it's possible that it's a little out of sync. If you watch the bobbin and needle interaction, while turning the pulley, you may be able to "see" the disconnect, and adjust accordingly. Marlon

Punch a hole in the corner of each piece and tie them together with string, then hang them by the string. I'd look for a way to keep the covered so they don't sunburn, but this way you can literally flip through them and chose what you need.

I bought a used 8" Chase pattern splitter a few months ago from Bruce Johnson, and I love it. I thin string all the time with it. Eventually I would like to have a krebs style as well, because of the dial in feature, but the one I have now is fantastic.

Looks like a harness makers vice. basically a stitching horse for harness makers to hold the straps in place while stitching. (At least that's what I'd use it for). The teeth bother me though as I wouldn't assosiate that with leather, .....maybe shoe maker's vice?