Rawhide

January 26th and 27th, 2008. Tandy Leather is hosting a Peter Main workshop, focusing on leather carving and coloring. There are 8 signups currently with a maximum of 10. There are only 2 slots left. If anyone is interested please see the Calendar for details.

David, Very nice work, as always. Couple of questions for you. What kind of lace do you use? what width is it? and do you cut it yourself or buy pre-made? Thanks, Marlon

gtwister, How do you like those Henley's? Is it worth the 90 bucks for a knife & blade? What size barrel & blade do you have? Thanks, Marlon

The reason I didn't post that gtwister is because it's a bit out of date. The Swivel knife with a blade price is now $89 & change. I don't remember off the top of my head what the rest of the new prices are, but they are higher. Marlon

could be the size of the picture. I think the limitation is 1.95 MB. Marlon

Well, not really, it's 50% off one item, but retail price. So if it's on sale for 80, and retail is 130, It will still cost 65. Still not bad, but not as good as 40. Henley Manufacturing (they don't have a website) 4229 Pro St Shreveport, LA 71109 (318) 631-3545 extremeall@aol.com Ask for Louis

Great post, Thanks. Marlon

inferior glue? Hmmm, could be, or they may not have covered the entire piece with glue well enough. As for the two layers, it's probably cheaper for them to get two thin layers than one thick piece, I really don't know the answer to that one. Marlon

Thanks Alex, BTW I still cannot get the results of All-in-one that you get on your belts. Marlon

Are you sure it's not one piece that's folded over on itself and glued together? This is how most of them are made, at least most of the ones i've seen. They leave a small loop near the crease of the fold for the spring rods to go through. As far as gluing without stitching, i would use something like barge contact cement, however, i would prefer stitching if the band is wide enough. Marlon

Kevin, If you get the book "The Art of Hand Sewing Leather" there is a diagram that shows you how to make one to fit on a kitchen chair. To make it a stand alone horse, all you would need to do is add two back legs and you're done. Marlon

Thanks guys, That definitely means a lot coming from some pros like you. I used Antique stain - Medium Brown, but I put about 3 coats on, because it just didn't look even. Then I used Lexol conditioner, then two coats of leather balm with atom wax, rubbing really briskly (like burnishing except with a clean t-shirt type cloth) between coats and after the second coat. Marlon

My sentiments exactly. I agree 100%.

Me too! I'm still learning. Thanks for the compliement. Marlon

Wolvenstien suggested I post a picture of some of my work, so I will. This is a checkbook cover I made about a week or so ago. It's posted also in a How do I do that thread also, as I was trying to illustrate how I lace. Marlon

Thanks for the compliments I guess I'm a bit too critical for myself, (we probably all are). Cybertracy, you're welcome. If you have any questions let me know and I'll be glad to answer them. Wolvenstien, That is a double loop lacing. Marlon

I have two, and I really like them, I got each one for about 65 bucks, (I used the half off one item coupon), however I plan on buying a Henley, and a Beard as well. I have heard so much good talk about these that I have to try them. The ASB do fit the ceramic blades. At least mine does. Marlon

It was a company called HIDECO. I don't know if they are in conjunction with silver creek, but that's the name of the company that bought Hidecrafters. Marlon

I use tape as well, but I usually use the blue painter's tape, because of the low level of adhesive. I have also rubber cemented to manila folders for smaller work and that has helped as well (and cheap too). Marlon

Here's what I do and hopefully it will help you. Get yourself an overstitch wheel with a 7 stitch per inch spacing, a pair of lacing nippers (a single prong chisel will also work). Scribe the line as Beverslayer mentioned earlier all around your project. next punch your corner holes first at a 45 degree angle to both adjacent sides of the corner. Next use the stitching wheel along the scribe line to evenly mark punching locations. Now use a 45/45 triangle to line up your first punch and punch it at the first mark. (I place the punch to the inside of the scribe line, this way the line is covered up well with lace at the end of the project.) Now you can use the first punched hole to line up the next and continue around the part. If you use the 1/8" lace with this hole patter, it should give you a nice tight lace which looks extremely professional. Here's is a check book cover I did recently. I use the process described above, with some kangaroo lace I cut with a lace cutter. (cutting your own is WAY more economical). Hope this helps. If not, reply back or send me a pm and I'll try to put together a tip sheet. Marlon

:fire: I was sick without this forum. I am happy to know that we have such dedication to feeding our addiction. Thanks Kate, thanks Johanna, and all else who were/are involved in breathing life back into this board. Marlon

I second that motion from Clay. Most people nowadays use it for fine detail carving (tight curves, small spaces, etc...). They will use an xacto knife or the like to complete filigrees. Marlon

here's my version of pro carve. I use a gallon of distilled water and pour off about half a cup to a cup. Take two lemons and microwave them for 20-30 seconds. Roll them back and forth on the countertop with pressure from the palm of my hand. This bursts the capillaries inside. Now slice them in half with a sharp knife (if it's not sharp you will have to push on the knife an loose a lot of juice). I use a manual juice extractor, but I'm sure you could use a powered one. Extract as much juice as you can and then filter ALL the pulp out. Use a paper towel if you don't have anything to filter with. Pour the lemon juice into the distlled water. Add some drops of plain Dawn dishwashing liquid. (don't use any lotion soap). Now you've got a good carving solution. Also don't use the lemonjuice in the green bottle use actual lemons and extract the juice yourself. The lemon juice will prevent the mold from maturing and the dawn will soften the leather. Marlon

the only thing I can tell you to do is to fold the belt end over and close the snaps. Then lay belt flat with the flesh or lining side up. Take some tracing film and trace the outline of the folded piece and the location of the gouge. Flip the belt over, and lineup the edges. Mark your gouge. Then cut it. It should be pretty darn close. Marlon

I wouldnt give up on them yet. Im pretty sure they are losing lots of stuff due to the recent change in ownership. They still have a lot of work to do. Just stay on them for your catalog/items.