Horrrk

Ditto on going to see your horse, Cheryl.. If you're too tired on a night, take the dog for a walk there first thing in the morning for half an hour. Don't forget the carrots.!! LOL Regards Phil

I've gone the other way with some of my posts, Bill.. As a real newbie in actually working leather, despite my post count, I've given what I thought was good advice to only have the opposite view given by someone with more experience, on at least a couple of occasions.. The biggest was when I advised burnishing Latigo. (sorry Beliveryboi) Sometimes, it's hard to know where to start when giving advice, if you don't have the experience to back you up..its not totally stopped my doing it, but sometimes I hold back..LOL There are a lot of new people on the site now, even since I joined in late summer and I've noticed that there are a very select number of old hands that leave comments on posts. We all know the ones that do..they give good advice, sometimes based on a great many years of this craft. I'd like to thank them for that, because no matter how many new designs and finished pieces we get to view on here, they are all based on the original skills that these folk have. I'm waffling, so I'll just finish up by congratulating you on your Ambassador staus, Bill.. Its well earnt. Regards Phil

Congratulations on getting your link on Duane's website.!! It's good advertising and doesn't harm at all to have your name mentioned when people see your work over his shoulder.. Regards Phil

NIce one.. It's good to learn something new..

Nice base to have a go with, George.. I agree with the others about the way you can tackle this and that with your saddle building skills it should be a piece of cake. You said you thought, the customer just has too much faith in your abilities..maybe you need to do this to prove your abilities, to yourself?? Now grab it with both hands and be sure to post pics.. LOL.. Regards Phil

Hunio.. your attention to detail in every step, really shows in the finished case.. Simple and elegant..well made.. Regards Phil

Back again Adam.. Try these people if you haven't already..just came across their site whilst searching for some lining materials and bookmarked it.. They seem to have a wide variety of different leathers or even offcuts.. I'll be having a proper search thru their pages when I get back from shopping.. http://www.jwoodleathers.co.uk/home.html They're over in the Keighley area.. Hope that helps.. Regards Phil

I agree..pictures will be a big help.. Top and underneath views, so we can see the shape and also how the cover fastens already, if it has one? Regards Phil

My other half, painted her leather jacket, years ago with Humbrol enamel paints. A design and some lettering. It's still there but looks like crazy paving and matches the rugged biker jacket to a tee. I definitely wouldn't use it on anything that you wish to look pristine..but they can be used.. Hope that helps Regards Phil

Cheers for the link, Jim..some decent drawings on your page.. It's always good to have differing areas for inspiration.. Thanks again.. Regards Phil

Coming along pretty well, Chris..ditto the other comments about overlapping your bevel so it leaves a smoother finish. Apart from that, keep it up and keep posting the improving pieces.. Regards Phil

Thanks for taking the time to do this, Ken.. It really helps me grasp things when I can see it. Sometimes, long explanations just lose me and I end up feeling like I did in school, staring through the windows. Which explains a lot..LOL Regards Phil

Hi Doug.. Do you mean the pop rivet guns? Like this one? http://www.harborfreight.com/hand-riveter-set-38353.html I think they can work, depending on the application and as long as you put reinforcing washers on too.. Earlier this year my motorcycle panniers burnt through to the contents, after they started sagging onto my exhaust with all the rain we've had over here. I made plastic back strengthener panels for them, then glued and also used pop rivets to hold them on. They've done the trick so far. I just used some extra wide headed rivets at the plastic side and stainless washers to the rear, so they wouldn't pull through the leather. The main thing I'll say about using that type of rivet, is that the backside of them is as ugly as someone else's baby, IMHO, so make sure that its not on view.. Regards Phil ps. There are also beautiful versions of other people's babies available..

Hi Adam.. I'm looking around at the moment too.. I enquired at a couple of places over the weekend and I've just got my second reply. The first was from Neumann and they didn't have veg tan cos it's too expensive for their customers at £6sq/ft.. The second, I got this morning was from MW Leathers and they've suggested Batchelors. I will say that my one and only example of tooling I've put up here is done on a sample I was kindly sent by Metroploitan Leathers over in Lancashire.. I think it comes in just under £6, but don't quote me on that. They ever so generously sent me the envelope sized sample, after I did the traditional Yorkshire battle cry of 'Ow Much!?!' followed by some well honed teeth sucking.. :rofl: Anyway, it's a lot better quality than the Grade 2 Columbo side leather I have a bit of. If you come across anywhere that does some pigskin or quality thin leather for making linings, can you give me a holler? So far I'm looking thru Le Prevo's clearance list for something, but the quantities throw things out of my reach, pricewise.. I'll post again if I come across anything for you in my search.. Happy hunting.!! Regards Phil

Good little projects there.. Braiding is pretty decent on them both. What did you use, to colour your lettering..? Regards Phil

Wait til he tells you that this actually started out as a keyfob, James.!! :rofl: Not a bad first attempt at all, Rob.. Bags are scary thng to a lot of folk and rightly so. I'll make my own one day too, so It's always good to read other folks experiences and feedback for hints on design and finish.. Good advice from people like Bill.. Keep up the good work and ditto to going better for your next one.. At the end of the day, you can always use this one as a rather large, slightly cumbersome keyfob..and you'd never lose your keys down a drain cover.. Regards Phil

That looks great Mike.. Considering that its only in 1.5oz leather, I think you've managed to get some real good depth and detail to your carving and tooling.!! Nice work.. Regards Phil

Looks really well done, Jesse.. should outlast a bought one and there's always the pride issue, every time you brandish it in public.. That's gotta be worth the effort..in anyone's book.. Keep up the good work.. Regards Phil

Andy.. This looks brilliant.. I can't say loads about it after Bill's comments.. Suffice to say.. LOL.. Keep it up and when I'm a $1000 per hour lawyer, I know where to come for my leathergoods.. I know what you mean, Bill.. Sometimes less is more in this world.. Take care guys.. Regards Phil

Look good, Itch.. The saddlebags..are they sewn or just rivetted on the sides? Regards Phil

Hi Jay Really like this sheath.. Well done on your first self design, but its a pity you're not the one that's gonna be using that.. Next one, eh? Regards Phil

Thanks Double U, Its a quote that just stuck with me when I heard it. My life isn't one of the easiest of those around me, partly cos of my own head, but I keep going, sometimes just thru sheer stubborness. LOL.. The other good quote in my view is a Sir Winston Churchill one.. 'If you're going through Hell...keep going..' Gonna get both, tattooed on the inside of my eyelids..Haha! Take care.. Regards Phil

Good explanation Gary, mate..thankyou.. I used a pencil and pad to help me visualise..it works better for my head..LOL Hope you're not snowed in up there.. Regards Phil

That's nice David and may I say very brave of you to admit to your cotton sock fetish, actually on the forum.. Regards Phil

Hi Gary..one quick question..the back of that stitch..do you just do a loop around to go back to the missed hole? Regards Phil