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immiketoo

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Posts posted by immiketoo

  2. Posted · Report reply

    5 hours ago, jpetty said:

    Understood on the procrastination (me <--).  I keep telling myself that making my templates are what is slowing me down.  Perhaps its handstitching over 20 feet of 7spi/ per briefcase. 

    I love this work, and knew you guys would understand.  I'm going to do my best "Buddy the Elf" impersonation until xmas.

     

     

    As a good friend of mine says, one is fun, three is work and ten is a dismal existence.  I (and I think most) often experience lack of motivation on tasks that are repetitive or tedious.  Taking the time to refine your process with templates is a great idea and I have found that the more proficient I become with a particular item, the less arduous making multiples is.  Plus, you increase your dollar per hour when you are proficient.  

    This is common and you'll either learn when to say no, learn what you like and dislike or learn to increase your pricing!

  4. Posted · Report reply

    4 hours ago, awnova said:

    Thank you Gary, I can't even tell you how much difference having a new Barry King swivel knife makes in my work!

    That's how you practice!  I too like to challenge myself to do things beyond my reach.  Most times, I find I can do more than I thought I could.  As for the knife, you are sooooo right!  A good knife offers better control, less hand fatigue and the blade geometry is far superior to anything form a big box leather craft store.  I am always amazed at those that have the opportunity to try a new knife but refuse to.  They never know what they're missing!

  12. Posted · Report reply

    As a man who has tried nearly everything out there swivel knife wise, I will say this.  You can buy a good swivel knife at Tandy.  Their pro version is as good as anything else out there apart from aesthetics.  Rickert Werkzuege sells a phenomenal knife for cheap.  Problem with these two are the blades.  They all need work to cut smoothly.  Geometry is terrible for some types of carving and passable at others.  You can learn to use it, but if you experiment with blades, you can fine tune your carving pretty quickly.  Everyone has a preference.  I like a thin barrel and a low angle blade.  As you can see, I've tried nearly all of them :)
     

     

    20160707_211006.jpg

  15. Posted · Report reply

    22 hours ago, battlemunky said:

    Ott lights are great but they are very proud of them. For general shop lighting you can pick up long LED lights from whatever your equivalent of WalMart or Lowes is up there for pretty inexpensive prices. I think I paid $20US for a 4 ft lamp.

    I'm waiting to see a deal on Ott and then I'm gonna pounce. Maybe if I was actually paying for what I make with what I make but being hobby level/selling to friends, I'm not ready to jump in yet.

    I have OTT lights, and I bought them for 75 percent off at JoAnnes with some of their coupons.  I got 120 dollar lights for 27 dollars or something like that.  I love them.  Another great light is made by Dazor.  Just be sure to install daylight bulbs.  I have one on each side of my bench and I wish I had a third for fill.

  19. Posted · Report reply

    21 hours ago, bdpeters said:

    that is nice work. nice group photo too

    Thank you.  Its an honor to meet your heroes and hang out with them.

    19 hours ago, rodneywt1180b said:

    Cool!  That's an awesome looking Betta. I can see why she loves it.

    Thank you sir!

  21. Posted · Report reply

    1 hour ago, Northmount said:

    A higher quality contact cement should hold.  Read the label and follow the directions.  Don't stick together until both surfaces are dry.  You may need 2 coats on the leather if it absorbs all the cement.  Thin coats are better than heavy.  Good quality contact cement will grab as soon as you bring the 2 surfaces together.  No chance to re-position if you get it wrong.

    Press, use a roller, or tap with a hammer to get good contact and adhesion.

    I also like the idea of upholstery tack/nails.  The decorative style.

    Tom

    What Tom said :)

  25. Posted · Report reply

    If you used the same leather its almost always the application, unless you managed to go from firm to soft leather like flank or belly.  All bets are off when you get to the soft parts.  Since you havent said how you applied it, its difficult to diagnose, but even the slightest variance in leather prep can affect color absorption.  Slicking one piece and not slicking the other for example.  And, as mentioned before, it CAN happen for unknown reasons, but it's usually something you can track down.  More details and pics would help.

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