immiketoo

Wow. That's beautiful!

Thanks everyone. This is a combo of acrylic and spirit dyes for the colors.

Tina, that's badass.

I use a round knife for all my tight curves. I haven't found one I can't cut with it yet. Punches work well too, but the cut is cleaner with a knife IMO.

Buy a round knife. Lightning said a good knife, but the best all around knife I have is a round knife. They are ESSENTIAL to leatherwork, and I was given bad advice at the beginning and told to use a box knife. I can't tell you the time, aggravation and wrecked leather I have saved since I got mine. Paul at http://www.leatherwranglers.com can set you up with a nice one. IF funds are tight, call Bruce Johnson and see if he can get you an older Gomph or Osborne.

Thanks everyone! That is number three so far. I have a bunch more to make. They take about 15-20 hours each.

Yep. Laser, and yes, there are any number of glues out there that would be strong enough for this type of application. Barge or even super glue would work. Epoxy, you name it.

Here's the latest. Acrylic oil dye combo on this one.

Electrathon, so if bearing cost is no longer and issue, and mass production costs are not either, wouldn't you rather build something to be the ultimate expression of your abilities? I operate my leather business with that philosophy and as a consumer, I look for that quality in the tools I buy. Cutting corners to save cost is what's wrong with society today and that mind set has permeated our culture. Wal-Mart mentality, I think it's called. I agree that a bushing of some kind would probably save a bit of money but I'm not sure I agree with your assumption that the box would only be opened 10K times ever. I'd probably exceed that just playing with a a well made item, before I ever put tools in it If costs are exorbitant or something is being mass produced and the cheaper item doesn't affect perceived quality or performance, then go for it, but why beat Shtoink down for building it his way? He made me a swivel knife using the same mind set as this box, and it is an amazing piece. I have quite a few knives from different makers and his is the smoothest by far. That translates into easy to use and is therefore one of my favorites. Post up you swivel knife once it's done. I'd like to see your interpretation.

Something more local perhaps? http://www.summitracing.com/parts/tmk-fc65662?seid=srese1&gclid=CIyP-s2D2bgCFUxgMgod0XUAIw

Pretty sure bearings r us would have them cheap No, really... http://www.bearingsrus.co.uk/

Aaron, the pivot is not complex, just more sophisticated than a single nail. Plus, it pushes the DIY to a new level, and looks more like a finely developed product. You could even add a friction clutch bearing and a pneumatic piston on a small scale so it would deploy on its own when opened. Why not strive for something excellent? Planing some wood or MDF would be cool as hell, especially if it was then covered in calfskin or something. I like to think big, and to things exceptional. A bushing might be less costly, a dowel less so. But imagine how smooth it could be as is? Just my perspective on a cool idea.

This is awesome. I love it.

Wow Ed! Thats pretty sweet!

Thank you Robert!

Thanks everyone! I DO know Mr. Tobias, I've been a customer for years. I'm glad I have been getting sucha positive response, and I'll be happy to make everyone barstools! I'm gonna need more leather...

WScott, I might make a tutorial on this in the future...

Thanks everyone!

That insert looks more like armadillo than alligator. Nice rig though.

Hiya all. These are my latest projects. Custom bar stools for a local guitar store. These take about 20 hours each to produce, but I love making them.

Great work Renee!

Bold! Looks great Murray!

Andrew, that is a great looking bag. Love the design.

Preachin to the choir!

Awesome! Is it heavy?