immiketoo

Wow! Good time for a comeback! I hope you are on the mend. Being ill is the worst. Looks good for having such a long break!

Thats some nice, clean work there. On both the knives and the sheathes.

I made a surprisingly effective spray booth out of a clear plastic tote, a home furnace filter and a shop vac. It works incredibly well for airbrushing, but I haven't tried glue fumes due to the highly flammable nature of them. Cut a hole the size of your vac hose in the bottom of the side of the tote, with it oriented with the open top towards you. Stick the hose in the hole, put the filter in front of the hose and turn it on. I don't even put my mask on anymore when I airbrush, it works so well. It's not permanent and I have to move it every time I want my bench space back, but I can fill it up with stuff and put the lid on it. And it cost all of 11 bucks since I had the other stuff.

Jake, after 19 years as a LEO and a box full of crap holsters, the one thing I have learned is I will never buy two kinds. Paddle and shoulder. Paddle holsters are horrendously uncomfortable while sitting, running, driving or well, anything but standing still. The pinch, poke, prod (note the unintentional alliteration), and if you sweat? Dear god. Anyway, I love the concept, but the reality is a big MEH.

Cool...

And at how many people got started for the same reasons! Welcome!

Hey RC, welcome to the forum! You are right where I was not too long ago, and I have spent a small fortune on tools to feed my addiction. A few pieces of advice. Learn about tools and their use before buying if you can, check ebay, pawn shops and craigs list for tools once you know what you want. Those are great ways to save a lot of money. Lastly, ask a ton of questions, post pics and be open to advice. You'll be amazed at how fast youll learn.

Hey Chavez, It totally depends on what you want. I made my first one out of 8-9 veg tan Herman Oak because I wanted to tool it and I think came out well. It is stiff though. If you want a soft bag, chrome is the way to go. Want a little of both? Combine thick and thing leather. Chrome tan to me creates a sack like bag without much in the way of form, unless you use stiffeners or have a lot of stitching throughout the purse to firm it up. Just my thoughts.

C, you can't quit and you know it. Quitting does nothing but allow other people to have some modicum of control over you. You have worked WAY too hard, endured far too many meetings, and have seen too much actual interest in your work to give up because a couple of people couldn't find it in their hearts to be nice when they thought you weren't looking. Besides, you have a shiny new camera that I expect will be the tool that documents your triumphant success! Now, lets get over this hurdle and back to leather work!

Cozee, Welcome! Where in Illinois are you? I live in the chicago burbs myself. Let me know if there's anything I can help you with. I started with the same kit, and there's nothing wrong with it, but yo may decide it's not up to your standards if you are already a craftsman. Good luck! Mike

Yeah ya can't sant that. Once your edge is smooth, then use your edger to remove the grain flap thats left.

I doubt you'd have any issues with fouled air on a bike. The air that hits you in the face is even less with a full face helmet and I never had any oxygen issues. Id be concerned more about it being smashed onto your face at highway speeds since theres nothing supporting it. Looks badass though, especially if you want to commit a stylish convenient store robbery

Nigel, this might suit your needs nicely. http://www.shop.leatherwranglers.com/product.sc?productId=25&categoryId=7

And a partridge in a pear tree! Looking good!

Nice! Not at all what I was expecting though

Looks great man.

Welcome Snubby, Many people find leatherwork therapeutic. I find it relieves stress and there many on here with disabilities of some sort. The beauty of leather is that it is patient. There's nothing about the process that requires speed. In fact, some of use have had to learn to slow down to accommodate the speed that leather likes. I am the worst offender! I love the term "Indian it up" ! Its very descriptive!

Sure Curtis... Not a great pic but you get the idea

Nicely done. Some soot and dry cracking and you'll be perfectly seasoned!

Any time sir. Ask for Jeff.

Looks awesome. Almost like its hammered out of copper. Totally cool.

Try ordering from Grey Ghost Graphics. The can help you decide on size and you'll be able to hold it.