keplerts

You can get it from Tandy. I down loaded the digital version from Leathercraft Library.

Get "Leathercraft Tools" by Al Stohlman. A great book that explains leather tools, how to use them and sharpen them. Tom

Getting together from time to time would be nice. Problem is finding the time. I'm busy with two part-time jobs, horses, and a slow starting leather shop. And the wife needs her time as well! There is a Tandy store in Harrisburg that might have group meetings. I know they were doing classes and that sort of thing. The people there are great. Monica is the manager and she if fantastic! All my orders ship our right a way and I have them the next day. Sometimes I drive the 72 miles to hand pick stuff but mostly mail order from them. Tom

Welcome! I am just about an hour east of you in Mifflin County. You will learn a lot from the folks here.

Okay, have the seat glued and stitched in. Now going to do the binding. Should I wet the binding to help reform it around the cantel? Do I install it with the glue wet like I did with the suede? Thanks, Tom

Thanks, Keith! This is the first one I have ever done and I following your explanation. It is time to do the gluing. So far so good up to this point! Thanks again. Tom

When I start gluing the suede on do I put contact cement on both the seat leather AND the suede? Or do I just put the cement on the saddle seat part? Hope this makes sense. Thanks for any insight to this. Tom

Seems this kind of service is becoming the norm these days. I'm with you. If you can't deliver the goods then just tell me.

I ordered two books from them three weeks ago. Got the conformantion email when I placed the order. After two weeks I sent an email for an update. No response! Finally got my order this past Wednesday. This kind of service just burners me up! The first two times I ordered their service was quick. Got the items in less than a weeks.

American Leather Direct sells some pretty good leather. Just bought and economy #1 grade side of skirting leather from them that I needed for a project. It is actually very nice. Nice color, thick, very, very few blismishs. This is the second time I have bought from them and both times I've been very pleased. Ordered late Friday around 4 PM. They shipped it Monday and I got it Tuesday. From Kentucky to PA. Tom

Brant81, DId you ever buy one of their trees? What was the quality like?

Chief, Great looking strap and nice finish explanation! What weight leather did you use? Tom

Here is a link with a good explanation and pictures. http://www.johan-potgieter.com/ll/?p=102

Sooo... What is the BL Gauge?

I just bought an 15" x 12" piece from Springfield Leather for $18. I bought it and some other supplies to even out the shipping. it is a really nice piece. Although, the first piece I got arrived broken. Just called them up (talked to Emma) and she sent a replacement out right away with a UPS call tag for the broken one. Very pleased with the granite and very pleased with thier service! Tom

Lots of great info here. Thanks to all who have contributed! I have come to the conclusion that I DON'T want to work for FREE and will be raising my belt and other leather project prices. I am waiting to receive and read the Proleptic books I ordered to help me further with the pricing issue! Thanks, again. Tom

Wow, some great information here! Big Sioux, I take no offense to being "picked" on. I'm here to learn and if that's what it takes, so be it. Sorry about my calculations. I am awful at math. My belt calcu. should be: 1.25 x 36 / 144 = 0.3125 sq feet of leather. My leather costs (from American Leather Direct) should have been $9.30 per sq foot including freight and 15% waste. So leather cost for the belt equals: $2.91. Add in my other costs and the belt comes to $12.81. If I then add in a 35% margin for the business the selling price for the belt comes in at $19.70. So, I paid myself $7.50 to make the belt and the business made 35% on the sale. Does this sound right? What would others charge for this belt given my costs?? And by your suggestion I have order both the books that you mentioned. Proleptic is offering 15% off their books until June 30. I placed the order yesterday. I would love to charge more. I don't really want to work for free either! I understand what you mean about the Amish. I live in the middle of Amish country. I work at a small Harness and Farm supply store part time. It is ran by a Mennonite man. People flock to him for plan belts that he sells for $14.50. He buys his belt blanks from Weaver Leather for $8.90. So, should I not worry about what he is charging for his belts and just charge what I need to for mine? I just put up a sign for my shop along the road by my house (at a cost of $500). Had my first customer as a result of that sign and he bought a belt. I charged him $16 for it. After talking to him a while I got the impression it was priced to low and that he would have gladly paid more. Looking forward to hear more thoughts on this! Tom

If you are going to operate your leather shop as a business is the following a valid way of pricing? If I make a belt 36" x 1.25" with the following costs: Materials: Bridle leather $1.60 Buckle SB 1.80 Snaps .10 Finish .50 Total Material Cost $4.00 1/2 Hr Labor $7.50 Total Belt Cost $11.50 So, do I sell the belt for $11.50? All material costs are recouped and the labor (mine) is paid. Or, do I add in a "Shop" Margin for the business? For the business to make a 35% margin on the belt should I sell it for $17.70? Also, would I do this on all services as well? For example: to re-sew a saddle horn takes about and hour. Do I just charge the $15 per hour labor rate or do I add the 35% margin for the business to this and charge the customer $23? Hope I said this in a way that makes sense. What is everyones thoughts on this? Thanks, Tom

I use the black poundo board from Tandy to do all my punching on. Using it to cut leather with my round knife just puts TOO much drag on the knife blade it is hard to push the knife. I use a self healing pad for my cutting.

Making one hole to fit makes sense. If you had to do a row of five I don't know where you would put them. Overall, a very nice job.

Looks really nice. And I like the white border line. One question: Were are you going to punch the adjustment holes? Doesn't look like there is any room with the bling in the location for the holes.

Shep's is good. Thast what I use. In the winter I use Sheps Neatlene because it does not solidify when it is cold like the pure neats foot oil does.

Thanks for the clairification! But let me get this straight: It is not the word "Bump" that moves the topic up; but merely the fact that a "new" comment has be added? Thanks! Tom

Ok, at the risk of sounding stupid..... what does "Bump" mean?? I have seen it used many other times but was too embarrased to ask what it means. Thanks! Tom

IMHO, I think that "NEW" style of edging looks cheap and almost gives the whole piece a "FAKE" leather look. I don't think it gives a "quality" look to anything. Reminds me of cheap mass produced china merchandise. Again, IMO. Tom