JJs Leatherworks

Imagination at it's best! That took some real ingenuity and they turned out great. Proves their is no limit to what we can make with this craft. Well done. JJ

Whiteeugene - I have a 30 ton version of the air/hydraulic press in my mechanical repair shop. The air pressure just runs an air powered motor on the hydraulic pump (hand lever can be used if desired). Once there is any backpressure on the cylinder, the attached gauge shows the amount of pressure exerted. To release, yes there is a small knob that is turned by hand and the cylinder will retract by 'spring' pressure. With a little extra hose, the air control could easily be converted to a foot control, right now it is just a hand controlled valve, much like you would have on a compressed air blow gun. The release likely couldn't be modified. Hope this helps. JJ

Aaron - really liked the ice cream anecdote. I love ice cream and can relate - I thoroughly enjoy the fancy brands but can't always justify the cost, but that doesn't mean I am not going to have ice cream on a regular basis even if I am settlling for the cheaper brand. There will always be some kind in the freezer and for a treat or special occasion, will bring out the good stuff. May have to have one really good swivel knife in the tool rack, for the special jobs. Billymac - Like you, I have accumulated several knives over the years, although I have never bought a real expensive one. I enjoy having several on the go, as it saves switching out blades, angle blade, regular blade, filigree blade, one can have the hair blade, a couple will be attached to edge guides at preset widths (always ready to border a belt or strap). I think I will seriously look at purchasing one of the new swivel knives, not expecting to instantly carve better, but hopefully to be easier on my hands. I do hope that I can try them in the store first, test drive if you please, as my hands are medium to large and I want to compare the feel of the different sizes and see if one fits/feels better than the other. Before I spend my money though, I am wondering if anyone has tried one of the knives sold by 'Tanglefoot Traders'. There was a video posted in one of the other 'swivel knife' threads. The idea of the blade turning without have to twist the barrel with your fingers was a neat concept, and wondering what kind of learning curve there would be to adjust to the different style. They are more expensive again and by the time shipping to Canada is added in, they would need several five star ratings to be considered. So many choices, so many considerations, ..... JJ

That was the other thing I noticed, was the new shapes added to the Tandy collection. Like you, I am a bit of a tool addict (attracted to shiny things) as well, so am certain a few of them are going to end up in my collection. Will probably ask to try out the swivel knives on my next visit to the store. I am curious as to the controllability differences between the two barrel diameters. Wondering which will feel better for real fine detail work. There is no mention though, that the blades themselves are of any better quality ... JJ

What a rainbow of colors - I am truly impressed. Very nice work! JJ

Got an email from Tandy today, like happens every Friday, and their new line of tools is now available. Included in the new offerings are their two new swivel knives with either 3/8" or 1/2" barrels. Anyone got to see and touch these in real life yet? Do you think they will be able to compare to the likes of Barry King swivel kinives? Would like to know if they are going to be a suitable upgrade from their basic models. I won't be in a Tandy store for a while, so any early opinions will be appreciated. JJ

Aurelie - I agree with you, on a custom order, I may try to ask $120 to $150 for a belt like this. It still just seems like a lot of money for a kid's belt that can be bought from other sources for half that amount of less. JJ

I really like the belt for a first try, but what truly impressed me is the picture incorporating the boots. Well done! JJ

Rennee - Thanks for the positive report. And, speaking of Bronc Halters, I will be making a matching (or at least similar style) trophy halter for the rodeo. May post pics of the last couple I have done. JJ

Well, here is the latest test sample. I do believe I am just about ready to try a full belt. This time, I did the stitch groove and used some tacks (smallest finishing nails I had on hand, but for the real project will use even smaller ones) prior to sewing. I had four down each side (just less than 6 inches), but I think they could even be spaced closer together on a long run. Although edge finishing went a whole lot easier having the hair lay 'vertical', I really prefer the look of the hair when it lays horizontal or at least at a bit of an angle. Will have to decide what I am willing to put up with before cutting into the main hide. Comments, criticism or any blatant faults, let me know. Thanks to all have given their thoughts and pointers so far. JJ

Those are beautiful. Job well done!

TR - Thanks for the tip. Have never heard of anyone doing that before. Will definitely be giving it a try. Love this site - been doing this 'hobby' for almost forty five years and still learning tricks. JJ

Mike2 -She just turned one year old - may have to get an IOU signed with her crayolas for future services. David - Thanks. I am sure she does even though when she was born, her mom said "she would never be seen in 'pink'!"

I purchased a 29-4 machine a few years ago that had been motorized. At the time of purchase, I received a (as far as I know) complete treadle stand for it as well. It is in pieces, but I still have the box with all the nuts and bolts I received at that time. Problem may be, it is in Alberta, and it is heavy. I will likely never make use of it and am open to offers. JJ

Renee - When I do put a lining on belts, the leather is dyed first ( don't want to dye the thread) and finish edges after sewing. Radar - I get all my stuff at wholesale or if at Tandy, the elite price. Cost would have been a whole lot more if I had to pay retail for everything. So my next belt like this is $250 - Thanks for all the positive comments. JJ

I am also looking forward to the responses to this post. Have been considering the foot operated machine from Weaver, but wondering - "how many spots to you have to be setting to justify a machine?" Some of the really small ones put close together for a border, liked described above, can get real tedious by hand! JJ

Here is a picture of a little girls 'bling' belt I recently finished. This project is a gift, but I have a hard time wondering what I would have charged if it had been an actual order. My cost, between leather, buckle and crystals was just shy of $50. Add a bit for the other hardware and dye, plus the time to make it - is this a $100 belt??? I don't think people realize how fast the cost can go up when adding extra 'bling', conchos or other items to a project. I have come to think that the back of every belt should be dyed, probably the same color as the front, as I am tired of having the blotchy patches of color that seep through the prepunched buckle pin, snap, concho or crystal rivet holes. Other than that, they all need lined after dying. All comments appreciated. JJ

Chancey - This is an actual 'order' for a client. Although our families have known each other forever (I grew up with his dad and uncle, my dad and his grandmother taught school together) Brett is an up and coming country singer in this neck of the woods. He was the entertainment at our rodeo kickoff cabaret last year and saw the sponsor belts I had made and decided he wanted a new guitar strap made with the same color and format. To honor his heritage, he wanted his paternal grandfather's cattle brand, his dad's brand and his maternal grandfather's brand incorporated into the pattern - the three brands on the back side. His brand is the one above his name. Cheryl - thanks. Hoping to have it out the door yet this week

J - will do, if and when it happens again. BTW, I agree whole heartedly that some people have too much time on their hands and just want to screw up everyone elses life. JJ

Billie - I have made a few little kids belts and have found that most are between 18 and 20 inches (measured from point on buckle to middle hole) when they are about a year old. J;st measuring the waist doesn't work as belts go on top of the other clothes, so will be bigger. As for centreing the name, once you know or decide on the length of belt you need (remember it is going to include the length of the buckle you choose to use), measure half way between the bend at the buckle end and the middle hole (most belts are made with 5 holes) and this will be the center of your name. For width, I have made some only 1 inch wide, but most of the time I make them 1 1/4 inches wide as that will still go through the belt loops on little kids jeans. I just finished a little girls 'bling' belt that i will likely post pictures of this week. Hope this helps a bit. Good luck. JJ

Cyber - not much of a computer whiz, how would I do the 'screenshot', if it happens again? Will do whatever possible to help if it isn't something in one of our computers. I have been trying to remember if this just happens on the desktop ( that's where it happened today) or if it has also happened on the laptop.

Thanks Bruce. I have never used a groove for anything I sew with the machine - will give it a try and makes sense, cause that is where I would have used tacks when hand stitching. Lay of the hair makes perfect sense - all things that a person would likely learn from experience (read mistakes) but having this site to access tips from others is priceless.

Had to call today. Spoke with Dave as Steve was out. My Cobra 4 started dropping the occasional stitch. Got answers right away and if it doesn't solve the problem, they will talk me through it tomorrow. Great followup JJ

I have been folowing this thread as similar instances have happened to me on numerous occasions. However, mine have never occurred when using Google, but have happened from within the LW site. It is always after getting on the site and once on the homepage, clicking on the 'Forums' button, I get a message that I am being redirected and end up on some other totally unrelated site. Sometimes just clicking on the 'back' arrow gets me back into LW, but sometimes I have had to shut down the browser as windows as described in earlier posts that just seem to be an endless circle keep coming up. This has occurred twice again today - just the easy version that the 'back' button gets me to LW, but something is still definitely happening. JJ

Well, here is my first attempt at a practice piece trying to apply the above pointers. Definitely not happy or ready to be making a belt yet. To top it off, had just changed out plates, needle and thread on the machine, and didn't adjust tension or stitch length or do any practice run, so stitching on first side was horrendous. There is no dye applied and I only tried edging the top edge. Bruce - When you tack the edges, how can you be sure the stitch line is going to pass over the tack hole, so no extra holes show in the leather? After I trimmed, sanded and singed the edge, as soon as I started burnishing with my canvas, more hairs showed up, repeated the singing process a couple more times, but the finished edge still has hairs embedded, that may stand up. Anyone else, feel free to chime in ....... Thanks JJ