Tim Schroeder

I've been wanting to build this pair of boots for 2 yrs. I almost have them done, just need to get them to the shoe man so he can stitch the welt. It will take some time to make the edges look good after putting the soles on so I have still have some work to do. They are embossed cowhide I found on Ebay. The insides are lined with Boot Lining Leather from Sheridan Leather. On these I am using a super lite weight sole that won't last a long time but they are only $2.50 and I will learn how to resole boots. These boots will weigh 3 lbs. 6 oz. when finished. The last pair were thin Kangaroo but the thick heavy sole I used got them up to 3 lbs. 10 ozs. A little heavier than the kind of Cabela's boots I have been wearing for 15 yrs. I have about 65 hrs in these boots. They will be my new work boots. The really nice Kangaroo boots will be my back up boots and going out boots. I use the flat soles because I work on white rock roads and they are easy to clean off when I go in the office. The MULE I ride has a gas pedal, no stirrups so I don't really need a sole with a heel. Thanks for looking. Tim

Well all I can say is awesome. The first day on the job and the boots feel like I have been wearing them for months. It's incredible the difference in custom made boots and off the shelf boots. I have wide feet with skinny heels so my heels always slid in my boots and the front always hurt my feet. I started on these on a Wed. and finished them on Sunday. I had 42 hrs. in these. I did spend a lot more time getting the last correct than I did actually building the boots. I built a practice pair all the way thru sewing the welt on and quit on them because I used some leather off a chair I found at work. The top layer looked like it was going to separate and crack every where they would wrinkle. It was good practice. I watched a bunch of Lisa Sorrells You Tube videos and bought Tim Skyrme's Bespoke Shoemaking book. I think most people could build shoes or boots if they put their mind to it and didn't give up. Thanks for all the comments. I have to thank Bob Park for tool rack. I used his tool rack as a starting point. His tool rack inspired me to build it just as his work inspires me to get better at tooling and the construction aspect of leather.. Wish I could draw patterns like him. I included a full picture of the tool rack. Thanks again to Bob Park. My shop is our Formal Dining Room. Thanks Tim

Your tooling patterns are buy far the best looking patterns I've seen. If I buy your book will I be able to draw patterns like that. Incredible work. Thanks Tim

I finally had enough of my feet hurting because of my boots. This is my first pair of boots and am looking forward to making many more. I learned a lot on these and made a lot of mistakes. I can't stitch the welt to the mid sole so I had the local shoe repair guy stitch them up for me. These were really practice for the ones I am building now. They will have Alligator embossed cowhide with tooled uppers. These boots are out of a Kangaroo hide from making a bunch of wallets.

Thanks Tree Reaper, I have bought a lot of stuff from Hardware Elf which they told me was their retail sight. They had the d ring type eyelets too which is the kind I really wanted. (I have the d ring type eyelets on my Kangaroo Boots) Thanks again, Tim

Hi, I am building my own boots and need some eyelets that boot laces will slide thru easily. Tandy's eyelets are to short, I need some for thicker material. Anybody know where I might find these. I have been to all the fabric stores, Hobby Lobby and Michaels. Thanks Tim

Hi, That is not what that hide should look like. I use those to make my wallets and that is not the way they come. Maybe you should send a picture to Tandy and have them explain why this pig was shaped so funny. Good Luck. Tim

HI, I'm looking for somebody who can silver plate a wallet strap end. It is U shaped to wrap around the back and then two set screws secure it to the strap. I would like a L engraved in it too. Thanks Tim

Finally got around to making a phone case to match my new belt.

I cut my clear piece the same size as the pocket so it is glued and sewn and I only sew around the inside if the customer request it.

Hi Tony, I use ID Holders like the ones you where around your neck on a lanyard from Staples. Good Luck Tim

Hi Tree Reaper, This machine has always done this. Every project I have done has one or two knots showing at the top, usually right before a corner when I almost stop. Anytime I try to just handwheeel the machine it will leave the knots at the top almost every stitch but will sew fine if you sew that slow with the motor. Just a consistent motion seems to make a difference. #138 with 135X16 #18 needle. I know this needle is a little small but I like the way it looks. #20 needles the holes look to big for the thread. Thanks Tim

I have the same machine as a Cobra Class 18. When I slow down to a crawl or try to handwheel the machine it wants to pull the knots to the top. If I stop in the middle of something it will always pull the knot to top. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks Tim

Hi Kevin, Thanks, I stitch them on after the lining. I like the way the billets look being almost as wide as the belt. If I built them small enough to stitch around I would stitch them on before the lining for sure.

Hi, I was lucky enough to add a Bob Beard swivel knife to my small collection the other day. Those are some nice collections. I don't have many but do have a few nice ones.

Couldn't really tell whether Bob was a myth or a legend. Turns out he's an actual person. I got to meet him at the show in Wichita Falls last Oct. I ordered a swivel knife and a small angled detail blade. Came home and found this in my mail box the other day. He makes a couple of other specialty tools I would love to get. He's a great guy and makes a really nice swivel knife.

Had some extra time so I decided to build myself a new work belt.

Thanks Art, I tried to keep track of time on these so I would know how long they took. I have a 40/hr. a week job so these were done in spare time between Jan. 7 and Feb. 9. Thanks Tim Tote Bag 50 plus hour Make Up Bag 15 hours Checkbook Cover 11 hours Phone Case 12 hours Wallet 23 hours

Hi Karmindixie, This is a great place to learn. I used Sheridan Style Carving from Tandy to try to learn how to draw and carve Sheridan style. Here is a couple of pictures of my last couple of drawings and a couple of pictures of what my work looked like before and after I found Leatherworker.net. I looked at Hidepounder's work on this forum for hours for inspiration. The tooled pic is what the one pattern looks like after tooling. There are plenty of articles on every aspect of making anything out of leather. Hidepounders Casing and Edge Finishing are a couple of good ones for really good looking finished pieces. Tools make a big difference in the way the tooling looks too. I have 40 Barry King stamping tools and the really make a difference. Good Luck Tim

My wife has been carrying some old stuff so I made her some new stuff for Valentines Day. The Tote Bag was a late Christmas present. (Only 2 weeks late)I put a picture of her old stuff for comparison. The old stuff was before I found Leatherworkers. This is a great place to learn. Thanks Tim

My wife liked the last bag I made like this one and she wanted this one for Christmas but just didn't have time. It's 3-4 ounce on the outside and Tandy's lining leather on the inside. The Alligator is embossed veg tan so you can dye it any color you want. Thanks Tim

One of our Chief Mates on a ship in the Persian Gulf wanted two wallets and is going to let his dad pick the one he would like for Christmas and he is keeping the other one. Both have two ID pockets stitched. Can't wait to make me a new wallet.

Thanks. I use a gravity fed automotive paint gun. I like to spray 8-10 coats, so thinning keeps it from getting to dark. You can keep spraying until you get what you want. I also spray the Wyo-Sheen for a blocker when Antique Finishing. Thanks Tim

Finally finished this bag for a lady in New Zealand. All leather with embossed Alligator veg tanned handles. She wanted Angel Wings, A snake, Roses and Lily of the Valley flowers. The color is Fiebings Chocolate brown and light brown mixed 50/50, thinned 3:1 thinner to dye and sprayed thru a paint gun, 8 light coats. Learned a lot on this one.

Looking for small D Rings for zipper pulls. 1/4" inside. Thanks for any help.