M_S

I sometimes background using a Craftool A104 Does anyone make an alternative? I'd like something with a larger "footprint" to cover large spaces quickly. Thanks.

After leather has been cased, how do you attach it to a backing surface? I read that contact cement works well, but if so, how do you get your finished, tooled piece off the backing surface? Also, does the contact cement "stick" to cased leather? Thanks.

I'm a beginner-intermediate leatherworker. I have a very good swivel knife (Barry King) and sharp blades. However, when I'm making my cuts in tight curves in Sheridan patterns, the leather tears in spots. Not large tears, just tears that appear as ragged edges instead of the clean, tight lines we're after. Am I using too much pressure in the curves, or am I holding the knife at a bad angle, or am I not swiveling the knife correctly, or making some other mistake? If my description of the problem is too vague, then please give tips on smooth swivel knife cuts in tight curves. Thanks a bunch.

I need a strong, waterproof as possible bond between the back of a tooled piece of 8-9 ounce veg tan leather and the backing for my workpiece which will be a piece of 3-4 ounce cowhide split. Any glue recommendations? Thanks.

I am a novice leatherworker. I do a pretty fair job on basket stamping and other basic stuff, but I want to move on to doing belts, wallets, notebook covers, etc. with oak leaf, acorn, scroll designs. I have a good swivel knife and mallet but need a list of the basic stamps I will need to do small and large oak leaves, acorns, etc. Any advice appreciated.