johnv474

The blue with natural looks good. That is my favorite among them. Do you have a link for the pattern you used? Im not having any success searching for it.

Since no one else has answered, I'll chime in. I prefer 8-10 ounce as well, and would use it for a duffel bag. Because that is a stout thickness, I would leave the bag's design relatively simple to keep it from being too heavy. As for stiffness, much of that can be avoided by oiling the leather with neatsfoot oil or so. Bear in mind that neatsfoot will darken most leather, and not consistently. I find that oil softens leather quite a bit and that the darkening fades partly and leaves a nice look. As for dyeing consistently, I would recommend several light coats in different directions (or overlapping swirls). I have never applied with an airbrush, and sometimes use bits of wool as an applicator. I have had success with cheap disposable foam paint brushes or painting "blocks". By using several lighter coats, it is possible to compensate for lighter areas with a little extra dye in that section during the next coat. Hope this helps some, -J

You can find the same thicknesses in veg tan that should be plenty strong for any dog. If I had a mastiff or similar breed I might look for leather that was around 1/4" - 3/8" thick, or sew two pieces back to back.

Also tool box liners, also used for lining drawers in and shelves, is kinda squishy and grippy.

At the auto stores you can buy rtv sealant that is clear... it is like a very sticky silicone, and stays flexible after drying. I used that to glue horseshoes to coasters and it seemed to work well. I think hot glue might be too brittle when dry. Rubber cement may also work. If you line the back with, for example, canvas, you could set the pin into that without piercing the leather at all.

When I have an interesting piece of scrap that is on the thick side, I turn it into small boxes, pouches, and the like. For example, I had a piece of chrome-tan white leather. I made a simple cup-type shape about the diameter of an old film case, lined with pigskin, and now it holds my toothbrush up instead of leaving it lying somewhere. I make random shapes and sizes, then always finds uses for them. One that was about the size of a stack of 3x5 cards became a very handy external hard drive carrying case. Because these scraps are usually different colors than the hides I buy, i can "pack" my satchel/briefcase quickly by grabbing the things I know I'll need. I have a little first aid kit, one for carrying essential toiletries to the gym, one for holding my leather sewing needles, heck even one just for holding rivets. Ooh that reminds me, I just got a snap setter and need something to put snaps in. No more peanut butter jars for me!

I hope you find the right match for the job. On a site for leatherworkers, I'm not sure you'll find as much interest in using bonded leather -- nothing personal. Bonded leather is to a leatherworker what bologna is to a butcher.

By now you probably have some glue but my understanding is that PVA glue is quite good. This is commonly used as wood glue and, I believe, Elmers white glue just like in school. It dries strong and is water-soluble for cleanup. Most of the time the glue is just to hold in place before sewing anyway. I have been using white glue after using several others, and like it well.

Another option is simply to pay someone to do your taxes... just keep your records. For recordkeeping, one very easy/reliable method is to buy a 3-ring binder and a ream of colored paper. Print the date on each page, so 365 pages. Keep all receipts and staple to the corresponding page. Jot down notes about miles travaled or the purpose of business travel, etc. No, it's not searchable like some digital options, and yes, you need to make business purchases on a separate transaction so you don't have to subtract out other purchases from receipt totals, but it is simple, drop-dead reliable, and your tax professional will thank you for it. Each year buy a new ream in a new color and you can easily keep everything in order. Plus, it costs about 10 dollars a year in supplies. Save the cost of quickbooks and you can pay an accountant. 2 cents...

There is a product called museum something or other I recently saw in a book. When I looked it up, it is often used in the rare/antique bookbinding arena... which would qualify as valuable and delicate. If the name occurs to me I will edit this reply. I saw the reference in that lady's book who teaches how to make a three piece gusset (about which there are threads here). Im being a little lazy instead of looking it up for you. British Museum leather dressing. Thank you Google. British Museum leather dressing. Thank you Google.

I do not have experience in this area, but cotton duck (canvas) is available at any sewing/craft shop. You could make the entire case then dip in melted wax and it would be waterproof. I would imagine unbleached cotton would not case any harm to tobacco, though I doubt veg-tan leather would either. I would not recommend chrome-tanned leather for such a pouch,, though. I know that tanning process puts out a lot of toxic pollution, so maybe not good to have in contact with anything that might be ingested. Justa thought. -JV474