Alamo

Thanks guys!

Being my first try at a Ranger Belt, I'm quite pleased with how this one turned out! About 1500 stitches went into this beast, and the three layered billets were super fun to make (and my favorite part of this build). If I could do this again, I'd skive the belt down more at the ends where they overlap, and move the stitching that attaches the billets to the belt further back as well. Not a style that I would have tried to make on my own accord, but I'm glad that I got the chance to make one! https://www.flickr.com/gp/138400355@N06/KE2Ea4

I did a quick google search, and all I came up with were pictures of hand saws. Would you mind posting some pictures of the one you have?

Unfortunately, that is a crank type splitter. I'll be in the market for one of those sometime in the future, but not right now. Thanks for the heads up though!

Howdy friends, So I'm in the market for a bench type splitter to skive down my belt ends. I'd like a high quality machine, and I'm willing to pay for one. I would buy a Campbell Randall Keystone new, but they are apparently moving locations and cannot sell any splitters for a few months until they are caught up with their current backorders. So the only real requirement that I have is that the splitter has to be in good working condition which would include the ability to split right out of the box, and that the split depth can be adjusted and locking into a specific setting. Other than that, I'm open to whatever pattern splitters can help me work my strap goods. I'm most familiar with the model 84 pattern, but I hear that chase pattern splitters can also fulfill my needs. I can pay via credit/debit card or PayPal, and I'm located in San Antonio, Texas 78209. Thanks in advance!

Not without a soft surface under what I'm punching

I'm not disagreeing with you, but I use the stacks of leather, and occasionally a small poly board on top of my granite to punch on. The edges of the tools never touch the granite, so I'm not exactly sure why pounding on a different surface would make a difference. If you have a link to your longer explanation, I'd be interested in reading it. The belt punches look like a long round tube, while the drive punches have a sort of shelf look to them and are more square at the handle.

Yeah, about those..

I like making orthographic and isometric drawings!

I like using pen and paper for custom orders, but when making patterns or templates for things that will be made over and over again, the precision of using a computer/machine is quite handy.

Google sketchup is a great starting program, and don't forget to download some of the extra features that make it more powerful.

It's not so much that the patterns are difficult to make otherwise, but it's the program I know best, and allows me the most unrestricted method of digitally making a pattern.

I like to use Dassault Systems CATIA, it's complicated as hell, but the degree of freedom it gives you is incredible. If you have access to a 3D printer, yo ucan also make STL files and get them printed.

I'm not sure I follow your logic. Just like how it's awesome for tooling, all the energy you use to hit the punch will go to the punch cutting through the leather, so you should need to use less force to make a clean punch. In any case, I'm just looking for some drive punch alternatives to Tandy

I'm personally leaning away from a changeable head punch set, I'd rather have a separate punch for each hole size I need. I have sharpened the tandy punches in the past, but the metal is cheap and I don't think they're heat treated properly, so they go dull on me quite quickly. My punching surface is a few layers of scrap veg tan over granite, I don't think there's a surface that is more forgiving to punches than that. The jewelers files is something I'll definitely have to look into though, I currently have lots of fine grit sand papers to do my sharpening, but some tricky places on pricking irons might benefit greatly from those types of files.

So I'm tired of using the cheap tandy mini punch set with replaceable heads, they always split and aren't very sharp. Was looking for some replacement punches, and I saw the C.S. Osborne sells belt punches and drive punches. What's the difference between them besides price? I see them being sold on Buckleguy.com, and the belt punches are way cheaper than the drive punches. That being said, I'd rather pay more for a better punch if there's tangible difference between the two. Does anyone have any experience with them? As a side note, are there any other high quality punches I should be looking at? Thanks for the help!

Much thanks! Out of all the decorative things that I do, I personally like the way western stitching looks the best

That is correct, my makers mark and the end of the stitching is not visible when being worn! Thanks! The secret to what I call the western style stitching is having a circle guide that is the right size for the job. The pattern is simply overlapping arches, so all I use to make the pattern is a circle guide!

Sold, thanks for looking!

Howdy! I'd like to sell my set of 7 SPI Blanchard pricking irons that I have only used for one project. The teeth are in perfect condition, and the irons have been polished by me to a great shine. They absolutely DO NOT come looking like this when you buy them brand new. The set includes a 2 prong and an 8 prong iron. I bought these from Rocky Mountain Leather Supply, and their website says that they cost about $210 shipped. Though these irons are used, they have also been hand polished, so I would like to get $200 for this set, which will include shipping to the US. Shipping outside the US will be extra, and will be calculated once an agreement has been made. I prefer to use PayPal, but can also make an Etsy listing if you are more comfortable with that. Thanks for looking!

The bridle strap thickness was 3/4", and I was wondering why all the bridles being sold online used skinnier straps. I now know! I agree that the cheek straps could have used a keeper as well. I used an old bridle the owner had as a pattern, and it turns out it was not am ideal fit for this horse. I'd love to make more tack in the future, it was super fun and it feels cool to see it on the animal! I totally understand where you're coming from with my makers mark, and that's precisely why I like it where it is! Very overt and distinct. If a customer would rather have it on the inside, I definitely would have no objections to it. The chromexcel was really hard to burnish, and I was unfortunately under a time crunch. In the future, I will definitely figure out a edge finishing method rather than leaving them raw. Thanks for the critiques!

The stitching for the whole belt takes about 10ish hours by my estimation. Tedious, but the end result is totally worth it for me If you're referring to the blueprint carrier, the leather is Horween chromexcel and is dyed at the tannery. If you're referring to the sheath set, then thanks! I use an airbrush to dye because for me it's easier to get an consistent dye job. Thanks for the kind words y'all!

So I've been pretty busy with school lately, but I always make time for my leatherwork Since the last time I posted here, I feel like I've been progressing at a good pace. Even so, I would love to hear any critiques y'all may have for me. LAY IT ON ME THICKKKKK First to show you is a set of sheaths that I was commissioned to make. Out of the projects that I'm sharing, I think this is the one that could be improved the most. That being said, I really enjoyed working with this customer and making these sheaths. Second is a bridle that I made for a friend's horse! This is the first bit of equine leather that I've ever made, and I was told that this particular bridle was a bit tight around the ears. Even so, this was a blast to make and was extremely satisfying to see on the horse. Third is a Western Stitched Gunbelt. I've made a few in the past, and I really think that I've come quite a ways with what I'm producing now. I love the way they look, and the functionality of them, even when not bearing the weight of a sidearm, is impressive. Last is a blueprint carrier I made for my father's birthday/father's day. Definitely didn't make it easy on myself when making this, there are parts of this that I could have done differently to make the construction of this much simpler. That being said, I love the way this came out, and it holds blueprints like I told dad it would! Thanks for looking!

Sold, thanks for looking!