RiverCity

The main reason is on the cases that I make, the lid and base cap are made of wood with leather wet formed around it. I also do exotic wood caps. The theres making forms for wetforming other cases etc Chuck

Youll have fun, I know I did. Chuck

Pretty much set back up, still have a few things to do. It's a never ending list lol Here's some pics of the shop and some stuff I'm working on. Chuck Some more pics

Practice walking the tool in a straight line without a cut. You might find it easier to hold the beveler slightly about the leather and "bounce" it with the mallet/maul. Also, make sure your leather has the correct moisture content. Too wet, and it will look choppier. Chuck

Great class with a hell of a nice guy! Thanks Paul for your knowledge and the knives! Learned a lot brother. Thanks to Aaron for setting it up! Everybody was great. Chuck

Got the benches done, still need to open some boxes and set my tools set back up lol. Chuck

Starting with no experience would prove difficult. You really need to start at the beginning and learn the basics and develop your skills before you can even think about opening a store. I would suggest some of Al Stohlmans books to get an understanding of basic leatherwork. How to carve leather The art of hand sewing leather Leathercraft tools Tech tips http://www.tandyleatherfactory.com/en-usd/home/department/books-patterns/books-patterns.aspx There are also several lifetimes of knowledge on this website. Spend some time and do a lot of reading. Hope this helps Chuck

Here is the frame of the main bench. I had to get some longer screws for the top so I couldn't finish it tonight. The top is a 32x80 solid core door. Tomorrow I need to finish it and build the cutting table. Thanks for the threads, I'm reading through them! Chuck

The granite will be about half the length of the workbench I'm building. Not sure if Ill make the rest of the surface even to it or not. Using a solid core door as the top and framing the bench like a house, so I might just leave it on top. The marble is probably going to go under a poly board for punches. I was kinda bummed when I got directed to the dumpster that had been emptied recently. Then I saw one of the fabricators and asked if he had any scrap he had not tossed yet. He took me in the shop where he had a pallet going. The marble is in the 150lbs + range, and I definitely felt my age when I picked it up. Lol. Chuck

Just moved down to Portland from Alaska and am in the process of setting up shop. Stopped by a granite countertop manufacturer and hit the mother load. Was expecting smaller scraps, but what I found was excellent. The big piece of granite is 47x22.5 rounded on two sides, the marble is 26x16 smooth cut. Both pieces free from the scrap pile. Chuck

The 4 piece sets have a die for each part of the snap, male/female post and cap. If you can find the Tandy on sale buy it. You can get the same press from other places if you look around too. But I do advise ou to wait for a sale. Lol. Chuck

Has anybody tried spraying resolene out of a spray bottle, like windex type or even an atomizer type? Chuck

Just got my new cowboy 27 set up and am playing with stitch lengths and tensions. Do these stitches look right? The bottom thread looks like its trying to pull through to me? Chuck

What are the times? Chuck

I use 2000 grit auto paper on the outside surface of the punch tube, followed with flitz. Smooth going after that, except for the once in a blue moon touch up. Chuck

Now see, my dog is helpful. She finds any rivets that I drop, and leaves them all over the living room carpet to step on barefoot. Chuck

Sounds good! Bob is sending an invoice in the morning. Thanks again for all your help Wiz, it is much appreciated. Chuck

That's what I usually have happen. I'm guessing dryer block and less pressure? Chuck

A cowboy 227. I went back and forth with the consew 206 flatbed class machines, and almost got talked into a 441 clone, but its more machine and capacity than I need. The 227 gives the cylinder arm advantage and with a flatbed attachment for wallets etc, should be good to go for my needs in a machine. Down the line I might add a big machine if the need arises. Chuck

Hi Aaron - email sent, please add me if you still have openings. Thanks Chuck

Thanks again Wiz, the references to items helps a lot. I'll be sewing pockets on cases, and general bag work. Nothing super heavy duty (8oz + 5oz). Wallets and belt edges. From what I've gathered 138 would be a viable choice for cases and bags with 207 being used if extra strength is needed. And 69 for pocket items like wallets and such. I'm getting a 227 from Bob in a couple of weeks. Chuck

Definitely. I've seen the same casting from different sellers for different prices. With Tandy you have to catch stuff on sale. Their pricing even with membership can get rediculous on some stuff. The press and dies included. Chuck

Yep, thin it. They make a reducer, but you can use denatured alcohol, or even drug store isopropyl alcohol. Play around on some scrap. You can start at like 1 part dye to 1 part alcohol. If its still too dark go 2-1 alcohol etc until its where you want it. It's better to start lighter and add color till you hit the shade you want, as removing dye color is tough if not impossible sometimes. Chuck

I have the big red Tandy press. Buy what dies you need now, and keeping checking the sales flyer if you want to expand your set. They put the dies on sale a couple times a year. Chuck

Thanks Wiz! I've studied that one. I'm just having trouble picturing sizes. I guess what I'm saying is that I'm looking for picture comparison of thread sizes, especially against a known object etc to see what looks right for what I need. Chuck