SmilinJim

Hi DS, been looking for the same type of pattern myself. I've got something similar and I'll post later in the week. Going to be working out of town so bear with me. My pattern has 6 pieces for the top, 3 on each side and they are all different. Then the 'sweat band' that is attached to the bill on the front. Maybe we can sorta work together on this and get what we are looking for. Keep on Smilin Jim

Hi folks, been a while since I posted. Dang but there is a lot of good work posted here. But I'm gonna post mine anyway. Tim and I did a little trading a while back and I really think I got the best of the deal. He sent me some Arizona Ironwood. He wasn't kidding when he said it was a little hard to work. I did the handle for a knife I did for my daughters boyfriend and a sheath for the knife. Got a hidden pin type strap to secure the knife. Another piece had such a pretty grain I just couldn't cut it up into smaller pieces so I did a simple shelf piece. It's got a piece of leather on it (to match one of my tattoos) so I guess technically I can post it here. If you read this Tim the book on the Rangers was great. Keep on Smilin Jim

You got a deal Gunter, PM me with an address and I'll put it in the mail. Maybe a small piece of chocolate, but I'll settle for less. Like I said I'll trade for anything. I use the rocks for bases and wood for handles, I've even gotten pics of the local landscapes. Mementos like that last longer than money. Keep on Smilin Jim

I also have one of the kit paks if anyone interested. I bought some "leather stuff" from a lady whose aunt did leather work 30 years ago and one of the briefcase kits was in one of the boxes. Just no briefcase to go with it. It's available if anyone wants it. I'll do like I've done some of the other stuff, I'll trade. I'll send it to whoever wants it and you can send me something in return. NO money. A rock, a piece of wood, just something from your part of the world. Keep on Smilin Jim

Guess I should have posted this with the eyeglass post but I'm old and forgetful. Anyway, a friend at work wanted a gunbelt for his .45. He rides in a few shows. At HIS request, I put rivets in the billets instead of sewing on and dyed the inside of belt black. Whatever the customer wants. All that counts is that he was pleased and I got to do something I've wanted to do for a while, not to mention learning a lot. Already got an order for another. keep on Smilin Jim

I needed something for work so what the heck I've had time here lately to catch up on some projects. The stamp in the front was in some of the tools I got when I bought some 'stuff' that had belonged to a leatherworker/artist (I wish I could have met her). The case design is simple(like me) but if you make one use a smaller snap, make your lacing more even, check your staining, .... oh well, you know, all the stuff you've been taught or read about. Let me know what ya think. Keep on Smilin Jim

Hi Jerelk, welcome aboard. I'm no expert, just stating the obvious to begin with. I started using an airbrush to dye and finish with a year or so ago and won't go back. I've got a Bager brush and a Panache and the deluxe from Harbor Freight (and alright, a couple of others). I don't do much detail work with the airbrush. Those that do would definitely recommend a more expensive brush than the Harbour Freight brush. For general broad dyeing and smoothing they all seem to do pretty much the same job. So in my humble opinion I would recommend the double action Deluxe from Harbour Freight. When you are ready you can move up. Just remember to clean, clean, clean. Even though the brush is fairly cheap, clean it after each use and it will last a long time. One other thing, it seems to be a standard brush so bottles and such from the craft stores will fit. I tend to stay away from tools that use only containers and such made specifically for that brand, always seem to be more expensive. Hope this helps, and remember Keep on Smilin Jim

Hi Bob, I just got in a lot of leather stuff and was going through the kit instructions and patterns. PM me if still interested and I'll send you either a copy or an original kit instruction sheet with patterns. Jim

I'd heard oxalic acid or lemon juice. Maybe the lemon juice should just go in the lemonade. Where do I find oxalic acid? Jim

Looking for a pattern for a 'cobblers bag'. Used to be in the George Hurst Leathercraft catalogue. Any help is appreciated Jim

Hi folks, need some help. I just got one of those deals. I'd set up at a local fund raiser. Didn't do real well but I met a lady whose mother-in-law had an aunt who ...(you know how it goes) that had done leatherwork. She had taken care of the aunt until she had passed and now she had some metal outbuildings full of stuff. She wanted me to look at the leather stuff. There was several boxes and some leather. Made an offer and took home a lot more stuff than she had originally shown me including some leather. Had been in building for years. Sides are dry with some mold spots. Leather is not brittle but is not supple. If I cut a piece and clean with water with lemon juice and case it seems okay but... is there something I should do before cutting and casing? Should I preclean? Treat with ...? Any help would be appreciated. Keep on Smilin Jim

Hi folks, Not sure if this should have been posted here or where???? Anyway, WildRose and a couple of others wanted to know about the spiral 'braid' I did on another leash I posted. Not really a braid just a couple of loops in the leather. Look at the pics and No1 shows a plain leash of oil tanned leather, riveted with a slit for the spirals. No 2, just bring the end of leash through the slit. No 3 you have started the spiral. No 4 bring the end through the slit again and then No 5 the finished leash. Sdjust the spirals as needed. If using veg tanned do the edges in contrasting colors or do 2 different colors on opposite sides of the leash. You can get a lot of effects that draws attention. Sorry if posted in wrong place. But hope it helps. Keep on Smilin Jim

Hi, I did a request to see your bowl but there may have been others too. That looks good. Do you have others? I've been wanting to do some and need some ideas. Thanks Jim

That's neat man, never thought of the reversed strap. Good work, keep on posting, like to see some more of your stuff. Jim

Great job on the pouch. Sturdy and functional. But if you are like the rest of us there will always something you think will be better. If it works for you then keep the design. I like it but I'm not an electrician, I'm a surveyor and my pouches probably wouldn't work for you. But a question, describe splash rivets, first time I've heard the term. I think I know what they are but not sure. Used a lot on commercial pouches that I'm familiar with but don't know where to get them. Keep up the good work. And keep posting, like to see other real world projects from workin folks. Keep on Smilin Jim

Great looking cases Tae. I like the stiching, neat and straight and even. Makes me jealous, my stiching SUX. Got a question, for my Iphone and the PDA's with touch screen I've had problems with snaps. Do you just turn your phone to let the touchscreen face your body or do you just snap against the screen. I work in an environment where I can get pressed against things and bumped around a bit and the sensitivity of the screen bothers me. I've cracked several over the years. Can't learn if ya don't ask. Jim

Nice work. Intricate but not too 'busy'. Post some more. I'd like to see the bowls. I've been wanting to do a plate or a bowl but need a little encouragement. Jim

Neat work. That's an expensive collar and should bring in some bucks for a good cause. Jim

Repo stays happy I think. I've done several of the harnesses and they were all cut and paste (sort of), had access to the dog so could custom fit. I didn't like just a collar as he, and our other dogs, will pull sometimes and cause the collar to choke the dog. A harness won't choke them. I'm going to be 'out of town' in the wilds of south Mississippi for a couple of days but when I get back I'll post some pics of the harness and the measurements I took from Repo the get what I wanted. Seems to fit well enough and doesn't rub (couldn't spell irratate or irriatate or .... ) in the wrong places. Keep on Smilin Jim

Thanks to my daughter I have an Iphone, which means a new phone case. Since I work in construction and am in various and sundry places, I wanted to protect my new phone as much as possible. I inherited a metal case along with the phone. The case has a clip on the back for a belt clip but that doesn't protect the screen from rebar, 2X4's and other normal everyday things you have to deal with at work. She works in a daycare, still dangerous, just in a different way. I wanted to keep the metal case and belt clip so I could hang phone from my truck dash while driving. This is what I came up with. The phone faces towards my body and I have a thin metal plate in the back of the case to protect from flexing. The strap slips over the clip and snaps to the case so its held in place. Just unstap and answer. Unclip and hang from the dash while driving. Simple solution from a simple mind. Keep on Smilin' Jim

I think it looks great. Something she would pass down to the kids or grandkids. Jim

Hi Folks, I did a small belt bag for myself to use in the field, it carries my notebook(also pictured) my camera and my data collector. And usually other assorted 'stuff'. I had to use the closure that Andyl1 used, that's neat. Hope he doesn't mind. And thanks to Tom(carr52) I did myself an Indy bag. Something I've been wanting/needing to do for a while. It ain't pretty but it works like it's supposed to. I made it a little larger than his pattern and used snaps in places. The thing to the right of the bag snaps inside and holds my coffee thermos upright. The box to the left fits inside and holds whatever is needed at the time. I also attached a knife to the side and there are other rings and snaps not visible that I have added as needed. Its been wet when camping and I use as to carry my lunch when not off in the woods somewhere. Working on a pair of suspenders with rings so I can use it as a backpack too. New GPS requires 2 hands and carring more 'stuff' too. Check out the bags Tom(carr52) did in the specialty section. His are much, much better. But this may give ya some ideas of your own. Keep on Smilin Jim

We have a mixed Pit we got from a rescue shelter about 4 years ago, we call him Repo since he went through several owners before chosing us. Each year in Birmingham Alabama there is an animal shelter fund raiser called Do Da Day at a couple of the local parks. Bring your pet and show him/her off. It's mostly for dogs but I have seen cats, ocelots, pigs, snakes etc. A great time to listen to bands, drink beer, talk to folks that love animals. And I have to admit I don't really mind the short shorts and bikini tops either, LOL. Anyway Repo's harness was getting well used looking so I made him some more clothes and a short traffic leash. Did it in Oxblood so it contrasts against his white coat. Hmmm, did I mention I also handed out some cards and got orders for 8 of the leashes and 2 harnesses. But we had a good time and so did Repo. Keep on Smilin Jim

Mean a guard. Sorry about that. See what happens when ya get old. Ya forget and can't type and talk or is it talk and type at the same time. Jim

Co-worker brought me the leather and a knife and said he wanted a sheath. Just simple no carving or tooling of any kind. Tan with an oxblood lace. Used a hidden pin to hold the tangless knife in place. The other is another cedar box. Bad photo of praying hands, from a Tandy craftaid. Not what I'll use again. Not saying I can do better but I can try. The boxes are doing well and they are from scrap. As a tip for the woodworkers. I used Fiebings Aussie Leather conditioner on the cedar boxes once they were sanded. Brought out the colors in the wood. Looks good up close. Keep on Smilin Jim