SmilinJim

Not sure where to post. Guess you post the bad with the good. Just wanted to get across to some of those folks just starting. PAY ATTENTION TO WHAT YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO BE DOING. A friend wanted a belt buckle done on a document folder. About 3 inches across. So I scanned the buckle, enlarged it, traced to a piece of leather and commenced to cutting and pounding. Didn't stop to engage my brain and think about the project just a little. He seems to think its good, I think its crap. Look at your pattern, clean up those odd lines and decide beforehand where you need to cut, don't do like me and say, "I'm experienced enough, I can just see it as I go." NO. I can't, Listen to the good folks here on the forum and they will help if you ask. Anyway, enough said. Keep on Smilin Jim

Thanks for the advice folks. Been doing about the same, just wasn't sure if it was 'correct'. Which brings up another question. yaklady recommends oil dye. I like the stuff myself. Seems to give a deeper color. BUT, I seem to always have a problem wanting to put on a heavier single coat of dye. As you apply some areas appear lighter as it is absorbed and other darker. I try to go back and have a more uniform first coat. Is that good, bad or just plain stupid. What methods do you folks use? Keep on Smilin Jim

On our construction site we fill out JSA or job site activity sheets. A steelworker wanted a folder to keep in his conex box. I liked it anyway. Keep on Smilin Jim

How do you finish the inside of your holsters. NOT lined holsters. Gum Tragancath to lay down the flesh side or just stain and rub? Any and all comments will be welcomed. Keep on Smilin Jim

Hi David I just snap over my belt on the back. That's the reason I angled the holster for easier access. I have a calculator case on the right side of belt a machete on the left and a phone on my belt. Too much to have to carry. I probably don't really need the gun. It's more for the guys with me that don't like our legless friends. In my 35 years of surveying I have only killed 2 snakes. One was a 4 foot copperhead that suprised me and the other was a 6 ft 2 inch rattlesnake that had my crew totally stopped. But it was a good little project anyway. Got to practice sewing and did first bullet loops, that was tedious, at least for me. Keep on Smilin Jim

Nice work Myriam, I'm just getting started in braiding. I've done a couple of fobs, leashes and quirts but not quite up to speed yet. Any tutorials you want to post count me in as an attendee. I've bought most of the 'right books' but would like a little real world info. Like your site but keep posting here. SmilinJim

I just made a new holster for my 38 derringer. I work in the woods and sometime's carry it with rat/snake shot loads. The belt loops snap in the front so it's easy to take on and off. Not a new idea, it was in an old Doodlepage from Tandy by Bill McKay. I just modified it a little. And I wanted it black, really. A tip for some of the newer members that don't have as much experience as me. If you accidently screw up a really simple saddle tan dye job you can cover with black. Just a tip I thought I would pass along. Not that I would ever possibly make such a mistake. I really wanted it black. That's my story and I'm sticking with it. Keep on Smilin Jim

Still learning so bear with some probably simple questions. In doing 6 strand braid an over one under one gives a symetrical single diamond braid, correct? If doing 4 seam 6 stand the braid is non-symetrical right? You can do 4 seam symetrical if you do a 4, 8, 12 or 16 strand because each hand holds a number of strands that is divisible by 2. If each hand holds an odd number of strands then you would need to do a single diamond overone underone braid. This is my interpretation of what I have read. However, I tend to see things differently than what I read. (Just look at my post on covering knots, I tried to really complicate something simple) Some insight here would be helpful. Someone could give a nice tutorial, hint,hint. Keep on Smilin Jim

Ms Kate, I drilled out the primer and passed the braid through. I didn't have any real lead for the slugs and wound up using lead fishing weights from Walmart. I've had a couple of requests for some more so I guess I'll get some reloading supplies. MathewD, the keyfobs are deerskin lace from Hobby Lobby, the short leash lace I cut myself, it's about 1/4" and the long leash is tandy 1/8" superior lace. It's a start.

It's getting to the point that I'm almost ashamed to post anything here. The quality of the work is so far beyond me I should just be an observer. But what the heck, it's a captive audience. Decided to do some braiding, so. I did a keyfob for myself using a 38 shell, first pic, a friend wanted one so I did one for her, up to you to decide why she wanted a pair of 38's. A short dog leash in 4 strand. Then a longer 8 strand dog leash, did the handle so it could be removed and used as a traffic leash. Then a case for my utility knife, braided thong for it and case is all one piece. Just a few short projects. Keep on Smilin Jim

Truly lovely work lady. You should do a tutorial on coloring. Jim

My thanks Kate. I almost had it right from your pics. I scaled the keyring and adjusted from there. Mine would have been a little smaller. Again, great work and thanks for the pattern. Keep Smilin Jim

My thoughts too. I have no intentions of selling any works like that. It's a one only. But just can't show the end results, and that might be a good thing too. I need practice. Keep on Smilin Jim

My daughter wants a keycase with Tigger, a Disney character, on it. Is it legal for me to carve such a case? And then is it legal to post a picture of the case? I know in real life I could carve her a case and probably several others for 'family' members and never have a real problem. But by posting a picture it becomes available to 'the copyright police', for want of a better term. Inquiring minds want to know. Jim

A great piece M'Lady Kate Could you please post the dimensions of the case? I just need the width and height that you used. My daughter likes the case and wants a Tigger design.

Hope you had a great day and a Happy Birthday. Jim

Hi Do you have the belt in hand? Can't really tell about the 5 wide links or if cut as one link to appear as 5 wide. Sorry for no help. Keep trying. Keep on Smilin Jim

Hi Esantoro, not sure if this is what you are looking for but Joel in Bham pointed me to http://www.johan-potgieter.com/bin02.htm http://www.johan-potgieter.com/leat01.shtml and JimM http://www.lostcrafts.com/ Maybe this can help. Keep on Smilin Jim

Hi Gremlin, welcome. Never heard of redhide, but there's a LOOOOOOOTTTT that I haven't heard about. But I bet someone here can help. These are great folks. I'm just getting started in braiding. Any pointers will be appreciated. Keep on Smilin Jim

Good Job Sidney, You have been a great help. Saw the coding on other sites but no explanations, at least where I was. Anything else you want to share feel free. Guess its time to delve into string theory. There is actually quite a bit of higher math explaining and proving the turks head. Anyway thanks again. Keep on Smilin Jim

Nice work Brandon. I have been looking at the 'other' types of coverings, Paracord and such. There's a lot of nice work out there in all sorts of material. But I want this to be a total leather project. I've done a blade and the handle is out of walnut and I would like to do a grip, don't want to cover all the wood, from leather I cut the lace for myself. Thanks Keep on Smilin Jim

Hi folks Thanks Knotthead and you were right Major. I just wasn't seeing what I saw. The "covering knot" is just a simple 5 part 4 bight turkshead. Realized it was just presented in a different way. But I will gladly take any information you have Knothead. I've been playing with braiding and knotting here lately and have bought several books. Guess my next project is something with a pineapple knot. And now I know its an interweave based on a turks head too. I've made myself a skiving knife and would like to braid/cover the handle. Any suggestions? Keep on Smilin Jim

Thanks Clay, just getting older and better. At least it sounds good to say that. LOL Keep on Smilin Jim

Hi folks Major, that's what I've been using too. But I like the barrel (gaucho?) type of knot used. Knothead, on pages 101 to 103 he gives info on a covering knot but I haven't been consistant. Today at work, I've got some sitting time, I did 2 pretty nice knots. But I can't consistantly reproduce them. Found some more directions on outdoors magizine. com . But again I cannot consistantly repeat the weave of the knot. Easier to follow the pics than the text. Is the knot actually a gaucho type knot or what is the correct terminology? Saw your pics in your gallery Knothead, nice. Keep on smilin Jim

Any special knott for covering stops or backbraiding ends. Got the book from tandy on "Braiding Fine Leather" but can't follow his example well. Any help is appreciated. Keep on Smilin Jim B