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we got our free magazine some time ago. Very fast delivery. Since we aren't "in the business" we decided not to subscribe. But we did find some new suppliers through their advertisements and placed some orders. Made a point to inform the supplier that we did find their ad in the Shop Talk magazine and they would have probably lost out on a sale if it weren't for the free magazine they offered. Looks like a well laid out magazine that has a lot of good information for anyone in the leather business or working on a larger scale than us.

I've found using an angled filigree blade in a swivel knife makes it easier for me when doing lettering.

Thanks Bruce for showing the comparison...real eye opener. Seemingly simple looking tools can have quite a bit of variance. As you stated, I'm still in the "playing" stages so the Tandy's fill the need for now. But i can definitely see where good hands deserve good tools. BTW I'm still waiting for you to write a book on this stuff.

That's a real fine looking bench and good idea with the cam clamp. Ought to be quick and simple. Might want to chamfer the end of that threaded rod or cover it with something before it gets a chance to bite ya.

Howdy Aaron from another from Illinois. You must be down Peoria way if you're calling the Tandy store local.

Them sure are pretty "rookie". Yep, "broncs" are kinda popular these days, although you don't see as many real ones as used to be.

I've sold some miscellaneous items that probably couldn't market anywhere else. Like was said before, a few cents either way didn't matter. But was really an eye opener as to what brings big money and what doesn't. That was kind of an interesting thing to see anyways. But for high quality stuff or things that have my labor costs, forget it. Your competing with some fella that spends all day in front of the computer in his underwear going between Chinese drop shippers and Ebay. Seems good photographs sell better than quality items. And the fees will eat up any profits until you're working for the same wage as the Chinese prison laborers. Then you got the items for a dollar and $200.00 shipping. Supposed to be against policy but happens quite a bit. And the folks who have their geek buddies bid on stuff for them. Now the big time sellers who get their 10,000 items listed before yours because they are a "best match". And as a buyer I usually figure I'm paying all the Ebay fees since a lot of sellers do figure a way to get them into their price. As a buyer I wouldn't buy any high dollar item on Ebay. I use it to find items sometimes but then try to find a direct link to the seller. I want to deal with a real person, not a screen name. I would encourage anyone trying to sell their work to get a website. I've got a lot of bookmarked websites I got from Leatherworker as well as other special interest sites. When I go looking for top quality gear that's what I turn to. I'll take quite a while looking things over and comparing. Without a website you'll probably get passed over. Doesn't have to be fancy or expensive. The one I made is free through my internet provider and I did it myself. Another point in how I like to do business. If you've got a page long list of policies that looks like it was written by a lawyer I won't buy from you. If your return policy is any more complicated then "if you got a problem call me and we'll work it out" I'm not buying. If you don't list an addrees, no sale. And in return I will provide you with all my contact information. Kind of like face to face business without being face to face, or toe to toe if need be.

Well the exact details would be whatever the maker had in mind unless I have one custom made. Which if I start doing enough of them I might do. But here's a picture of something what I was thinking of. Kinda surprised nobody makes one as the barrel racing seems to be pretty popular.

I have same problem. Seems to be with wax. Running the stitching wheel over the treads seems to help but still looks dingy. Also it seems after time the stitching whitens up a little on it's own but it takes quite a while. There was a topic on this a while back but I think it got lost in the last crash.

Yes was Merrillville. We went towards afternoon after we got all horses tended to. Roads weren't any problem other than the traffic. I hate city traffic...sat at one light through 3 green lights. Fog was really bad on the way home though. I didn't call first...didn't see no need to. We made it 50 miles there. Elgin ain't that much farther and from what I understand it's a lot bigger store so I'll take a ride up there next time. Sure wish they wouldn't put their stores in the city though.

On Friday after Christmas I had the bright idea of heading over to Tandy to take advantage of their sale, look some things over and pick up a few things that catch my eye. So wife and I get in the car and head to the closest Tandy which is about 50 miles for us. Seems that Friday everybody else had traveling ideas. 2 hours of traffic later we arrive. Step out of the car and what do I see? CLOSED. Try the door....yep they weren't kidding. CLOSED. Best thing to do is take a deep breath and laugh it off. Yeah right. Use language not found in the unabridged Webster. Bend hat brim upon impact with windshield. Speak in tongues. Head spins around 360. Patience isn't one of my strong points. Try to call the store number...no answer, no answering machine. Look through catalog to find headquarters number...none found. So I call the Tandy in Elgin Illinois to get their national phone. I ask Bill for national number and he asks how he can help...brave guy. I explain my ordeal. He apologizes for the other store and will make things right. He says he'll ship items free shipping. I ask if I can call back next morning since I hate cell phones. I talk to Bill Saturday and he takes my order no problem, makes sure sale prices are all right. Says he'll have to wait until Monday to ship. I get the order Tuesday morning, everything right, well packaged, note enclosed again apologizing for my mishaps. Tandy doesn't know how close they came to losing all my business. But thanks to Bill Johnson, manager of the Tandy Elgin,Illinois store, they'll now probably get a few extra bucks out of me besides what I usually buy from them. I'll definitely be making a trip to the Elgin store next store even though it'll add about 25 miles to the trip. Hope Bill is there then...I owe him a handshake. If you happen by there and see Bill tell him the half crazed fella from Custer Park says thanks. He'll know who you mean.

Very nice. Good details for a small piece. Just couple things I seen. Need more boot...look like standing on pegs a bit. For some reason I think a smooth bevel might look better...seems maybe the textured bevel detracts from the figure. And was that gesture with the right hand planned?

I've had good luck using products from Weaver Leather. Not sure about their retailer requirements. A lot of my training gear is from Weaver because it's always been sturdy and reasonably priced. Only problems I have ever had is their stuff is built heavy duty and takes a while to get broken in to the feel I like.

Probably been asked before but can you give me recommendations on where to get clicker dies made up? Website or email contact info would be great. Thanks...Al

Great stuff here. I made some very large round punches from stainless pipe. i have access to a lathe but a machine shop would probably do you a favor maybe in trade for some leather work. Simple job to bevel the edge and stainless holds pretty good edge. Gotta haves lots of Q-tips. Good for edges and small area dyeing. 35mm film containers are great for holding screws, stitching needles and other small stuff. (Remember 35mm cameras?) File a flat on all round handled tools so they don't roll of the bench. Saves a bunch of rebuying.

Thanks Freak. Wish I could take credit for how the barrel racer turned out but it was just one of those "let's see what happens" things. Guess that's how you learn.

A girl asked if I could make her a nosepiece for a halter. First one to guess her name and what she does with her horses wins a prize.....

Thanks, I will keep an eye on Ebay. Actually kinda surprised nobody makes these stamps anymore. Seems they'd be more popular than some of the ones they do offer.

Does anyone know of a source for stamps of barrel racers, broncs, reiners, etc.?

Nice work. 3verything blends well together and looks to be a sturdy. Time to start #2

Form, function and beauty....what more can a girl ask for. Nice work JW.

Beautiful

Kathy that seems like a good idea for marketing them. That way they pretty much fit any horse. These I just make up for my own horses. Just something a little different for em when they get to go to town.

Very nice work. I also like the idea of the inskirt rigging. Just a question...noticed the bell stirrups....was that a client request or or your preference?

Thank you JW. I sure enough appreciate all your help.