garypl

Always takes longer than you expect! That's why I will never make a living doing leatherwork!

I remember Dwight posted a tutorial on using this method. I am getting ready to make some shotgun shell belt slides and I will definitely look it up and try this method on the first one. Gary

Nice looking vest! How many hours do you figure it took you to complete it? Gary

Tan Kote is not water resistant, so I would use something like Resolene or the other water repellent products listed in many areas of this forum. Gary

I recently made a laptop bag and used heat sensitive tape to secure the fabric to the leather prior to sewing. Worked pretty good, but some fabrics may be heat sensitive or too thick to heat sufficiently to hold to the leather without damaging the fabric with the heat. You can buy the heat tape at Walmart in the sewing section. Gary

Hey Forester - nice looking sheath! Any concern that the knife can slip out a ways because the keeper is at the top of the hilt instead of near the blade guard? Gary

I don't use the Tandy Edge Flex, but with any edge paint I would sand and burnish the edges, then apply the edge paint. Let dry, sand lightly and apply a second coat. Very lightly sand second coat and optionally apply wax or some other type of finish for extra protection. I use Giardini Edge paint and I have found it to be extremely durable with no extra finish required. Gary

That's some beautiful work Josh! I have been sewing individual cartridge loops but I think on my next cartridge holder I will try the slotted version - looks like it will be a bit easier! Gary

I like the bag design- didn’t realize that there was much opportunity to hunt in Poland! My grandparents came to the USA from Poland in the late 1800’s and I have often thought it would be a nice place to visit. Gary

I agree with Fredk - most hardware stores around me have racks of steel strips in various thicknesses and lengths. I bought a chunk of 4 x 12 x 1/4” steel plate for @$15 to use as a stamping surface for my arbor press. The hardware store had all kinds of steel in smaller sizes for less than what I paid. Gary

I just looked at the MO inventory they show online and didn’t look like they had a big selection yet. Gary

I think you should be able to find a piece of flat steel at a welding supply shop, big box store like HD or Lowe’s or maybe even Buy a steel ruler and wrap it in leather. Gary

I never tried SLC before so I just ordered 50 feet of leather from their “disrupters” sale. Mostly thin lining leather and calfskin. I am looking forward to checking out the quality. Gary

Deemer, if you size the holes to the needle and thread you are using you should rarely have to use pliers to pull the needles through the leather. Sometimes with thicker leather you may need some help pulling the needles at the end when you are finishing stitching by doubling back through your stitch line. Best to use your awl to make the stitching slots and give the awl a twist to open the slot a bit - makes more room to push the needles through. Hammer the stitch line when you finish and the holes should close up around the thread. All the best - Gary

Welcome Algor! You came to the right place to learn how to be a better leather worker. Gary

Look forward to seeing even nicer work when you have access to better tools and supplies! Although you are already making very nice projects!

Looks great Colman! Please tell us type of leather, thread, finish, etc. Gary

Thanks Tex! I was going to make a solid bottom, but then decided it might be better to have more air circulation at the bottom of the case. Since I already was using a strap for the carry handles it was simple to add the second strap. Gary

Welcome Royal - you do good work! Look forward to seeing more of your projects. (PS - always nice to know what leather, thread, finish and machine, if any, you use in your projects!) Gary

Those are very nice bags - good job! Gary

That's nice clean work. Gary

I know a dog lover is going to snap that up quickly! Nice job. Gary

That's a great looking shop! I love the rustic look of it! Gary

I agree with alpha - I use a cheapo airbrush and compressor from Harbor Freight to spray dyes and resolene. I think the compressor was $50 and airbrush was $8. I put a large disposable aluminum turkey pan in front of a box fan with a couple of furnace filters in front of it and spray away. I do this in the basement workshop - would probably not get nice looks from the wife if I tried it in the main part of the house. Most of my projects are smaller, so generates very little odor and furnace filters capture most of the overspray. I use much less dye and resolene that I use when applying it with a brush or sheepskin. Gary

Hey Ryan, those pen holders look good and are a great idea! I bet it took longer to layout and cut the pieces than it did to sew them! Gary