garypl
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Posts posted by garypl
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17 minutes ago, Rolandranch said:
Looks great! I like that laptop case. Did you make the pattern yourself or use one?
Thanks! I made the pattern myself - measured the laptop and adjusted the pattern as I progressed...
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Just finished a couple of projects for my sons. First is a laptop case, made from 5-6 oz veg tan, pigskin trim, and a silk liner.
Second project is a carrier for a beer growler. Made from 5-6 oz veg tan and darker trim is upholstery leather. Main case dyed saddle tan and finished with a leather finish I made using beeswax, carnuba wax, lanolin, and NFO. Makes a very water resistant finish and I kind of like the antique like finish.
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Welcome to the forum and thank you for posting your work! Nice looking knives and sheaths. Did you also make the knives?
I love the darker sheath, but not so keen on the lighter sheath with the rivet stuck on the tip. The round rivet on the pointy end just looks out of place to me. Maybe better to just use a welt and leave the rivet out - just my opinion!
Gary
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Really nice job. Your stitching is so clean!
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Get yourself a nice sewing awl. Chisels are ok for thin leather, but it is very difficult to punch holes clear through thick leather. You can use chisels or pricking tool to mark your stitch line, then make the holes with your awl. Holes will close up after you stitch and will look better!
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Nice looking holster rig - can't believe you received the pistol on Christmas and have already completed this rig! I would still be contemplating what to do! What type leather and finish did you use?
Gary
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Hi Danielle - welcome to the forum! Nice job for your first project! Please provide details such as type/weight of leather, thread type, finish used. Stitching went off in a couple of spots- might help to scribe a line where you are going to stitch to help keep stitches in line. Look forward to seeing more of your projects!
Gary
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6 hours ago, ContactCement said:
Forgot to ask earlier. Will a casing solution interfere with dye after tooling & stamping ? Or can leather be dyed before tooling & stamping ? Also will it improve awl work & stitching chisel? (Make it easier)
I’ve never had problems dyeing after casing and carving. Normally you will be using awl and chisel after leather has dried, so should not be a problem. My normal sequence is: case, carve/stamp, allow to dry, apply NFO, dye, then stitch.
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I bought Pine Gum Rosin on Amazon- melted it with beeswax- I believe the ratio was 80/20 beeswax/rosin. Makes a nice sticky wax. Poured melted mixture into small ramekins and when cool they pop right out. I use to wax thread when saddle stitching.
Gary
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I will stop by tomorrow and see what kind of deal I can get!
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Just checked my Lowe’s and they have 1 gal for $31.28 - is that the price you have?
Gary
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16 hours ago, JD62 said:
My daughter passed in 2003 at 18 years old, so I feel for all of you. Mut is right about this "club" but as long as we keep working at something and don't let it consume us we can find a way to make it. One day at a time my friends.
We are members of what I call “an unfortunate fraternity” - I lost my daughter in 2004 at the age of 18 - driver crossed center line and hit her head on.
Try to enjoy and find good in every day because you never know when it may be your last.
beautiful bags by the way, Tex!
Gary
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I have a CB4500 and love it! Sews thin or thick leather with little or no adjustment required.
Gary
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3 minutes ago, thefanninator said:
Thanks. No, just the posterboard as the background and the lights in my bathroom and an iPhone 7.
The lighting in your photos is really good! I made a simple light box out of a cardboard box, some lightweight white fabric and a couple of clamp on lights and they do a good job of eliminating shadows, but the end result is about the same as yours. I’ll have to revisit my technique!
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Nice looking wallet and photos. Did you use a light box?
Gary
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2 hours ago, YinTx said:
Can you share a photo? How thick is it? I am trying to keep this wallet really thin, so that is why I am using 2 and 3 oz leather. I have used some softy pig skin that was vegetable tanned on some checkbook covers and some bible covers I just finished, but it wrecks edges and is fairly heavy.
YinTx
I believe I used 1-2 oz pigskin
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I used pigskin to line a checkbook cover that I use all the time - haven't opened/closed it 1000 times yet, but shows no sign of wrinkling.
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8 minutes ago, YinTx said:
I thought I was going to punch through just beveling! Now that it has dried, seems like it might work ok for a wallet back after all, but don't know how long it will last before something gives way. Thanks for the compliment. One of the things I don't like about some of the tooling works I see on Etsy, etc are the shallow looking carvings, so I am always trying to get as much depth as I can, but I think it has more to do with the design and the coloring that gives perception of depth. All I can do is study and try to get better.
Thanks Ross. I am a self taught amateur as well, but I did sleep at the Holiday Inn last night.
My wife keeps complaining about how nice the stuff in the scrap bin is and that I should sell it...I keep adding to it. LOL.
Also, for those interested, the tiny tools in question:
I have no idea how old or new they are. Top one is new, the Craftool Pro beveler. Second one is the bar grounder (A101) from Kyoshin Elle. The rest are Craftool USA. I believe the F925 is being closed out by Tandy, but is on sale right now for all of $2.99.
YinTx
Re: concern about using the carved piece as a wallet back - what about laminating a piece of very thin pigskin to it to help hold it together?
Gary
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12 minutes ago, Northmount said:
Soap is slippery, helps reduce friction for the swivel knife.
Tom
I guess looking for the most obvious reason is often the best - soap is indeed slippery!
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1 hour ago, Sheilajeanne said:
Thank you!
I wonder what purpose the soap/shampoo serves. Anyone know? I know glycerin is commonly added to hand lotion and lip chap sticks, so that's easy to understand why you'd want to put it on leather. But soap emulsifies oils and grease, so not sure what purpose it would serve.
Maybe soap has something to do with surface tension or emulsifies the solution more efficiently? Need a chemist here!
Gary
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Should be able to buy glycerin at any drugstore.
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7 minutes ago, BaroqueLeatherGal said:
This is a great thread! I'm in the process of setting up my shop. Love seeing everyone's machines. As far as work benches, what are the dimensions of most people's? As others stated, lower back issues keep me from bending over too much and I'm pretty tall. Would love to hear others opinions.
My work bench is 4 x 8' and is @38" tall.
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Mutt - there is a thread under Leather Tool forum from 2012 that has a few links for pin vises that should work. Looks like Starrett has quite a few sizes of pin vises - check out the Starrett website
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I was thinking you are looking for a collet assembly? You can get wood just about anywhere and awl shafts from most of the suppliers that advertise here.
A Couple of Christmas Gifts
in Purses, Wallets, Belts and Miscellaneous Pocket Items
Posted
Thanks Rossr - I stitched most of it using 207 thread in a CB4500. Hand stitched some of it where I couldn’t reach with the machine.