Regis

In 1972 I moved from Grand Forks, ND to Arlington, Va. Shortly thereafter I went to trade-in my Ford wagon with trickle charger and heater cord out through the grill and the dealers just didn't know what to think. I finally just replaced the water hose and pulled out the charger just so I could trade my car in to get a new one. Do they still have power posts up to plug in your car at work? Regis

And,,,, I thought I had it bad traveling WAY up north to Memphis....from Florida. I's supposed to get down to 56 tonight.... Without the wind, I would like to see some snow though.......kind of miss it

Welcome Jbird. Your question opens a lot of info. Rawhide gave you one good way to start. There is also lots to read here on LW.net. Again, glad to have you here.

Thanks everyone. I'm actually going to try each of these and settle on one or two. Regis

First THANK YOU LUKE! I hope those of you in guilds or in areas where there are other leatherworker appreciate what you have. I got to spend most of today with Luke Hatley. Here is one amazingly talented man with an "almost" unbelievable shop and willingness to share ideas, work, and conversation. We had planned to do a belt today and made great progress but, Luke does so many different things it is really hard to focus on one thing. Champion wrestling belt, hats, shoes, boxes, holsters, sheaths, belts, folders, wallets, billfolds, plus more books, sewing machines, 8 tracks, than I've seen in one place. I've never watched anyone else glue, or trim, or edge, or use a strap cutter, or sew, or stamp, or carve, or skive or,,,,but, today I did. I got to visit local Tandy with Luke and learn how to select leather for specific purposes (what to accept and reject). How to recognice a great strap cutter from a so so attempt. A day with a pro is a real eye opener and treat and I wish that everyone here would experience a day like this. And for those of you that are around leatherworkers, expert or not, I hope you share time, have some laughs, and and thank them. Regis

Luke, Thanks. I haven't been pulling the 2nd thread to the back like you said. I need to do that and maybe that's why I don't like the look!!! We can sew-up that belt we talked about. Should I strap my Artisan 3000 on my back and bring to Memphis [LOL]? I surely like that machine. Actually, I'm not even bringing the portable because I've mounted it pretty solid in a cabinet.

I am sewing with 277/207. I back stitch 3-4 stitches (at start & end) and trim. The stitching is secure but, I don't like the look and some thread can back out. I've tried to burn/melt the string end and have put drop of super glue but, don't know the best way. What is best way to clean-up & secure the thread end. Thanks, Regis

Oooop's a little late but, I've used 2/3oz & 3/4 oz veg tan and had good success with both. If tooling, RC to an artist mat board. Regis

Interesting subject and I agree with much that has been said. Does the same hold true for saddles? If I made a holster exactly like a famous design but, carved/tooled a scene on it, does that make it acceptable? I make holsters by deciding a general style like pancake, through the back, loops w/snaps, western, IWB, etc. And, if friend/customer wants certain cant and color or clip pouch or tooled. I don't copy any and, I haven't even made 2 that look exactly alike. I lay the blue gun or gun on flat or folded paper to get rough dimentions (to be trimmed later). Transfer pattern to leather and on from there using lots of techniques I've learned from folks here. If I end up with a copy of one somebody's patented (or not) design, it would be merely by chance. I occasionally have to discard a peice of leather (before or after sewing) because I don't have a clicker and each piece is a bit unique. If someone showed me a picture of a holster that they wanted, I'd get permission to copy or not make it. I don't beleive in copying something, then making tiney change to avoid infringement. Good discussion. Regis

Kate, Beautifu work. Thank you for showing BEFORE you dye it. I know the finished boards you've shown us are wonderful but seeing before color is also a special treat. Thank you

Welcome kamac. Looks like a well formed holster. Ditto on Twinoaks snap point. The is a great place to browse and get help. Glad to see you join us. Regis

Glad to have you join redwinger. Lots of great, helpful folk here. Looks like you have a very good start and friends there & here to help you progress.

Marlon, I use 50/50 but don't spray(yet). I wait until completely dry to the touch....less than an hour for sure. Buff & then 2nd coat. Surely there are much more experienced folks to answer cuz, I've probably only used it 15-20 times so far. Regis

I use one from Sam's so it may be like the one from Walmart. 5' X 2' with 2 adjustable heights and is as sturdy as I could expect from table with folding legs. Has hard white speckeled top. It is sutible for cutting with roller blade (Fiske) with proper cutting pad and probably a head knife. Good for small layout work. I'd rather have a large solid/sturdy wood or heavy steel table but, this works for me. regis

L U C K Y....Lady Johanna in the right place at the right time (and all the others that could make it there of course). Congrad's Tina

First off, welcome 276ccm. You're off to a great start.

Short pointed you right. I use blue guns. I wouldn't put a real gun in my press. Regis

My daughter sent me this phot of the ultimate ergonomic computer workstation and chair.

Take pride and teach your history to your children. Our press, politicians, entertainers, and schools here in US are trying to hide and downplay the sacrafices that men and women paid to make & keep us free. We salute the ANZAC and you. Regis

SRigs, Very neat. With the clip passing through the leather, it looks like it would be hard to push down over the pants behind the belt. Or is there a curve in the clip away from the leather that I just cant see in the picture? I to like the color. It also looks like I've been leaving my rough-out (IWB) a little rougher (less burnished) than yours. I like the looks of your's better. Thaks for the photo's. Regis

I think most use the 20 ton but, I did get the 12 ton and am real happy with it (small footprint and plenty of pressure). HBfreight 12 ton press

I tried the vacume bags with shop vack and it worked fairly well. But, I did get harbor freight $125 hydralic press and it is perfect (with some stout rubber pads). There was a post here how to make a really good vacume table. Search should find it if it was after the crash. Regis

Welcome to our meeting place. Lots of good folk here with wide experience along cheerful willingness to help and share.

tazzman, Thanks for the review and it has the opposite result of what I got with eco-flo. I posted about eco-flo coal black and how it ran off the leather down the drain. I will say that eco-flo holds up real well AFTER you get a top coat on it like shene or resolene. Thanks

Liveneasy, I like the idea and will try it but,,,,perhaps on the next one. Regis