Regis

Very nice gift and very well done. I just sent in application to Chan Geer workshop at IFoLG.

Anyone aware of a hypo-allergenic finish for leather used for clothing, in particular, the odor/smell of the finish? My wife would like to wear a leather jacket but, simply can not because she is sooo sensitive to the smell (she's asthmatic). Touching leather doesn't seem to have any affect (e.g. leather purse, wallet, & shoes). Just can't hold near her nose or wear like jacket or vest. Any thought or experience appreciated. tx, Regis

Kate, Do you seal the MDF before mounting the leather? Or, do you depend on the glue to keep moisture away from the MDF? Does MDF swell from moisture like its predecesor (particle board)? Thanks, Regis

Since I've been on Leatherworker.net, I've learned a lot. I've asked a lot of questions and have gotten a lot of great answers. ClayB even carved & tooled some step-by-step examples for me to learn how to detail muscles and double bevel. With all of that help, some things just have to be seen and it seems like many of us are far away from guilds or others that seriously work leather. And, there is such a wealth of talented people here. What does everyone/anyone think about short demo video's. I was thinking about 30 second video clips showing specific action or processes with little or no words. Some examples might be: -Splicing in a new thread or lace -Actually walking a beveler -How to really hold and draw a strap cutter -Skiving a straight line -many more....... My thoughts are not training videos but, a library of short demo's. Time and time again, I read questions here that a few second demo would make clear. thanks, Regis

All this is with black only. abn, It mixes good with Bicks but thins dye out a lot. Haven't found satisfactory combo yet. Beez, Control is terrific. Straight from bottle (no thinning) and it lays where you put your brush. Even with pretty loaded brush, there doesn't seem to be much (if any) flow out. Penetration looks good straight from the bottle. Looks to be close to 1/32 without wetting first to open pores. More testing comming. With Bicks, penitration was poor (very little). Fading will be the key and time will tell. Regis

Been testing some with black Eco-Flo. I like the way it paints on straight from the bottle. Needed 2 coats for really good cover (black). I haven't tried spray or dip (not sure dip will be practical). It has little rub-off with Bick 4 and Tandy Super Shene. Leather Balm took off a lot and pretty much left blue. Fieblings LeatherColors has not arrived yet. Regis

Art, That's a great idea to put grove in felt wheel. I've found felt wheel works real good for me but, that grove will make things go a lot smoother. Thanks, Regis

Really neat design and work. I appreciate you leading me to the celtic software. With that design, it looks like you have absolutely mastered it!! Do you use a graphic or word program? I've tried both MS-Word and Corel Draw and seems to work fine. Thanks, Regis

Beautiful work and she really makes excellent use of a propetal. How do we go about welcoming someone that isn't here yet? Well, welcome Kathy! Regis

I wrote to Feibling about dipping LeatherColors. Specifically aske if I could spray, paint or dip like their Oil dye and gave example of dipping holster in gallon of opi dye. Here is reply from Clayton Chase at Feibling ----------------------------------------------------------- "Thank You for contacting Fiebing! The application of LeatherColors is the same as Professional Oil Dye. The results are similar too." --------------------------------------------------- Then gave me phone# to order. I'm going to give it a try as soon as I can get some in-hand. Regis

I did mean dipping the leather into dye. I know some folks dip some items in oil dye and just curious if it will work with the eco types. Tried Skoal in about 1958 and it caused an interesting green hue (on my face that is). thanks, Regis

Clay, I'll try calling tomorrow and ordering from one of the Tandys (Georgia or Alabama are one day shipping from me). Have you tried dipping? Thanks, Regis

So, where are you buying the eco-dyes to test with? I'd like to try them but, don't see in anyone's catalog. thanks, Regis

Congradulations,,,both new machine and back to work. Just went through machine search myself and am glad that I got more machine than I'll need. My Artisan 3000 looks just like the Juki 441 sooooo, I guess I have a clone too. Good luck, Regis

Now that my Artisan arrived, I'm only short and have to add "a heavy sewing machine and flatbed sewing machine that can do up to 1/2", a shop press for a clicker, Chase pattern splitter, handcrank sole skiver, handcrank heavy splitter, and a rein-rounder." Regis

I've got a lot of scrap carvings around my shop now and continue to progress, little-by-little. The square was inspired by Kate's "Just a little bookmark". I'm learning the celtic font software she uses. Carving it, I've found that these celtic designs are probably the best to practice for carving (plenty of little errors in mine). Most important thing I learned was take a "lot" more care in transferring to leather. The purse is interesting. I feel better about the carving and dying of the silhouette on the front. The spots on the back are the result of spraying with Preval (1st time) outdoors while wind is blowing pollen around. Once a gust hits with pollen or dust, it's over. If it wasn't a practice project, I'd try to strip with deglazer but, thought it shows what can go wrong. The remaining box of my Artisan should arrive today and I'll probably sew the purse for practice. I got through folding/sewing the handles with the help of Bruce and others last weekend. Thanks for continued help. Regis

The religious art is just beautiful. Thak you for sharing. Are any of them yours? Regis

Welcome to this great forum. I can't answer all you questions and some will differ if you are making 10 or 10,000 per month. As far as videos, I'm sure there are plenty of places but, I've bought a lot from HideCrafters in Fort Worth 888-263-5277. Hopefully there are leatherworkers near you that will give you some starting instruction. Otherwise, order a intro book, a swivel knife, and some practice veg tanned leather. Lot of knowledge here when you get to specific questions. Again, welcome, Regis

Keith, Welcome to this great forum. You are sure off to a great start. regis

Clay, (or anyone that knows), How do you dermine where to place the 2nd and subsequent rows of hair? Is there actual "space" between rows when you set the tool? Are you overlaping in the spaces of previous row(s)? I just can't quite see how they fit togather but, end result is beautiful! Thanks for the all the tutorials. Regis

Jack, I'll give it a try. I did wonder about the difference (heard shoe makers use barge and therefore must be very strong) In my case, I would not depend on it entirely because I will sew the seam. Sure like those pool que cases of yours. Thanks, Regis

Bruce, Barges worked fine. And setting the bond like you said helped. Sewing (and breaking needles) is a bit of struggle too because I'm using singer portable with walking foot & leather needle and this 2/3oz (5-6 oz total thicknes) maxes its ability. My Artisan is due to arrive later this week!! Thanks, Regis

Bruce, Did you put a zipper in or some other kind of closure? It looks to be about 8" X 8" in size. Is that correct? Thanks, Regis

I'm giving the Barges a try and will see how it goes. Thanks Regis

Welcome to this great forum. Sounds like you have some excellent tools and skills. Regis