BDAZ

I'm going..will be up on the 5th. Anyone know of any music jams in Prescott? Cya! Bob

A lighter carefully applied. You are preventing the micro fiber suede from fraying. There is also an anti fray liquid you can get at any fabric shop. Cya! Bob

Since it is a small piece I would probably us Barge cement, not spray adhesive. Cut to a larger size then trim and singe the edges with an alcohol lamp (no soot) Cya! Bob

Not sure if this would add too much bulk but check out microfiber faux suede at your local fabric shop. It is much thinner than the real thing and is indistinguishable from the real thing at first glance. I use headliner spray adhesive available at the local auto parts shop. Cya! Bob

If I had a similar problem I would use the tumbler I have for cleaning brass for reloading like this one at Harbor Freight. Use crushed walnut shells (available at your local pet shop) and tumble until all the crud is gone. This process should avoid any damage to the business end of the tool. I would only tumble a few at a time and it will probably take a few hours per run. No chance of ruining the tools with caustic chemicals. Cya! Bob

I received my 3200 a few weeks ago and I am about to go into full production. The machine works like a champ. It is my first serious sewing machine and so far have used up to 346 thread. Bob at Toledo is great to deal with and a couple of minor glitched were dealt with immediately. I am making instrument cases and banjo straps. Here is my first custom strap guitar made on the 3200 a few days ago. The customer was thrilled! I also bought it with the 4500 stand. All arrived in perfect condition and I was sewing within an hour of getting the boxes open. Cya! Bob

Great Stuff! I sometimes sit in with a local band called Puca which is the name of a mythical Celtic horse. I sent them a link to the pic. www.pucamusic.com (I also did their web site) Cya! Bob

So I don't get it! If you are making custom straps make a custom strap!! I think this patters is just ugly and I wouldn't put anything like it on my guitar. What I do is find the exact measurement of the current strap from point to point. If there are two buttons, then I make it as attached. If it is going to the peghead, then I will make a small strap that will fit under the strings and stitch a buckle on the other end or just use a latigo lace. I usually add the first name on the front of the strap and the full name on the back. so I also get the measurement of where the strap crosses the shoulder. I do have a number of attachment options on both ends the button to button style which will give a few inches of adjustment either way without the ugly woven widget. (See pic) I make mostly banjo straps and have started making guitar straps on commission. Custom is custom! Why compete with The Guitar Center? Cya! Bob

A while ago I checked out the MSDS of all the Tandy dyes, cements and solvents. (I hold some patents on soy based solvents.) The primary alcohol appears to be ethanol so I would assume that denatured ethanol would make the best solvent. One of the standard saying in the solvent industry is "Like dissolves like" Cya! Bob

I started off with a Singer version of that Janome and with a leather needle and walking foot accessory, it IS useful for somethings including stitching light weight veg tanned and garment leathers. You are limited to home sewing threads and needles and the stitch is far from decorative. I recently purchased the Cowboy 3200 from Bob Kovar at Toledo and it has changed my life. Attached is a picture of a recent comission for a guitar strap made on the 3200. If you can't afford a good used walking foot machine that won't mar the leather then hand stitching is in your future. Don't waste your money on anything less. Cya! Bob

This is my first custom guitar strap. The customer wanted something very simple, with his name and NO metal or plastic parts. He also wanted it as supple as possible. He has a prominent mustache and wanted one on the strap! The strap was lined with goat suede and machine stitched. The client's guitar is a 1961 Martin D-28. I'm afraid the pics were quick and dirty and I didn't have time to re-shoot. The guitar pic was taken by the customer who lives on the East Coast. Cya! Bob

I just received some samples from RJF sales and they all stamp beautifully. I intend to start using Drum Dyed Veg Tan which will be a big time saver for production work. Cya! Bob

I believe both the Scotia (A much poncyier version) and Sandy Bells are still going. I played in SBs a few years ago. Cya! Bob

Welcome Jimmy!! I used to play with Hamish Imlach in the 70s and played a folk club in Greenock many times. Also the Scotia and Sandy Bells. Cya! Bob

I also recommend Barge. I believe it's available in tubes as well. Cya! Bob

I have had good luck with a fine diamond needle file in the hole and then I push the "groover" along the edge of my strop with green, then white "rouge". It cuts effortlessly. Cya! Bob

I have taken your idea and adapted it for 3D stamps and 3/4" Alphabet stamps for belts, straps and the cases I make. Instead of plastic, I took a piece of 7-8oz cased leather exactly the width of my item (2 1/4"), lined up the letters vertically on a center line, laid a straight edge over the name and put it in the press, leaving a number of 1/2" circle impressions down the center. Then I used a 1/2" punch and when dry, the leather acts like a template. It holds the stamps aligned and in place. Then I simply line up the template and stamps on the cased item, and use a piece of steel over the protruding stamps and use the press to give an impression in the cased leather. While not enough to pressure to give a deep impression, it is deep enough to allow me to fit each stamp and press individually to the desired depth. I have also made a horizontal template with the correct spacing for an I which should be a big help and time saver in getting that little sucker aligned properly. Thanks for the idea!! Bob

Just one tip. A lot of my projects are medium to dark brown and lined with suede. I will glue and trim the lining and then dye using an airbrush, and oil, trim to final size, then cut the groove for the thread. Since the item is trimmed the groove will be spaced perfectly on top an bottom of the item. A belt or strap is just grooved on the top. The groove is useful as a sewing guide but is much lighter than the item. I found brown Sharpies at Staples, both fine and standard tips. I will run the fine Sharpie in the groove and then use the standard for any touch ups. I then use a heavy application of a water based finish coat which also allows me to semi wet form the item, then dry in the AZ sun. I then do my edge which can include beveling and edge paint OR using a large black marker followed by the application of a blend of soy and bees wax and a buff with a Tandy edge stick or a burnish on the drill press. The a bit more oil, and a final coat of a spray on leather lacquer and final drying in the sun. The oil step includes serious rubbing with sheep scrap, which removes any excess dye. I have not used Resolene but will give that a try today. YMMV Bob

This can't be used with 3/4 inch letters without major modification. Cya! Bob

Freakin Brilliant! Since all my names are vertical, the I is always a bear. I am getting it perfect now but with lots of effort. Your way I can have all the letters pressed tight and aligned, then tap an initial impression or maybe use a steel bar on the arbor press, then go back and arbor each individual letter. I'm going to do some testing later toda. Thanks! Bob

Me too. Thanks!

This is a scrap with some test stamping and half dyed with vinegaroon. The leather was dark brown. Cya! Bob

Definitely can't dye it BUT initial tests with vinegaroon look promising. Stamping effect is minimal but it does appear to hold unless the item is stretched. Cya! Bob

I was working with some this morning. It is relatively stretchy and I doubt it would be useful for wallets. When you stretch it, the color lightens. I used it to make some repairs on a 50 year old carved leather guitar strap as the color matched was was originally natural. I did test it with an attempt to case it and use stamps. It did take stamps with some serious pounding. I bought it for use on a friends skiff he is building. It looks like it will handle weather and water well. Might be good for shoes, sandals, etc. Hope that helps. Cya! Bob

Well, standard road warrior behavior. I have bins full of almost perfect bags. The Maxpedition is the best to date. I always plan to be stuck somewhere for a few days in a place that I can't speak the language. I carry 5TBs of media. Have fun! Bob