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indypbear

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Posts posted by indypbear

  1. Posted · Report reply

    Brent,

    I get a really good edgewith these steps:

    1) edge bevel with correct size for thickness of leather or sand edge if approximating two or more layers to make them even

    2) apply gum tragacnth liberally and let sit for apporx. 10 minutes

    3) slick with cocco bolo(hardwood) or antler slicker

    4) rub with denim or canvas to smooth out (it needs to get warm to bond fibers)

    5) apply edge color or leave natural and "let it dry well"

    6) either spray or daub on finish of choice. For items that flex a lot I use a wax based fiiish that can be buffed.

    My $0.02 worth. It works for me. Hope this helps.

    Indy

  2. Posted · Report reply

    Maeshin,

    Try a good black oil dye in a place that can't be seen rubbing it in well. I personally like Leather Balm w/ Atom Wax for a softer finish because it buffs well with the wax in it. More coats won't hurt for the rest of the jacket also. It goes on cloudy until you buff it then you'll like the finish. I had a prize black leather coat that a drug head bit my arm when he was being arrested leaving teeth marks and scuff. That's what I used on my coat in 1976 and I still have the coat. My $0.02 worth. Hope that helps.

    Indy

  3. Posted · Report reply

    Scouter, that's a nice looking sheath. Keep up the good work. Is that for a Scouting friend? When people see that sheath you'll be busy. Recently, I asked about a pattern for a can/bottle holster, got a couple of photos/patterns, modified it to fit both and am now making more of them than I bargained for by the power of one (one person tells one who tells two, etc.).

    Have you had WB yet? I made Poohbear slides for the patrol members and sucked up to the Coach Counselor & SM with personal ones. Pooh was colored with Cova Dye (arcylic) and turned out pretty good for 30 years ago. Those were populr too-for a while.

    Happy toolin'.

    YIS/V,

    Indy

  4. Posted · Report reply

    The way I am beginning to figger it, in the beginning, you can't keep up with demand. First, you have to work out your patterns. Then you have to reduce time in the making of your product, if you can. If you can't cut the time, then it is what it is. You have to build patterns, and stock.

    I'm trying to make $15 an hour. Right now, its about $1 an hour. I have no place to go but up...lol

    That sheath you made, will probably take you only an hour or two at most after you get it down, so let's say two hours, plus $2 material/restock, plus $5 overhead (if you had a shop...electricity, rent, etc.) Total $37.

    Now that's a lot for a sheath you could find in a store for $10, but with a custom carving, handstitched to last forever, made in the USA, by a human, ....that's Priceless!.

    RDB, you've got it nailed-you figger'd goooode. Don't undersell your talent 'cuz when your gone they'll want to come back for more and will pay higher prices and the supply won't meet the demand. Moral-get your price NOW!!!

    WOW-you're making $1 per hour!

    Indy :cheers:

  8. Posted · Report reply

    I got mine from Grizzly. They sell them as machinist and woodworker tru flat surfaces or machinist surface plates. They are pretty cheap on them as well. But then again, I don't have to pay shipping as I can drive to the Grizzly store in Springfield, MO. Mine is on the smaller side though, it is 9"x12" and 3" thick and it was only 20.00. I had a hard time with thinner marble slabs. I would get in a hurry and use it to set a rivet or something and break it into a million pieces. I try to be more careful with this one. But the granite it is made of seems to be lot more dense than the marble I was getting.

    Tim

    Hey Timbo,

    That's what those neat little anvils are for-setting rivets:)! It saves wear and tear on marbles or granites and keeps me from#$%^&@#$@ing!!! What is a Grizzly store?

    Indy

  10. Posted · Report reply

    Scouter,

    Chaylor-Fenneli from Australia are probably the best insides out there. Hide Crafter does not sell them but you can check with the lead Mike posted for Chaylor-Fenneli and they can tell you who's is handling their insides. I just checked with Ron @ Hide Crafter and he said they are discontinuing several of the good ones they handled from another supplier also. I'm not sure what they will behandling in the future.

    Indy

  12. Posted · Report reply

    Hey Troy,

    Where and how you been boy? I haven't heard from you in a long time. We've talked at Hide Crafter. Teresa and I didn't survive the business sale, but that's a good thing at least for me. That is a boootifull saddle and we're glad to have you on board (with your daughter's help). Give her a big hug for us.

    Where would we be in this world of the "technically declined" older guys like you, me and some other in here?

    :cheers:

    Indy aka John

  16. Posted · Report reply

    Sorry about coming in late on this but here is my .02. Get a feel for your market and don't under sell your product. Chan Geer, Jim Linnell etc. can get top $$$ (10x) for their product 'cause they have name/product recognition in their market arena. You'll get there but starting with keystone (2x) your material costs is a bare minimum. I personally started with 3x material costs. I agree with the demonstration of "crank" vs. quality touchy-feely sells the product. If they don't like the price they can have WalMart or Dollar General make them. "Oh Well-tough s--t, next case"!!!!

    Sorry, but I don't tolerate retail and price whiners well. They waste our valuble time and some of us have darn little left!!!!! soap box over.

    Happy toolin',

    Indy

  17. Posted · Report reply

    Kevin,

    Don't mind Marlon, he just finished a class with Peter in Fort Worth and hasn't gotten over it yet. He'll settle down soon. :lol:

    That's a good first piece. You've got the idea about subtle techniques now just perfect them and the beveling with practice. Practice with the decorative cuts every chance you get on a piece of cased scrap and strop that swivel knife every time you pick it up. It'll come with time. :cheers:

    Happy toolin' & keep up the good work.

    Indy

  19. Posted · Report reply

    Send your email address to <front_line42@yahoo.com> along with other contct information and i'll do my best to help you with information regarding some of our stock and specialty items. We don't have a .pdf catalog but i can send pictures of or create a custom one for you. Our customer base is mostly in the custom market.

    I worked for Hide Crafter for about two years and am dedicated to providing the best product for the price for my customers.

    We look forward to hearing from you.

    John

  20. Posted · Edited by indypbear · Report reply

    I would like to see the USMC one. I have quite a few "Devil Dogs" as clients.

    Do you have any with dog bones or paw prints?

    Hoyden,

    I have attached a USMC and a Masonic if your interested. Both are 1 1/4" dia. Sorry, we don't have dog bones or paw prints.

    If you are interested in any others we will send pictures. Most of our customers either have a retail shop or do volume concho purchases for their manufactured items.

    Let me know how we can help you.

    Indy aka John

    Front-Line Products, LLC

    MasonicGold_Silver.jpg

    USMC_silver___gold.jpg

    post-4830-1201841934_thumb.jpg

    post-4830-1201842091_thumb.jpg

  21. Posted · Report reply

    good lookin concho. what else ya got?

    Thanks Duke,

    We just started production on the Floral Rope with Fleur de Leis nd it will take about 6-8 weeks at least. Are you looking for anything specific? We have the USMC, Horned Frogs and several others including assorted western, Christian cross and bikers.

    We don't have out website up and running but I can send you pictures of several on a composite sheet.

    indy aka john

  24. Posted · Report reply

    To anyone interested:

    We are creating a new Floral Rope border with a Fleur de Leis in the center in three styles and one size to start (1 1/4"). Price will be relative to volume purchased and will range from $1.75 to $3.00 ea. We also have the USMC and are working on market interest for the USN, USA and USAF in an 1 1/4". I can be contacted at <front_line42@yahoo.com>.

    Indy

    Front-Line Products, L.L.C.

    "If You Don't See it-ask anyway,

    We'll Help You Find The Answer"

    Fleur_de_Leis_w_rope_border.pdf

    Fleur_de_Leis_w_rope_border.pdf

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