Jordan

1. what thickness of hand sewing thread looks the best w/3" wide belt. 2. are rivets used in conjunction w/thread on billet, chape, keeper and bullet loops for looks,strength or both. 3. can a filler of some type be used on the inside to tilt the handgrip out away from the wearers side. 4. what is your opinion of the use of end plugs, spots, conchos etc? 5. anyone use coffee as a stain, should oil be added and what is used to get a low gloss waterproof finish. Thanks for any info. I am now at the point of punching all the holes on the Vaquero .45 combo I posted awhile back. PIA hole punching tubes! giving me a lot of trouble. Since it is hopefully going to be a display piece at a local gun shop I am taking my time and making it as nice as I can, would be a shame to screw it up this far along.

No trouble noted, just clicked on US customer spot and it opened right up. I suspect they may have had some inevitable glitches as with any redesign of a web site.

I'm sure it doesn't help when they add to their liquid levels on a Friday night foray into the world of adult beverages

I have not figured it out either. I do know that even with the cleanest hands there is still enough oil to cause the blotchys, no matter how clean the leather is. Also I think it is inherent in a natural product to have inconsistencies. You could convince yourself that it adds to the character of the piece but of course it still drives me up a wall. Sorry not much help.

Or working the night shift at a psych hospital......Oh the memories and yes the management did put some people on the wrong side of the glass when they hired them

I get the distinct impression that saddle making is one of the few trades left that adhere to the age old apprenticeship program that uses indentured servitude to produce excellence.

You might try one of those large gum type erasers that art stores have for removing resist used when painting.

Many have found Irfanview helpful to resize photos, a bonus is it is free for personal use. I used it for years until I switched to Ubuntu Linux OS.

Very nice looking the color just pops!. I have used a seeder stamp at each of the intersections of the diamond cut lines that looked pretty good kind of tied them all together for a quilt type look.

Thanks for the link, that is a good price for solid brass nickel plated buckles.

I would add that if you place a piece of saran or plastic wrap over the leather it will reduce the chances of any contact with stuff that would stain or discolor the wet leather.

W. Ghormley sells a buckle for around $37.00 that I believe is a reproduction of the old style buckles, he indicates on his web site he has them made in New Mexico. He may give you some good information regarding having your own reproduction buckles made once you find an original you like.

Yes that was them, I see their sandals are pretty simple, Agree I think fame plays a big part as they say Jackie O, John Lennon, The ever astonishing Sophia Loren etc are past customers.

Airbrush finish looks really great. But I also concur with Boomstick for regular use a finish that penetrates deeper would be better in the long run. Really nice work on the holsters also.

For what my opinion is worth (0.02 cents) , I really do not see much of a difference. I believe the fancy look and the name are what you would be paying for. I will say that I bought a set of Stolhman punches, the one with a barrel and 8 or 9 screw on tips and so far the barrel has been ok, mainly because it is heavier and looks fancy with chrome and design. but the chrome tips are junk, the leather will not eject properly, builds up and splits the tip. I got it at very low clearance price but have decided not to buy another. I am beginning to realize, or I should say, admit to myself that it is better to pay for quality now rather than pay again later.

This is a pic of a mold I made for zippo lighter cases out of a piece of mdf I had laying around. And a little bit of how I used it. By the way there is a father son sandal shop in Athens that apparently is very well known. I do not remember the name but would you happen to know of them or if they offer any patterns or how to tutorials on sandal making?

I was given about 10 craftools by a lady at church, they were her mothers so I would imagine they are from the 50's or early 60's and I can say with certainty that their quality is many times better than the stamps I have purchased in the last 2 years from Tandy. I believe tandy tools are good entry level hobby tools but as a person progresses in their leather addiction the benefit of higher quality tools outweighs the cost. I have not gotten there yet, as they say "yea sure not me, I can quit anytime I want"

Sharpie.....Brand name for an indelible ink pen, available in fine point and many colors including some metallics and they work very well with leather.

I used what they call a ball end stylus and heavy hand pressure on wet (cased) leather and a metal ruler as a guide. Then I highlighted the lines with a dark color sharpie ink pen after it was dry.

Excellent execution of the entire project. I hope to be able to produce stitching that good someday.

I think it may be a common business practice. There are enough people that do not pay any attention to their billing notices making it profitable for them, when caught they are able to say oops sorry for the mistake and restore the charge, meanwhile they have received and used the cash from the card company. It may just be my cynical nature, but obviously all those unethical business people from Enron and other such debacles did not simply disappear, they were absorbed by businesses throughout the spectrum. And since they suffered no real consequences and walked away with millions, they are certainly continuing their ways. There will undoubtedly be many more cases of this type of thievery as the financial system continues to spiral downwards and the unethical and dishonest find newer ways to make the fast buck and to heck with any long term ramifications. They all know the goverment will just throw money at them if they get in trouble anyway. It is probably all (babyboomers) our fault for raising and educating a generation of lazy pukes that think it is beneath them to engage in an honest days work for an honest days pay. There I said it, and if I offended anyone sorrybout that. But everyone can't be the CEO on their 1st day on the job. Generally having a bad day, ticked off at the world as you have probably surmized by my rant. I will be better I promise!

Tandy Leather web site has a pretty good selection of basic books to choose from. Their pattern packs are pretty good but somewhat dated as far as designs. The Leather Crafter and Saddler's Journal looks pretty good for information and patterns in each issue. I am sure there are many more out there. I would be careful buying from sites like Ebay as the price you pay is sometimes many times more than buying new from the source.The main page of this site has a bunch of links to suppliers and resources just click on the link at the top of the page to get there. Tiny print just under the header.

United State of Utah. Who's liquor laws were finally dragged kicking and screaming into the 21st century.....Kind of anyway.

I have seen some based on those wire frame pop open tents and auto shade screens, don't remember where probably Inkley photo or some company like that. Apparently they fold flat when not in use. Guess you could call them mini tents.

How about admin. asking tandy and other companies to submit their free patterns to the board for posting in a pattern area?