Eccho

I bought some 2x2 pieces of various oil cures. I am used to working with veg tan. Any ideas on how to get an attractive edge on a piece? I can't burnish it ....or so it seems. I've tried edge sealants.....like gum trag'....It just soaks it up and looks for more. I tried sanding it....down to 280 grit......still pretty rough! I love the finished look of the oil cured....but I hate the rough edges.....any tips greatly appreciated!

Hey folks, I have a lady that would like to have a pair of motorcycle chaps made for her. She has long, rather slender legs and has not had any luck off the rack. She would like buffalo skin, since that is what her husband has and he is very happy with them. She is here in S. Texas for the winter, and would like to get them made before she heads north in April. I do not have a machine and this is simply too large a hand sewing project for me. So if anyone is interested or knows someone who is, then please pm me with a link or an email where they can hook up. Appreciate any help we can get. Eccho.

Thank you electrathon. I have played with it for a while now, and I can get it to look proper, except at the beginning and probably the end. Something I am just not doing to start properly. Never the less, I shall order the books and with what you have said and maybe some illustrations, this too shall be overcome. Your assistance is much appreciated. They say you can't teach old dogs new tricks, I just started using a cutting wheel a week ago, now I regret not trying one long ago, so maybe I can learn this too. Thanks again. Eccho

Okay, thank you, I appreciate the info. Eccho

I find it hard to believe that no one on this site has any idea how to do this, or has never seen a tutorial. Come on folks, maybe a book to recommend!

I have a customer in Germany who is interested in Boot Chains that I have for sale on my website. I do not normally ship abroad, so I told him I would try to find him a leather worker closer to home, who might be interested in helping. Not a huge sale for sure, but if someone could help out, we both would appreciate it. Thanks Eccho.

This is what I would like to learn to do.

No I don't think so, although I am not familiar with the Mexican round braid it looks a lot more involved than double loop braid. Thank you for your effort though, it is appreciated. Eccho

I hope I have this in the proper forum. i use double loop braid around the edge of many of my bags, seats etc. I have been looking for a tutorial on how to do double loop braid using two different colors of lace. I have played with it on my own, and I have come close but I am missing a step somewhere along the line. If anyone has a link to a good tutorial I would appreciate it. Thank you. Eccho

Thank you too all. I have just returned from Michaels, with a 60 and a 28, since I may want to cut some tight angles. I tried the 60 on some crushed leather and was very pleased with the result. Due to the stretch of crushed leather it was always a problem to cut with a straight blade as the very action of cutting it pulled the leather out of shape. I'm a happy camper...........it must be part of getting old that makes me take so long to find out there is an easier way to do most things. Stubborn????? nah

I have been doing all of my cutting with an Olfa snap blade knife since I began. However I went to a lacing class last week and though the lesson was simple it was very informative, Even though I still don't know how to braid with two colors:>) The thing that impressed me, was how easy it was to cut a very fine, straight cut, using a rotary cutter. I had never used one before but now I want one, and I only want one. Olfa makes many sizes and handle positions, but I thought I would get some first hand knowledge from some of you that have been using them. Is there one you would suggest over the Olfa? While price is always important, in this case I hope to have it for years, so the expense would be one time, since I am assuming I can keep the blade honed up on the buffing wheel and strop. So lets hear some opinions.

Very nice !

Very nice............one question...........why does the seat look like a completely different color in the shot on the frame as opposed to on the bench. I realize the lighting is different, but it literally looks like a different seat. IMHO

X2 on Loctite...............I use blue...............if you use red, it is pretty much assured you are never opening it again.

Any chance " Chicago " screws would work for you? Just a thought. Good luck.

http://www.mossops.co.za/cat1.php is a tannery in S. Africa..........now I don't know it they have veg tan available or not, seems to be they specialize in shoe leather.............( huh !!!! In a country where hardly anyone wear shoes ????) anyway.......... it cannot hurt to inquire. Good luck ! Eccho

They do advertise the Warrior Sides as Veg tan leather and say it can be tooled or embossed. I worry when you say I "soaked" a scrap. Try following a proper casing process and see if it makes it any easier to tool. Remember, you are tooling 8-9oz. leather, so it will take a hefty 16-20 oz. maul to stike with. Too wet or too dry and you will find it very difficult. Good luck!

People often ask why some of my items are so "cheap" compared to the ready available market. I simply tell the truth....."you are buying one of my mistakes, when I get it perfect You will pay 5 times that amount". They usually get a laugh and buy it anyway. We are....and should be....our own worst critics. The Good Lord's sun is still the best dryer in the world.

X2 on the middle. I have had the same problem a couple times. It doesn't seem like much, but a couple of stitches off one way or the other, and things just don't fit. Next time......place the front and back together without the gusset. Now mark the exact center with a small marker or something that can be wiped off....grease marker etc. Find the dead center of your gusset, mark it for front and back and you are away to the races. I have had no problems since I started doing this,and I make a lot of small round belt loop bags. Hope this helps, good luck! Eccho

If you are looking for calfskin lace, Tandy has it in 3/32 and 1/8" in Tan, brown, or black. I use the Superior calfskin black quite a bit, and it is nice to work with, a little cheaper than roo as well.

Where did you find stainless that thin, and how did you cut it? I hate working with stainless steel as it is so darned hard. I have seen sheets of thin aluminum, but the black bleed off is a bummer, and I have not had much success with coating. I too use wooden ends in some of my rolls,but usually I stain and lacquer them, using the "wood look" to compliment the color of leather I am using. Love your stuff......hope to see more. Eccho

Very nice. If I may ask, what method did you use for the edge lacing?

Welcome! Your stuff looks great. I assume those are wooden ends in the little black roll bag??

Hunteil. After looking at your pics I have a suggestion. Dye the area where the letters are.... all white, with a high quality dye. If what I am looking at is the final result you would have to dye over the black ( something like Tarrago 2 step ). Do the whole area in white, outline the letters with a groover or maybe even a well done swivel knife cut if you have a steady hand, and now do around the letters with your black. When you want something in relief like this, always use the base dye first. At least that is how I would suggest, I am sure you will get other opinions. Good luck ! Eccho

Nicely done. A lot of work, but the end result is pretty darn special. Eccho