outcast

Art, can you show us a pic of a piece you have decorated with your tandy groover?

Where can we get such an innertube as that. I'd like to give it a try.

3m 90 will work well.

You are one multi-dimensionally talented guy Mr. BearMan. I love all your work. I'm saving my pennies. Maybe next batch I'll be able to get one.

Very cool. I like it.

Check out TLFs "Royal Meadow". It's unlike anything else they carry in veg tan. IMO it drapes quite well.

From what I can see in the pics yer off to a very good start!

Nice job! Looks really good.

Thank you for the quick, & comprehensive reply Art! That's just what we needed.

First off I'll tell I know nothing about sewing machines, or the thread used. A buddy of mine is just starting into upholstery & can't find a source for the thread he needs. Believe it or not he is more of a PC dummy than I am, so I told him I'd ask you all. What he needs is: 1. UV protected 2. Polyester 3. #69 4. RED If anyone can provide a link for me I would be a happy camper.

It doesn't do you, or anyone else, any good to rant about a bad hide,& not say who it was, or give them a chance to fix the deal. I have had to send more than a couple of hides back, but every supplier has always come through with a good one to make me happy. Just sayin, hides cost $. If yer not happy get yer money back, or give them a chance to make good. Keepin a bad hide just doesn't make sense to me.

Yup the brown jug. I"m not sure what yer talking about on the 2nd question. Sometimes I don't even use Lexol. Sometimes that & Pecards are all I use.

Dave's right about the make up of Pure Neetsfoot oil, however Prime Neetsfoot oil has been around for along time & contains petroleum distillates. I don't use it for the same reason Dave doesn't, but I assume many do. It's still available, so obviously enough ppl use it without complaints to keep making it. So, I guess in a pinch the motor oil may not hurt. Also I have heard from ol' timers that olive oil does work well if used sparingly. Roger (Beesachoppa) has used it in the past, but I've never tried it. Neetsfoot oil is too cheap to chance a rancid leather seat later with olive oil. As far as water repellent I've used Aussies, Pecards is better, but IMO Montana Pitch Blend works the best, although I haven't tried the Snow Seal, or Snowproof yet. So, with that said here is my progression of finishes. 1. oil (neetsfoot, or lexol for natural) 2. dye 3. lexol 4. Leather balm with atom wax 5. Aussies, Pecards, or Montana Pitch Blend

Bob, I can't say that your work is beyond any one leather artisan, however I can say that IMO you are right up there with the best; Peter Main, Xian, Hape, and others here, and there (there are many other acclaimed masters of leather). I feel it would take an other worldly type alien guy to get any better than you & some of the above mentioned.

Both pieces are stunning. Great job.

I doubt if it's pure. Looks different than the stuff on ebay.

I use oxalic acid to clean my leather before I dye or put a top coat on it. I bought mine at Walmart for $1.92/21 oz. can. It's called "Bar Keepers Friend". Works pretty good for me. I've seen it on ebay for $6 & up for 1 oz.

I think I saw one of those European hand bags on a "Geico" insurance commercial. Felt sorry for the guy.

good question! anyone?

Nice color. It looks great.

Great looking seat David! Great design too. It looks great natural, but I don't get it. Why can't you change the color? It looks undyed yet to me, and could be dyed any color your customers money wants.

Nice job on the hippie girl. Back in the day I married a hippie girl like that. She just turned 60, she's lovelier than ever, and still just as hip.

Here's an irish pin up girl I just finished tooling this afternoon. It's going to cover an Irish girls motorcycle seat.

Maybe your friend should copyright his stuff like one of our own resident leatherworkers does. It seems extreme to me, but if you feel the need to protect your ideas/work it may be the only option.

Kliff, nice seat. Well done! As fars a background texture stamps give Tandy's D294 series a try. Also, hidecrafters PA003, 004, and 005 are very nice pebbler stamps for the price. I use them, and like both sets for backgrounders.