rawhide1

I've been wanting to make a leather helmet for awhile now. And with our 125th Kansas State Firefighters Association conference this year. I thought what the heck. This helmet is just a wall hanger as its not NFPA approved. It will be auctioned off at the conf. with all monies going to a scholarship fund. I had fun building it and learned a lot. Hopefully the next one will go faster and smoother. Thanks for looking, Mike

Those turned out nice brotha! Mike

Brad That's alot better pic. But I still can't find any fault with it. Great job! Mike

Brad From what I can see it looks nice. But I'am unable to make the picture any larger. Mike

Mike Nice looking hondas the work on the knife handle also looks nice. Mike

Rob Excellent work as always!! Mike

Welcome from another Kansan!! Best of luck in your new addiction this site is a great resource with very knowledgeable and friendly folks. Mike

I use calf all the time for buttons, bracelets, necklaces, go fast strings, and a lot of other small dia. stuff. It's actually my favorite weight of rawhide to use when I can. I've never had a problem with stretch or any other issues. Mike

Edwin Although I can't help you with the braiding of bullropes. I would like to welcome you to a great site. It my take awhile (as I'm not to sure how many on here braid bullropes) to get a answer to your question. But I'm pretty sure someone will come along. Best of luck, Mike

Nice work brotha!!! If ya don't mind I think I'll use the cancer one. Mike

Pete I have no idea on how to build a whip so if what I'm writing has already been tried. Ignore it. LOL I would use a piece of round leather belting. If ya aint got none lying around ya can take and cut a strip of of leather that's kinda of square. Then take and edge all four corners so it's some what round. Next run it through a rein rounder. Or ya could braid a core so it comes out the right dia. There is also some good rope out there for tying halters. Check out ubraidit.com I think some of that rope would make a good core for ya. Best of luck, Mike

Rob Nice looking saddle should look nice with some of your braid work. Mike

John I think it's just personal preference. I myself like to use a old #2 osborne on most things. Mike

I wouldn't think it would be to hard. If the monies right it would dang sure be worth the try. If I remember right the one I used to use just had a shaft with the different width of creasers held on in place with splines and some springs for tension. Although this one had been converted to run off of a motor. I'm not sure if it was a randall or not. If ya pass on it give me a holler as I would give it a whirl if it was priced right. Best of luck, Mike

Nice looking work brotha! Mike

Buy a set of spade bits they work great. Use the size of bit the same as the width of your leash. 5/8 wide leash = 5/8th bit. I would use latigo or a harness leather. Mike

Dang nice work!! I also like the interweave on the 5/8ths Mike

I found a old thread on it. So my question has been answered. Sorry for any trouble. Mike

I was wondering what weight of leather y'all use for leathers. Do you use heavier leather for say a roping saddle vs a barrel saddle. I was thinking 12-14 oz. Any and all help greatly appreciated. Thanks, Mike

Enrique Thanks for taking the time to post this. Mike

Nice looking work! It feels good to get a project done that seems to hang around awhile. Mike

I also use weldwood and I've never had a problem. I've used the stuff in the green can (non flammable) and the stuff in the red can(flammable) with the same results. Mike

Jamie This happens sometimes when your foundation is to long. You may have to make your knot longer or your foundation shorter. Just a thought as I've had the same trouble in the past. Adding another bight might be enough to make it cover as it should make the knot a tad longer. But your knot may get way to crowded with that extra bight. If ya can show a picture then we can see how much it's slipping. Mike

Bret Very nice piece of work. Mike