Hilly

If you go to a place that makes granite counter tops, you can almost always get sink cutouts for little to nothing. I got 2 for free.

Gonna go get a couple ground blinds set up for deer hunting, and then go and sight in the scope on the muzzle loader my husband gave my for my birthday. Then, tonight I might work a little bit on a leather project I have going. A nice day ahead to be sure.

I still ride mine, but mine has straw coming out the back, and no head at all!

First of all, welcome to the neatest place on the internet! There are many very talented people here that can answer any questions you might have relating to leatherwork. You can make a pouch like this if you are willing to learn. Mexican round braid is not difficult, but it is VERY time consuming, and uses a LOT of lace. Saddle stitching is also easy if you have the right tools to do the job. May I suggest the following books: "The Art of Hand Sewing Leather" by Al Stohlman, and a book called "Lacing & Stitching for Leathercraft". Both of these books are available through Tandy Leather http://www.tandyleatherfactory.com/. These will get you started in this addiction we call leatherwork. Have fun, Hilly

Do you have any specific area of interest such as western floral carving, Sheridan carving, Celtic, braiding, etc? It would help us to know these things so we can recommend tools. If you want to do any carving, then the very least you will need is a mallet, a swivel knife with blade, and a beveler. I would also buy a pear shader, a veiner, a mule foot, a camo tool, and a seeder. A marble slab is also suggested, though I've used my kitchen table when I first started. These are pretty basic tools. You will need something to cut leather (a utility knife will get you started), and a surface to cut on, such as a big plastic cutting board. If you want to do stitching, you will want to pick up some harness needles (regular stitching and sewing needles don't work well on leather), an Osborne diamond point awl, and some of those little spools of prewaxed linen thread from Tandy. Also a stitching groover, and an overstitch wheel. OR you can use a stitching chisel in place of an awl, OR you can get a stitching awl complete with thread. If you buy locally, your supplier can show you how to use all these stitching tools. You might want to experiment for the method of stitching that works best for you. I would also strongly suggest a book on basic leatherwork, and the book "The Art of Hand Sewing Leather" by Al Stohlman. These are all pretty essential things for a beginner. If you do find that you enjoy leatherwork, AND if you plan on using Tandy as your main source of supplies, I suggest buying a membership in the wholesale club. It will pay for itself in very short order, and save you quite a bit of money in the long run. And no, I am NOT affiliated in any way with Tandy. Have fun, and enjoy your new addiction craft! Hilly

Ya know, I had the same questions running through my mind when I took up this addiction hobby.... I bought the kit just for the very basic instruction and those 7 tools to "try it out". I've never finished the projects from that kit, but it helped me to get my feet wet, and now it's become an addiction a really fun hobby. If you want to start an addiction a relaxing hobby and spend tons of money many hours feeding that addiction learning how to make cool stuff, then go ahead and buy the kit. If you are unable to get another mortgage on your home afford the kit, I advise against it. Hilly

Sorry for being so late with this reply. I'm still catching up on all the posts I missed over the summer when I was working 80 hours a week. I believe the post you are referring to is here: http://leatherworker.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=423 I too, have been drooling over these albums for ever! I've been drooling so long now, that I'm getting dehydrated! I think these are absolutely GORGEOUS! (Hint, Elton.) My guess is that there is a separate piece of leather in the spine that the binder is screwed to, but of course, I'm just gessing. We may never know

Thank you. I am going to make a hand bound album for my niece's wedding. I have been reading from different sources on the how to's. One can never have too many sources of info. Hilly

It really does not matter what camera you shoot with. The camera does NOT make the photographer! I've seen superb results with a point and shoot, and terrible results with a really expensive SLR with really expensive lenses. The opposite is also true. Your best bet to get those crisp photos is to always use a tripod with a cable release or the auto timer, and make sure your tripod can handle the weight of your camera/lens combo.

Anyone else try to download the PDF catalog from Hidecrafter? I just got the new price list, so I went online to check out the catalog, and I got "file not found" error. Maybe they're finally updating it? We can only HOPE. Or is it just my computer?.......

IMHO, Ted Nugent is a putz!

Jim, you continue to be a true inspiration! Gorgeous belt! Hilly

Seems the way the government is working these days, we allready live in a socialist country. The people's voices fall on deaf ears, and the government just does as it pleases, no matter what. I have asked a lot of people how they feel about the bailout, and not one single person thought it was a good idea. What does it take for the government to listen?

Thanks for the replies. I don't want a wide gusset; only wide enough to have enough room to lace the edges, so not much wider than the zipper tape. I was thinking of chap hide because it is flexible enough for my needs. I will be using brown zipper tape, and dark brown lacing, so I guess a dark brown gusset would look okay. Now all I have to get is some chap hide!

Those are gorgeous! I especially love the knife handle. How do you keep from going crosseyed? Hilly

Howdy all. I'm planning (in the near future) to attempt a zippered rifle case, and I have questions about installing the zipper... I'm still in the planning/pattern making phase, and I'm in no real hurry. I've been reading in Al Stohlman's "The Art of Making Leather Cases" vol. II about installing a zipper. I do understand the basics. The case I want to make will be sort of like a long tooled taco with a zipper and handles, a couple of pockets and a shoulder strap Instead of stitching the zipper directly to the case, I would like to install the zipper into a narrow gusset, and then lace it in, instead of stitching. What weight leather would you recommend for this gusset material? My first thought would be something around 3 oz? Would you use something like chap hide, or something else? I would like something that doesn not look out of place with the veg tan I plan on using for the case. The zipper will be about 6.25ft. long (a large and roomy case for a large rifle). I plan on working on this (among other projects) over the next year or so, as I have a lot to learn along the way. Any ideas or suggestions? Thanks, Hilly

Nope, not a good idea at all! No bailout! If the little guy gets to suffer, then let the big guy suffer right along side of them. Wallstreet and all it's corruption can go away as far as I'm concerned.

I'm not a senior member, so my opinion may not count but.... I don't have any problem whatsoever with exotics which are legally and humanely dispatched. I just hope that the rest of the animal is used in some way, and not just left for the buzzards. I would some day, like to try my hand at using some elephant or hippo skin in my work. Don't let the "anti's" bother you. Opinions are like noses (insert body part here).... everyone has one.

Yep, I'm voting for Ross Perot again. Oh and I agree about Hillary (spelled with 2 "L"s) being a cold hearted ruthless Be-otch. Sooooo glad she went buh bye. Hilary (spelled with ONE "L") aka Hilly

Face it folks, no matter who gets in, we're all screwed. Maybe the government will issue jars of Vaseline next.

Cecil, that's beautiful! Hilly

Great Job, Tom! You do such beautiful work. I'm sure he will like it.

I don't have much trouble using the groover along a straight edge. I DO have problems however, grooving the edge of a circle. I have had better results holding the groover in a stationary position, and turning the leather circle beneath the groover blade. I'm thinking about getting one of those groovers without the guide just to try out.

I'm sure he'll love it! Nice work, and thanks for sharing.