Hilly

Tom, you do some amazing work! I love that braided handle! I agree, you should do a tutorial! Hilly

It creeps me out in a good kinda way. Creep Keep up the good work! Can't wait to see more.

Darn it anyway, Clay! I'm really jealous of your talent! That album is beautiful! Care to share your pattern????

Welcome to the coolest place on the internet. The people here are fantastic! If you have a question about anything pertaining to leatherwork (or maybe not pertaining to leatherwork ) just ask, and you'll get a reply! Yes, if your awl is good and sharp you will have no problems going through 2 layers of 8oz. leather. Get a C.S. Osborn awl with the diamond blade and when you get it, sharpen it. Just have to be a little careful to not put too much sideways pressure on them, as the blades are quite thin. A diamond awl leaves a diamond shaped hole through your leather. A scratch awl is more for marking your leather by scratching lines instead of using a pen or pencil. It has a round blade with a pointy tip, sort of like a really thick needle. Not good for stitching. I also use my scratch awl for roughing up leather to give it some "tooth" before applying cement. They also make really neat holes in your foot if you're careless enough to drop them while wearing flip flops. There's also a sewing awl sold by various places that hold a little spool of waxed thread inside, and makes (I belive) a lock stitch, somewhat like a sewing machine. I second the recommendation on the book "The Art of Hand Sewing" by Al Stohlman. It will really help you out. Oh yeah, that four prong "thing" will leave big holes in your leather, so unless you have big thread to fill those holes, I wouldn't do it (Don't ask me how I know).

Yes, servo motors are DEFINATELY the way to fly. You get incredible control compared to the clutch type motors. I ditched the clutch motor for my Consew over a year ago and have never looked back.

I would think that as long as it's something that doesn't flex at all, regular acrylics would be fine, as long as they are sealed afterwards. If you're doing something that does flex a lot (like a wallet) that the acrylic would eventually crack and look bad. I would probably use dyes instead of acrylics if you're gonna use it on a wallet.

Johanna, I smoked heavily (2 pks/day or more) for about 30 years. Wellbutrin helped immensely in that it took away that really satisfied feeling you get after a smoke (bummer). It sits in your brain in the exact place nicotiene sits. After smoking for a few weeks and not getting any satisfaction out of it, I thought "this is just STUPID that I continue to smoke without the satisfaction" and I decided to quit. It still was not really easy, and for the first few days I haunted places that did not allow smoking, such as the library, malls, etc. When I was at home, I kept my hands busy at all times, and had an endless supply of sugarless chewing gum where my ashtrays always sat. I crocheted a huge kingsized afghan in less than a week! By that time, the worst of the cravings had passed, and after that, it was simply (or not so simply) a matter of figuring out WHAT IN THE HELL TO DO WITH MY HANDS!? I was so used to always holding a cig that I felt naked. I also felt dizzy quite often, and I attributed it to my brain finally getting some real oxygen in stead of a foggy batch of chemicals. My sense of smell came back, and became so acute that now my friends call me "the blood hound". I tease them and say that if they even think about farting, I'll smell it. I don't know how old your kids are, but if they are old enough to "leave you be" for about a week, and take care of themselves, and make themselves scarce when you're home, it will help a lot. My husband lived in the garage for the first 2 weeks because I could only take care of myself while recovering from my addiction (and that's exactly how it is) from the cigs. I also found exercise helpful when I had those really bad cravings. I'd go out for a run whenever I was about to tear my hair out. Funny thing was I was so out of shape after puffing away for so many years, I'd make it about 100 yards before I had to slow to a walk. As soon as I caught my breath, I'd take off running again. Did that for about a month. Also, brush your teeth when you have a craving, especially if you smoke menthols. If you do, chances are you're addicted to the menthol, also. The minty toothpaste and a clean mouth is very refreshing. But most of all KEEP YOUR EYES ON THE PRIZE. It feels so good now after over 8 years of not smoking, and I will NEVER go back there. I still get cravings a couple times a year, but you learn to ignore them and switch your thinking to something else. I does get easier over time, and you will be suprised at how quickly you learn to deal without the cigs. Good luck, and I'll be cheering for you!

This is a very nice tutorial. Thank you for posting. I wish it was in PDF format so I could download it to my computer.

I've used masking paper that autobody shops use when masking cars before painting. It works well, is cheap, and you get a LOT of it on a roll. You can ask your local body shop to get you a roll, or maybe try at a store that sells auto supplies.

Dbarleather made mine, too, and shipped it the same day as I put in my order! I had it 2 days after that. Very fast, and the stamp is excellent.

Hey Dave! Who says you have to do flowers on the seat? I'd do something like finger carving around the sides (gusset?). Just some scrolls to add some texture, and maybe a bit of lacing. But I would do a nice Sheridan carve on the saddle bags and windshield bag. I'd only oil and antique them for a totally different biker saddlebag look. How often have you ever seen bag colors in other than black or maybe with a small dash of color? Seems every biker wants his or her bike to look different from all the rest. I bet if you used my ideas and made a complete set, you'd sell them. Heck, if I still had my bike, I'd buy them! You do some really awesome work. I can't hold a candle to the stuff you do. And thank you for the compliment. Hilly

I've never smelled a wet goat before today. Do they always stink like that? I'd rather smell a wet dog or a wet chicken.

Okay, here's what I tried with reasonable success: I dampened the back of the hide where the wrinkle was, and folded it the opposite direction, and applied a very cool blow dryer to it. It took almost all of the wrinkle out but the hair on the other side was still pretty messed up. I then dampened the hair with warm water, and combed it the direction it should be laying, and blow dryed it on low. Although it still isn't perfect, it is much better than it was. Now I have another question as to what that awful smell was when it was wet? It smelled like old urine. Are hair on hides ever urine tanned?! If this is the case, then it's going right in the garbage.

LOL! I had the same question yesterday. A PM to Johanna gave me the answers I was seeking!

I have a small goat hide which came with an obvious wrinkle from being folded. It shows in the fur side, too. It's a little like having "bed head". Can I somehow smooth the wrinkle and the fur? It's not a huge issue, but it would look much better if it were having a better hair day.

Ohio Travel Bag (wholesale) also has an associate (retail) site that has many of the same items. If you find something on Ohio Travel Bag that is not on the associated site, give Ohio Travel Bag a call, and they might make the item available on the associated site. Here's the link: http://www.hardware-elf.com/ This is for the people without a resale #.

A friend of mine has some saddlebags that he's wanting to decorate with domed rivets. The post length on these is 3/8", but the leather on his bags is not this thick. Can the posts on the domed rivets be cut down without wrecking them?

My music tastes are pretty eclectic too. Depends on the mood I'm in. After work, I tend to like relaxing music like classical, or even some soft 50's. Weekends are usually louder like the old style country found on "Willie's Place", or maybe some bluegrass. Sometimes I just turn on a raunchy comedy station, and laugh while I work. Having XM radio is really neat for those of us who can't make up our minds...

Nice work. Thanks for sharing. I wonder if you can do the vinegaroon dye first, and then carve and tool? I mean, really soak the leather in the dye, do the baking soda rinse, let it dry, and then carve and tool, and see nothing but black? Might have to give it a try some time.

You're really sick.

Awwwww, poor Russ! Just relax and enjoy your "snow day". Stop beating your dead horse, and use this op to go beat on a dead cow! I wish I could have a snow day...

Ohhhh, can I drive????

Welcome! Marlon is right in that this is truly addictive! You hurt your shoulder while stitching???? At least you didn't bleed on your leather! Wow, I only stab my fingers once in a while...

Another way you can get even closer when clipping threads, is to use a cuticle scissors. You can buy them at any pharmacy, health/beauty dept. The look exactly like a miniature side cutters, but are small enough you can get right inside the stitching holes.

Belive me, it's the only part of my life or home that's organized.