wanabe

For those that live in South Texas, Tandy has just opened a new store in Corpus Christi. It is a large store, clean and appears well stocked. Much better than the one I went to in Houston when I lived there.

I tried posting this yesterday but it isn't here. I don't know what happened. I have made a few projects and dyed them with Fiebings applied with a dauber. I had problems with streaking, uneven appearance (darker and lighter areas) and others. This time I placed denatured alcohol in a pan and added the dye until I got what I wanted, tested with scrap leather. I dipped seven pieces of leather and ruined four projects. Some came out extremely dark, some too light and some had speckles. Any tips on dying leather by dipping it? Any ideas on salvaging the projects? I sure need some help folks.

A few things I picked up that helps me. I hope you find them useful. I had a Dremel tool which was getting a little worn so I bought a new one. While I was at it, I bought a Dremel 220 workstation (sort of like a miniature drill press for the tool). I have sharpened a skiver, a couple of groovers, an awl and fabricated a couple of small tools I needed. After marking stitching, I chucked a very small drill bit (slightly larger than a needle) and drilled very small holes where needed. Makes things a lot faster and easier. I also bought some soft carbon pencils. I can lightly mark leather and see the marks well but the white drafting pencil erasure removes every hint of the marks. Being extremely soft the drafting erasure does not mark the leather. One last thing. I made a strop for my cutting tools with a 2 1/2" X 18" piece of leather. I worked fine automotive rubbing compound into the rough side and it works well. Hope this helps a little A few things I picked up that helps me. I hope you find them useful. I had a Dremel tool which was getting a little worn so I bought a new one. While I was at it, I bought a Dremel 220 workstation (sort of like a miniature drill press for the tool). I have sharpened a skiver, a couple of groovers, an awl and fabricated a couple of small tools I needed. After marking stitching, I chucked a very small drill bit (slightly larger than a needle) and drilled very small holes where needed. Makes things a lot faster and easier. I also bought some soft carbon pencils. I can lightly mark leather and see the marks well but the white drafting pencil erasure removes every hint of the marks. Being extremely soft the drafting erasure does not mark the leather. One last thing. I made a strop for my cutting tools with a 2 1/2" X 18" piece of leather. I worked fine automotive rubbing compound into the rough side and it works well. Hope this helps a little

I have made a few projects using Fiebing's applied with a dauber. I could never get the even, streak free job I wanted. I put some denatured alcohol in a plastic pan and added dye until it looked like what I wanted on a couple of pieces of scrap. Dipped seven pieces and ruined four projects. Some came out too light, some way too dark and some had light spots and speckles. I don't know if or how I can salvage these as I have put in quite a bit of work on them. Any info on treating the leather before dipping to get an even, consistent job? How about ideas/info on salvaging my work?

Finally got my account set up. My home is Texas. I retired a couple of years ago an the last two or three years before retiring, I picked up leatherworking tools a few at a time and started learning developing a few techniques myself along the way. I still have a lot to learn and I believe I might have come to the right place to do that. I "wanabe" one of the best but I have a long way to go. I don't work any more so I have plenty of time to do leatherwork. Nuff said.