rdb

Hey, Shadowsbane! It's nice to see newcomers in the area, Guess we're not quite a dying breeed. So far, there's a half dozen in this thread, that's a good sign, but I'll bet there's at least a half dozen more. Tom's info was great. It's nice to know that the TLC community is still working at things, and the hidestoart guys are great ( Between their shows out in Western NC, and the little demo at Zack's that I attended, their working it.) For those people not in NC, it's a fairly big state. From the raleigh area it's two hours to anywhere. For someone to get to Ashville from Charlotte, or Wilmington to Ramseur, etc, it's a bit of a haul. There's quite a few people who like to be involved with the TLC groups, and there's a lot of us who prefer a different tack. It'a all good as far as I'm concerned. Because we're all spread out, it's like ships in the night. Some go to TLC, some to Zack's, some to both. Then there's the people that don't deal with either. Myself, I end up at Zack's once a week just about, if not more when a special need pops up. I'm half an hour away, so if you plan on going some time, I'ld be glad to lock the shop for a bit, and head on out. Come the warmer weather, I'll be on my bike. It's been pretty funny bringing home rolls of leather on the back of the harley. If anyone is passing through Chatham, let me know. I'm in the shop most days, except for a store run, or a quick ride. I'll be in the Carolina chat room for awhile tonite...y'all come on down

Wow Tom! A lot sure has changed since last we spoke. Sounds like you've got a good thing going on down in the south...lol. Fill us in on those possible subsidary clubs when you can. Any newsletters/mailings, or websites?

Hey, Ronald, Rob, Wyvern! Looks like we may all have to meet up at Zack's one of these days. If anyone's passing through Chatham County, let me know, I'm generally in the shop, and the coffee is good.

Welcome to the site poolplayer! Sounds like you'll find plenty of use for leathercraft skills on the farm, and off duty at the poolhall... There's some great casemakers here, so there'll be plenty of motivation to build yours. It doesn't need to be said, but...we love pictures!

EDIT: Bumped for the afterwork crew...ya never know.

EDIT: Bumped for the afterwork crew...ya never know. It seems there maybe a few more craftsman in the Carolinas area, than any of us thought. Based on some recent threads, there may be some NC/SC/VA lurkers here on the Board, and I'ld like to see them pop their heads out a little more. I'm not much of an organizer. If I give a party I have to invite 200 to get 10 to attend...lol. But, if there are any of you from this area that would like to get together in some form, maybe we can start here. Maybe we could schedule time in the chat room, a get together at Zack's, visit each other's shops, a guild?, or just have this thread here to talk about our area, sales options, items particular to our area, etc. From my experiences, we have a little of everything here, from saddles to woodturner's aprons, biker, lots of gun gear, etc. I like suprises, so to find out there's someone just down the road apiece, would be cool. If there's some of you who ride, maybe a run come spring. Anywho, you get the picture....Let's see if we can hear from a few of you. Don't hurt to try. PS: If you "ain't from around here" feel free to jump in anyways...lol

Well, Ray, "whilst "I'm not a barrister, and I don't play one on tv...lol but hypothetically or not, there is a real world out there off forum. There have been several times I remember off shore type people coming here and for nefarious reasons. It is inevitable that something that gets posted here may be copied or improved upon by someone else, not withstanding all the copyright mentions, watermarks, etc. In reality obtaining a patent is a long, difficult, and expensive proposition. Copyright can be as simple as listing it so, but expensive to litigate to stop someone. Personally I belief a great deal in the open source community. here are a few links to those discussions and rules: http://questioncopyright.org/copyright_and_open_source http://www.noadversary.org/open-source-copyright-and-social-justice http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Open_source The awesomeness that is this forum, shows a willingness here to share more than just technique, even with that problem out there, and for that I am truly amazed, and thankful. The more professional types on this board may not post everything publically, but I know they have shared with folks they've communicated with here, or trust and respect, through pms and emails. That goes beyond competition, and into the pure joy of the work. I have NEVER, on any other forum found the people as giving and sharing as on this one. It says a lot about our community, and Johanna and crew deserve most of the credit for building such a place. In this field, where a toolbag is a toolbag, and a saddle is a saddle, "Give credit where credit is due" should be our mantra.

Thanx Storm! Wouldn't want you to wait too long, so here's at least half of them... double-stitched, grommetted corners, or looped ss rings, inside braid along edges, quilted foam, exotic inserts, tooled edges, tooled carving in center, different spot patterns, crystals instead of spots, braided edge, rolled edge, welted edge, three pockets in a triangle shape, sunburst dyed instead of black, copper rivets instead of spots, cartridge rivets, vinegarooned, hair on insert, ceramic magnets for hold down instead of ties, hole in center for fill hole centered tanks (like pommel bags), 12 buckled straps running side to side to buckle around tank... I'll save the rest for me...lol, perfectly willing to listen to some of yours...

Just a simple tank bib with spots. Customer designed shape. I had not seen foam inserted before so that's why I did it...lol. Actually has a nice effect. It's not braided or anything, but it just looked cool to me.... 2 layers of 3/4 oz veg cow, with foam between. Dunked in neatsfoot oil/black pro oil dye mix. I've already got 32 new ideas for the next ones.

This is a tough question. Starting off in leatherwork, very few have the artistic gift. Most will start with a tandy pattern, or try and copy something they may have seen somewhere. After a few articles are made, and the tools gotten used to, a person's imagination may lead them to coming up with their own pattern. A lot of times, I'll bet, a person can't quite figure out how someone else made something, and use their own method to assemble it. This can lead to an amateur look, but maybe even a brand new twist on something... I really believe that a craftsman develops their own patterns over a whole series of "mistakes", or "not quite rights". Whether it's in my head, developed on a computer, cut out from posterboard, or straight into the leather cutting, the first thing made from an idea, can always be improved. That's my biggest problem. I am never satisfied with a completed project. Take for example, a simple zippo case. I've made at least a 1/2 dozen styles/types, and seen at least another dozen kinds from others. If one particular one sells for you, then you will probably stick with that as a pattern. In my case, I can't stop fiddling around with a new style. I would probably share the pattern to one I have made previously, but never the latest one. I worked really hard developing a solo bag pattern that fits a soft tail, and some custom rigids, just right. I googled, of course, before I made the first one, and did not see a similar one. After I made and sold some, I did come across a similar one. The bike shape itself requires a certain fit, so the personal style I put to, it is the real difference, not so much the shape. Someone pm'd me for that pattern. They didn't get it. For anyone with a limited skill in leatherwork, though, they would be able to copy it from a picture (and I've already seen that happen). Someone with better skills than me, would make it better and improve on it, no doubt. At that point i believe it becomes theirs. Copies are theft. Little changes are theft. Big Improvements to someone's patterns are something new. I believe that is the standard for copyright law, too. It's not just a simple change to someone's work. It's that, it is such an improvement, it becomes something new. Certain things never change in their basics. A roper saddle is by definition a certain structure. It's purpose defines it. A saddler's approach to making it is the difference. The skill in its construction, brings out the oohs and ahhs. A possibly simple example might be...Fold a single piece of leather over itself, stitch it, and you have a bic lighter case. Cut that same piece of leather into the shape of a boot, and you have a retail tandy type pattern. Shape that same piece of leather into, let's say, a motorcycle, or a windmill for that matter, and you have your own pattern. The keycase is still a keycase, but how many windmill keycases have you seen? -just another snow day rambling. -dave

Welcome, Craig! Chatham County here. Real nice work. I'll bet that small piece of leather looks pretty big sometimes.

I'm not a saddler, by any means, but if I were to do extensive repair on one, I would claim part ownership, i.e. cantle remodel.

You must have the patience of a saint. Beautiful job, Hidepounder! Is that alligator a rolled edge, or burnished in?

Thanx, abn! Through the years, I have treated prototype in various ways. Sometimes they represent things I would like to learn how to make, and add to my pattern inventory. I do not charge the customer development time. When the project involves a small production line, I divide the patterning into the total items produced. At other times when I know it's a one of a kind, I will charge the development into the one price. Sometimes we split the cost, I get a possibly useful pattern, the customer gets something a little different. The real trouble with all this is that it cuts into other project time. I never really figured out how to compensate fully for that case. If you are an in-demand leatherwork artist, you don't even worry about such things, you just state some extraordinary dollars, and they pay it. I ain't that person, yet, that's for sure. But I will continue to try and get there...lol Storm, I don't know what the original bag was for. It looked like a security pouch of some type...mailbag, secure medical, dunno. Dated 1945 with either "EMS", or "ENS" stamped on it. Any WWII experts out there? The customer, and I both agree on the changes necessary for the finished bag, so sometime soon, I'll be rummaging through Zack's inventory for the right leathers, and have my machinist friend make up some more authentic hardware. A little bit of pattern changes, and we should have it. After that bag is done, I'll post the orig. pic, too.

Thanx, Storm! I think I did "fashionize" the original, somewhat...Is that a good thing?...lol The sad part is the original bag is only 4 years older than me...

Thanks Luke! You are right, there sure was some head scratching on this one. The original has a different bottom the customer didn't like (the original would have been easier. Yep, I did add some rope to the handle, and somehow managed to sew it on the 3000 basic foot. There were a few new techniques for me, and a couple I had to just pull off on the fly.

I was asked to copy a WWII military/mail type bag for a customer. I enjoyed trying to come up with a pattern that would look like the original, but with some practical changes. Before I came up with a finished version, I thought I would try and put together a prototype to check assembly and design. Halfway through the wife decided this was hers. Since this was was hers, I didn't line it, or put any pockets inside, and probably wasn't all that careful with it, but did work out the structure, and found a few things to change on the next one. For the customer, the leathers will change, some size and design changes will need to be done, so it will probably look different. If I do the bag for them, I'll show the pictures then, along with the original WWII bag pics.. For the body, a 2oz cowhide (but reversed it so the suede showed). I used 3/4 oz veg tan for the flap and bottom, oiled, and dyed lightly to resemble old/worn. My friend couldn't machine out the actual reproduction hardware quick enough for me, so I substituted pocketbook strap hangers for the d rings on the back, and bought some hasps at the Lowes's Lumber, and cut them to fit on the strap.I still haven't figured what or how for the closures, so for this picture I just used some snap hooks.

Your circle of friends sounds like mine. Bro comes back from Afghany with a ton of money, buys everything he sees for six months, now he's broke again. Another friend has no problem charging $65 an hour, but never has a dime for lunch. You and me...struggling for the legal tender. The pricing thing is tough, but I'm coming around to just stating the prices now. You want an $89 saddlebag from China, go online, want one from me...pay me for the days of work. Want something one off...be prepared to pay the T&M. Even friends are gonna pay the hours. I might give materials at cost, or put a little extra love in it, but no more loss of hourly pay. Too bad I didn't still live up in Ma., we could of rocked the Commonwealth...lol

Without being longwinded, even friends can be @$$#073*'s. Open mouth, insert foot. The problem is that they don'n even know they're doing it. I like your rants...it's good to know I'm not the only one that gets po'ed once in awhile. Artistic temperments...lol. By now, you're probably over it. It's good to get mad sometimes, better when you let it go.

Cool new feature. I accidently started two blogs. I didn't think the first one took, so I added "Bench Notes". If you get a chance, please delete "rdb's blog", leave bench notes...or give us the ability to delete our own...it's all good. Thanx again for all you do...

Isn't this nice, personal Blogs on LW! Got to love LW. Johanna, and Kate rock, even if getting out of bed is a little slower nowadays...lol. It's lonely out here in the backroads of NC, but I'm managing to keep busy in the shop, everyday. Songbird is playing some blues on the linux box. The dogs are in and out, as usual. The back bench has some molded cases and sheaths drying. The to-do bench has some chap repairs, zippo cases to finish, a couple of belts, and some of toolbags to start making up.The rest of the shop really really really needs a clean up. Oh, that reminds me. I have to mix up a new batch of vinegaroon. It's starting to warm up from two weeks of cold. Today might be in the 50s, tomorrow might make 60. Looks like I'm riding the Sportster tomorrow. I have to go to Raleigh and collect on the sale of a solo bag through a local indy. He reported the customer was thrilled. That's the only bad part of not making the actual sale...you don't get to talk to the customer. The plan for the next few months is inventory! I'm hoping to do some bigger shows this year (hopefully, the "SmokeOut" in Rockinham, in June, for sure), and had better get off my arse, and start beating on the bench. The custom stuff keeps getting in the way, but it's all good. Still ain't making a paycheck, but I am getting established locally. By the way, you can name your company (Rocky River Leather Co.) anything you want, but if the locals want to call you "Dave, the Leather Guy", you can't do a damn thing about it. I guess that's enough for a first entry. Hope this catches on with a bunch of members.

Luthier supplies are a good source for superglue things. the glue: http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Glues,_adhesives.html the accessories, like pipettes and applicators: http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Glues,_adhesives/Supplies:_Applicators,_syringes.html the pipettes are good, cause you fill them up with a little, and keep the jar closed, just using the pipette for applications... ...just another tip from your Uncle Dave...

The wooden strap cutter works just fine as a lefty tool, just as wildrose says. The only thing you really need to do is transfer the markings by hand so that you can read them. Celticleather was kind enough to post the original strap cutter instructions in this thread.... http://leatherworker.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=20734&view=&hl=strap%20cutter&fromsearch=1

Looks pretty dang good, Tom. Couldn't ask for better advice than from Dave T. I'm over in Chatham county. You can visit anytime. If you don't want to order online, there is a Tandy in Raleigh, if you need an emergency run for lace.

One way would be through Google's Feedburner: https://www.google.com/accounts/ServiceLogin?service=feedburner