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Buy and learn to sharpen a round/head knife. Then learn to use it. It will be the best leatherwork investment you make.

Once more, with feeling...lol LINE1 - edge line Line 2 - left heel of tool. and guideline for camo tool Line 3 - Center line, right top leg hits center line If the angle is too great, the arrow formed is fat and squat. Too skinny, and the arrow looks like a nail. It really is just a matter of some practice scraps to see what angle you want. Draw lines accordingly.

That series doesn't show how to actually do the arrowhead bw. I was making some "quicky" bootstraps this morning, and took some pictures. These will help you until I put together a full blown tutorial. Everything depends on lines. First a border/edge line. Then a line just inside that one. Then a center line. You can draw them lightly, or bevel them...all your choices. 1st stamp - Put right front heel on center line. Left rear on inside line. 2cnd -put right lower heel in previous stamp. Front right heel on center line....repeat and rinse..lol 3rd - coming back on other side repeat. match points at center line.

So, I went looking for some tools that might be useful in proofing your interconnected links... the ones I used to use are tired jewels compared to some out there now. Test one was google api. It gives you several tools, but this one shows if all your links to other things work. In your case Ray, some lead back to all the others, and some don't. This would show which links aren't there, or are broken. http://socialgraph-resources.googlecode.co...blogspot.com%2F Test two uses a Firefox extension (using google apis) Does the same as a bove with a few twists. http://lab.madgex.com/identify/

see, I told you I know very little about saddles...lol. Thanx Elton!

First off , I deny any of that highly respected bull hockey. Secondly, I alerted Ray to the potential for problems like this when not dealing with friends pix. I never expected any public apology,nor wanted such, because it was between friends. It shows the measure of the man, to go public with this little oops. I admire his efforts on this board, and admire him more as a man too. "Finest kind" as they say in my hometown. If we don't protect each other on this board, who will?

First off, Welcome to the board, OPM. I'm sure you'll find plenty of interesting threads, and make contributions as well. I know very little about saddles, but that one looks like a bronc rider saddle to me. If I'm right, and there will be plenty of people here who will correct me, the investigation should start there. Looking to see who the bronc saddlers were, or regular saddlers who have made them, might lead you in the right direction. A one of a kind might not have any maker marks on it, but I'll bet that's rare. There are usually some mark somewhere that will give a hint, even just a number might help. Make sure you lift up every little piece of leather that will move to carefully inspect for such a mark. If you can remove parts, that might help in the looking. Good Luck, and I hope others will join in. I love detective work...lol

So...using my very unscientific methods, I pulled out the topics with a high view and comment rate started this past week as of April 12. It was pretty interesting to see just what got people's interest this week. From saddlery to newbie, it was a pretty diverse bunch of conversations. I was going to set this up as a poll, and let everyone vote on their favorites, but I felt it was enough for us to just look at ourselves in the past week, and enjoy the vastness of our shared information. "What got you started in this hobby/addiction?" - TAC: http://leatherworker.net/forum/index.php?s...c=16077&hl= "One more Notebook Cover" - Tina: http://leatherworker.net/forum/index.php?s...c=16055&hl= "Wickett & Craig vs Hermann Oak" - RunningRoan: http://leatherworker.net/forum/index.php?s...c=16027&hl= "application of "edge dye/ink" - HobbyTom: http://leatherworker.net/forum/index.php?s...c=16058&hl= "summer bag made with 29k62 singer" - ArgonZoti: http://leatherworker.net/forum/index.php?s...c=16115&hl= "Tools Bending?" - Keltrey: http://leatherworker.net/forum/index.php?s...c=16025&hl= "Three-legged Stools" - UKRay: http://leatherworker.net/forum/index.php?s...c=16049&hl= "Remove the Chrome Off Tools" - ArtS: http://leatherworker.net/forum/index.php?s...c=16038&hl= "ode to big daddy" - KevinKing: http://leatherworker.net/forum/index.php?s...c=15969&hl= "lurking long enough.., new holster" - "Rock76: http://leatherworker.net/forum/index.php?s...c=16035&hl= "Stitching machines???" - columbo: http://leatherworker.net/forum/index.php?s...c=16021&hl= "replacing a suede seat" - joppstack: http://leatherworker.net/forum/index.php?s...c=16011&hl= "Swan Tutorial Attempt" - Crystal: http://leatherworker.net/forum/index.php?s...c=16045&hl= 'How to make these lines?" - Lindsay: http://leatherworker.net/forum/index.php?s...c=16048&hl= 'applique Lacing: Belt" - jbird: http://leatherworker.net/forum/index.php?s...c=16023&hl= "add 'finesse' to your leathergoods" - UKrAY: http://leatherworker.net/forum/index.php?s...c=15996&hl= "Two Questions about Vinagroon" - Des804: http://leatherworker.net/forum/index.php?s...c=16018&hl= "Rope bag purse, First Fillegree" - TKLeather1: http://leatherworker.net/forum/index.php?s...c=15984&hl= "Very first project!!" - LINDSAY: http://leatherworker.net/forum/index.php?s...c=16015&hl= "Strap cutter" - 10X: http://leatherworker.net/forum/index.php?s...c=15991&hl= "Finished Purse, made from scratch" - jbird: http://leatherworker.net/forum/index.php?s...c=15976&hl= "Mare's Leg holster, "Firefly Zoe's rig" - badger: http://leatherworker.net/forum/index.php?s...c=15961&hl= " Daughter's Photo Album" - rharris: http://leatherworker.net/forum/index.php?s...c=15959&hl=

Welcome back, Kotter...oops,I mean yldbill. This place will definitely help you get back into the swim of things. We all look forward to seeing some of your projects when you're ready

They're both fine, Noah. You're just stretchin' your artistic limbs.

The pic is a little too blurry for me to tell for sure, but it looks very much like a fast lace shoe hook, then tamped down to grip the lace... like these: http://www.eleatherworks.com/product.php?p...=687&page=1 if it isn't that, these will work just like it, I'll bet PS: Welcome to the board. Sure would like to see your instrument strap pictures, if that's what you do...lol ( based on your forum handle)

Welcome to the board. I hope to see some of your projects soon. Thanks for the link. Personally, I would never use a silicone product on any of my projects. I'm sure there is all kinds of science involved, but for me, it just don't seem right.

That reminds me Pete!! I picked up some Sharpies at a craft store, (maybe JoAnn's, I forget). They were OIL BASED! I used them this morning to fill in some lettering. PERFECT!!!! Went on, dried fast.

Looks nice, I'm sure your friend will be very happy. The size of the peg holes are directly related to the guitar, electric, acoustic, and whether strap locks are used. Some acoustics have a big round wooden peg. Some electrics have a large metal one. Most times the length of the cut gets around this problem, but if the hole is too loose or tight around the peg, you could have a dropped axe. Some strap locks are bigger than others, and the threaded part varies too, so a skiving of the hole area is necessary, in order to allow the lock to be well threaded on. Generally, I find that 3/8" holes are perfect, with a 3/4" slice to complete the pippin.

I do a primary burnish before I do anything to the belt. It makes the flow of the dye easier along a smooth edge. No fighting ragged edges, or pits. If I'm sewing the edge, it gives a smoother ride along the guide,also. After the edge dye is dry, then I give the final burnish, with wax, and sealer. Generally, you don't have to edge dye the back liner. It's thin enough that when you burnish the top and bottom layers together, they meld together to the point you do not need to dye the liner edge, in most cases. If you are using a thicker liner, then yes, you have to edge dye it, but, my method works fine for me. I'm old, but I still don't shake, so, I got that going for me...lol.

Looks real good to me. I love my vinegaroon, wouldn't do black without it. That carving stands out better than most black dyed I've seen. A lot has to do with theWC leather too, the deep impressions you can get, stand out better

I've tried them all, and after all this time, I just use a dauber. Maybe I've just become proficient at it, or just lucky, who knows. A few seconds of running the dauber down the edge, and voyla! One "trick" I use, though, is to finish and seal both sides one coat before edge dyeing. If there is a little gets on the top or bottom, I can most usually just wipe it of the sealed coating. Then I apply the final seal coat over the leather and the edges.

Wake Up Ray! It's 4:55. Suze was right. It wasn't so hard, now, was it? I kinda like the ruggedness of the latigo lacing. The sewn ones can look very professional. I hope you do both.

Since everyone is saying nice things, I'll just say not bad....lol Wouldn't want you to get a swelled head or anything....double lol

Welcome to the Board, Rock76!! You get to join a lot of folk who wished they had found this board a long time ago, That's some mighty fine work, pretty dang clean looking. I hope we see lots more..

2nd one this week...what have you got, a pile of elves that work while you sleep? Great job. I like this one better than the other one, although the other one must have been way more work. I'll bet this bike looks better too.

2P worth... Looks to me, you're talking two different subjects. One would be the qualities that make for a good example of leatherworking skills. The second would be in the marketing and sales display area. I think we can all agree on what's involved in quality leather products, from stitching to burnishing. Maybe we all differ on what value we place on those products. Sometimes, the not so famous, or those who haven't been working leather for twenty years or more, can produce as fine a quality work as any, They just don't get the price for their work, that more established shops put out. Maybe it's their particular area that has less in the pocket, or just not the right clientele...or even like me, who makes whatever the customer wants at the time for the price they are willing to pay. I can't strive for perfection in each piece. I just don't have the customer base that is willing to pay $125 to $250 for a belt, or a cell case. Occasionaly, I might run into someone like that, but it's rare. Pricing can hurt sales too. Some of the finest wallets are made by people on this board, but the quality of their work has to be reflected in the pricing, It's hard to find enough people willing to pay that money, to keep the shop heat on. I believe there is a direct correlation between the quality of work, and what you can realistically charge for it. There's almost no point in making a $2500 cue case, if you don't have people to buy it. If you are willing to spend the years making for a niche market, like that, or holsters, or saddles, it will happen, I'm sure, but for most of us, it's a big risk to put all the eggs in one basket. Of course, the rewards could be greater too. I'm in the "quick nickel" category. "I'ld rather make a quick nickel, than a slow dime". Perfection is over-rated, and you can quote me on that...lol. Many famous artists, intentionally put flaws in their work, saying something along the line that, only God can make something perfect. I'm not sure I agree with that philosophy, but it says something about our humanity. The next part is presentation. Like you Ray, I've wondered about nice boxes, and cloth bags, etc. There's someone on this board who throws in all kinds of stuff with the product (I think it was steveb?), including left over pieces of leather, decals for the car, magnets, and probably the kitchen sink too. I thought that was a nice touch. The customer is pleased to find some goodies, and the marketing doesn't just stop with the sale, it goes on from there, when people see the decals and such. Excellent approach. I like your discussion threads, Ray, but it's time for you to start throwing out some pictures too...lol. That's all for now, lunch is over, back to the shop. I got 2 cell phone cases, four belts (a figure 8 stitched belt, a gunbelt, a name belt with his and her on it, and a plain black "biker" belt), a fold up walking cane leather seat replacement , 6-12 wood turner's chisel guards, a rifle sling, and ...sheesh more to do. In my best DeNiro..."They keep draggin' me back in."

There are many experts on this board, well-versed in sewing equipment. I am sure they will chime in with advice, as long as they know what you are wanting to do with your equipment. As an example question, Do you intend on making chaps, pocketbooks, wallets, or harness and tack type gear? Our advice is only as important as the information you give.

For us moldies, the Flying Eye Rocks. I like the insides on this one too!

Permatex This had the "vinyl" liquids in different mixable colors, a heating iron, and grains to apply.