rdb

There is no great solution (IMHO). In large applications, you can't apply it with a rag or dauber, except maybe to your white shoes with regular maintanance. To use it at all, for example, on a belt, you must spray it on. Even that means multiple coats, and drying times. And in the end, it is only a temporary surface coating, that will scratch off, sealed or not. It is okay for painting on say, figure carving, in small areas, with a good sealant coating, but it will still be the most temporary of your colored work on a project that is anything more than a showpiece. For any projects that need to be largely white, purchase an already tannery dressed white leather.

Of course the best way is to have a belt to match to. I use a belt with measurements on it too (I use letters instead of sizes, that way there's no embarrassment in public settings). But if you have to ask over the phone, or without verifying, than have the customer use the method in the pic. No waist size, no buckle differences...simple measure from tip of tine to middle hole. It never fails. Two or three holes to either side of that one, and add 4.5 inches beyond the first hole to make the tip cut. If they don't have a belt, get their waist size, and add the buckle length, plus 2/3 holes and and 4.5 inches. ( I wont guarantees this one to the customer...they aren't always right about their waist.) I used to know a guy who could get the right measurement just by looking at someone...to this day I quietly do this in my mind, I'm at about 50% right now..That guy should have worked at the Carnival, he could have made a fortune...

Came across this site today. Different designers making limited amounts of wallets for the site. I like some of them, but the interesting part was the opportunity for new designers to get added. If you think this might be up your alley, check it out. Site: http://braithwaitewallets.com/ Opportunity offer: http://braithwaitewallets.com/designers/4-...for-braithwaite I wish I could afford an edge skiver.....

Well, I got my PIF from jbird, Saturday. AWESOME. Like a lot of you, I've watched jbird as he has come along, and I'll tell you something, he's come a long long way. He sent me this strop and case for my swivel, and it's just cool. Way more than I expected, and way more than I deserve, so many thanks to Josh!!! I'll treasure it always. ps...looked in the bag before I threw it away, and found this Screamin' Eagle buckle!!!! D'OH, good thing I looked..cool

I work out of the shop I built on my property. I don't advertise, other than business cards, I don't carry liability. I don't have a business plan. I have no business loans. I could go on..... Suffice it to say, I don't have business expenses, other than gas to get to the fairs, or the heat and electricity to run the shop. I have spent some thousands to supply the shop with small tools and equipment, leather and hardware... I base all my work on $15 an hour plus materials. From everything I read here and elsewhere (and many of my customers), that's just a plain stupidly low price to charge. But like Ian, when all is said and done, I'm lucky to be making $5 an hour, after figuring how much work I sell, and the cost of replacing materials....BUT, every week keeps getting better. Every week some one has heard and calls me. Someday I'ld love to not have to truck everything to the fair, but that time isn't here yet. The first week that I have 40 hours at $15, I promised myself to refigure everything. If my waiting list grows to weeks instead of days, I will double prices. All the planning, figgering, and every other way you look at it, there's is no definitive way to map out a business and it's prices. As cheesy as it sounds, "Build it, and they will come". You either have it, or you don't. Smart people succeed and fail. Stupid people succeed and fail...Explain that to me and I'll write a business plan.

Nice job. I like the diamond pattern, that's hard to keep squared up. And the mulesfoot border is cool.

Glad to help. Don't forget to add in all the plugins !! http://www.irfanview.com/plugins.htm

I can't wait for it to open, either JohnD! Next time I'm up North, it'll be one of my first stops. When I grew up, there seemed to be a tannery on every corner. As they got old, they deteriorated, and the smells and runoffs, horrible. But they were the lifeblood of the communities. Everyone knew someone who worked in the business, and a lot of people had bread on the table because of them. There's no reasons, even environmental, that they can't rebuild the industry in this country. New tanneries are opening all over the world, with all the environmental bells and whistles. Why can't we get back to doing what we do best, MAKING things!!!? PS..it still cracks me up that you carry that sig line...

I just sent by Paypal. Thanks for the contribution to the Forum, John! I was hoping to get a few new contributors, but anyway it happens is all good.

Well, in these trying times, at least some people consider the history of leather to be a worthwhile investment. The City of Peabody Ma., a significant landmark to the Leather industry, has an old Betamax about Tanneries and the Shoe business, narrated by Studs Terkel, himself. They are willing to shell out to have it restored and saved. Hopefully in the future, maybe we'll be able to buy the DVD. http://www.salemnews.com/punews/local_story_029001348.html

I sort of do that already Ed. Whenever, by some some strange set of events, I get a customer by way of this Forum, I set aside a portion to send to Johanna. I think that's fair. I've got to build up my depleted karma somehow...lol. For this round of fund raising, like NPR, I'll offer up matching funds. To the next five people who kick in $5, in this Topic thread, I'll match that, up to $25. So send your fins, and post it here.

it's still free...you must have landed on one of those scam pages or something... http://www.download.com/IrfanView/3000-219...cdlPid=10993915

Welcome to the Forum littledingman. Glad you found us. Sounds like you know your way around handbags, so I'm sure we'll all benefit from that, and there's plenty here to take back with you. Grab some coffee from the back room, and join in, especially don't forget to show us your projects as they go along.

pg 424 http://books.google.com/books?id=DcbvQ0WTx...TYPES#PPA424,M1 an interesting story of the early leather mfg...especially around my hometown areas, when shoes were king.

I remember Mr. Seigel from the early 1970s , when they were doing business in Boston. Visiting that store, and dealing with those people are some of my fondest memories. I doubt that has changed. As yet, I have not done business with them in these "modern times", but I expect things will have changed very little in service. And I will have no problem dealing with them, as the situation arises. Peter at Waterhouse Leather in Massachusetts has been a pleasure to deal with, service and quality has been excellent. My favorite, and present central supplier is Tim at Zack White's in Ramseur, NC. It's an old school business, run with a very few people, with all the pluses and minuses associated with that. Tim really tries to find and develop good leathers, and so far I've not been let down. I can't speak for everyone, but my dealings with them have been top notch. He started out in the 70s too. Hundreds of shows each year, making and selling belts, etc. He's been there, done that, and is still physically making leathergoods at his place...way cool. He knows what we are all up against. It shows in his business. ( I'm probably biased on this, because I live only a half hour away...lol).

I don't think the paint will bother anything at all, technically. But my advice would be to cover the top with something renewable, such as masonite or plexiglass. If you are lucky enough to live near a counter top installer, you may find a piece in their junk pile of marble or some such, large enough to cover the whole top, or at least part of it. Do a search on this site for workbench, or shop, and you'll find several threads discussing the work environment, and options for benches, etc. Good luck, and keep us posted with what you do. I'm sure others will chime in here too....

Welcome to the Forum, foufouche! Don't worry about how many views, all the questions get an answer, just sometimes it takes a bit. There are two books that you can get from Tandy in the UK. They are a good beginning to understanding how to dye and color Leather. http://www.tandyleatherfactory.co.uk/pc-75...ather-book.aspx http://www.tandyleatherfactory.co.uk/pc-72...ather-book.aspx Feibings also has a new book on how to use their Products: http://www.fiebing.com/site/Viewer.aspx?ii...e&rpid=4539 Good luck, and don't forget to show us your progress with Pictures. Google translation: Bienvenue sur le Forum, foufouche! Ne vous inquiétez pas pour combien de points de vue, toutes les questions d'obtenir une réponse, tout cela prend parfois un peu. Il ya deux livres que vous pouvez obtenir de Tandy au Royaume-Uni. Ils sont un bon début pour comprendre comment la teinture et la couleur du cuir. http://www.tandyleatherfactory.co.uk/pc-75...ather-book.aspx http://www.tandyleatherfactory.co.uk/pc-72...ather-book.aspx Feibings a aussi un nouveau livre sur l'utilisation de leurs produits: http://www.fiebing.com/site/Viewer.aspx?ii...e&rpid=4539 Bonne chance, et n'oubliez pas de nous montrer vos progrès avec les images.

LOL..been there. When are your videos gonna be there?

Real nice job! That hair must have been a strain..yikes 4"! You might need a whole set of miniature fc tools made. 40,000? I hope you remember to outsource some of that work amongst your friends here...lol Yaks, Celtic mermaids...what's next? Yetis?

You are right. I think it would take Merlin's magic to pull that off. The customer is almost never right from my perspective...lol. I've gotten myself into trouble plenty in the past trying to do things people have asked me to do. Rarely do I make it work when the physics just aren't there. You could use soft leather, and sew a heavier piece on with the tooling. Using a somewhat heavier leather, you could do a hidden stitch (see Stohlman's Sewing book). But this takes a lot of practice to make the cut right. Break out the scrap box first if you want to try that.

Out of Pittsboro, here, too! Welcome to the Internet's greatest Forum!

Windows firewall is okay for a home user who doesn't understand the complexities of a real firewall. No other firewalls will not conflict, but act as added, and better prevention. I recommend Comodo. Others will have their own recs, I'm sure.

Johanna's advice is good. Take advantage of it. As far as a free virus program....I've been using AVAST. I used to use AVG, but new versions cost, and the old free one is hobbled. Avast runs updates on the base files, and the virus list. It has found things the old avg didn't (but that's the same with any virus program you use). You can't blame the kids necessarily nowadays....there are websites that you accidently visit, or are led to, that will infect just by visiting...use a router with firewall , good PC firewall, a virus protection, a malware protection, firefox (to ward against phishing), etc. Bundle Up!!! Use protection, and keep your USB stick in your pants...lol

Madmax, with good casing they stamp and carve just fine. They are NOT veggie carving leathers, but I do my belts with this stuff, and have good results, both stamping, and carving. The advantage is that when you use sides, the straps are too long for one belt...unless you cut the side down there's lots wasted. These are perfect size for most belt lengths. I rarely waste more than ten inches on. And that 10" usually becomes something else, bracelet, test swatch, etc. ricky, these are not Horse butt, although Zack's does carry that. I use the horse for my holsters...good stuff. You can only get two holsters (or one holster, and a couple mag cases) from them. These doublebutts are just the butt section of a cowhide doubled...30 sq ft was astounding to me. No need to worry about having enough...lol

I was at Zack Whites Saturday for a Sheridan Class given by Hides to Art. It was very good. They said they would write out a Topic about here on the Forum, so I'll leave it to them. All I know, is that I learned a lot, even though I got mad at myself for not doing better, but I was just learning, I suppose. I picked up some Barry King Sheridan bevelers, and Lifter. Man, are they slick... Today, I wanted to just mention something new that Tim has brought in. He's got these double butts he's having made up in a Mexican Tannery (one of the very newest and best). They are over 60" wide and long (avg 30 sq.ft). Just perfect for the strap maker. Clean, and nicely slicked backs. They are 8-9s. One problem is that one side is cut down to maybe 7oz for a few inches (maybe 6"). Tim said he's having the tannery make sure that doesn't happen on the next batch he has made. It doesn't bother me cause I'll use those few straps on my double layer gun belts. I cut a couple 1.5" straps from the bottom crossways for extra large belts, then cut up 12 1.5s, and 12 1.25s the regular way. I still have about twenty seven inches left, so probably get another 15 or so. I forget the price (somewhere in the 5$ plus range psf). That makes the individual blanks around $4 or so apiece. Now that's cost saving for me. Not trying to make this an AD, just thought it might be a good recommend for the forum. Make sure you tell him you learned about them from on this Forum. He's starting to see the good possibilities here, that should mean better for us in the long run.