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Nice color, abn. Looks like those dyes go nice and even on leather. Hellboy will be looking you up to be a customer. (Can't wait for Hellboy2)

Okay, here's my three cents... I was stuck, my supplier didn't have a chestnut bridle side. I needed it for two commissions due this weekend. I had to have Thursday at the latest in order to make them. I called around and either nobody had it, or couldn't get it to me quick without $100 in shipping. On Monday, I called Peter at Waterhouse and he didn't have it either, but he said give me 5 minutes. I did, he called back. He was having the Tannery drop ship it to me UPS within 2 days ground at regular shipping cost. Well, this morning I received 2 Chestnut Bridle sides. Unbelievable Customer Care! Not only that, but it was less money than I usually pay for these sides. Unbelievable, Again! Wait, Wait.... "How do you want me to pay for this Peter? Do I have to send you my Tax papers or anything?", I asked. "If you promise me, you'll send a check, I'll let it go like that", he said. Unbelievable!!!!!! I paid right then over the phone. He sent me a ring of samples. There's definitely a few I will try. And he has my business for bridle sides forever. They cut like butter, they were practically flawless, even the belly side was practically useful. Unbelievable!!! I miss Boston.

Good job Don! Geez they look like authentic old west straps.

As usual, thanks Art for sharing your machine knowledge. I'm no genius at machine sewing, but I kind of like the skeg on my 3000. I usually groove both sides for my stitching, and between the inside presser foot, and the skeg, the stitches are tight, and below the top of the leather. Things I have seen without this approach show wear on the stitches in very little time. They don't look as good either. I sew fairly slow, and the little groover skeg seems to keep the track in the groove. I do have problems at starts, and finishes, and around tight corners, but being careful and slow leaves little marking. Just my half penny...

You should be very proud of yourself. Saddle it up, and take it for a ride. Now get going on the next one....

I will let you know the progress Timbo. Randy, thanks for your suggestion. I'm aware of the video. I have made the Tandy ones before, but nothing "real". I just thought I would research the vast array of information right here, before I went to the other sources. I'm not sure there's a big enough chap business in my area to start spending too much . If there is a market, it's probably the $100 ones from china that anyone around here could afford.

Hey 267, glad to see your willing to jump into new things, just make sure you show 'em to us...lol The simplest start would be to cut out a 10.5 x 18 poster board template,or any similar dimensions that would actually hold a set of tools, and 2 short gusset sides with rain flaps, and go for it. Tandy has a simple biker pak with toolbags and such. Of course our own motorcycle section has a $10,000 course on bike stuff.

Thanks Timbo! That's exactly the kind of advice, I'm looking for. I think I'll use some old leather I've had for centuries to make the pattern mods as a test. It's only good for the dogs to chew on anyways...lol Nice site you have. I like the black nubuck.

Back in the 70s, The shells were my preferred belt strap. Believe it or not, but in those days $10 was a very expensive belt, which is what I charged for the shell belts. Generally people got $6-8 for cow. Boston had a "Leather District" and I had my choices of half a dozen suppliers. Seigel's and Berman's were the primaries. As you know, Seigel's is now in CA., and Berman's does only finished goods. The shells worked up just as easy as any moo moo butts, and I would not doubt that a few of those belts are still around after 40 years.

I've been asked to make a pair of western chaps. The only patterns I have are the Tandy ones. I've made a few of those over the years, but never liked them for their style or fit. I spoke with Bob, a very nice man, at Klenda's Saddlery, and have ordered a few of the new ones offered by him. I am excited about these, because, I don't get very many chances to build them, so I would like to do something worthwhile. #34 appeals to me. http://www.klendasaddlery.com/patterns.htm But, my customer would prefer a straight leg chap, without the bottom flare generally seen on the shotgun style. Does anyone have a paper pattern, pdf, or advice that would help me in this commission? When I actually get the patterns in hand, I'll be able to tell how modifiable they are, but Bob did warn that they are designed as a whole, and mods could throw the thing off. Anyways, thanks for any help in advance.

Thanks Tom! I love "How tos". This is one I file away.

It's hard getting the knack of it. One solution is taping the back first, this simply prevents the back from getting stained. As for the rest of the room...spread the Sunday paper around...lol I use a flat board with a cloth to wipe off most of the top gunk. Then when it's drier, I just use cloth in hand. Leather balm has always worked for me, but let the project dry overnight before applying any topcoat. If you don't need the color, and just want the design/carving to be accented, Hi-Liter works the best.

Okay, I'm impressed. The braiding looks perfect. The colors unique, and the tiny knifework in the letters works beautiful. Nothing I make is perfect. It's a good craftsman who can fix his own "mistakes". I don't use sheen. I switch between Leather Balm, snow proof or pecards, sometimes harness dressing.

Beautiful! The alligator just jumps it up to the excellent level. Can't figure the straplock system. 1st picture shows it off to the side, the other shows two crisscrossed. And where did you get that post!

I couldn't help myself... I kinda copied Drac's display racks for my belts. I've been using extended carpenter sawhorses for my belts at the flea market, but Drac's display looked so good, I had to try my hand at it. What a difference in display! 6 2x4s, and 2 pegboards later, here's what I got so far. I've got to add some closing latches, handles, wheels, lights, and other ideas, but with a couple of these I can display a lot of belts. And it looks a lot better. Thanks an awful lot for the idea Drac!

Just good lookin all over, even the retainer has the extra flair at the tip. Good job

Marlon, Zack's has these: http://www.eleatherworks.com/home.php?cat=798 I just realized you meant real round not oval.. I did a google for "round buckle blanks", and a lot came up, but i couldn't find inexpensive...mostly $ and up. A lot of stained glass people were selling them for fused glass makers. try lookin thru the google better than i did, you should find some. I did find some nice ones in pewter, copper, etc.

You use simple tools, simple techniques, and it just comes out beautiful. Way kewl.

Nice job Jordan. Sometimes we all have to do something for ourselves. Nice looking Axe too. Can't see the Name. What kind is it. (PS: I would lace that buckle up, looks like a dinger to me.)

Looks like the time away has been good for your skills. Damn fine looking wallet! I need a finer machine than my 3000 to do that work. Too much trouble switching out threads and tension, etc. Got to get me something. What are you using lately?

Geez, that's terrific!! I'm sure there's going to more of them. Your work just cries out to be photographed...

For the hands, I would take up braiding. It's a skill long lost to me, and time to perfect it, would be valuable to me. For the mind and business, I would develop, gather, schlep together all the patterns I could possibly put together. Without them, the most skilled leatherworker is trying to fight with one arm behind their back. I avoided open heart somehow, after my MI, but the old man had it, He shows the scars proudly, and with a laugh. Godspeed.

Just googling around, there's quite a few samples of holsters for matchlock, and flintlock pistols. I seem to remember a tandy type pattern pack for frontiersmen that had something like that, but I can't find it anywhere (must just be oldtimers disease) I did find this holster for sale, and it seemed very easy to capture. Plus, this is a site I haven't visited before, but I liked it. http://possibleshop.com/pistol-holster.htm

I LOVE that carving!! Just so elegant. Great job Crystal.

Nice job. Geez, that looks like it belongs in the 17th century.