rdb

Good! I'm glad to have helped. You can all just send me a signed key fob for my collection....lol

Something for your Sunday browsing pleasures. I was just wondering about finding people's websites, and couldn't figure out how to put them all in one place, so a lot of cut and pastes later...here they are. These are taken directly from our personal statements of people with more than 1 posting. If they are in a comment somewhere, I didn't search that deep. If your sites aren't listed, or I goofed up somewhere, or the sites are broken, please add your sites or corrections in the comments, and update your profiles for future reference. Johanna, If for some strange reason this isn't kosher, slam the "Easy Button" and delete. beaverslayer - http://www.beaverslayer.com/ tina - http://www.absolutekinky.com/ leatheroo - http://leatheroomasks.googlepages.com/home wolvenstein - http://website.ubuilder.com/mikekahle/ drac - http://www.myspace.com/mollysbydrac jordan - http://mtpocketsspace.spaces.live.com/ clayb - http://clayb.dotphoto.com/CPListAlbums.asp beezachoppa - http://www.muthacountrychoppers.com/ rdb - http://www.rockyriverleather.com/ david - http://theobaldleather.com/ regis - http://www.e-regis.com/ kevin king - http://www.choppersaddles.com/ tazzman - http://www.nightowlleather.com/ freak - http://www.myspace.com/freakeaux abn - http://abnleather.blogspot.com/ David Genadek - http://aboutthehorse.com/ BOOMSTICKHolsters - http://www.boomstickholsters.com/ steveb - http://www.steveb.biz/ HorsehairBraider- http://www.beautiful-horses.com/ wildrose - http://home.att.net/~wildrosecreations/ larryb - http://www.larrysleatherwork.com/ Randy Cornelius - http://www.cornelius-saddlery.com/ Banwell - http://www.tombanwell.com/ Hedge - http://myimaginarium.com/ rayban - http://rgleather.freehomepage.com/ shirleyz - http://www.badassseats.com/ dbarleather - http://www.dbarleather.com/ kseidel - http://www.seidelsaddlery.com/ srigs - http://www.sideguardholsters.com/ ryan - http://fisherleather.com/ TCLeathercraft - http://www.tcleathercraft.com/ steve mason - http://www.stevemasonsaddles.com/ cecil - http://www.att.net/p/s/community.dll?ep=16...=367953&ck= Rod and Denise Nikkel - http://www3.telus.net/nikkelsaddletrees ericluther - http://www.ericluther.com/ jwwright - http://www.jerrywrighthorses.com/ gremlin - http://www.gremsgear.com/ thewildirishrose - http://www.thewildirishrose.com/ romey - http://www.highcountryknives.com/ Tangent Creations - http://www.tangentcreations.net/ mike - http://www.pmrleather.com/ mulefool - http://www.horseandmulegear.com/ the major - http://www.majorproductions.us/ AlcoveShop - http://www.alcoveleather.com/ mikeymoto - http://mikeymotoleather.com/ clay - http://www.millercustomleather.com/ Opagon - http://www.opagonfarm.com/ kimberangel - http://www.flickr.com/photos/kimberangel/ manfrommuc - http://www.harleyluja.de/ badLoveLeather - http://www.badloveleather.com/ dink - http://www.prorodeooriginals.com/ okiwen - http://orrleather.com/ unicornwoman - http://www.unicornwoman.com/ JustWakinUp - http://anarchyleather.com/ JohnsCustomLeather - http://www.jclleather.com/ ChaChi - http://www.leatherworxbychachi.com/ Leerwerker - http://www.leatherbyjohan.com/ daviD A Morris - http://www.davidamorris.com/ AndyKnight - http://www.knightssaddlery.com/ sawyer - http://www.sawyersmotorcycleshop.com/ stelmackr - http://www.pslac.org/ CollinsMS - http://www.theleathercraftsman.com/ russ - http://www.m2saddlery.com/ pauly - http://www.myspace.com/thepauly ladyj - http://www.ladyjlivestock.com/ adamant-leather - http://www.adamant-leather.de/ SadEyes - http://www.myspace.com/holdingontohope leathernut - http://www.hellbentcustomseats.com/ jld - http://www.horsemansshop.com.au/ raftert - http://www.woodssaddleryandtack.com/ timjtodd - http://www.timjtodd.com/ victor - http://www.snakewhip.com/ Xothique - http://www.xothique.com/ JohnBarton - http://www.jbcases.com/ dale - http://www.moonlightartstudio.com/ waddy - http://www.pistolriverleather.com/ canuck - http://www.rkilts.com/ elad - http://www.eladsleather.com/ DelNeroDesigns - http://www.ramonaequine.net/ rwclark - http://www.arizonagunleather.com/ go2tex - http://www.brents-saddles.com/ bevo - http://www.fancifuldelights.shutterfly.com/ onsite tack - http://www.onsitetack.com/ chitin - http://www.nicholasleather.com/ anvilcustoms - http://www.anvilcustoms.com/ hiloboy - http://www.picturetrail.com/linecutter JREIndustries - http://www.jreindustries.com/ eldros - http://www.dungeonlife.com/ ziozeb -http://www.denismura.com/ deadringer - http://www.deadringer.com.au/ WillGhormley - http://www.willghormley-maker.com/ elktracks - http://www.elktracks.net/ TimberWolf - http://www.timberwolfleather.com/ HellcatLeathers - http://www.hellcatleathers.com/ BruceGibson - http://www.gibsonprorodeo.com/ phil - http://www.footsolutions.com/greenwood SojournerLeather - http://www.sojournerleather.com/ orange - http://www.betertack.com/ DennisLane - http://www.dennislane.com.au/ randyandclaudia - http://www.randyandclaudia.com/ DuaneBallard - http://www.dbcustomleather.com/ gordonA - http://www.sagecreeksaddles.com/ artisan - http://www.artisansew.com/

Thanx Ian! Only 500 more, and I might know what I'm doing.....lol

I wouldn't worry about it at all. It really doesn't affect the strength or durability, it's just a visual thing. And like I said, it could fit the look overall. Hey, for that matter, it's a plus...it's a natural piece of hide.

What you have is a bad piece of leather, probably cut from the belly side, or just not done at a good tannery. It happens sometimes, and you have to make the best of it. Saddle soap and burnishing might slick down a medium roughness, but I doubt that shaggy back will take that well. I would suggest swabbing some gum tragacanth, letting it set up 10 minutes or so, and then slick it down with a flat bone folder or some such. Others may have better suggestions, but that's a general fix. It looks like it's gonna be a sharp belt, and the shaggy might just go with the look, so maybe do nothing.

Thanx beeza and luke. It means a lot coming from you guys. She actually wanted the bags to match her seat, and when she saw the natural toolbag aways back, she thought they matched good enough. I actually tried matching to the corbin seat, but couldn't come up with that caramel color, so they stayed natural.

Thanx K-man. Nice bike and bags there. No pattern, man. Just fitted the bag to the lights and shocks angle, and made a 6" gusset. Like I said, my front angle is ok, but the back angle was to severe. It made it hard, had to have 3 arms to do it, and I only got 2...lol

First I want a big Thank You to our fellow forum member Ian. When I first saw his work I was quite impressed, and sent him a PM with a few questions. He responded quickly, and with tons more info than I had asked for. In essence he sent me the tutorial he posted, early. I really appreciate his effort. I have been commissioned to make a pair of saddlebags, a tool bag, and a luggage rack bag, by a lady rider with a Dyna. She had seen my version of a toolbag at the Motorrcycle shop (I had posted the bag here on the forum), and she liked it enough to hire me. Hey, I'm an old guy, the only saddlebags I ever made were the "tandy type". In the 70s that's what they wanted. Now is completely different. It's an art form, I'm not familiar with...lol. So, armed with Ian's info, I plunged in.... 11 oz skirting leather, neoprene back ( my rubber/abs samples didn't come soon enough, had to use what I could get). saddlesoaped, and sno-pruffed. SS spots. I'm still getting used to the toro 3000, so the sewing ain't that great, but it's definitely stitched together. I made the corners too tight...next time a little rounder for easier stitching. I'm waiting for the EZ brackets, and light extension kit, then I'll install. I have no idea what shape the luggage rack bag will look like.

That's exactly how it's supposed to look!...Good job.

Nice job Tom! All the little touches add up big time.

Here's how I do it. I measure the buckle end in 3 1/2". That's the center of the buckle slot. From the center of the buckle slot, I measure down the size, as Jordan described...from the tang tip to the center hole. Then I punch two holes either side of that, 1" apart.. From the first hole closest to the belt tip, I measure 3 1/2" to cut the belt. Some people make that 4". So, the total length of say, a 36" size would be: 36" +3 1/2" + 5 1/2" = 45" or 45 1/2".

ruff out is especially useful for pocket holsters.. ..helps keep it stick in the pocket.

Welcome chinkmaker!. Can't wait to see all the pics. Hopefully you'll include tips and tricks...We all like to learn things.

You just keep getting better and better. Great job! Nevermind what color he wants...take the green....lol

The bridle is excellent, both sides and double butts/bends. The butts have a classy factory finish, and burnish up nice, even take a stamp for edges pretty good. The bridles sides I like a lot. I've managed some 8' reins out of them, and some nice belts for Big and Tall men. Both feel like leather is supposed to, and considering the price compared to sedgewick, unbeatable for most applications. Last time I think it was in the $8 something range for me. I haven't bought any chrome tan, but the other stuff I have bought, the picking through I did, wasn't too hard. He doesn't really mark the stuff on the shelf, so I can't tell the actual grading, but if it's tannery run, it's a good tannery. I bought a piece of 11oz skirting last week that worked up nice for some saddlebags I'm making. All in all, so far, the stuff has been pretty good for me. I don't know about high end saddlework, but for us working stiffs it's better than I've bought elsewhere. Like everywhere else don't go buying from a pallette that's running low. It's been picked through too well. Just ask him when new deliveries are due. There have been times I've bought when his stock was low, I wasn't happy. But it forced me to pick through things, and I have found some gems, like the last full hide of horseleather he had left over from some run he bought that had been cooked up for Harley's motorcycle chaps, NICE hunk of leather. The best advice on this board so far is always CALL, don't just mail/internet order. The ladies are nice, and the kids are helpful, but TIM is the one who knows stuff. I'm sure you can ask for samples, just like any good place. Within a week, I'll probably go up there, so if anyone wants me to check something specific, just PM me the numbers..be glad to do it for ya. DON'T FORGET TO MENTION THIS FORUM! He's aware of us.....

They look great. Try experimenting with feibing's "Dye Prep". Spraying works best. The leather takes the color better, more even, and I think truer.

It's thickerer... Zack's is about 1/2 hr away from me. Considering that I began this work up again, and the fact that just about all the other suppliers on the East Coast are out of business or moved to the west coast, I thank my lucky stars the place exists. Anything that keeps them in business, makes my life easier. I am amazed that they carry the varied product line that they do. It's just a metal building in a tiny little rural town. I have a NC state tax #, so I get the business discount on everything. I save at least those percentages you are talking about.....

Some will say do not do the surgery. Some will say do it. My sister had it done, and has her hand almost all the way back. Each person's outcome is different. As a side not, for quick relief, sometimes the old fashioned remedies can work. Whenever we had things like that in the old days, we resorted to Epsom Salt soaks. Temporary mind you, but relief none the less.

That hugs real good Jordan. Great job.

Well, this is my messy shop. I only get half of the 500 sq, ft, the wife uses the other for her fused glass. My half is still mostly woodwork/carpentry tools which, i have to build a new shed for, before I can really fix the shop up for leather.

The one called Reliable, i believe it's a Feibings product. It works real good for me... I dye my edges, then burnish, if I'm not waxing the edge with beeswax, I use old Reliable...fills in the little dips and things quite nicely, two coats will fill in a pothole...lol then you burnish that stuff..shines up nice. It has wax in it. I've not tried the Zack's stuff, but he has his on line of wholesale belts he uses it on, and that looks good too, but can't tell you from my experience, Next time I'm there I'll ask him for a small bottle to try.

Nothing to do now except mix up a marguerita, flip on some Buffet, and walk along the beach....good job Jordan.

That's about as good as it gets there Ian!. The hardware on it makes it look really sharp. Wicked awesome.

If that don't win, the judges are blind.

heh, heh...just showin', I'm paying attention.