Hidemechanic

Darc had my idea, I haven't done it but didn't know why a drill press wouldn't work. Wasn't even thinking of using the motor, just pull the handle and punch the hole. I bet harbour freight or someone like that has the chineze modles cheep. As for mechine shops, don't know too many that toss their old d-presses, they can rebuild them. If you did get one , one of the things worn would be the main shaft bushings which would cause mis-allingment, but it may not effect punching. I guess I'd rather have one that is in good shape so I could rig it for a drum sander as well as a drill and punch press. But hey, if I can get something for next to nothing and make it work, I'll do it.LOL GH P.S. I use the single punches from C.S.Oz.(30+yrs.) Always wanted to try their rotary but never found a good deal. Hey, another idea came to me for those that need quiet. You could rig a leaver system from pipe or wood(whatever). Even a reloading press could be modified. My sympathies to those who live so close to neighbors. I've been there and hope never to again. GH

In most saddle shops I've seen 6"ers. I know a guy with 15" motor drive, but the issuue with all of them is keeping the knife sharp. I suggest getting the paper wheel sharpening outfit and learn to use it correctly. I've gotten hard hides that are hard on the edge. I have an older Landis crank, I traded out of one of those relics Bruce mentioned(American). I'm not sure I made the best deal but the Landis has done well for me. My first was a pull type Randle that I never got the hang of, probably before I know how to sharpen the knives. Hope this helps.GH

Thanks Bill,those are like a big Chicago screws, I forget what they call them but I think Ohio TB has them. I'm sure someone here can be more specific. I got them in a bunch of hareware I baught. Think I've used them on bronk halters too.GH

Good idea Bob, it's always better to be able to things in the works. There are also verious types of book and binder projects in saddlers and leathercrafters journal. I have some copies, I need to check to see if they have those articles. GH

Thanks r, those are actually a crude design but the guys like em cause they can cram a lot of stuff in them and not have to bring a pack horse along. Here's the other view of them. Also the smaller typical bags. And some HD style bags. GH

The first is an early style loop rig, pics suck cuz they are pics of pics. The small spots are the 'parachute' type, washed out fro pic degrade. The second is a swivle set up for a mule rider that want some flexability in and out of the saddle. I re-enforced the area of the swivle a few inches in each direction with rawhide. I've similar re-enforcement with kydex. Both are shapeable but kydex is not effected by moisture.GH

Don't remember where I saw it or who did it but there was an holster with a knife incorporated with it. I did a hunting rig for a guy tears back and just found the pics.GH

There are so many different styles of weapons that it's hard to use a pat in a genaric sence unless you're doing commercial contract type work. You wind up making your own. Once you do a couple you get it down and you make alterations as you go. Next thing you know you're a patern maker. Randy's idea is a good one, using the spine of the folder to maintain the center of the baral. I used to run into trouble, when I didn't pay attention to the center line when I fold the front to mate with the back and I'd wind up with a twist. If you do what I did you'll know what I'm talking about. The old addage, measure twice cut once. I measure a lot before I cut. Good luck. GH

Let's try these.

having trouble with pics again, I'll get to it later. GH

Here's some more pics of an expirament gone wrong. This is one that I mis measured. With the ring binder in place the note book stuck out too far to close the cover. The expirament was the celtic carving, I wanted to see how it would look in leather as it was mostly done in stone in the early days. The ring binder is not in it cause I put it in a different cover.The slot in the left inside pannel is to slip the back of a note pad or reciept book into. binder_1.bmp binder_1.bmp

We were talking about this in the "Show Offs" section, thought we'de pick it up here so other MCers could get in on it. rdb helped me get my pics going on here so I could show what I was talking about with a 'weather flap' for some bags, as an option. The pic shows a bickle and billit used as a stabilizer for the flaps and bag top. One can also use a gromet in the end of each flap and a thong to tie between them.GH

You don't see them going down the road cause some guy's butt is on it...Haaaa! Besides, if you do see one going down the road yer tooo close. I kill mesef..

1st ? what does sweety want to put in the binder? I 'm sure others may know a sourse for plans for making binders. Not sure what I used to do my first one years ago. I do have some pics depending how extravagnt you want to get. The simple ones you basically get the dementions you want for the item you want to cover. When closed you want to measure from the point that the pages attach at the ring, as the ring adds to the distance from the back of the spine to the outer edge of the page. I lay this all out on card stock first just make sure everything is working out. You want to measure the width of your ring and add a bit so the front and back cover don't leave ware marks on the inside from the rings. You want to find where you want your bends to be.Depending on the thickness of the leather you use you will probably want to use a gouge to make relief cuts for the bends. Decide it you are going to line the inside that will add a few more steps. As for attaching the binder, (you want to get a good quality one or it will fall apart on you pretty quicky) there is a special rivit you usually need to use or the rings won't hold right. You might be able to get a sample set of binder and rivits from Ohio Travel Bag but they normally sell that stuff in quantity. Someone else here may have ideas. As for the western theme, only your imagination will hold you back. I lost the picks of my last one but the front I tooled the well known circle with three Arabian horse heads. On the back I tooled a picture of the customer's Arab stalion head on an inside pocket I tooled a siloette of her stallion rearing on a masa. Did a bead and border stamp. The inside had card holders a clipboard clip for legal pad, a pocket for loose papers and pouch for glasses and whatnots and a couple pen loops on the spine, with a zippered closure. This lady sells adds for a country news paper she publishes and uses this for taking orders.This one didn't have a binder. The big one(circle 5) in the pics was for a contractor's business binder. Nowa days you'd add a pocket for a PDA or such. Hope this gives you some ideas. Sorry, forgot to resize the first one. GH

One of my jacket alterations. This guy was tiered of his chack hanging out when he grabbed his handle bars. He's a big boy, when I tried on the jacket it came just below my knees, I'm 5'10", Problem solved. GH

Beez, thanks for the convert, I'm trying to get this figured out but I'm dealing with a windows vista which I was told I would like and I hate it. As for posting on this subject i wonder if we should move to the MC thread to continue?GH

2nd try 01_20_2008_10_09_41AM.bmp 01_20_2008_10_10_49AM.bmp 01_20_2008_10_09_41AM.bmp 01_20_2008_10_10_49AM.bmp

That's not what I had in mind!!

These aren't exactly on subject, but i'm trying to post pics. These are some of the butt ugliest bags I had done but it was what the guy wanted. It was a matching set for him and his wife(both bikes) they said they road to Baja and worked great as suit cases. Were able to pull them off and bring them in motels when they stayed in them. If the pics turn out you can see how the slots held the straps in place. They have weather flaps, as well as the boxed front on the lids.GH Suzuki_Bag_2.bmp 01_20_2008_10_10_49AM.bmp Suzuki_Bag_2.bmp 01_20_2008_10_10_49AM.bmp

rdb, mind if I PM you?GH

Well, I'm tryin. I just found my old photo album. I'm trying to scan to the pc, then figure out how to post. I might get it today. Snowing outside, so I'm staying inside. Shoulda taken my bike out yesterday, it was 56*, dang!!GH

Where the extended gusset folds inside the bag at the top, what I call a weather flap. Is that what didn't make sence?GH

rdb, I also forgot to mention that I like your weather flaps. I use those a lot on saddle bags, I add a grommet near the end of the flap and tie a thong on it so it will keep things in shape while in transit. I also will stich a billit and buckle in place of the grommet and thong, depends on how fancy the bag is.GH

I got a cam for my son for xmas and we haven't got it set up yet. He's out of town, I should do that.Frnkly I've been quite frustrated lately because I hade alll of my work from the past 5-6 years deleted and haven't found the right person to help me retreave them. Pounding things down that need 'blending', I use a smooth round face hammer for those who may not know. With bags and other projects you get real creative as to what to use for an anvil or a backer while tapping down stiching. You will also learn that different things take different presure. On flat stiched objcts, say a belt loop for a holster of sheath(prior to stiching the body) you can pound pretty good on them. However if you are using a hammer around the seem of a gusset on a bag you want to be careful not to nick the edge with the edge of the hammer. Same with tapping around any folded leather as we all know, a whack to a fold can crack the grain side. Always best to start out light and add as needed. Sure makes things look well finished and fitted.GH

Frog, I agree about thr closeness of the holes. Try a practice piece(or two or three), make the holes about a 1/2 hole width apart, then maybe try a bit wider. Get the feel for how your type of braid likes to 'lay' depending on the distance between holes. This distance looks like you could have added one more weave to fill in the extra space given the hole spacing. I don't have a problem at all with the contrasting color, I think the light color lace frames the image. Good job, man.