AllanD

Thank you all. A lot of good tips and ideas. I will give them a try and see what works well for me. Thanks for your time.

Thank you for the reply. I tried weld wood because I had it and have used it for many other things for years. Always ended up with a small dark line between the leather layers. Tried Barges and have had the same issue. Maybe I'm not letting it dry enough because I get a little blob of squeeze out sometimes. Sanding hasn't worked because the glue impregnated leather is harder than the remaining leather. Thanks for your answers. I'm going to try a couple of things you mentioned and figure out a better way. I appreciate your help, thanks.

I use glue to hold pieces together for stitching, which is usually along an edge. I have tried a couple of different contact cements that stores have recommended. I have watched many videos and folks put the glue right along the edge. When I press the two pieces of leather together, I get a little squeeze out and it is impossible to clean off and get a nice burnish on the edge. The glue residue leaves a little dark hard spot that won't burnish well.I tried an eraser like Rusty recommends, tried sanding it down, and tried everything else I can think of. I tried stitching without glue and that was a mess. It seems any glue may leave some residue, but many of the videos I have watched, no one seems to have any problem like this They glue over the edge onto their backing sheet and still seem to burnish nicely. I would appreciate and suggestions on glue or what I am doing wrong or should be doing. Thank you.

Go to the first post on this subject where Jim so kindly posted this help for all of us. Click on the highlighted link Dress Belts.jpg and it will download. Thank you again Jim.

I struggled with this same issue on pet collars. I recalled a dozen collars from my first sale because I hadn't tested them with moisture. I have tried several dyes and sealers. They help, but still bleed. I switched to Tandy's Professional Waterstain, and after it dries completely, it does not bleed off. I wet it and rub enough to loosen the fuzz on the back and still no dye bleeding. These have worked well for me on the front also and are what I most of the time.

Thank you for sharing this Gary.

Slow Learner, I purchased the Gold Star press about the time you posted your question about rivet dies. I don't use a lot of rivets, but wasn't satisfied with setting them by hand. I don't remember which die came with my press, but I ended up having to buy another size to fit small to large rivets. I then had a 8mm die and a 9mm die. Recently I posted a question on solid brass hardware on this forum and with the excellent information I received, I have upgraded to solid brass rivets (from Tandy). They need a 10 mm die, so I bought one. Twenty bucks a pop is reasonable for me to install these correctly. I have wasted more than that in leather and the time I put into a project. So far they all work well. I don't have any ghost rings from the anvil or setter if not all lines up well.

Thank you all very much for the help you have offered. Some of the information was helpful to confirm what I suspected, being a graduate of the school of hard knocks and learning most things the harder way. Other parts were new to me and very interesting. All of it was excellent information that I appreciate you sharing. I also appreciate your time and suggestions. I want to be proud of my finished product and you folks are helping me get there. Thank you again.

Thank you for the video and pattern. Very through with the details and instructions.

I want to make products with quality hardware that will be strong and nice looking. I have seen ads where solid brass was touted as being of superior quality. Is a solid brass snap hook or ring stronger than a similar one made of steel and having a brass or nickel plate. Brass does look nice, but strength of the items is more important. Has anyone done any trials on different metals or have metallurgy experience that might give me some insight? I will be using these on pet collars. Thanks!

Not everything you read on the internet is true.--Abraham Lincoln

Thank you for the pattern and chart Jim. I'm making a variety of dog collars for a local pet store and I confuse myself with the different lengths and hole placement. I have made patterns by width, but doesn't always work like I want. I need to make a chart like you did and get my work more uniform. Thank you again, this is much appreciated.

I use to use Tandy's large eye needle for stitching to make it easier to thread. I had a couple break at the eye because they were so difficult to get through the leather. I think the pressure of the leather around the awl hole was too much for the steel of the needle. I changed to normal needles. They go through the hole easier, or seem to anyway. Threading them wasn't as difficult as I thought it would be.

I have used pig on a couple of clutch purses and it handled and glued well, but I didn't like it. It didn't match the primary side well. Too different for my taste. I have just changed to using 2 oz veg tan and finish similar to the front or soon to be tried in a contrast. I like it's more natural similar look.

Thanks for your help. I had already dismissed the gloves as I only had one on and the reaction was both hands. I'm rethinking that now after your suggestions as I recently changed brands of gloves. But thinking about it, whatever I get on one hand will probably find it's way to the other quickly. Thanks for your time and knowledge.

I have not been happy yet with brown dyes and still experimenting. Last Friday I bought some Eco Flow Hi Lighter in saddle tan. That evening,I used a plastic glove one hand with cotton applicator and let it soak in for a few minutes. I held it down with an ungloved hand and buffed it out. Later that evening, both my hands started itching enough to disturb my sleep. I did get a little on the ungloved hand, but probable less than 1 square inch total as I held the scrap for buffing.The next day the itching continued on my hands and moved to several other places and I had red welts in several places. I think it was an allergic reaction to something, which may or may not have been the dye. I ended up taking allergy meds which helped, but it wasn't until Wednesday, that I could drop the meds. I have never had a problem like this. I was hoping the water based things would be safer. I couldn't find anything using the search feature. Has anyone else experienced a reaction to dyes or stains? Thanks!

I have tried using tape to hold a pattern on leather, but I often get a residue left on the leather. I've tried scotch tape, magic tape, blue and green masking tape but always have something left on the leather. I've tried folding the pattern over the edge and taping on the flesh side and that has left the back side with a little leather or at least some fibers. Holding it down with my other hand sometime works well, but sometimes, especially as I learn, a little tape would be helpful. Is there a special leather tape I haven't heard of yet? Thanks!

Gump, I didn't think of it the wings being different lengths. I had thought of them not being the same angle off center. I will take another look at this. Thanks. And thank-you to all who contributed. I learned from each of you.

Very nice Tony. Basketweave stamping is what got me excited about leatherworking. I hope I learn to do as well as you.

Thanks for the replies. I'm using straps I cut just a little under 1.25". The punch is for this size and the wings extend past the leather about 1/16" each. When I tried a speed square on the wing ends, it results in the point is not being centered on the strap. It's like the angles of the wings are off center line a different amount and sweep back a different amount. If I center the point and try to line up the end edge of each wing, it varies a little each time and the results are not consistant. I wouldn't mind putting out the money for a good punch, but I thought $28.00 wholesale should have bought good quality. I'm still learning. I'm trying to not become an 1 1/4" strap end punch collector. Perhaps I'm being to critical of my work, but I need satisfy myself first. I'm thinking that perhaps I should get a layout I'm happy with and make a template from it and either use it to position the punch or cut by hand. Brother Dwight's idea of a sander could take care of any tiny imperfections. Thank you all.

I'm trying to make something that will have six strap ends and I need to make them consistently the same so each will line up the same no matter which way they are oriented.. I want the “point” centered and the sides cut similar lengths. I like the English style. To start, I bought an $8.00 cheap one on ebay and, as expected, I got the quality I paid for. I wanted to try this project before I dropped too much money in it and it served its purpose. I will be going further with this now and recently bought a better quality punch, or so I thought. I spent $28.00 thinking it would be better. It was from a good retail store and online seller. He offered to replace it, but I wonder if the replacement will be any better. I don't want to be trading punches back and forth. The more money punch looks nicer and has paint on it, but the center doesn’t center when I square up the ends and the ends won’t line up when I center the point. By the ends not lining up I mean they each cut back a different distance. It is no better than the $8.00 one from ebay. Are these just poor qualities or am I expecting too much in a strap end punch? Are they all like this? Would I have better luck with a different style of punch? Thanks

Thank you for the welcomes. Bruce, I am a little south of you in Coarsegold. I've visited your site a couple of times and enjoyed the older tools you offer. As I get further into this, I hope to be adding quality tools to my line up. I'm still learning what I need and what to do with it. Happy Fathers Day to all fathers out there.

Hello! I'm new working with leather and I am amazed at what people can do with tools, imagination and their skills. I'm enjoying creating small things as I learn to cut, stamp, dye, edge finish, etc. It very similar to woodworking but a very different medium. I have lots of ideas of things I would like to make, so you may well be hearing from me as time goes by. You experienced folks that help us new ones out are a real blessing to us. Thank you for everything so far.