DJ1935

Thank you, Dirtclod, that was most interesting. Boy, that guy has been turning those inside out for a while - bet he does it in his sleep! You are right it looks like they warm them first. Of course it is nice new leather too which helps. I'll have a go with this old one and (fingers crossed) see what happens. DJ

Oh, dont you just love it when someone turns up to the shop at 5 oclock on a Friday afternoon with one of those "can you do anything with this"? jobs! "This" is a leather rugby or football on which the stitching has gone in one seam. It was originally stitched inside out and, presumably, turned right side through the hole which the bladder goes into. Has anyone done one of these? Would I be right in thinking that the ball would have to be wet to turn it? (fingers crossed that it doesnt disintergrate in the process). This aint going to be easy! Kind of like putting a V8 in a Mini Cooper.

I have been asked to make a costume holster for the 'Alice' character in the film 'Resident Evil Afterlife'. Has anyone here made one and/or got the pattern or measurements? Thanks DJ

Thank you, Chief. I was aware that they only sell through Springfield Leather in the USA, however I am in New Zealand (just across the ditch) and have always dealt direct with them as it is easier, cheaper and quicker. I've done a bit of investigating and found that their domain name was due for repayment at the beginning of October which may explain why the website has disapeared. DJ

Have been searching for Chaylor Fenneli on the net but their website seems to have disapeared. Have they changed their name?

I've used a brass hammer on all my riveting (copper and rapid rivets) and setting tools every day for the last six years. Never had any trouble with burring the tool heads. Eventually the ends of the hammer get burred then the head is removed and spun in the lathe. Due to the weight of the head I wouldnt use it for stamping as it would probably send the stamp clean through the leather but it definately wouldnt burr the tool ends. DJ

Sadly I have just learnt of the passing of a great friend and talented Saddler from Tasmania. I "found" Tony here on the Leatherworkernet some years ago and he became a good friend although we never actually spoke to each other. He helped me through all sorts of leather problems and sent me patterns and lots of patience guidence. I dont think a day went by when Tony hadnt logged on to the Leatherworkernet - he loved to see what everyone was doing and making. The leather world will be much poorer for the passing of a great man. Farewell TONYC1 My condolences to family and friends. Donna

Hi, thank you. Currently the chair is in the 'development' stage. I dont have any photos but can tell you it has an oval shaped wooden side frame - bit like a rocking chair - with bars running across top, centre and bottom. The chairs will come to our shop made up -ie glued and dowelled together. They wont be able to be pulled apart. The weave will be in 2 inch strips of leather running top to bottom then interwoven left to right. Hope this makes sense? DJ

Can anyone help with this problem? I have a customer wanting some wooden framed chairs covered with woven leather. Problem is he doesnt want to see any fixing of the leather on the back of the chair - no visible nails, tacks etc. Ok, I can fix one side to the front of the wood and wrap the leather over it to the other side but how does one fix that side - bearing in mind you have to keep the leather strap tight as well? Any assistance would be greatly appreciated, thanks. DJ

Hi Tinneal What type of ammo pouch are you making? Is it the British "picket fence" type? I dont have the book so am in the dark. Thanks Donna

I spent about four hours designing and making up some prototype credit card wallets before I got it looking how I though it should look. Then I got out the "good" leather and cut out the bits for my "promotional" piece. Halfway through the glueing process - and I still have no idea how it happened - the pint of rubber glue on the bench tipped over liberally covering, not only my "good" pieces of wallet but the prototypes, tools, anvil, a heap of scrap leather and most of the bench and the window behind. Those of you familar with rubber glue will know that despite it being "water based" when water is applied to it the glue sets almost immediately into a rubbery, sticky mess. I managed to lift the top working cover of my bench and get it outside to hose most of the mess off. By this time my tools, leather and papers were stuck to the bench top in a puddle of rubber. I gave up, muttering under my breath I shut up shop and went home. Next day, after a couple of hours of stacking firewood, I had built up the intestinal fortitude to face the mess and found I had a real clean bench top and a pile of sticky deer skin. An hour or so to clean up and everything was back to "normal" Now, back to those card wallets...............................

We use beeswax in our leather dressing and melt it, outside on the gravel, in a double boiler over a gas burner. The only hazzard we have come across is the huge numbers of honey bees which come around as soon as the wax gets warm. I believe this is something they do because they think the hive is on fire. Rather than arm waving and generally panicking as is usual when a horde of bees descends on one, we now offer some sugar on a plastic lid and this keeps the bees happy until we get our dressing done. DJ

Gold coloured hardware isnt just for "old" people. I sell heaps of belts in several different shops as well as at shows. The belts with plain, solid brass buckles outsell anything else. Of all the bags, cases etc I have made in the last five years not one of them has had chrome fittings - our customers always ask for brass. Generally our clients are in the 20-30yr age group but some teenagers are starting to get "into" leather now and they still want the brass look. DJ

Thank you for sharing that, Bob. Just what I was looking for and very much appreciated. DJ

Check the thread path of your machine for any sharp or rough edges. You might need to gently smooth these areas with a jewellers file.

Thank you CW, I can understand what you are getting at. How long is the ear part minus the return over the head piece? ie from the front edge of the head piece to the opposite side?

I have a customer wanting a one ear bridle with the sliding type "ear". I have only ever made the fixed ear type of headstalls. Can someone tell me the if the "ear" is cut in a strip and then wet bent into shape or cut out of the leather in a round? A pattern or dimensions would be appreciated. Thanks DJ

Triple C Leather in Morgantown, Kentucky?

Hi Texas Lady I am always scavaging bones from our local butcher. Bone makes great tools, depending on the bone shape. You can make brillant burnishers and molding tools from ribs and the top end of shoulder blades make good scrapers. Your only mistake was boiling the bone to get the meat off. This weakens the bone and causes it to splinter - not ideal for leather or your hands! You should bury the bone in the dirt, preferably near an ants nest, or leave it on a roof in the sun to bleach - you may have to tie the bone with a string to stop something "borrowing" it. I have a friend who has an entire horse skeleton on his roof waiting for the bone to bleach - must get some odd looks from passersby! DJ

We have them. As soon as a rivet, stud or other small, shiny object is dropped on the floor the Fairies grab it and it's gone. They are so quick you never see them but they are lurking there waiting their chance. Their close relatives, the Bench Fairies, come out at night and take any small, shiny item from the bench - never to be seen again. I suspect these Fairies also interfere with machinery, as any sewing machine left working perfectly at 5pm will sew like a hairy goat the following morning. They seem to be harmless but can be very frustrating. I've tried blocking up the space under the bench with timber but this hasnt been much of a deterrent and the small articles I drop still disapear in the blink of an eye. Their taste for bits and pieces isnt limited just to leather hardware either. Just today I heard my Husband muttering as he grovelled on his hands and knees, peering under his engineering bench..............................! DJ

Where do I go for metal coloured beads as used on bridles, headcollars and reins - the type that thread onto bowden cable? Thanks DJ

Thank you, everyone. It is good to get feedback from others involved in leatherwork. The client has a small Brewing Company in the South Island of New Zealand. Best wishes DJ

My clients brief was that they wanted an authentic looking "antique" Gun Case to carry and display their range of beers. After much head scratching, a trip to a Joiner friend and a lot of searching for brass hardware here it is. Probably one of the most difficult challenges I've had to tackle but well worth the effort. The client is rapt with their case which should turn a few heads when it is tripping around the globe.

My clients brief was that they wanted an authentic looking "antique" Gun Case to carry and display their range of beers. After much head scratching, a trip to a Joiner friend and a lot of searching for brass hardware here it is. Probably one of the most difficult challenges I've had to tackle but well worth the effort. The client is rapt with their case which should turn a few heads when it is tripping around the globe.