billybopp

Roller embossers and plates both have their place. Rollers are generally easier but are more or less limited to patterns that repeat at up to about 4 or 5 inches or so (depending on the outer diameter of the roll). If you want a more varied pattern, you CAN use rollers and switch them out for different sections, but that is a huge pain to get things lined up right. For those more varied patterns, embossing plates are a better choice. It's relatively easy with plates to mix and match patterns for a wider variety of items. - Bill

I suspect that those are not embossed with a roller, but rather embossing plates. Look at the topmost blue belt and you can see a slight separation between embossed sections. It's noticeable with some of the others as well. Also, agree with @GatoGordo they are likely dyed the base color and then block dyed black after that. - Bill

211G165_166_265_266.pdf

If you have 50 TONS or so of lard ... You can launch a battleship! Before oil became civilization's main source of lubrication, animal fat of one sort or another was used to lubricate. Everything from wagon wheel axle grease to steam engine bearing surfaces. I have no doubt it was used to build the pyramids and great cathedrals too! P.S. At least for me, Bacon fat does a wonderful job lubricating my cast iron skillet for the eggs that are cooked after. Just don't tell my doctor that I do that, please. - Bill

It all depends on how you do it - but you need a good amount to run leather through. I dilute about 50/50 with denatured alcohol. Afterward, however, most of it goes back into the a bottle for use another time. Most things don't get fully submerged, and don't stay there for long. Belt straps, for example, just get held under with a gloved hand and pulled through - so not TOO much dye needed for that. - Bill

Dyes do not need to be diluted to be airbrushed. They are quite thin already. If you want finer control over the color, however, thinning can be helpful for building up color slowly. I've often used sponges, daubers and wool as well. All work fine. Dip dying can be a good option as well - but I do prefer diluted when dipping. - Bill

I've used sewn on velcro on similar straps. Glue alone would probably be fine, but I prefer to sew as well. - Bill

Merry Christmas!

That is a plough gauge. You PUSH it through the leather, like a plough. Below is a draw gauge. You PULL (or draw) it through the leather.

You might want to go with an undyed veg-tan leather for the cuffs and a little bit of neatsfoot oil to keep it supple. Consider an undyed sheep sheerling liner, sewn in at the edges.

Happy Wife = Cost of Doing Business. I bet they don't include THAT equation in the business accounting books! - Bill

It looks great! Don't show it to Ratty and Badger, tho. They'll want one too!

Consider that 1 1/4 will fit both smaller and larger belt loops. 1 1/2, not so much! - Bill

Some years ago, I stopped by a sandwich shop on my way home from work for a cheesesteak hoagie. Before they started my steak, the cook carefully emptied the grease tray at the front of the grill into a bucket and put a lid on. I asked what happens to all that grease, and he told me that somebody comes by every week or two and buys it for a soap maker! So who knows, you might be bathing with cheesesteak! - Bill

Well done. Looks great, and I'm sure it'll work even better! - Bill

You might check this page on W&C website ... They have distributors in CA, which might bypass some of the additional charges. https://wickett-craig.com/distributors/ - Bill

If you're up for a drive, Wickett and Craig is not TOO far from Pitt! The tannery sells directly to the public, although I don't know about on-site sales. Give them a call, though! https://wickett-craig.com/ - Bill

*raises hand* ... I attribute it to a terrible disease known as C.R.S. .... Can't Remember .... Stuff. - Bill

They say that as we get older, memory is the second thing to go. I'd tell you what the first thing is, but I can't remember. - Bill

What's at the very end of the handle? It was cut off in the photo. Just a guess, but it may disassemble from that end. - Bill

Ah hah! A Creative Awl pattern. They most always have a video of their patterns being assembled, so I took a look and there's a lengthy for this. If you look at about 57:15 or so they show the dye and paint used for the one they show. I don't usually watch videos this long, but I'll often jump ahead to see if there's anything that catches my eye.

If it's lost, it's safe. Even from you. - Bill

Most acrylic paint lines have additives and/or topcoats to give a more matt finish (along with a bunch of other properties too). You also might want to blend to black with red to get a darker red that's more like blood, and also to vary the color some. It would be darker in places where it's starting to dry than in places where it's fresh. - Bill PS - be sure to show us what you come up with when you finish it. This sounds really cool.

Rodents HATE the smell of peppermint as well - they make a peppermint oil-based rodent repellent that you can buy, even .... Sometimes it's the simple things! - Bill