TracyMoss

Dink, I am from Texas, however, I have been Transplanted in Colorado. I will check these out and the Artisan splitter. Davis, I used one of the band knife spltters at the saddle shop I worked at in Texas and we slit chap, latigo, harness, and veg-tan with it. It was one of the old ones about the size of a Football Field.

Thanks Timbo, I had just discussed that same option with a friend of mine. Thanks everyone for the advice. I'm going to send them to my boot maker soon. I post my boot tops and then my boots when they are done. TM

Here is what I have accomplished so far this week. I'm thinking on adding some antique, but I wanted to show how it looked through my process. You may notice that mine looks a little different than the pattern provided, but the overall design is in the same ballpark. TM Drawing out design on leather. Carving design. Adding thumbprint. Beveling lines. Background and detail stamping with decorative cuts. Oiled.

Thanks, I'll check it out.

Repairing old saddles is a good start to making your own. You will learn that a lot of them aren't worth fixing and also what not to do. You will also lwarn new ways of construction and get a feel for how a saddle is supposed to be constructed. Good luck and if you have any questions there are lots of people here that can help you.

I already have the boot top pattern and I know how I want to lace it, but I was wanting to know how to constuct them so that he will be able to sew them on the boots. Thanks for trying, anyone else?

contact www.panhandleleather.com they have copies on a disk or they can print one off for you. They do charge but it isn't much.

Does anyone know what a price should be for a 18" Band Knife splitter? I am thinking of buying one and would like to know the fair price for a used machine.

I have Dusty Johnsons Chap Making video and his Holster making video if anyone is interested. If you are a beginner and would like these let me know. If you are not a beginner these will not help you much. I do not have the patterns to go with them, but they might be helpful to someone interested in a technique.

Looks good for your first. You'll get better over time. Most peole who are starting get better with each piece they do.

I am having a pair of custom stingray boots made and I am carving the tops. My question is how should I complete them to send to my boot maker. He is Mexican (legal alien) but it is still hard to communicate and he has never laced the tops, which is what I want to do. I want to lacethe top panels together on the side with a Gaucho braid, but son't know exactly how to prepare them so that he can assemble the boots. Any advice or suggestions would be helpful. Thanks TM

No I haven't. Seems a little impractical to me. why wouldn't you just close it before you put it in the sheath. Seems like it would dull the blade or cut the sheath. Maybe you can tell me the purpose.

Man, that would be nice to have. If I wasn't run over with them and had the money I would add it to my collection.

If you could post a large picture of the stamp that would help. The link is ridiculously small and I can't make out anything.

If you sell them by the piece, I am getting coser to trying one. Glad to know you stand behind your product. If I buy one, I'll have to save the reciept. Not for returning purposes, but to show my wife that I didn't destroy any of her silverware.

Nice even gusset. what does the writing say? Name?

You are definately an artist. I can't paint to save my @$$, would be nice to learn how though. Good Work.

well, I guess that cost a pretty penny.

Man, I love to get some off the wall job every now and then, breaks the monotony and you add something to your list.

welcome and good luck. you will find much help at this site.

Very nice Steve, makes you think about marketing a little more. I'm guilty of the old reused box myself, but can see the difference.

Some times I just use tan-kote on the edges and burnish with canvas or a slicker. It works really well on most smaller items and is quick and easy. no special step, just coat the edge and slick, then coat the rest using the same piece of scrap woolskin. Then you dont have to worry about any discoloration that gum causes sometimes.

I have seen a lot of good leatherwork come from the reenactment crowd, nicely done. How many sides did it take to complete your work?

We have really gone international around here. Welcome to the board and share your experiences. Just because you are new again doesn't mean you haven't overcome an obstacle we can't figure out.

I have never liked resolene, I always use either Tan-Kote, Lac Kote, or Bag Kote. I had the same problem after someone told me to use it years ago. Nearly ruined my project. I have tried brushing it on, and I have sprayed it on. I didn't like it at all. Maybe someone else has better advice on how to use it, but I willl neve use it again.