TwinOaks

Before you take it to someone else, it's pretty easy to make sure that your add-ons are compatible with your current version of your browser. I had some add-ons stop working a long while back and was getting pretty peaved before I realized that FF had updated itself and the add-ons didn't work with the new version. It was a simple visit to the add-on page to get the most recent iteration of the app, and everything was back to normal.

Fine looking holster there. Extraordinary job on the edges.

I draw all of my designs by hand.

Here in the U.S., it's Thanksgiving day. Traditionally, this is a day of giving thanks for those things in our lives that have made us better people, encouraged us, or helped us out. I'm starting this topic in the hopes that others will join in and share the things in their lives. I am thankful for friends and family that have encouraged me to keep pursuing this craft, who have helped me out with ideas and suggestions, and have unabashedly told me where I needed to improve. I'm thankful for opportunities that have presented themselves, from leather to machinery; from large jobs to small; for all the little things that turn out to be big ones. And I'd like to express special Thanks to Johanna who has selflessly given herself to create and maintain this site (even to the point of dealing with advertisers) so that we all have a place to visit, learn, and to share our experiences, triumphs, and failures. This community of like minded people is, for me, just as much "family" as any of my blood relatives (and more so than some!). Today is also typically the day that we absolutely gorge ourselves.....so, what's on your menu? We're having the long held tradition of Turkey and homemade dressing, with butter beans, purple hulled peas, corn, green beans, sweet potatoes, cranberry salad, homemade yeast rolls, and gravy (which really does deserve to be in its own food group). What are some of the Traditions you celebrate with your family? Wishing you and yours a happy and safe Thanksgiving, Mike

You probably picked up a "low VOC" version of it. I don't have personal experience with the tanner's bond, but Weldwood has their 'regular' in a red border and the 'low VOC' in a green border.....so I'm just extrapolating that other companies probably did something similar.

That looks to be a similar machine to the 797 machines that Steve had. I don't think that's a walking foot machine, and my google-fu said it uses up to size 18 needle.

I'd like to see them too. There are instructions in the "computer help" section on how to post your pictures to LW.net.

Welcome to Leatherworker.net! Feel free to ask questions whenever you have them and we'll do what we can to help you out.

I've got some billets from here: http://www.alabamadamascussteel.com/servlet/StoreFront It's excellent steel, and I've several small blades with outstanding results (I don't have the facilities for forging larger blades). The site also has some instructions for re-etching the steel after shaping/polishing with ferric chloride from radio shack. Very nice work on the sheath.

You can check at DoubleKLeather.com, which is now carrying all the Hidecrafter tools. They have ProCraft as their economy line, and also carry Barry King tools. The BK are running in the $25-30 range.

I keep a bottle of white out next to the computer for just that reason .... a few swipes with that and no more problems.

I use a 'box o' rags' from the hardware store. It's a bunch of pieces of cloth that feel like t-shirt material - white, I can see any color rub off, and soft enough that I don't worry about the leather.

http://leatherworker.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=15122 Here is a short tutorial on how to load the pictures to Leatherworker.net. As we have members that don't have high speed internet, large picture files sometimes take a long time to load/view. You can solve that minor issue by resizing the picture. If you don't have a program that can do it, you can download "IRFANVIEW", which is a very basic photo editing program and is free. To use it, simply open the program, then open a picture file (you can work directly from a camera, or from a saved image on the computer). Once you have the file open, click on the drop down menu under 'image'. With the open pic file, you will see an option for "resize/resample"...click that. That will open a window that asks what size you want to use. The 800x600 size (on the right hand side of the window) is one of the standard sizes for emails. Click on that size, click okay, and give it a moment. When the dialogue boxes closed, you'll be left with a resized picture. You still need to save it, so click on the button that looks like one of the old floppy disks, type in the name you want to use for the file - something that's easy to identify, like 'sheath1'. I typically save the resized image directly to the desk top instead of a file, as it's easier to find. Then, open LW and follow the directions in the tutorial above. If you want to view a large picture on a slow speed internet line, instead of waiting for it to load in the current tab ( sometimes the picture is larger than the screen and requires scrolling to see it) simply click and drag the image to the "new tab" button. This will open the pic in the new tab and it will be a viewable size.

Dip dyeing is exactly what it sounds like. You dunk the piece of leather in a tub/bucket/tray of dye. You can also brush the dye onto the leather, or use daubers. Take a look at Peter Main's website (search engine for it) and you can see what is possible. However, the only way to get results like his requires a LOT of time. For lighter shades you can dilute the dye then slowly build the layers to get even transitions. I would like to offer the opinion, though, that the reason the 'traditional' methods were developed is because they didn't have access to the modern tools we have today. If you want to go with purely traditional methods...like the way it was originally done...you're stuck with oiled and sun tanned leather, some dyes made from bark and berries, and perhaps some made from animal by products. Just how far back do you want to go for "traditional"? I've been using an airbrush for a couple of years now, and the results are well worth the initial expense (which is pretty small). You gain the ability to vary your shading from 'hint of color' to full saturation. You can mix your colors, fade from one to another like the 'sun burst' effect, pretty much whatever you want. You can also control it very well with a little practice, which results in a much more efficient use of the dyes. I also use my AB to apply finishes, which allows me to get a very even coat on everything, with no pooling or runs. Lately there have been new products added to the list of available products for us. Just this week I stopped by a Tandy to take a look at the new "professional water stains". I'm using it on a project that I'm working on...now (happens to be in Black). My opinion of it? It's fantastic. It's certainly not a 'traditional' dye product, but it works better than the old standard 'USMC BLACK'. Within 20 minutes of applying it AND a sealer, I was assembling. No buffing, no touch ups, no rub off. I'm sold on it. While the 'new' methods don't bend a knee to the 'traditional' methods, they work.

You make multiple passes through the corner holes for most types of edge braiding, and sorta 'stack' them so that you have enough lace going around the corner to completely fill the space.

If you decide to get the rotary punch, don't skimp on the quality. Cheap tools can and often DO yield cheap results. Stay away from the 'economy' versions, try to get one that has compound jaws so that the punch goes straight down instead of entering the leather on an arc. Also look for well built, positive locking positions - that will help eliminate slipping if you're punching holes.

...and thus is ruined yet another of my little memories from the good ol' days of college. It's disturbing to find out that little stories that make a point so very well are nothing but fabrications; fables that are used to convey some wisdom with no regard for the actual facts. The Econ300 professor that told it to me will surely burn in Hades for all the lies he told....I'm sure he's got a spot reserved next to Aesop. Or maybe the point being made was that when you name something you need to be aware how it may translate in another language and thus affect marketability....or that a clever name in your language may not even translate.

Welcome to Leatherworker.net! We always appreciate seeing some new facets of leather, and it's good to hear you've received some free advertising!

Ray, that has got to be one of the best worded refusals I've ever read.

Aurelie, here in the U.S., ...at least parts of it.....a nice looking woman wearing a large gun is PART OF the attraction! Dans certaines parties de ce pays, le port du gros canon rend plus attrayant.

Welcome to the greatest site on the web! We look forward to seeing some of your work, and let us know if we can help you.