bikermutt07

I split some Horween horse butt one time on my heritage splitter. I had to turn the leather upside down so the flesh was under tension and the grain side shaved off the topside. It worked out well. The grain side wound up at 1-2 but I'm sure could have went thinner at the beginning.

Love me some kniporn. I will have to try that sharpening technique. And I have to also say, once I spent the money, I never missed it. That knife has paid for itself by working properly and thru enjoyment of it's use. I highly recommend Terry's products.

Hopefully that will be worked out soon.

Being in Missouri, I would think probably cowboy. To cover range you will need at least 2. I don't have both yet, and only just got the first one last week. My idea for a budget combo that will handle most anything in new construction is this: Consew 206rb and a cowboy 3200. 206rb-1 is what I picked up last week. Used, but not abused. Ymmv.

That is another way to look at it. Even these quality clone machines are going to hold probably 75 to 80% of their value. With inflation what it is you may get more than you paid for it in 10 years.

That's cool, I forgot to ask about the router table. P.S. they are sharper now.

I can help with the dye confusion.... I emailed Fiebings a couple of years ago about it. Pro oil dye and pro dye are the exact same thing. The are just phasing out the pro oil name. So, that's a little bit less confusing. I have used several of their standard colors as well and have no complaints. I don't know what the difference really is between dye and pro dye other than the dye generally needs more buffing. It kind of leaves somewhat of a metallic haze on the surface. Color evenness has always been good. I haven't used any water based dyes, stains, or paints. I started with pro (oil) dye and just never looked back, except when I couldn't find the color I wanted. Then I used the standard color dyes.

They look great.

@Chain thanks for the link. He has lots of awesome stuff.

Welcome aboard, Kiwi.

The facts are, none of us are getting a great deal at Tandy. Unless something is clearance there just isn't a great value to be had. Look for this kind of pricing at Wal-Mart once they finish crushing or absorbing all their competition. When you're the only game in town, you can pretty much name your price.

Dopp kit and clutch?

I don’t consider that an untrue statement. But, I think it may have more to do with the ages of countries more than culture. Germany, France, and Great Britain were around for such a long period before the industrial revolution. You had generations of masters before the IR. Where as America was just coming into it’s own at the beginning of the Industrial Revolution. With America snatching the reins of the IR function over form just became the norm. Really something to think about... good luck with the sale.

Get yourself some chrome tanned stuff. It’s always available on the cheap

That looks great.

Enjoy it, buddy.

Welcome aboard, William.

@NVLeatherWorx, I couldn't have said it better myself. You, and like you said, many others are treasured assets here. As a novice/intermediate I try to field as many newcomer questions as possible. I know others do as well. We feel like it's our responsibility to field the soft pitch questions so you guys can spend time on the harder questions. But, never for a moment fail to correct me if I am wrong on something. I don't know everything, and I am always ready for correction. My knowledge here is further along than my actual hands on experience. And I'm the first to admit when I make a mistake. I treat everyday as school in my life. And I have found I can learn something from anyone, no matter their skill level (in any field). Good Day, Sir. :End hijack.

@Garyspruill , that building was such a pain. My boss farmed me out to the superintendent and I cut, drilled, and assembled those trusses by myself with the help of a skytrack. The super and I set them in one day with a crane operator. I've got stories about that building. I also worked the Alon ( big spring) plant in 2008. I was there on day 8 after the explosion.

Yeah, people from outta state don't know ab9it Bossier. So, ya have to say Shreveport. I once had some one ask me " how do you get around down there?". Asked what he meant by that. He said, " well isn't it all swamp?" I said, man we have roads. For the record, much of upper Louisiana is basically like East Texas. Also, I am a transplant here. I grew up in Ellis County south of Dallas. If you have ever noticed that big three story limestone building over looking Eagle Mountain Lake from the southeast side, I personally built and installed the cedar trusses on the front of that building.

I just got my first machine today and it's no 4500. And a 4500 won't sew absolutely everything, as no machine does everything ( just info, not harping). But here's my testimony. In 4 years I have made only 2 totes. I have not made purses, stitched belts, or made even close to as many bags as I have wanted. Why? All that stitching. I got a great deal on a 206rb-1 that will sew all the above. Now I don't feel so intimidated. Some day I may find a great deal on a 4500, then I can make all the holsters, gunbelts and armor I want. A guy can dream

I will add a little for the marketing end.... Once you get your product to market, send some to Nigel at Armitage Leather. If he likes it, you may have an overnight success. On another note, I would just like to take a minute to say how happy I am to see @NVLeatherWorx back here on this site. Sir, you and your wisdom have been missed. Thanks for coming back.

It's looking great, thanks for sharing.

@Mark842 , really dig that brown. @koreric75 , we were there between 6 and 6:30, got a little 138 you can loan for a bit?

@Mark842 pencil me in for some pounds of that scrap when you get to it. Consew came home today. It will still be a few weeks before I produce anything though. Plus it looks like the side jobs are about to ramp back up.....