Wicked Welts

I like the idea but I'd want the critter facing the other way so the vomit jetstream wouldn't pile up .

I haven't tried the snaps from Sheridan but I've tried plenty of others and two things I learned here are to use a quality snap and use the light tap method. This combination finally got me to the point where I can now set snaps nice and square with a perfect flare on the stem and they seem much tighter now also. My method is something like 5 light taps and check, 5 more taps and check, and so on.... I found that I'm on the right track if after the first 5 taps it looks like nothing is happening. Hope that somehow makes sense and helps in some way, I know it was frustrating for me.

I managed to steal a few more minutes and just scrolled down in the show off section to find your other recent ones, they are nice too! It sounds like you didn't take my comment about the detail the wrong way and I'm glad for that. I don't know much about CNC machining but a 1/16" bit seems awful small to be dragging around with a machine if you ask me and minding the pun, that makes it them even more impressive!

I'll have to look for your other ones, these are very inspiring indeed. I'm not sure of your intent but I see areas in each that have detail and other areas that seem to simply suggest part of the form, like a silhouette, if you will. This makes the viewer, or me at least, think about it more and I humbly consider that one of the hallmarks of fine art.

Finally an update; I decided to wait until I needed to restock some stuff from Tandy and got some of their line 24 snaps. Problem solved, I now have snaps that go SNAP! Thanks for all the suggestion, I'm planning to try some other brands in the future but for now these get it done.

After an breif search I think Dot brand is the way to go. Nothing against the Tandy stuff but I only see the Segma in #16 and I would prefer 20 or 24 sizes and really want to try Dot's standard snaps anyway. So at risk of sounding lazy, I would appreciate any shortcuts to point me at a reputable source for Dot snaps that does not require a buying large lot. Thanks.

I already switched to the lighter "tap-tap-tap" program after reading about it on here but I'll test a few more to see if there's some improvement to be had with that part of it. Also, I already switched to using a rock solid base underneath and after looking into the Segma snaps just now, I saw another recommendation (off-site) that mentions trying a brass hammer instead of the usual leatherworker's mallets. I know I have a brass hammer around here somewhere so I'll try that too but regardless of all this, getting better snaps is at the top of the list for sure. Thanks again, your advice is much appreciated and any other ideas are welcome too.

I like it and agree with Halitech about having a higher back. I suppose if you have the room inside or used a curved needle, you could sew on a flap that comes up over the top with a snap on the front. That should serve as a decent an anti-gouge shield for your side and offer additional retention at the same time.

Thanks for mentioning that exception. I'm normally leery about this stuff in general, including Tandy's, but I made the mistake of assuming that all snaps are pretty much the same.

I got the snaps from several local places. Some came from the hardware store, the rest from different craft or fabric type stores like Hobby Lobby, Joann's etc. I believe the brand names on them were their respective house or store brands and not having much in the way of choices, I didn't give it much thought when buying. That will change soon though, I'll try some from Tandy or Dot and pray that it's a product issue and not operator error, again....gggrrrrrr.... Thanks.

Hah, you bet Zulu, I know that one! Usually I hear from my pretty half and it's always paired with her rolling eyes as she wanders off.

Sorry I can't help with the rivets but the zipper you need sounds like a standard two way with both ends closed for bags. As far as I know they are the typical design with 'normal' teeth and you should be able to find two way zippers in three styles; Both ends open (fully separating like on a jacket), one end open (I have these on the pant legs of my coveralls) and both ends closed (for purses, bags etc). I think you could convert open ends to closed end too but I've never tried it.

I'm among the many that have struggled mightily with setting snaps by hand and although I think I'm getting the hang of it, I still have an issue that I can't seem to figure out. With all snap pieces seated and sitting tight and square, I'm left with most of the snaps having little holding power. These are regular #24 snaps from various local hardware/fabric stores, all are of the typical cheap import quality and I'm wondering if maybe they have an issue with the snap ring size or shape of the button head? Most don't make a *snap* sound at all when opened or closed and all but the best feeling snaps seem too eager to pop open. Some will release wit the slightest twist of the strap and some with nothing more than a teeny bump to the end of the strap they are holding. I tried a few tests by reshaping/flaring the male side of the snap with hopes that would put more pressure on the snap ring but no luck. I'm convinced that I will eventually need to get a pressnsnap or goldstar setter for these but really don't use snaps enough to justify the purchase of a real press at this time. So, among other things, I'm wondering if just changing to a 'name brand' (Dot etc) snap might make all the difference in holding power ?

Thanks. It was the first thing I made after I realized what a pain it was to repair something small (Zippo Lighter case), then I tried it on something bigger, a sheath and wow, it's a dream. After seeing some on here with the swivel feature I knew i had to go that route from the start, hopefully it will be worth the extra effort. I'm not sure if the drop angle at the top of the jaws is enough, I saw many with much steeper drop off but so far it doesn't seem essential.

After my intro post this is my start here so I thought to show my first project, a home made portable stitching clamp. I got the hint after seeing several different versions on the forum here so I'm very grateful to all that have shared theirs. As you can see, mine is fairly crude but it seems to do the job just fine and other than the stick-on foam pads I learned about on here, it's made entirely from spare bits I had laying around. Now hopefully I get the photo thing right.......

Hello and thanks for having me. I've been doing the lurker thing for several weeks now and I must say I'm rather impressed by the depth of knowledge and the willingness to share it all in here. It's been many years since I've done any leather work, mostly basic stuff like sheaths and things and it's my hope that with your help I can step up my game and start making stuff with a bit more finesse. I've managed to gather up most of the basic tools with a focus on stamping and stitching and I've even made a few tools already including a stitching pony and a few basic stamps. Pennies are being saved so I can spring for a nice edging tool and real snap setter since I've had little luck making those myself. So, it's Onward and Upward as they say....... Again, thanks to all that share here, this place is a wonderful resource. Mike