MADMAX22

Hey guys, figured I would look into getting a business license, I spend alot of money on this leather stuff (mainly initial cost) and would like to get some kind of tax help if I can and in the future near or maybe longer I would like to start selling some stuff. Not alot but when I can turn out something worth while it would be nice to make enough money on the side to support my habit (lmao). Thats the why now How do I go about doing this. Anyone got some good trustworthy links that they can shoot my direction. Any experiences or lessons learned. Much appreciated.

Thank you, any helpful hints, seems pretty straight forward.

Not that I disagree with you and I can see why you guys are hesitant but ..... I dont see why when it was free before that now some nonprofit groups should be able to claim rights to it so they can make a buck even if it is for a good cause. I think most of the people that start out in leather arent rich (money wise) and need all the help they can get in learning the trade and having some downloads that they arent having to pay for it kind of nice. If a group is running off donations then they shouldnt be copyrighting something so they can get money for it hence running off donations and not selling stuff. Thats just my opinion, I see it as she wanted it to be free so it should be.

Good job too both of you guys. Tina very nice design you really have a nac for laying out the design to look great. ClayB very good job on the tooling and I really like the color. Did you copy the design of the purse before you put it together, that way you could make any changes in construction and do it the way you really wanted to next time. Atleast thats what I would think about doing.

Very cool, thanks for sharing.

I think it depends on how long you leave it in solution. I only dunk for about a minute if that and they turn very black once oiled and are alot stiffer but not to terribly hard. Try experimenting, a gallon of vineger and some of the steel wool and about a week and your set. oh forgot to add that I think from listening too others and from what it looks like, is that the vine pulls out the oils to the surface of the leather. This should harden it and makes sense.

Hey guys I am planning on making some of those sheep skin lined moccasin style slipons. Something somewhat like this http://www.minnetonkamoccasinshop.com/minn...oftsole_moc.htm Now what kind of sheep do you guys use on these? Is it the saddle stearling or is it something else. Ive been looking around at the leather stores and they have the saddle stuff or the rugs. Thanks for you input.

UGGGG I feel sick,

Actually it was aluminum oxide that they thought was causing it, the regular ol aluminum wasnt the cause, would hope not considering aluminum is the most prevelant mineral on the planet. Agree with ya on the media, its such a pain and the fact that the general public in most cases because they see it on the news beleive it atleat too a pretty big degree.

Yep gonna get one tomorrow. Hey have you done this before on leather, did you have any pics of any projects maybe that encorporated something similer? Your stuff is allways a inspiration and you have done some really cool stuff with variouse colors.

Well while at wallyworld I picked up a cheapo bath sponge to play with. Like this http://www.webvitamins.com/product.aspx?id...mp;term=bizrate but a far cheaper one. I think the effect will work much better with either a higher quality one or a real sponge if you can find them. These experiments were done by taking a piece of the spongs and putting some dye on it then dabbing on the leather. The first coat is layed on with daubers in a nice even coat then the sponge dabbed over that. These were quickly buffed and one coat of oil then a coat of nuteral show polish. Just really quick, you guys probably have tried this allready but I thought it turned out well, I wanna try with a better sponge though. Anyways the top one is just tan with mahogony layered on top, Second one is the same as above just with a second layering of black Third is ox blood background and top layered with black fourth is I think (did it yesterday) ox blood, blue, non dyed background. On this one it ran a bit because I used some atomwax leather balm and didnt buff the dye enough before hand.

Thanks for the info.

Your bags look absolutley great. I love this last one you did. Maybe its the color but all in all it looks great. One question, I assume you machine stitch the bag as hand stitch would take forever (atleast for me lol). What machine do you use? EDIT: OK had to go to your site and I see now what you hand stitch and what is machine stitched. Great idea and looks great upclose. Some very nice details on your webpage.

Thats very very nice looking. I gotta get me an airbrush (assume thats how you did it on the fade)

Refurbs from a good company are fine. They will save you money and perform just as good as new, in most cases they are pretty much new. The one big thing about computers is you can save alot of money if you have a set use for it and as such can dedicate it solely to being used for that function or a few functions. Linux allthough you can get it for free and use wine to (sometimes get most apps to run) you need to know alot about command line stuff and its not gonna be a easy thing to get into, theres a huge learning curve. However once your in your in good and can use it to do just about anything. Windows XP is gonna be dead soon. Windows 7 I think is coming out in 2010 if I remember right. Vista 64bit is a great OS and generally I havent found a single setup that wont work on it. Some programs you have to run in windows XP emmulation mode but they will work. Ive got both a xp machine and a vista machine. As far as macs go I personally cant stand them because of there over priced for the same components and the darn commercials they advertise with. You can get the same performance from a homemade PC using the same components for far cheaper then you can buy a mac for. However people like them and if you have the money and only use them for some stuff then go for it. If you just need a computer for the shop to run your equipment and such a cheap refurb laptop would work fine. If you know anything about computers then you could easily find discount parts and build one your self for pretty darn cheap. G/L

Good job, sounds like I may have to start using something else on my riding leathers. Thanks for the relatively controlled experiment.

I dont know where the thread is but there was one that included a discussion on what was in alot of these products. As far as I know its the petroleum additives that some companies use that is bad for the leather and causes the breakdown. I cant for the life of me remember which companies had additives and which didnt and such. All I know is that pure neatsfoot oil didnt have anything in it. Sorry not to useful but maybe try some searching around or someone else will remember what Im talking about and know where to find it.

Ive been thinking of doing a box here pretty soon, little different then the cigar holder but same principle. The only suggestion I can make is check out the Al stohlman books on case making, they are a 3 volume set. A little pricey but well worth it. I have the first one and plan on getting the other two when I get paid. These things will give you all kinds of ideas on how to get the project together even if alot of his stuff is outdated its still the principle that counts.

Ive bought several (about 7 hides) from this shop on ebay. All pretty good stuff from what I can tell. Never had a issue with it. http://stores.ebay.com/Acazii-Shop

Very nice looking for sure. Those bags look cool. Did you line them at all or is it mainly one piece. Those saddle bags look well taken care of. What kind of lace or clips is that on the border that looks metallic?

I found that dragon to be tougher then it looks. Thats a great book and has alot of cool ideas and designs.

Yeah and then you get a different peice of leather and its allmost like starting over again LOL.

Nice looking holsters, I like the inlay gives it alot of contrast and looks really good. How you like the PT140 pro, Ive got a PT145 pro that Ive had for about 3 yrs now (its my carry gun/ night stand buddie). Great cheaper gun.

That sounds really cool. Allways like barns lol. I just got up to the NW WA area about a year ago. Nice place just rains way to much for me. Got two years left then Ill be trying to swindle the girlfriend out of here and find someplace a little dryer. Sounds like a reallly cool shop you have there.

Tandy has those style holster patterns available for just about every old style single action made lol. I think all the holster patterns are on sale for $15 right now. Thats 5 pattern pacs usually at $5 a pop. And great job on that holster and belt.