Deb59

Check with Tandy - Jim LInnell or your Local Shop may be able to work with you on the tools you need. They have been very generous in the past for helping aspiring leatherworkers get started!!

Those are really Sharp looking! What a lucky young cowboy!

How to make Western boots Book is now available through this email address: billtroyer@texasspecialtymanufacturing.com I saw in LCSJ or Shop Talk that they were in the process of re-publishing the book. The email I received gave a cost of $45.00 +5.00 Shipping. This was the 1st of April so I don't imagine anything has changed. I have not ordered one yet so I cant tell you what looks like, but I think it is a re-publish of the book you are looking for. Thanks Deb

That's Great!

You will Love it! I've had mine almost a year now. I don't have the EPS on mine, Would be handy sometimes. Might have to think about adding that. Have fun!!

One of the best things you can do is get one of Mark's videos, he shows a lot of details and measuring explaining everything along the way. It is money well spent from someone who knows what they are talking about, and uses what he makes in every day work. Has helped me a lot on my chap making! - Deb

I have also made 2 pair like you do Tim, as a special request and debated advantages of one over the other, but keep going back to what I was used to. Might have to try a few more with the straps & buckles reversed and see what my customers have to say!

On the chaps I have made and from videos & patternsI have seen have the straps attached to the leg shield with conchos, and the buckle attached to the piece that goes around under the thigh. Make sure the piece that comes around under the thigh is long enough, so that the buckles are on the outside of the leg. This makes it easy to get buckled, and you would not be sitting on any buckles when you ride - (Also the ends of the straps that pass through the buckle will lie down under your leg and not stick up) I personally like to use slotted conchos and attach the leather strap with bleed knots. This makes it easy to change out straps. Screwbacks work OK, however I would put some loctite on the screws so they don't loosen easy - Mark Barcus - Cow Camp Saddlery has a great video out on making chaps. He can be found on this website. I hope your husband post's pictures when he gets them done! - Deb

I don't know if you have a Tandy shop close, or if the manager keeps back issues of the Skiver flyer that comes out each month, but there was a pattern in one that came out I think it was sometime in late 2009. I am looking for my copy, If I find it I will let you know.

Those look nice -I like the Sunflower Motif!

I had that happen as well. I found a pattern at Suitability.com. They have mostly english style patterns. The pattern pack I found was for helmets and 1/2 chaps. The pattern ran around $6.00. I called Springfield Leather and told them what I was making - They hooked me up with some nice Black Kampelli leather. It was just the right weight to work with and the lady was very please with how it came out. Hope this helps = Deb

Beautiful work!! Nicely finished - Definately a project to be proud of!

You will Love your new machine - It will make things so much easier! Looking forward to seeing some pictures of your finished products! Deb

I use a wooden strap cutter most of the time, but If I am cutting something that the strap cutter will not work with, I use a 5" wide Olfa Quilting ruler with a lip on it along with the rotary cutter. You can see through the ruler, the lip on it helps keep it from sliding when you hook it over the edge of the leather. The width also gives you something wider than a couple of inches to press down on to help keep it from moving on you.

Nice work - Anyone would be proud to wear that belt!

The Instructions on doing this belt are from a Sheet called Grand Chapion Belt Ideas that was written by George Hurst and put out in 1987 by Tandy. There is also a VHS Video that was put out by Hidecrafters also by George Hurst. I don't know if the videos are still available now that Geoge is back with Tandy or not. During my search, I contacted Jim Vilwock, who was also conferring with Jim Linnell and George Hurst. They all remembered the lacing, but could not remember who the supplier was. They were very helpful in trying to think of other suppliers to check with. I have checked out all the sources they came up with and still find only the wider lacing. I did find an old package of the lacing from The Leather Factory. and have emailed Jim Vilwock with the infomation that was listed on the lables. I don't know if Tandy will be interested in pursuing it or not, but I am sure if enough customers contact the home office inquiring about it, they might consider it. Anyone interested in Jim's email it is: villwock@leatherfactory.com. .I have not found a supplier in the US, so now I am working at contacting the company listed on the packaging that is located in Taiwan to see if they sell to individuals and if the shipping is affordable to be able to order it. I will keep anyone posted who is interested. I will try to figure out how to make a tutorial on how to do this, In the meantime, send me a PM with your address and I will try to put together some instructions to get you by until I can pick Just Kate's brain to see what all I have to do for a tutorial. Thanks Deb

I am looking for where to find brown conchos with silver overlay. I am looking for 1 style in particular to finish a project and I am 2 conchos short. I have pictures of the concho below. It measures 3/4" on the small concho. I would like to find a supplier for that one and ones that are similar to the larger star concho, or if someone has 2 of them they would like to sell I am interested. I have been searching under all the concho suppliers I know and have not found any. Any Ideas or help is appreciated. Thanks Deb

Machine has sold - Thanks Dieseldame!

Tandy had a Skiver newsletter that had a pattern. It seems to me it was maybe a 2009 or early 2010 edition. I had a copy around here somewhere, but I don't find it. Our local Tandy keeps a notebook with all the Skiver editions in it. Your's might too. If I run across it I will see if I can figure out how to scan it to the site. Thanks Deb

Sheridan Leather Outfitters carries beader blades that fit Tandy swivel knives. I purchased one when I was in Sheridan at the show this last spring. I use it in a Tandy knife. Seems like there are 4 or 5 different bead width's available, and they were pretty reasonable. I did not find a website for them but here is their phone # 307-674-6679. I think they are listed in the Leatherwork Directory on this site also. Hope this helps - Deb

As far as Press Ideas, We use a shop press for a couple of clicker dies, not sure how a re-loading press would work. If you need ideas for embossing plates, check out duckcreektraders on ebay. Listings are under leather tools and treatments. They are out of Ponca City OK. They have embossing plates made from a polyresin. I think they do custom plates as well. They are pretty reasonable in their prices. Hope this helps - Deb

I have a used Adler 167 flatbed with walking foot machine for sale. Machine works well. ( I have recently upgraded to a Cobra) Machine is mounted on a 24" wide by 48" long table with a 24" x 24" drop leaf on left side for expanded working area. Comes with several presser feet, and bobbins, and needles. I am located in Ottawa, Ks. Thanks Deb

Might also try Mid Continent Leather Supply in Cowetta OK, I know Tandy bought them out, but they still had Camo leather not too long ago - http://www.midcontinentleather.com (918) 486-2900 Hope this Helps - Deb