Grumbleduck

My landlords live right above us and I've got two tall flights of turn of the century steep stairs. not sure I could make a seat big enough to support the stones round trip would require I've got a cover but I'm sure you know how that goes. When I think of it... I'm hoping to use a modified stock seat pan. Would staples(same as the stock) work to affix the leather? Lacing/stitching seems like another can of skillworms id rather put off for a minute. Thoughts?

LeatherLegion, what is that stud/loop bit of hardware called? I've made a few on the lathe, but they're kind of a pain in the butt. If there's a ready made option that would be fantastic! Thanks, Grumbleduck

Thanks LL! Should I put both of those on both the flesh side and the outside? Unless I come into a miraculous windfall my bike will likely be stored outside and in the rain whenever it isn't protected by my butt. That said, the great thing about the Pacific NW is there's not too much sun to do any fading 7 months out of the year I'm surprised the thickness of the leather has any impact on the 'hardness', when it's such a small difference in thickness! I've just started making my way into leather work and it certainly is a tricky/neat medium. It has been in pieces in my brother's garage since Nov. 1 and I'm itching to make some progress soon! Once I get the structural bits squared away I should be able to get the seat rolling along soon after!

Hi everyone, this is my first bit of "figure" carving(only second leather project all told...). It's a housefly, about 5" tall on 7-8oz veg. I ended up cutting it out, with about a 3/4" border I'm going to try using antique black and a little bit of red dye on it. I'd love to hear any advice or critiques you've got! Thanks,Grumble

Hi everyone, I'm practicing my tooling and moving toward the goal of making a leather seat for my Honda Shadow(using the same pan & trimming the foam a bit thinner). I'm wondering about the longevity etc of my work if the seat is stored outdoors in the very wet Pacific Northwest. Is there a finish I can use to keep the leather from absorbing water and taking a fine imprint of my tuchas? I'm planning on doing it in 7-8oz veg. Please advise. Thanks very much, Grumble

I can't comment on what to price leather work at, but as a freelance news photographer I've got some ideas on other ends of freelancing regardless of medium. Get a contract from the beginning, even friends or family. Contracts preserve relationships. Explicitly outline the costs and expectations for all parties in your contract. Extra means extra. Always. That said, this is fantastic work and I'd be pissing rainbows if I could make a final product like that!