Ian

Jeez, man, that's nice. How did you get that red so even and deep?

Thanks zman - check out the bike it's on - built by Rich Pitoniak of Pitoniak's Custom Cycle - I do all his leather, seats, etc. It sure makes me happy to see my stuff on beautiful machines

Yup, feels like everytime you've got your head stuck under a dence, some @#$%^&* will sneak up from behind. Thanks for the good laugh - that's a keeper

Let's face it folks - with the new socialist world we've created, it's just a matter of putting your money in a pile, and after everyone takes what they beilieve their fair share of your earnings is, they you can have the little bit that's left. Deoesn't matter if it's gas, cigarettes, camprounds or the air we breathe. In the good old days, there would be some kind of revolution. Nowadays they keep everyone pacified with worries of the earth's temperature in a thousand years and bird flu. Keeps our minds off what's really happening. Makes me glad I'm not one of the kids born today.

If it's a Juki walking foot, I'd definitely go for it if I were you. $500 is a good price

Wow, those clouds rock, and the way the tree is set off the main tooled area is terrific. You're inspiring me to do a tooled vest yoke.

I've never heard of it, but would take some pieces of your suede and go over and check it out. If you have some 138 thread, take that and see how it sews

Thanks Tom - not I just soaked the leather ,grooved the edge and then folded them in

I just heard a story - gasoline in Venezuala costs 17 cents a gallon, but across the border in Columbia it's close to 4 bucks. There are guys who just drive back and forth all day, filling their tanks and driving back to Columbia to sell it - are making a fortune. But then, those Columbian dudes always were good at making a fortune taking things across the border hidden in gas tanks. Speaking of which, as one of the last smokers left in the world, we just had a dollar a pack increase. Their rational is it is needed to cover the cost of health related issues, which is what they say each time they increase the tax. Every dollar increase generates around 250 million a year. I'll be joining the hoardes driving to tax free New Hampshire, and I might even fill my tank in Connecticut to avoid giving this socialist state the gas tax.

I agree. Vrods shouldn't have back rests either, but this guy rides all over with his wife and when you have wives on the back, you gotta have a place for stuff

This luggage bag was a real challenge. The backrest is at a slant so I had to make the bag kind of wedge shaped to fit on the luggage rack. It's not as huge as it looks in the picture. Just big enough to fit a helmet or jacket.

I'd second Luke's opinion on the Consew , especially if it's one of the old Japanese made machines- I have an old 206 RB and a 105 - they're great. I also have a Sailrite knock-off, but with the same motor, and it's just not strong enough for almost anything I do, and the stitch length doesn't stay consistent when you sew thicker material. I think Sailrites are overpriced - I'd go for a table machine if I were you, and don't worry about the speed, you will learn how to sew slowly with a bit of practice, and you can later buy a Servo motor for around 300 bucks, to reduce the speed, and you'll still be cheaper than the Sailrite Weaver's price for 3/4oz suede is 1.78 a foot and $1.67 for 2/3oz once you get your tax number Ian

True, I don't believe the theories that energy companies are surpressing alternative fuels. If viable alt. fuels are discovered, the energy companies would control those too, since they already have the distribution system in place, and I'm sure they'd also like a fuel they can sell us that is immune from having to deal with the world's trouble spots and can be produced right here. . Any plant based fuels are impractical (look at what ethanol created, and that takes 80% of the energy it produces to manufacture it). Nope, as much as we wish there were something other than oil - that's probably it. And, if another source is developed, they sure as heck won't be giving it away.

Add me in for this round (Any way I could get me one of those $16,000 belts? or maybe a Troy saddle? - thankyouverymuch!)

ok, I was thinking of welting/piping, in which case you would need a welting foot with a groove that rides over the cord. If the welt you're referring to is simply folded over without a core, you would simply fold and glue the welt, cut little nicks along the length of the raw side (I use a single edge razor blade), glue it to one side of your edge - sew the other panel on and then invert your piece. You can do this type of welt without a welting foot. I use a center presser foot

Thanks Ron, I sent you a PM. Yes Implora is very expensive with all their skins

Paul, I don't know if a welting foot is available for your machine, which I'm guessing is a cylander bed. I use a welting foot with my old Consew, but if I'm doing a welt with my harness machine, I use a right sided presser foot. Set your giude to the width of the welt flange and the stitch will be right up to the cord. Ian

Tina, what a beautiful bag! Everything goes together perfectly, down to the brass clasp. Looks like you've quickly developed your very own style (I wish I could) Very, very nice indeed.

Hello Ron, I'm definitely interested. I haven't used shark before, so maybe you can tell me; What percerntage of the hide is usable (I'm guessing the edges are uneven). Is is already dyed? about what weight would you say the hide is? and, lastly, would you sell just a single hide? Thanks Ian

Hey, if you're like me, you'll learn a ton of new stuff here. Welcome

That braid looks primo - the whole thing looks great

I agree, the black HO bridle I got, I had to re-dye, the color was so light and it had no top finish. I was used to the English bridle and was surprised at how little stuffing there was in the HO bridle. I haven't tried W&C bridle, but it looks very nice from the samples they sent me.

Thanks Dave, I put it up last week. BTW, if I haven't said so yet, I'm floored by your beautiful work. The dye, the braiding, everything is perfect. http://leatherworker.net/forum/index.php?s...pic=2161&hl=

Thanks again