Ian

I just got back from a ride through beautiful countryside, gorgeous green hills and the smell of fresh cut hay, and at every turn were family gatherings, kids playing softball and in the distance a fireworks display starting up. in front of almost every house was our flag. I tell you, there was at least one point I had tears in my eyes, thinking of how incredibly grateful I am that my parents brought us to America. The day I was sworn in as a citizen was the most memorable of my life. Both my brothers have retired from the Marines, yet have not yet become citizens. My brother Graeme says "what will be any different if I'm a US citizen or not?". I wish I could explain the difference I felt going into the courtroom for the swearing in ceremony to how I felt when I left. Going in, America was just the country I was living in- coming out, America was MY country. Judging from the tearful expressions on the faces of the other new citizens from 45 different countries that day, I was not alone in my gratitude. I am fully aware that some people from other countries are baffled and amused by American patriotism. All I can say, is that anyone who doesn't have a love and patriotism for their country is seriosly missing something. So, I am an unashamed patriot and anyone, regardless of political party, nationality or idealistic persuasion who seeks to undermine our country and constitution is my personal enemy, undeserving of any consideration. And that's my soapbox this weekend!!

Smallest one they have - you can do a whole belt down one side without re-loading your brush - give it a shot

Ed, I used to use the felt too, but found that small foam brushes are a lot better for applying edge finish, and a lot less messy. I use coffee can lids an pour just a thin layer in, that way you don't get a lot penetrating into the foam. The edge coat glides on real smooth with the foam brushes. And, you can wash them out and they last forever

India ink smells foul if it's been allowed to freeze and thaw. I wonder if that's the case with dye.

Well, I'd love to say I live amongst verdant pastures and awesome canyons, but the truth is I live in a little ----hole, working class town (although I sometimes wonder how many people are working). Across the street from me is a guy running a fencing company out of his garage. The guy next to him as 3 boats parked out front. The family next to me would put every Jerry Springer guest to shame, then there's the senior citizen housing, with old folks gossiping on their porches all day. Every other house has at least one motorcycle. You get the idea. But, I love them all. I've been here 7 years (the longest I've ever lived in one place and rented this house, which I am now in the process of buying). When I started looking for houses to buy, I realized there is no place I'd rather live than my little ---hole town. I know everyone from the waitresses at my breakfast joint, all the cops, to the guy with the lawnmower repair shop to the boozers enjoying a smoke outside one of the half dozen bars, just one street over. Sure, I fantasize about a secluded place in the country, and I have lived all over the country, Canada and South America. This is it, the place I could happily live until God comes calling. Besides, where could I find a place where my neighbors tolerate the bikes coming in and out of the driveway at all hours and Motorhead blsting through my open windows. We're a pretty tolerant bunch in my little ----hole town.

Dave, you forgot to say if you've never been hung from the rafters, or hung someone else......LOL

I've been checking out the few similar machines for sale on ebay - seems like it was a better find than I had thought, especially the engraver and all the font sets that came with it. Kevin, I hadn't considered that there is a difference in leather and paper foils, but you're right. I hope I got the right stuff, because there's about 15 rolls of 24 carat foil that I got with it. It imprints perfectly on veg tan and coated leather, but the bridle and harness leather , not so well. Must be the heavy waxes. Anyway, there are quite a few Ebay sellers that sell both leather and paper foil for this machine. Putting belt sizes and 'Handcrafted in USA' imprints on them would be a couple of things i'll be using this for.

At one time I had an Ebay store selling bondage stuff. It was extremely profitable with the best mark-up of any product I've made. I've shipped stuff to every state, most every European country and Australia. Not my cup of tea personally and the reason I gave it up was it was very boring - consisting mostly of rivetting straps together, but once I had acquired the measurements for all the products, I could whip them off in minutes The other thing is that their weren't many people I could share my little success with and doing that work tends to pigeon-hole you and gives you little time to do the stuff you really want to do. Still, I still have my catalog, pictures, and all the measurements and templates and could resurrect the biz at a moment's notice if need be. No regrets

Check out this cool stuff I scored today - some guy gave me both machines and all the fonts and accessories. The first is a brass name-plate engraver - works great, but I forgot to pick up the drive belt, so couldn't engrave anything The second is a hot foil press. Also works good, but the first sample is on bridle leather and I think the wax messed up the impression. I made the second impression before the dies were hot enough. On a later attempt, it burned into the leather. I think I'll find all kinds of uses for these two machines. Now, to find a place to put them and all the type boxes, etc.

#1 and #3 are my favorites. Of course the carving is great, but I like that patina you achieved with the color - almost looks like antique carvings on fine furniture.

Wow, that's breathtaking!!

That's what I was wondering. Boy, that color is outrageous isn't it? How diluted is that? Also, you said you dip the dye and finish - how did you keep the finish so streak-free? You also mentioned about going to airbrush to get more even color. What you have there looks about as even as it gets - how would airbrushing improve on what you have? That is some awesome looking work. Your stitching is immaculate! I'm definitely getting a few bottle of Angelus to try.

Hey, just found this one on Ebay - not a tippman, but a lot less $ http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-Manual-Hand-Crank-...%3A2%7C294%3A50

That's about as nice as it gets. You're right, the color looks awesome with the blue paint.

Bob, it's just too soft and thick. The softness makes it almost impossible to get an even cord, and the thickness makes it too bulky. I bet a soft electronic wire would work well too.

Ricky, I use round leather cord as a core, because I was lucky to find a massive spool of it on Ebay. I know the regular cotton core they sell at fabric stores doesn't work for leather. Perhaps you could look for a tin cord at the hardware store. To make the cord, I cut a strip of leather (for my core, 1 1/4" works, but it will depend in what cord and seam allowance your using). Then give the strip a spray of adhesive (3M 77 is good). Lay your cord down the center of the strip and then fold it in half. I have a tracing wheel without teeth that I roll along the cord edge to make a neat cord. Then using a single edge blade, I cut slits in the flange about every 3/8" along the length of the welt. Very simple job.

Everything looks great - I especially like the Leatherman sheath. I've never seen one done that way.

Looks like a nice set of dies http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewI...ME:B:SS:US:1123

Awesome as always, Dave. Your attention to detail blows me away - especially all the time you put into the undersides. That's real craftsmanship. A++++

Great looking work!

Beautiful work. Speaking for myself, there's a lot you can show us as well - keep posting pictures.

Kenny, of course you'd need to back up the elastic with some lining material too. I've made a variety of leather motorcycle garments (though no racing suits) - what was you specific question? BTW have you checked out Vanson Leathers website - they make some of the best racing suits in the world http://www.vansonleathers.com/

You got that right. It's about the way I feel when I have a customer waiting and have to go through all the rigmarol of dealing with customer service, sending stuff back, etc.

Jo, you wild woman, you

Suze, the panels he is talking about are about 5 inches wide X the length of the side seam, with multiple rows of stitches running parralel - almost looks like quilting when they aren't stretched out. They use them down the sides of some jackets and inside the thigh on some chaps. Rather than just stretching out a single elastic, you'd need something to keep the whole panel stretched while you sew the leather on.