Randy Cornelius

I would cut the double back like a double shoulder for the most yield with as much less waist as possible. If you are needing long belts for a really big boy then cut them the long way. But most double backs should yield about 44-46" across and will do for most of the general population. Randy

The correct way is to use the two needle method. Use plenty of wax on the thread so to make sure you lock your stitches good. Good luck, I would never sew skirts by hand. My old hands would not take it. Randy

I have just bought a used Goldwing and I am not happy with the seat. I have done all kinds of leatherwork and I am confident that I could re-build this seat with a fancy leather one. Built saddles and everything else but with this seat I am not too sure where to start. Anyone here built a custom seat for a Goldwing that could lend some advice? I am thinking about buying the gell inserts to put in both the driver and passenger positions. I havent even figured out how to get the old one off for sure yet. Randy

This is the information she sent me. Should be the same thing you want. Thank you for your interest in the Saddle Makers Shop Manual. If you are in the USA you may purchase a manual for $90. This includes shipping. We accept visa, master card, American express, and discover. You may also send a personal check or money order to Betty Ike 1165 S 150 W, Orem Utah 84058. You can also send payment through PayPal to bettyike@comcast.net Or you may call me at 801 222 9161. I return calls in the evening between 3pm-9pm MST.

Try looking at the Colorado Saddlemakers Association web site. You should find pleanty of leatherworker out there. There fall gathering is in Salida at the fair grounds. Not too far from where you will be. RC

I have been sitting around with not much to do in the shop these days. Mostly working on stuff for myself that don't pay. It seems that the 1st of April someone just turned off the tap and orders stopped coming in. I was very busy during Christmas and right after but not now. Is anyone else experiancing a slow time like me? I got a call today from a sales lady from Siegel wanting me to buy skirting leather they have on sale. I was telling her that I did not have much business and that I could not place an order. She stated that she has heard that from a lot of shops that she has called. She said one customer that has bought from her for years turned the shop over to his wife so he could go get another job to pay the bills. I think the price of gas is having a trickle down effect on all business. Just wanting to know if I am alone or if anyone else is slow these days. Randy

I think the problem is that you are using Super Shene over the Antique. I would use Neat Lac over the Antique. The Antique is not allowing the Super Shene to penatrate the leather. Use proper ventilation with Neat Lac. Randy

I cannot commet about the cowboy sewing machines as I have never seen one up close or used one. One point that should be made is that they do not go to any of the shows and bring their machines for all to see. That would be one thing that would bother me. What have they got to hide? You should ask about service after the sale, that is one very importaint thing with a new machine. If you are considering a new machine that will do everthing the Cowboy will do and more, at the same price. I would strongly suggest the Artisen Toro 3000, I bought one several years ago after going to the trade show at Sheridan. There, I was able to try all the major brands. The crew at Artisen will give you the best customer support I have ever seen from a product. Help is just a phone call away. I am not employed by them, just one of many satisified customers. Call Artisen and ask some questions. Randy

Yes we are planning on Columbus if the gas don't get too high.RC Yes , very nice. I am already having withdrawls from not getting to go to Sheridan this year. This is my first year to miss it in 6 years. I have to miss it next year as well because of #2 son graduates also. I tried to get Dot to move it to another weekend but no such luck. LOLTake Care all .

Thought I would mention that my son Riley, 18 yrs old. Has a new articule in the Leathercrafters & Saddlerys Journal that just came out. He has a thing they call "Riley's Corner". His articule this time was on a roper style wallet. Some of you here know him from some of the shows we have attended. Be sure to look at his article. Randy

I sent Ron an email at Hidecrafters asking when a new cataloge is coming out and he replied "2 months" It has been 2 months for the last year. Makes me wonder whats going on. Seen Jeff Ballard, one of the owners at the Market in Denver in January and he said 2 months then also. RC

I use the yellow type in the can to slick my edges on projects. The bar glysern type to burnish my saddle strings and the spray Lexol saddle soap to clean my saddles and tack.

I made a pair of saddle bags with the same Tandy kit when I was about 12 years old and they are still hanging in the shed. I will be 50 this year. Randy

Here is what an old saddle maker told me years ago. #1 harness dressing cut in half with water = Tan Kote Tan Kote cut 1/2 with water = bag kote So the answer is yes you can delute it. Try appling it with a 4 x 4 scrap of wool. Use a circular motion to apply to the leather working out into a bigger area as you go. A circular motion will stop a lot of the streeking you will get by going back and forth. Don't be afraid to go over it with a second coat to even out any spots. Good luck with your project Randy

Live fast, love hard, die young and leave a beautiful memory.....

An Artisen Toro 3000 is the machine you need. It will do what you want and then some. Very reasoable for around 2000.00. I think Dave from Artisen lurks around here so he may give you some other advise. I have had one of these machines for 3 years and would not trade it off for any other machine I have seen yet. Great customer service is just a phone call away. RC

For someone who works for Artisen and you had to had sew them?? What's up with that? LOL They really look good. You will get better with each pair you make. Keep up the good work. Randy

I use Amway's LOC that is a liquid organic concentrate that is gentle and rinses well. I will use a bucket of warm water and a soft bristle brush and really give it a good scrubbing. I then let them dry naturally and follow up with a good coat of oil. I use 100 % pure vegatible oil as it will not darken the leather and when it sets it returns to a natural color. I then follow with a coat of Lexol. I will use Tan Coat as the top coat. If one come in really dirty, caked on mud, moldy with mud dobbers nests and such I have been know to take these to the car wash. It really gets the sheep wool clean as long as it is in good shape to start. Just dont get to close to the nozzle as it will tent to peal the leather with the power wash. Randy

Have You contacted a Tandy Dealer? You should be able to special order individual letters I would think. RC

With your base prices guys, Is that for a plain saddle with no tooling or border stamp? does that include rear girths, breast collors and matching covered stirrups? Just checking what is included in a "Base Price" I know I have been real cheep but just getting started. Have not sold many that did not go to wife or friends yet. Randy

Personally I do not like to use latigo on breast collors or rear giths simply because it will bleed red on a white horse. I like to line with chap leather. For this project I would use a 12 oz or better skirting / veg tan leather. Dye to your choise of color and use 3-4 oz veg tan or chap leather on the back for a linner. Randy

I cleaned my shop the other day so I thought I would post some picks before I messed it up. Randy

There was a guy at the IFLOG show in Ft. Worth that had a booth set up and he was weaving baskets and other things out of leather lace. I did not get his contact but he done some very interesting work. Randy

I have a set of Rons edgers that I like very well. I think for the money they are a good value. I have also got a couple Watts that are also good tools. There are several good tool makers out there and you will not go wrong with any of them. Barry King and Bob Douglas are included in this list.

Your best sourse for shark would be Jerry VanAmburg Leather310-453-5775 he is a very unique individual and carries a large inventory of exotic leathers. Shark is generaly crome tanned I line shark with veg tan to make belts and holsters. Here is a pic of a holster I did but I covered a plastic formed holster with the shark putting a veg tan on the back for the belt loops.