UKRay

Hi folks, I had a customer asking for good quality western style buckle sets (the three part buckle, keeper and belt tip sort) today but they are pretty rare in the UK. All we can get easily are the mass produced Tandy ones and I'm looking for something rather better than those. Any suggestions? Web links would be excellent if you have the time; or just a hint to a supplier if not. Any help very gratefully received. Thanks guys, Ray

I use 3mm thick regular veg tan leather for my strops. I've sold hundreds of them without a problem so it seems to work okay. No need to treat the leather before use; but some folk like to use a polishing paste on one side (rough side) to give an extra polish to the edge. Ray

Hi Podge, Nice to meet you fella! Like my cousin Luke says, I'm not too far from you. Give me a call if you think I might be able to help. Frankly, you would probably do better to call Luke 'cos he's a whole lot older and slightly smarter than me; but then again, transatlantic phone calls do cost a fortune. lol Enjoy the forum and don't be afraid to ask if you don't know something. Cheers, Ray

I heat my creaser when I'm working with bridle leather. IMHO it isn't so important with veg tan. The bridle leather is very 'waxy' and the heat helps the creaser to glide over the surface. I have a gas burner circa 1930 attached to a propane bottle that I use for all sorts of hot work (including melting lead for cutting blocks). It is also good for hot embossing skiver for tabletops and desks too. best wishes, Ray

Superb idea! Ray

You have no idea how much I want a Unimog... but it ain't going to happen any time soon! Money? I just have a huge pile of leather, a box full of tools and a load of bills - just like every other leatherworker I have ever met. lol. Hopefully, thanks to everyone's kindness, I'll have a couple of 'get out of jail free' card to play next time I get stuck. Cheers guys, Ray

The van is red... and that is the extent of my vehicle knowledge. Oh, and it is right hand drive for all those of you who drive on the wrong side of the road. lol. Brilliant idea, Rick. I'll deal with that one asap. Blowed if I know where I'll put 'em but I'll find a space somewhere! Now where do I put the jacks and chains? Ray

I've had a week of frustration trying to make a burgundy coloured bag. Fiebings dyes just don't do the trick straight from the bottle so I thought I'd ask if anyone had a 'secret' recipe for mixing burgundy. There is always more than one way to do a job so please add your contribution. Any suggestions gratefully accepted and acted upon! Cheers folks, Ray

All good advice, and I thank you all for it, but the cost of running a 4x4 is tooooooo heavy. I'm getting around 50 mpg fully loaded from the VW. A LandRover will do 20 at best - more likely 16. A Unimog would be wonderful. I have always wanted one! Once again, fuel costs are a barrier. A Mog is a thirsty beast and I'm travelling up to 400 miles to get to a show. Honest guys, I do look very closely at the field before driving on it... I'm not planning on using the 'escape kit' too often but I need to make some decisions very soon. The hand operated 'come-along' has been ordered - I know it will be laborious to use but when there is no other option it will, at least, get me out and on my way home. I have never fitted snow chains - is there any advice I ought to have before spending money? Thanks, Ray

Thanks for all the suggestions guys. The problem has always been getting out of the site not getting in. I drive the empty van to the pitch, load up and watch it sink as the load goes on. This is a two ton van, not a bug, and it is fully loaded with a canvas 16x16 marquee plus all the stock and display kit (see attached pics). It definitely isn't going to be picked up and carried lol! Rocking and pushing sounds like a good idea until you try it with a loaded van. in 10" of mud... Also, I generally work the shows alone so there isn't anyone to help (or push) if I get stuck. Same applies to pushing stuff under the wheels. You need assistance to get them under and you can't drive at the same time The 'come along' is a great idea (I didn't know what it was until I saw it!) and I have just invested in some ex-military ground anchors and a good sledge hammer. Hopefully they will dig in enough to give a solid pull. Has anyone had experience of snow chains in mud? (great suggestion, Anne) I thought long and hard about heavy pattern tyres but I drive long distances every weekend and, as you so rightly say Luke, the road noise is unbelievable when you fit them to a panel van. I'd need both hands to cover my ears! Ray

The weather has been foul in the UK this year. More rain than I know what to do with. This means the showgrounds are incredibly soft and muddy and my poor old VW Transporter van keeps getting stuck. Aside from a tow from a stonkin' great 4x4, how do you get a heavily loaded, front wheel drive vehicle out of mud where you come from? Is there any special kit (winches etc) that might help me get out of the mire on my own? All suggestions gratefully received. Ray

Just get some leather and start sewing. Don't try to make anything, just explore the potential of the machine. Tty stitching in a straight line to start with. Then try stitching down the edge of a piece of leather. Then try following curving lines and turning right angled corners. Sooner or later you will find yourself making something just for fun. I started by making tool covers - I still have more round knife covers than knives! lol Having been a hand stitcher for years, buying my first machine was a real adventure. Scary but fun. Remember to keep your fingers from under the foot! Enjoy, Ray

Laying tools down on the leather occasionally causes me some hassle... no matter how careful you are... Ray

Nice work! Ray

My sales are up around 30-35% on last year and I'm as busy as I want to be. I'm thinking about raising my prices to limit business to the orders I really want instead of grabbing every order with both hands and working myself to death. Best thing I did last year was invest in a credit card payment machine which has added a huge amount to show takings and increased telephone business. Ray

Tommy, I use a 1/2" thick rubber mat (no idea where I got it, I've had it for years) with a 24" x 36" x 2" thick granite stone on top. I find this works well for me. Make sure you aren't tooling on a flexible surface. Thin plywood tables are really loud so make a good solid bench if you can. Hope this helps, Ray

I'd go with the glycerine soap if you can get it. Saddle soap IMHO tends to strip the oils from leather. Ray

I'm always fascinated to hear how other people do jobs. I can honestly say I have only sanded edges a handful of times in all the years I've been leatherworking and only then on big heavy work like holsters and chunky knife sheaths. I'm not saying it doesn't work 'cos obviously it does, just that I haven't felt the need to do it. I'm off to experiment with some sandpaper now... right after I order that glycerine soap! Ray

I use waxed linen too, but also like bonded nylon thread as it seems a bit easier to work with in the thicker sizes and doesn't tend to go so 'hairy'. Tippman sell a good thread for use in their hand sewing machines. Nice stuff and you can seal the end of your stitching with a hot knife (or a lighter) to stop it coming unraveled. Just make sure you put all the fires out! Ray

I forgot about the glycerine soap, Mike... that stuff is sooooo useful. I also use it for 'greasing' lace. The stuff just slides through the holes and seems to lay flatter too. Which reminds me to order some more! Ray

Weaver delivered a machine to me in the UK in 4 days. Superb service. Ray

The best place to start is wherever you feel most comfortable. Start simple and work your way upwards. There is nothing more soul destroying than starting a complex project and realizing you don't have whatever it takes to complete it. This could be tools, materials or simply the experience and expertise to do the job. You will need some basic knowledge like how to use the tools so my advice would be to get some scrap leather and chew it up finding out what the tools can do. Then try making some straps - get a few buckles and spend time learning how to make a good job of the simple stuff. Then make a belt. A plain belt if you like... Then make a decorated belt. By the time you have finished you will know how to edge shave, rivet, dye, edge stain, burnish and a load of other stuff that defies description. IMHO, far too much emphasis is placed on turning out perfection. As long as you feel a sense of achievement from your work then you have achieved.Your next project will be an even bigger success because you will have expanded your knowledge even further. Good luck! Ray

This does happen occasionally, mostly I just slick the edges again with a bit of beeswax and give them a rub with an 'ugly stick' which seems to work for me. Hope you get it sorted out! Ray

The joy of this forum is that there are good people who will help out if you have a problem. I regularly have cause to put a question up for consideration and I generally get a sensible answer - unless my cousin Luke joins in! IMHO, this is a regular problem for any gathering of people where the skill/knowledge level stretches from beginner to expert. There is no simple answer but I'm with Aaron on the 'look at the search engine' issue 'cos although I'm sure the answer to most of my queries is right in there somewhere (and I have probably tried to find it too but somehow that old technology gene probably ain't doin' its thing for me) I really don't need folks to chew my ears and give me a load of sass for asking what seems to me a sensible question. All I want is a little help and a kind answer. I suspect those who are unhappy with the constant 'white noise' and repeated questions, are pretty smart folk who simply want to drop in, grab what they need and go. I can understand that they might feel that the 'newbie traffic' is jamming up their lane. The fact is most newcomers to LW are overwhelmed with the sheer volume of knowledge contained here. I certainly was. It takes a while for people to settle in and put their feet up so please cut the newcomers some slack guys, everyone has to start somewhere. Questions are a great way to get to know you good people and most newbies are quick to understand how kind and thoughtful you can be. I just wish everyone could have a truly positive experience here. Just an idea, but if you are an expert LW search engine user then how about putting together a brief guide for newbies on the best way to use the thing? Heck, I'd use it myself! Ray