Emily

I'm totally going for the same approach...I want to make quality collars that will last (and stand up to big dogs)! Well I hope when you get your tools, you have a pretty easy time with your first pieces...it's taking me forever to make mine, I'm working out so many kinks (but hopefully this forum will help that, so far everyone's advice has helped a lot). oh....and nope, never heard of the longwoods board (beautiful dog pic!)

ooohhhhh, that sounds very possible that I'm using the wrong setter. I'm using #104 tubular rivets with matching caps from Weaver Leather. (pic) When I ordered them, the guy that helped me said to use the heritage setter, but I got the impression he was a little confused. (I'll also check out the double cap rivets) Thanks!!

Very cool! We could use more training at our house (I write as my vizsla does psycho laps around our living room couch)!! I can't wait to see some of your big dog collars...those are what I'm mostly interested in making too.

Hi everyone! Thanks for all your welcomes and suggestions so far! I will definitely try the chicago screws (and keep practicing using rivets). -Emily

Hey Sodapop! Shout to another dog collar maker!! I'm really new at leather working too...but how lucky you are to be training with a saddle maker! So looking at your photo, are you doing collars specifically for K-9 police dogs? Do you work with the dogs, yourself? Welcome!! -Emily

Hi everyone! I'm new to leather working and would love help! I'm a jeweler, but am trying to make a line of fine dog collars with gold and gems on the ID tags. I've been reading through a lot of the topics, and have already learned a ton...but I have more questions: 1) I'm not doing any tooling or stamping and I want really vivid colors, so I've been buying tannery-dyed leather (from Siegel). So far, the bright colors I want are light weight, so I use a black or brown 4-6oz leather on the inside and sew the two layers together. (is that bad...I'm a little worried about stretching??) Any suggestions on finishing these edges?? It seems like the gum tragacanth and edge kote work better for veg tan than for what I'm doing. 2) I've been using tubular rivets and matching caps, and a Heritage riveter, but the caps are falling off. It's almost like the riveter is bottoming out and not flairing the rivet out all the way when I use the caps. (I've tried it with different lengths, and no improvement) The only way I've had them stay on is to smash them in a vice after they're on the leather, but then the caps are all smashed. Nice huh? Anyone know what I'm doing wrong? Anyway, any general advice would be great, I don't know if I'm totally of base for what I'm trying to achieve. Thank you!!!