King's X

Take a longer bolt and separate both sets of burnishers on to it. Also, I used a replacement leg that I purchased from Home Depot that has channels lathed in already and wrapped my canvas on it. The 1" screw that sticks out works well in my drill press. Good luck. Turn your drill press on with the burnisher attached and carefully apply the wax as it spins. Very nice idea.......thanks for sharing!

Take a look at Texas Custom Dies. They sell a manual clicker. This might give you an idea what you are looking for.

Stick a lacing or diamond tip chisel in there and you'll have a manual stitch maker. Nice job!

Like I said, that would have been what I would have done myself. You do what comes to you at the time. It does look really good.

I think this is great work and unique in that you tooled as you saw it at the time you prepared it. I also agree, I like the mulesfoot work around the border. On the corners of your border, I would have used a good size seeder to offset the mulesfoot, but that is the way I would have tooled it. I would still have a hard time letting this one go because it is unique not faulty! Be proud!

Welcome to the forum Ana and Paco Collars. I have seen some of your videos on the process of how you make your collars, impressive work!

I use a 14oz from Bearman maul for light leather tooling and an 18oz maul for general tooling. For my baskets and geometrics, I use a 24oz Stohlman maul. For heavier tooling and makers mark, I use a Stohlman 3lb. I would definitely recommend an 18oz as a starter. With either Beary or papa bear.....you cannot go wrong.

By then I will have a couple more project ideas for Spinner. He'll need to make that $$ for her college education.

I have used just about every technique that I read about and after all of this time, I found two things that work for me. Seiwa tools in Japan sells nippers that were once sold by Hidecrafter's, but i later found out that these were best for lacing holes because of what you mentioned above. I ended up modifying my Tandy chisels by carefully grinding and reshaping the teeth into diamond shapes and thinning them out. They work great and my stitches 'swallow' the holes.................of course, I used a 5 cord thread so the hole has not chance. Good luck.

Looks like it is going to be nice and spacious.

Jonathan.......this is a very good question and simple to answer for me. Both EVOO and Neatsfoot oils are stored just like you bought them. On a shelf. My oils (both) are stored on my tooling bench shelf. In fact, I have moved them to different bottles especially the EVOO since it comes (usually) in glass to a plastic Gatorade bottle. I would not advise to refrigerate. As for the oil you use now that has been clumping on you.............toss it and start new............last thing you want is health issues for you or your customers. This is just something that I would do. I buy my EVOO at Wal-Mart for like $4-$6 for like a giant bottle that has lasted me a long, long time. good luck.

Check out one of our members on here at www.bigpapaleather.com. Sorry to hear about your BF's loss. This will be a very nice gift!

I think it looks better than just plain nice. The stitching lines are clean and the color is well balanced.

This is a block that I made last year to store my tools. I also had Dale at Grandpa's Past Time make me a specially design tool holder for the tools that I need for a particular project. The big block that measure almost 3 feet in length is for permanent store. I just pull the tools I need and place them in my project rack which you can see at the bottom of the picture on my stone. I know that it looks rather basic, but for now it works. I will be moving in about 30 days and I have been designing a new tooling bench, which will have a tool storage built in. This is not professional by any means, but for this hobbyist it does the job just fine!

I buy my velum in notebook pack of 50 (8x11) for about $7 at Office Max. It is a product that is made by Helix. What I like about it is that I can also print on it for fonts or other logo type art. I know that Hidecrafter's used to sell loose tracing paper in packs, but I have no idea if this is still so. Good luck.

Big O My condolences on the loss of your daughter!

There are products for every person out there. Good, bad and ugly. The people that probably bought those under par holsters were probably individuals that did not know there was anything better or people who did not want to pay the price for Bianchi, etc. There are also some people who just don't really care what it looks like so long as they "think" it will work out for them. Now, I not a professional by any means, but I hear more and more from other artisans that most people do not want to pay the $$ for what a quality item cost just to make yet make a decent profit from. You are going to find more and more people like this guy in shorts and a t-shirt. I feel for me, like MLapaglia stated, it is my responsibility to teach others how to make their leathercraft better because down the line, it will impact each one of us as a whole. As for the guy in the short and t-shirt, I would have probably had a more in depth conversation (if he was having it) about his products to get a feel how he learned his craft. More than not, you will probably run into the guy like the one on Esty or guys that don't want to hear it. As for presentation, I guess I am in trouble because I only wear shorts and t-shirts. I am easy to find at leather shows around all those 'real' cowboys. I better consult my fashionista again!

The process of applying oil after working with your leather either carving, tools, molding, etc is for replacing the depleted oils that are removed during the working process. Dyeing your leather would follow any reconditioning of the leather. As Twin Oaks stated, I also use EVOO on more of my higher quality leather such as Hermann Oak or Wickett & Craig. On my Tandy Leathers, I will typically use Neatsfoot oil. Why, you ask? Because the tanning process results in the hide coming out blonde in finish. The neatsfoot oil will usually add a tint to the hide color whereas the EVOO will not. These are my results. The typical working process would be as follows (this is not a complete list, but a simple process of understanding): 1. casing the leather (applying water and/or other combination) to prepare the leather so it can be worked 2. reconditioning the leather piece after it has been worked; this is done by apply some form of oil nutrients back like neats foot or olive oil. 3. Dyeing your leather in the color scheme chosen. 4. apply any resist (or not) depending on what you want to accomplish. 5. if you use item #4, follow up with a resistant enhancement product like paste or gel. 6. apply your final protective coat of finish. I hope this helps.

Ahhhh.....okay. My family does not allow me to play scientist........stuff tends to blow up around me.

It really looks good. Your edges need some work though. They make or break any project. I envy anyone that can put color to their projects......nice job!

This is interesting. I have never heard of the glue that you are using. I use Master's contact cement and have never had this issue. I also have a gallon of the Weldwood and cannot recall this occurring as well. I would like to ask why you are mixing your dye? Maybe the alcohol content is causing this disruption of the gluing properties. Good luck!

I mess up every sewing channel I make. Over time you will realize that your actual holes and sewing can straighten the line out just a bit so it does not look as bad as you initially thought. Your project came out really well. Your mom is very proud of her gift, I am sure. Thanks for sharing!

You are a top flight person and craftsman! I guess the pressure placed on you would be my fault and I take full responsibility. It has been a good ride for you. I am honored that I was part of portion of your history. I will try to keep my ideas to myself next time! LoL Please spend as much time with Emily as possible for these are the times that you will remember most down the road. Trust me! If I get a chance to come home for bit, I will make sure to meet up with you and maybe I will get a chance to see Emily in person. I appreciate all that you have done for me and our leather guild. Hats off to you!

Looks good....I like the two tone scheme.

Welcome to the forum Don!