Chief31794

very very nice and something you don't see everyday!

I have no idea, I've been doing it for decades, it's quite simple. Maybe I'll put a video of the technique out on You Tube, I'll post a link out here when i do, probably be a week or so, I'm backed up in the shop. Thank you, the buckle is not stainless, it is actually a Tandy buckle, I don't buy a lot from Tandy but some of their buckles, even though made in China are really quite good. This is a buckle I keep in stock, it is Tandy # 1550-02, the 1550-01 is brass and the -02 is nickel covered brass. I've used them for years, they give good service, look good and don't cost much. I offer belts with high end buckles but most people like these. Chief

No, machines predominately do lock stitch, saddle stitching can only be done by hand. Chief

Great job!!! Chief

Jimbob, very, very nice. Chief

Thanks Monica, Thanks Colt, Chief

I think it's normal ostrich, I buy it from SLC, they sell ostrich and they sell ostrich leg. Chief

Thanks, the 4th item is genuine ostrich, the 3d and 5th are Embossed Cowhide (Leather). Thanks I still like the western floral type carvings but they don't sell well anymore, I actually sell more plain wallets than anything. Papaw, Thanks, the USMC emblem is an old, old Tandy Stamp (back when they made good stuff), I wish I could find the whole set, I have the new set they make and won't use them, the EGA is the only one of the old ones. Chief

Rohn, Thanks, they are antiqued, two are Saddle Tan and one is Light Brown. I finish just about everything with ClearLac, I started using it when it was called Neatlac and it is my goto finish. I use Aussie on some items, and Mop and Glo on the Black Items, I don't use Clearlac on black, I like the Mop and Glo look on that. Chief

Agree, a lot of my customers seem to like having to pay more for unique, custom made, etc. I actually get more sales when the prices are up than when they are down, people seem to equate low price with low quality, set the price high if you sell lots of them, think about raising the price if you don't sell as many as you thought you should in your market think about reducing the price. Pricepoint is another business concept, there is a pricepoint for most items that people expect to pay, arriving at the price point for your items is an art and sometimes is easier accomplished with a ouiga board. Make sure you cover your costs, to include labor, get a respectable profit at a good volume and you'll be successful. Chief

I measure everything is sq ft, since that's the way I buy leather. For example a 1-1/2" belt, normal size (You need 50") is 1.5 X 50 = 75 Sq In 75/144 = .52 sq ft. If I'm buying my leather for say $7.50 a sq ft (including shipping it to me) then the cost I would use for the belt would be .52 X $7.50 = $5.40 X 1.15 (15 % waste factor) = $6.21 that would be actual cost for the leather. Keep track of your waste and even if you use it for something else still calculate the waste actually for cost. Any profit you make from the waste just improves your profit margin. This is just an example, make sure you cost all your materials this way, then include incidentals, findings, overhead (shop cleaning supplies, light bill, blades, sharpening supplies, etc). A lot of people don't calculate the cost of indirect labor (overhead) time and materials. You should also calculate them into your shipping costs (packaging material, tape, time to pack, etc). Real quick down and dirty, hope it helps answer your question. Chief

Thanks, Chief

Orders for Rifle Slings are picking up, I guess hunting season is kicking up some interest. Anyway, here's some of what we put out this week. Chief

Since I see you're from Georgia too, I'll rate it georgia style "It's Plumb Purty" both of them. Really nice work, the class shows all through both of them. Chief

I keep the bobbin and the thread in a plastic ziploc bag, one for each color, that way the bobbin is there, the thread is there and I feel like it keeps the thread from "drying". Chief

I've done business with SLC for a long time and they've always treated me like a customer. I've always been impressed with what they sell and with their customer service. That being said, I wouldn't do business with them if I weren't happy with either thier products or their service, but for now, I don't have a problem with them. Chief

This is a very informational thread, Now I have found another use for Quick Slick provided the reverse is true, if Astroglide is good for slicking edges, then Quick Slick ...... I would recommend you not try any of this with Gum Trag. Chief

Thanks All, I tried to quote each of you but the system won't let me, I didn't know there was a limit to the number of posts you could multiquote. I appreciate all the kind comments. Some of you mentioned the two tone dye job, I use a method to achieve that and I've never heard anyone else talk about it. I do it with Neetsfoot Oil. I coat the piece front and back pretty heavy and I don't burnish the edges until after I dye, so I also make sure I oil the edges well. then I let it dry, oiling the edges causes the oil to be "heavier" on the edges so that when I apply Fiebings Antique Dye the edges are darker than the middle and it has a separate benefit of the sling or belt being extremely flexible and feel really good. This method is totally random and isn't as controlled as sunbursting with an air brush, but I like the effect I get and apparently some of you do as well, if you wan't to use this method I recommend doing some tests on scrap before committing to an actual project. One note, if the oil drys evenly, then I apply more to just the edges, wait a short time and then do the dying. Thanks, Chief

Colt, Thanks, the keeper is from Springfield Leather Company, they have a machine that puts the staples in. When I make my own, I sew them as shown in this picture. The stamp is a Barry King Angled Basket Weave Stamp. Thanks, Chief

Just finished this for a customer in Texas. She wanted her wedding date and her and her husband's initials with a Plus sign below the carving and basket weave. This was made using the template from Black River Laser. I designed the template and Joyce started selling them some time ago, I get quite a few orders for these, lots of wedding parties where the groom gives them to the groomsmen. Any way, no lacing on this just cutting, punching, carving, oiling and dying (plus skiving the ends to make them fold better). Chief

I've used Black River Laser for years, never had a problem. Talked to Joyce today, she told me they've had some email and internet issues but she thinks they have them fixed. They are a very good source for Templates and their customer service is excellent, any small business will have hiccups from time-to-time. She is a member here, "StitchWizard". Excellent products for leather workers from fellow leather workers. Chief

Thanks wild bill, The part I really like doesn't show the back and the back of the pockets are lined with Faille Cloth and that make the currency area very nice. Thanks for the nice comments. Chief

Thanks Rohn, Sir, Have at it, doesn't bother me at all. Thanks for the comment on the lacing. Chief

I got tired of buying wallet inserts, been getting several styles from SLC and they're good and priced well, but I wanted to make something a little classier, this wallet is lined with Faille Cloth and uses the same cloth to make the accordian pockets, I had this old Embossed leather laying around from an exotic remnant box I got from Springfield some time ago. It is nice and soft and the faille cloth for lining keeps the wallet very thin and plush feeling and looks really good inside. Since it's the first interior I ever designed, I named it "The Chief". Thanks for looking, Chief

Welcome neighbor, I'm next door in South West Georgia. This is a great forum, welcome to the site. Chief