Chief31794

What a nice compliment. I have a video out on you tube concerning the arrowhead basket weaving technique, hadn't thought about the others since they are pretty standard and there's lots of folks out here that do basket weave better than I. I will try to get in the shop and do some techniques on video and get it posted. Chief Standard width for guitar straps is 2-1/2 inches but I've made them from 1-1/2 to 3-1/2" wide for different folks. Thanks, Chief

I use Fiebing's Aussie, I coat both the front and back then heat with a heat gun until it liquifies, then wipe off the excess. This provides shielding against perspiration and also conditions the leather. Then I put 1 or 2 coats of Resolene on the front side. The Aussie is like "Sno Seal" it acts as a moisture prevention. Instrument straps that are used a lot get subjected to sweat. Hope that helps.

Are you cutting the Resolene, most people cut it 50/50 with distilled water and then you should make sure that you only apply one or two very light coats, most cracking results from applying too much resolene. Your picture looks like there is a fairly substantial build up of finish. There are other finishes, but Resolene is a staple in the leather working world, with Clear Lac being another. Some folks use Mop and Glo floor polish cut 50/50 with distilled water. I have used it and it seems a lot like Resolene and I don't think your results would be any better. Chief

Thanks, I don't get up to Kentucky, I do the ones in Georgia, and a few in Florida and Alabama. I make Resogat every year in Wilkesboro, NC. Wish I could get up to KY, I used to live in Clarksville just south of Hopkinsville back in the 70's and played around there some then.

Thanks, Thanks for the nice comments about my tutorials. Good luck on your first guitar strap. Chief

Thanks, Thanks, Chief

I have templates drawn in Inkscape, but it is just a simple T-pocket wallet assembly. This is a printout of the interior design 6PocketWalletInterior.pdf

I do these kind of things, you can reach me at chief31794 {at} yahoo DOT com. Chief

More stuff for a festival next month. 2 Attachment type banjo straps, a cradle type banjo strap and 2 mandolin straps for F-style mandolins. Chief

Absolutely Beautiful!!! Excellent craftsmanship.

Thank you, Chief

Thanks Chris, yep, I had a big show in North Carolina for dobro pickers last month and a couple of Bluegrass Festivals coming up, so I'm running pretty hard, and about next month will kick off Rifle Sling Season (beginning of hunting season through Christmas). Chief

Thanks, yeah I know a lot of them too. I get a double benefit from selling at Bluegrass Festivals, I get to sell some straps and I get to pick some too. Chief

Thanks Rohn, Chief

Getting ready for a Bluegrass festival next month, put these out over the last 4 days, I still have to do some banjo and mandolin straps, had some dobro straps left over from Resogat last month. Made from Hermann Oak 7/8 oz. Chief

Neatlac is still made, it is no longer called neatlac it is called Clear Lac, it is available from Springfield Leather Company and other places. It is produced by LCI which is who marketed it under Neat Lac back in the day. Chief

Made from Hermann Oak (c) 7/8 oz. Chief

The Big Red swivel knife sharpening jig will hold Barry's or Tandy's one end is smaller diameter inside than the other. It also comes with a device for setting the correct angle. Best sharpening tool I've found for swivel knives. Chuck Smith makes them, several places sell them. Chief

I've been wondering about the versa groover they sold, I have one and love it but have replaced the blade once (after about 1 year), I don't have anymore replacement tips and don't know of a source for them, does anyone have any idea?

It is normal to replace the oils in the leather after dying by applying Neetsfoot oil or some other conditioner. I use Neetsfoot oil most of the time and Feibings Aussie on projects that need perspiration or weather resistance. There are other products and probably other ideas about how to condition leather but most leather workers I know do some kind of conditioning after the dying process. I normally apply a finish after the conditioner has migrated appropriately (for me 12-24 hours).

Style of the mandolin. A style is the "Pear" shaped mandolins you see while an F Style has a scroll at the top. F-Style first then an A-Style As pictured here.

PM Sent Chief

Never seen 1-1/2" or 2" sets, once it gets over 1" I carve the letters. Chief

PM Sent Chief

Thanks Thanks Thor, I do like braiding, although on a project this size, it takes some time. Chief