Chief31794

I nearly forgot, most dyes will leave residual pigment, so it's best to make sure you get it off, with water based dyes I normally wipe the item with a damp cloth after it has dried, this will remove the residue from water based dyes (EcoFlo), the other thing I do is buff the item vigorously for some time, it takes some work but it will remove residual residue as well, I do the buffing on water based dyes after wiping with a damp cloth, spirit based dyes I just buff without wiping with a damp cloth. This helps quite a bit, you may still get some residue off when you apply the finish, it shouldn't be a problem and should actually "smooth" out the coloring of the dye. Hope that helps, perhaps some of the dying experts will jump in with some other tips, this is how I do it and have been pretty happy with the results. Chief

Here are a few projects I put out in the last couple of weeks. Chief

More than likely they weren't completely dry. I normally let any dye (Eco-Flo, Fiebings, or Angelus) dry for several hours, overnight if I can. Chief

Thanks Cheryl. Chief

Had a customer ask for a guitar strap with a dragonfly where I normally put a flying eagle. Double C wanted to see what it looked like, I ain't particualarly happy with it but it is a dragonfly. Chief

Thanks, Using the link I found it, I had been on his site and his photobucket but saw no reference to it. Chief

I'm looking forward to seeing them, I always love your work. One tip, you might try hitting the tool instead of your thumb! LOL Chief

Where can you buy a copy of Bobby's book? Chief

Good looking bags, they should give you many years of good service and look good as well. Chief

Congratulations, hope everything goes well in your future shows. Chief

The company is still in business, I don't know any thing about them but they have a website with a contact us feature, you might try contacting them to get information on the product you have. They are headquartered in Wisconsin, Their website is: http://www.primeleatherfinishes.com/ Chief

Thanks, Chief

Thanks David, I appreciate the comments. Chief

I admit it, the fly is a plant. I put him there to enhance the look of the strap. Thought about having a bikini model wear the strap, but we have already been through that discussion. LOL Chief

Thanks Cheryl, Chief Thanks Bluesman, Basket weave seems pretty popular but it sure takes some time and effort. Chief

It's been a while since I posted anything I'd done. I'm getting ready for 2 craft fairs this month, so I've been building inventory. These three are for orders, on the checkbook, western floral isn't that popular, however, you put a deer in it and it'll sell. The Rifle Sling and Guitar Strap are for another customer (again with the deer, this one is carved, the other is 3D).

As a last resort, there is always Fiebings USMC Black. If you finished it, take the finish off with deglazer as stated above, then dye it black. If you haven't put a finish on, just dye it black. Chief

Welcome back, this is a great site with lots of good folks. Chief

X2 i have them and they work smoothly and cleanly every time I hit them. I use a small dead blow hammer but it doesn't take much effort. Chief

Looks great, good lines and a really nice job. Chief

A couple of things that helps with a Boss, 1) Make sure you are pulling the lever all the way down and pushing it all the way up every time. Do this methodically and don't try to go too fast. 2) Needle alignment and size. Make sure you are using the right needle and not just the recommended one in the charts, test it on your thread to make sure it moves very easily, then when installing the needle take extra care to ensure the needle is absolutely straight and that the kerf is on the side that the set screw is on. There are no marks for alignment so you have to do it by eye but if it is "twisted" slightly it will pull stitches short and even skip stitches due to binding the thread. Hope that helps, if you still have trouble I would call Tippman during business hours, they are more than happy to work with you to get it going correctly. Chief

It is the same as Neat Lac, just marketed under a different name, there's a story there not sure what it is but Clear Lac is Neat Lac. At least I can't tell any difference and I was told that it is the same thing. The Company that makes it is called LCI. Chief

Just to add, Clear Lac is the best I've used and it is also available from Springfield Leather Company. Chief

Absolutely agree, there is no "Exact" in cutting leather and this, to me, isn't a quality problem. Chief

I would check to make sure my strap is exactly 1", because most 1" straps that are bought actually measure 15/16" nominally. If you cut your own, they may vary after cutting or before. Also if you cut yours at exactly 1" and the punch is designed for 1" nominal (usually 15/16") then it will leave marks on the edges like you describe. That's why I always use a puch that is at least 3/16" larger than the strap I'm cutting. Leather isn't a perfect medium and doesn't even have a +/- tolerance factor. There is no way that Tandy nor anyone else could make a punch that would cut every 1" strap since they may vary from 15/16" to 1-1/16". I'm not a big fan of Tandy tools, I don't use very many, but if I did, I wouldn't expect them to exactly cut every 1" strap I put under it since they vary. Chief