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Aart

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Posts posted by Aart

  1. Posted · Report reply

    Hi Dave,

     

    Aart here from France.
    I once ( 20 years ago I'm afraid) used a through and through Aluminium or was it Aluin hide.

    It was beautiful and very soft.

    So soft I couldn't use it for the harness it was intended for. ;-)

    It came from Ehrlich Leder in Germany.
    Maybe worth giving them a call or send them a mail ?

     

    Best regards

     

    Aart.

     

     

  3. Posted · Report reply

    Hell there,

     

    My old mare has a now recurring problem inside her front leg hoof (2nd abscess in 3 month time)

    With the vet we opened the sole and away went the pain. 
    Medication for several days and a new dressing each afternoon before going out into the paddock at night. 

    It is rather warm here in Southern France now ;-)

    Next morning when she comes in the bandage is still there but the bandaged 'sole' is gone and there is grit in the pit, which is far from ideal.

    Question is, as I'm a kind of a leather smith, is there someone around who has made a kind of protecting 'boot' from a sturdy piece of leather.

    Sturdy enough to keep in place for some time.

    If not I'll have to ask my farrier for help.

    Any help or ideas greatly appreciated.

    Best

     

    Aart.

     

     

  5. Posted · Report reply

    Hi Chris,

    Thank you..Yes you are probaly right, they are those ‘hood’ studs. used on cars and boats. I received an answer yesterday from Loxx. I’ hope they can send me a picture, as I’m not sure that theirs are exactly the finish I am looking for. We keep on plowing ;-;

    have a good day all

    Aart

  6. Posted · Report reply

    Thank you Immiketoo, Charon and Gigi,

    Yes I 'found' Loxx too. But they do not answer my questions. 

    (Although I even tried to write them in German, but probably my German is not flawless ;-) 

    ((Oberteil mit grosser glatter kopf in voll messing und nicht verchromt))

    My question to them was if they do their Buttons in Glossy Brass and with a 'flat' head (without the tiny raised dome in the middle)

    I've seen the 'loxx' trademark on their buttons and on the ones I need there is just 'Germany' and no 'Loxx'.

    So I wonder if the ones I saw are maybe from another factory ?

    Many thanks anyway for your interest and help.

    I'll try Loxx in English. Who knows

    Best;

    Keep on stitching.

    Aart

     

  9. Posted · Report reply

    Hi there

    I live close to the Italian border and instead of ordering everything in Paris or England it might be more interesting to

    find someone less far away. So the question is:  does anybody know of an ITALIAN business selling brass buckles and

    general horse tack hardware in Italy ?

    Best regards

    Aart.

     

     

  10. Posted · Report reply

    Good day to all.

    This morning one of our carpenters (knowing that I'm into saddlery) asked if I could make something to protect his fingers

    whilst pulling the bowstring ?
    Suppose that must hurt in the end .... so no doubt it exists.
    - Iv'e absolutely no idea how that's called.

    - No idea what( pattern to use either One finger or two or three together ? Kind of glove just fior the finger tips ?

    - Some ideas on material. But advise more than welcome.

    Any ideas for you lot?

    Thank you in advance (from a suddenly very hot South of France)

    Best

    Aart.

  12. Posted · Report reply

    Hello everybody,

    Let me tell you about -what you call- a research project. Living archeology. This summer my kids (25 and 20) went to build a castle. No sandcastle - no dream castle-

    ROCK and Tmber !

    Here back in France, in 1997 a group of enthousiasts started to build a 12th century

    castle from the bottom up. The project will take some 25 years to finish but they are getting there. http://www.guedelon.fr The building material they find on site. With ancient techniques and handmade tools they are forgetting time.

    No that’s wrong: They are focussing on time, Well spent!

    In the beginning the project needed some initial and financial help but now is completely self supporting. ( 3 000 visitors per day) And each and every craftsman (there are around 60 of them) explains and shows what he does. What his part in this project means.

    And all of them are happy and show their pride in their craftmanship.

    Now why this on Leaterworker?

    They do not use any electrical or motorised tool or engine. They’ve built their lifting machines. They make their own rope. They cut down their own oak trees. It is truly awesome AND inspiring. And so they have two Percherons horses for all transport.

    BUT when I went to visit I was ofcourse drawn to the stables and amazed to find that a modern harness with liverpools are being used. What an anachronism...

    The idea is to help.

    Is there anybody on this forum with research information on 12th century horse tack.

    I’ve looked through the reenactment part but found nothing on medieaval horse tack.

    Please ???

    Regards

    Aart

  13. Posted · Report reply

    Hi Lilly,

    - Might be your awl needs some sharpening.

    - Or the angle is not exactly 90°

    - Or you hold your project in your hand and not in the clamps

    - Or the quality of your leather is not satisfactory

    I would start sharepening your awl.

    Best

    Aart.

    Hello good people,

    I am hoping you can give me some advice. For some time now I have made some little items here and there but I am not happy with one part of it in particular. I use a very thin and narrow aw that makes a diamond shape or so, to make holes in my leather items which can sometimes be up to 10mm thick. Regardless of the thickness the front of the leather pierces neatly, but at the back the leather always tears. Im fed up with it as it doesn't look very nice especially since I dye many things. The tears look bad enough as it is, but on hand dyed veg tanned leather it looks worse because the tear then exposes the pink leather inside and even with the stitching you can still see this. I would really really really love to know how you fix this problem. I look forward to your replies.

    Very appreciative,

    Lilly

  14. Posted · Report reply

    Hi Critical,

    Well you are on your way for a lot of fun.

    Veg tanned leather would do for a starter. Thin I would say 1-1,5mm

    For the rest read the pinned "wet formed bag" article at the top of this page one more time.

    "Lacing ?" What lacing? Stitching and do not start with a 10 pi. You'll learn.

    And please, please do not stop when your first project does not work out. The third or fourth will be OK

    Best, and keep us posted,

    Aart.

    Hello everyone, I have been reading this forum all day long and I must say y'all seem to be extremely helpful to the noobies that come around asking for help. I have some questions about making a case. If you do not know what type of case I am talking about please refer to the link below.

    http://www.cupojoes....&item=DAV085312

    I am always looking to work with my hands and this is a perfect skill for me to learn. I would like it to look similar to the case in the link but I still am at a loss as to what tools I will need exactly. This case should be simple to make, 4 pieces of leather, glue, holes for thread, etc. I smoke a lot of cigars so once the leather is assembled I will be using wooden dowels based off the vitola of my cigar. Now for my questions....

    What type of leather should I use? I plan on using neatsfoot oil around it to form fit around the dowels and I was told veg tanned leather is the best for molding.

    What thickness? Obviously this will not be a harden case but I want it to be study, not hard. Any recommendation?

    What is the point of beveling the edges around the stitching? I know I can use a slicker to round them out but I assume it's for looks only or does it help with the slicking process?

    Besides the normal tools needed (Hammer, Mat, Blade, Ruler and Glue), I think I will also need a...

    1. Beveling Tool

    2. A adjustable stitch groover (I read that this helps protect the stitch so that the threads are not worn down)

    3. An Overstitch Wheel (Probably 10 per inch), I assume this tool is used to mark the holes needed for the lace, correct?

    4. A Awl and blade for making the holes for lacing

    5. Saddlers Needles

    6. Thread...For thread, does it have to be waxed thread? If so why? (Will be doing a double saddler stitch)

    7. Slicker for rounding edges

    That should do it. I have no idea how this will turn out but I have tried hard to do as much research as possible and now I come to you guys to make sure I have everything I need for this project. I am sure there will be a little trial and error along the way but does it look like I have everything I need? I can't tell you how exited I am to dive into the world of leather working and I hope to see many of you sound off in this topic :) I am sure I will have more questions along the way. Thanks :)

  16. Posted · Report reply

    Aart I have one and i really like it it sews well But it has it's limit.I bought this machine because i was tired of hand sewing and i had $1200 to spend.The Boss worked well

    for a long time and it helped me make money to be able to buy a copy of an Adler Sewing machine.post-1906-099538500 1329401850_thumb.jpg

    Hi Luke, how are you ?

    Thank you for your comment.

    Hand sewing here too, but....... same problem and probably coming to an identical solution.

    What type of Adler is that you are using ?

    Electrical or 'hand'

    Adler Might be easier to find one back here in Europe.

    Last time I bought something from the States the import duties were 'killing'

    (They charge 2350 $ for the above stichtcher here....)

    Friendly regards

    Aart.

  19. Posted · Report reply

    Hi Mr Nutty Saddler from Hungary,

    Very nice job,

    Especial the roller, can see you use your stuff.

    Rings where we need them and reinforced where it needs to be stronger.

    Shaped girth looks comfortable too.

    Extra d rings next to the caveçon iron is certainly an idea.

    So you were not able to source a brass caveson iron either ????

    (I personally now use a "Vienna" type cavecon with an added cheekpiece for a full cheek and double broken snaffle.)

    As a matter of interest I would like to know for how much you sell the set

    (I'm not buying nor selling) just making things alike for my friesians.

    Best regards

    Aart. (Somewhere in Southern France)

  20. Posted · Report reply

    thanks Jo,

    Being Dutch and loving horses too. I knew the site and had read the article.

    But Chambon just gets her head down (or no I should say 'Not up')

    And I want her to use her back more by bringing the head down plus her hindfeet under.

    Thanks anyway.

    Aart

  22. Posted · Report reply

    Dwight.

    Sorry for this late reply. People tend to work these days.

    Cut Round in a full hide. as proposed would be my option.

    I was always told that stitching does weaken a strap. Now that's a topic: "does stiching weaken a piece of leather"

    Twice I had to make full lenght tandem lines that way. (Once for myself (still using them) and after that another pair for a friend)

    (Originally, A Tandem has got nothing to do with cycling, but is a horse drawn turn-out where two horses are driven from a two wheel cart. One in front of the other. The front one being almost free and 'kept' in between 'law and leash' .

    So, for the front one you really need long straps of leather. And that -If possible- without any stichtes.

    Just thought that I should share the following:

    If I remember well from school (that was something like 40 years ago) this story really started in Troy - Greece (or Eastern Turkey that is I know)

    The Greek god son Ilos (Zeus' I think (not sure)) was given a piece of land that could be covered with a cowhide.

    He then cut round and round a very, very long strap and the surface of the troyan township roy was born. (The Troyan 'orse came later)

    Best

    Aart.

  24. Posted · Report reply

    Barra,

    I think I get the idea! Once when I was a little boy, I hit my head on a pole. As the lump raised up, the baby sitter took a spoon and rubbed the lump back down. Hurt like the dickens, but there was no lump for my parents to see!

    I wonder if a 1/2 gallon glass jar full of sand or water would work for the smooth, slick & burnish functions?

    Thanks,

    John Morton

    Now that's a very good idea John.

    First I'll go out to find a Pole

    and then a sitter with a spoon.

    Thanks

    Aart.

  25. Posted · Report reply

    Thanks Gentlemen,

    Airbrush ?? Never done that. Will Try and let you know.

    Barra, thanks for your idea, but

    I know that it is 'difficult' to keep your head down with a bell sleigh and a flaming red harness with 'plumes'.

    I 've used some patent black for accents on light show harnesses and did not like that.

    But red? I'm afraid that is a bit over the top and too much 'circus' if you know what I mean.

    My calvinistic side would not dare to get on the box

    Thank you anyway.

    Aart.

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