rickybobby

I had a pair of boots in that needed welt replacement in the toe area. Because of the tight turn you need to go back some so the leather will lay flat at the spliced seam. This is the second time I have done the toe area, most welt repairs I have done are in the side where the leather lays flatter after putting in the new welt. This was the 3rd. pair done for this customer, 1/2 leather soles & heels replaced. Rick J.

Lui, Congrats, all the hard work you put in shows. It looks like a nice place! Good luck, keep us posted on what is going on at the store and you marketing ideas. Rick J.

I just wanted to let other leather crafters know about the great experience I had dealing with Lonnie at Gomph Leather Tools. I dropped my large basket weave tool and it hit the pavement on one ear, bounced and hit the other side ear as well! Both were badly damaged. I packaged it up and sent it to Lonnie for repair and in 2 days I had a new Basket Stamp in my mailbox! This kind of customer service is hard to find these days. Lonnie is carrying on the business practices that Ellis started many years ago. I have a set from Gomph and will be buying more to replace others from them as I “update” my tools to the higher quality clear impressions that Gomph is known for. I was so lucky to get to meet Ellis about ten years ago at a Leather Show in Riverside Ca. He had the ability to make you feel comfortable standing at his table, he would spent time with each customer, do a demo of a tool, teach you something, ask if you had questions and made you feel welcome at his table. I know that my work is just a little better because of the quality of his tools. He was a very positive influence in the Leather World. Rick Jorgenson

Nice work! I like the color, what did you use? It looks so even (no blotches) She should really like it. P.S. Nice tooling too ! Rick J.

Welcome Elly! A glove for a first project! Wow! The pointed hole maker thingy will be your best friend and it will keep biting you! It can go in only so far then the bone in your finger will stop it. Ouch! It gets better wiwth practice and it helps if it is really sharp, you have better control and do not have to push as hard. Search this site for "sharpening an awl blade" and there should be something there. If not go to Tandy's website and get the book on "useing and sharpening leather tools" </a><a href="http:///home/department/Books-Patterns/61960-00.aspx?feature=Product_149" target="_blank">Leathercraft Tools Book http://www.tandyleatherfactory.com/default.asp This book is a big help. You also might enjoy the "making cases" books. Rick J.

Mark, Beautiful job on these, it looks like you have a good technque for the "finger carving". Very clean look and nice proportions. Did you draw the pattern? Nice work, Rick J.

Nice straps! What did you line them with?

Jeff, I noticed the alum. rails in a photo of some you had for sale. Do you make and install the rails? If so, How? They look a lot more durable and permanent then the wood dowel. Rick J.

Wow!! Nice boots!!! I would have never thought of Tooling the Sole Leather!! Nice touch!! I have been repairing boots for a year, my business partner has been in the business for 35 years and has made boots as well. You have sparked another interest for me! Thanks for posting those. Is you next pair ready for photos yet!!! LOL!!! Rick J.

Nice job Dave!! Love the colors and detail!! Rick J.

Nice holsters and nice work. It looks like you had a good following (customers). Rick J.

Hey Josh, I emailed Ralide about the mini trees & stirrups, I did not see them on their website either. They do have them! Also, I have the patterns and directions from Tandy's if you need. Also check back issues of Leather Crafters & Saddlers Journal they ran a "How to" artical for the mini saddle, chaps & bridle. Rick J. Here is the info from Ralide: Dear Rick, Yes we still carry the miniature tree RT050 for $18.18 each and discount if order 36 or more. The mini stirrups a pair are RS2109 $4.76 a pair. Best regards, Nicole (423)746-2360

I bought the ocilating spindal sander from Harbor Freight. It has different size sanders and it works great! Paired with a small Shop Vac that hooks on to the back, it cuts time for shapeing edges and cleans them up well to. http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Disp...temnumber=95088 Check it out. Rick J.

Nice job Jordan! I made some but have not tried them in leather yet, I worked with nylon webbing to make mistakes! And there were plenty! Leather uppers and Leather footbed will be in my next pair, Putting crape sole material under the foot bed would give some cushion. We also have a product called "cloud" material that is light weight and will conform to your foot some for the foot bed. Cloud can also be covered with chap leather to make a comfortable foot bed. Rick J.

Dawn, Most of us were "drawn" to the leather! Then after that some of us are TOOL junkies! This craft lets us do both. It is great that you had a teacher to guide you in the beginning, some of us learned the long way of "Trial and Error" (lots of Error!) lol!! Thanks for sharing your start in leather, show us some pictures of your pieces! Rick J

Clair, You might check out this thread, http://leatherworker.net/forum/index.php?s...mp;hl=z999+tool If you would like to try mine I will send them to you. If you can have them duplicated "Great!" I do not want to give them up. Mine are about 30 years old and do work well and have a nice shape to them. You can keep them for a couple weeks, if you need them longer to have them duplicated just let me know. Rick J.

Jeff, Great job on this one and thank you for the tutorial. It is always a huge help to the rest of us to read your posts and explination of why you do a certain technique of fit of the weapon or carry comfort. Thanks, I always enjoy your posts!!! Rick Jorgenson

Thanks for posting the back side of them, they look good, that is how I have done them as well but instead of latigo I used rawhide. It holds up real well too. The edge dressing needs a little help. You might try a dauber that has been lit on fire. Ya, on FIRE. This is a trick someone showed me and it burns away all of the stray fibers that goober up the side. A. In a safe place (like a sink) light a new dauber with a match or lighter, let it burn about 4 or 5 seconds, then blow it out. B. when cool, use you fingers to remove ashes. What is left is a tight ball of fuzz with no stray's to mess up your work. C. If you want it smaller and tighter, repeat A. Rick J.

Nice job on those. If only they had some pink bling!! Really, Nice work !! Are they lined? Could you show a picture of the back to show how you assembled them? There are so many ways to attatch buckles & straps, I like to see how others are doing it. Rick J.

I have had these for 7 years, I have only redone the grit wheel once. It was not from use but from moving from Hawaii (humid climate) to Arizona (dry climate) it warped the heck out of it!!! Are you using bee's wax on it? That seems to help save it. They do work great!!! I bought mine from a guy at a leather show named Santa Claus! He had a white beard and white hair, they said he had his name changed leagally! I have not seen him on any blogs or web sites, I am not sure if he is still around. Rick J.

Nice job on the site and the knives!! Rick J.

Josh, I have Bill Gomers VHS tapes. If you still have a tape player your welcome to check them out. Send me a p.m. if you want them for a while. Rick J.

Nice Work !!! That is one nice piece!! I like the style, size, layout, pattern, Grid pattern, color, Wow the whole thing!! I really had to look for a while to find something to critique, The size of the leaves need to be larger. It may look better "balanced" pattern/filler/background if the leaves were larger. Maybe Bob (hidepounder) could chime in, he is really good at this sort of critique and could maybe add a suggestion if needed. Really nice work, the finish work is very professional Rick Jorgenson

Ray, You could move to Phoenix Az. It's 110'f right now and it cools down to 95'f in the evening!! lol!!! Insulation is a great investment and will keep your heat in and the cold out. Also dual pane windows, spend the extra $$$ up front to save later on!! Rick Jorgenson

Nice work!! I like the plain type finish, (so tired of brown and black!! lol!!) The craftsmanship shows in a style that is strong & stout, made to last. Good strong material and assembly that will go the extra mile in the brush. Nice knife too!!! Rick J.