fredk

I saw 'Belfast' and thought, 'eck, thats only 20 miles from meee!' Then I saw Maine, so add another 2,806 miles to that

They are also known as a Gladstone bag and date from the late 1890s

I'd say you couldn't go far wrong getting some of the Al Stohlman books. There are books which have small projects in them, books on how to stitch, how to lace and many more. Al's books are well written, full of illustrations and guidance on how and why to do things. They are available through Tandy stores and also from on-line book sellers.

Try using a gel ink pen. Just let the pen follow the engraved lettering. Seal after the ink had dried.

Depends on what its needed for I've only ever made two very basic ones. For one which someone wanted for out-door cookery demos I used 1.5 - 2mm chrome-tanned upholstery leather. A bit I had was just about the right size. No pockets or anything required, just a strap to go around the waist For the other which was for a blacksmith, again for out-door demos, again no pockets, just a strap for the waist, I used 3 - 4mm veg tan, which was oiled with my beeswax/neetfoot oil mixture for the finish. Last I saw that was serving the blacksmith well.

Very excellent work so it is A thought about the elastic; what about using thin-ish belly leather. I find it has enough stretch in it to be slightly elastic and will conform to various diameters. I used some as a pen holding loop on somat, it was stretchy enough to accommodate a few diameters of pen sizes I only use velcro on the cheap throw-away items made up from scrap. For my regular items its not allowed, has to be a proper closure fitting.

Seal the leather first, then use a gel ink pen, then seal again when ink is dry

I had two pairs of these ~ one with four teeth and one with two teeth. I binned [trashed/tossed] the two-teeth one as the teeth weren't hardened and just bent as they bit into the leather [ 1.2mm / 3oz approx] I've bought a second four-teeth pair and intend to reduce it to a two-teeth one Handy and quick to use once you get used to them, and as advised above keep your awl handy as sometimes the teeth dont punch all the way through

Here is a knife scabbard I made just over 10 years ago. The paint on it is acrylic made by Humbrol, its meant for plastic model kits. AFAIR it was first undercoated white then the colours and finally the work got two coats of Future acrylic floor 'polish'. This has been out and about February thru November, two, maybe three events per month, rain and shine ~ mostly rain here in N.I. Its been thrown in and worn with chain maille armour. Its not been looked after. Now it needs a repaint. When new; 10 years ago Now [just a short time ago actually] Now that i know about stuff like Resolene, if I was to do this again [and after its repaint] thats what'll get coated with to see if that protects it even better Once acrylic paint is dry it won't smear when Resolene is put on it. Normal acrylic paints can only be softened with an alcohol, eg IPA or Meths, or Vodka

Way to go young dudette. You got yourself an apprentice

Basically, no rules on varnish. I use a quick dry acrylic gloss varnish. A very thinned [with water] first coat, a second slightly thinned coat then around three or four top coats, lightly sanding in between each. I'm not looking a decorative gloss finish just a good water barrier. MDF soaks up the thinned varnish like a thirsty camel. It takes plenty of coats of varnish to get the surface really sealed

I sent an email directly to him and got a catalogue back within 30 minutes

I use gel-ink pens. Easy enough to use This was a 3-D stamp but the process is the same

I use gel-ink pens

I use MDF and varnish it. A lot of varnish to waterproof it. MDF is very easily cut with minor hand or power tools. Even a medium duty knife will shape it easily. MDF has no grain so it doesn't leave any grain imprint in the leather

Bestest I can do for you; http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2pcs-Brass-D-Shackle-DIY-Clasps-Ring-for-Keyring-Pouch-Belt-Loop-Fastener-Clip-/371839178764?var=640825166987&hash=item569357980c:m:mvpFrnNL6-GzXppqq4_f2JQ But if you go to a quality DiY store which carries decorative brass chain you may find them there cheaper. They are similar to Gyves* for attaching chain to chain or to hardpoints * aka D shackles, a similar but more O shaped version is a Bow shackle. Available in stainless steel, painted steel and brass

In the UK Italian made items have a very poor reputation for their electrics. I've not had a single item made in Italy which I've not had to re-wire up - from new. Thus I'd advise you to check the electricals over very carefully

Try checking out a supplier for Auto restorers. They sometimes have need of heavy duty elastic in various widths.

You can make one yourself. Get a length of doweling from a DiY outlet [about 1.5 Euro] Get some Wet & Dry paper from a car accessory shop or the DiY shop [about 0.75 E per sheet] Glue the W&D paper around a piece of the dowel Job done; and ready for you to de-burr the blade I use 600 grade W&D to de-burr my cutting blades. 1200 or 2000 if I want a really polished edge. Two alternatives are a pipe de-burrer which plumbers use after they've cut through copper pipe. A good hardware store will have that; they'll cost from about 10 E upwards, but they can be a bit coarse for the job or a 'rat-tail' round file, costs about 3 E upwards for a quality one. I use one for sharpening my individual round and oval hole punches.

Worked with mine too. I could grab one and swing him up off his feet when he was about to start mischief. I wish there was a 'Like' button I could hit for some of the funny comments on here

Extra; I found another photo. Here's a part of it. Craftool 3-D stamp; Fleur de Lys # 8613-00 used, lined with silver gel-ink

I've been looking for some but so far I can't find anything much. The only thing I have to hand is this gaming board. The pattern was drawn on with a pointed scriber; effectively pressing the pattern into the leather, almost as deep as a stamping would do. Even with 'antique-ing' it didn't stand out, so I went along the scribed line with a gold gel-ink pen. When it was well and truly dry I went over it with the Pledge, then it got Fiebling's clear Resolene on top of that then buffed up a bit with a bee'swax polish mixture I make. You have to be careful with the gel-ink tho; its water soluble so until its lacquered over to seal it it can 'run' if it gets too wet, and when you put the sealer over it don't wet it too much or drag the brush/sponge as that'll smear it too [don't ask me how I know..... ] I've done a knife scabbard for a friend with a stamped pattern all over it, then used a silver gel-ink pen in the low groves of the pattern to make the pattern stand out [or 'pop' as some US speakers would say] I've done single letters, small patterns...... But I rarely keep photos of these things and the items are all with their owners or passed on. Gel-ink pens are available just about anywhere. The metallic ones are just a bit harder to get but not much harder. And I believe you can get 'glitter' gel-ink pens in many colours as well.

All dyeing is done before. Stamping - dyeing - sealing - colouring in - more sealing - polish if necessary

I use gel-ink pens. Available in many colours as well as gold and silver. Tips are fine enough to go along the groove made by some stamps. Only takes a few seconds to colour in an area. After they dry for at least 24 hours I give the area a quick coat of 'Pledge with Future shine' acrylic floor varnish to seal the ink

Tandy has this one in their pattern library; Its very similar https://www.leathercraftlibrary.com/p-1816-ladies-concealment-handbag-pattern.aspx?