budd4766
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Posts posted by budd4766
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I bought a large pack of round pieces from Tandy, and a large pack of book marks. My wife does a lot of these, and she was getting better at carving than I was...couldn't have that, so now, I keep a few on hand these days to practice carving on my lunch break.
They're good practice, and when you get a few you like, you've got coasters and bookmarks already made to use yourself, or to give to friends to "show off" with.
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What about Dubbin rather than mink oil? Baby powder is talcum powder with a scent added. It comes from soapstone. The problem with cornstarch being a food item, ot may attract wee creatures looking for a snack. With Dubbin I've literally buttered the leather with my bare hands. I leave it for 3 days, then wipe off any excess. In another few days I buff with a soft cloth. Rain will bead off this. I suspect the noise is where the rifle rubs the leather as the fellow is walking.I've never heard of "Dubbin"....is that a brand name?
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Thanks, guys.
At this point, I don't think it's worth the bother, but in the future, I might do it. Let's wait and see if this business actually goes anywhere first, I guess.
I have a friend who makes throttle bodies for mustang (no, the cars). He did the LLC route, because there's more liability for him if something goes wrong with one. In my case, probably the worst that can happen is somebody drops a cell phone from one of my cases...maybe.
Definitely something to keep in mind though, and when the business gets going well enough to justify the "red tape", I'll look harder at the LLC thingy.
Thanks again!
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I think it looks great! I'd hang my Les Paul on that any day! (my playing probably wouldn't justify the strap) If you don't mind a tip, do your edges on a belt or drum sander. It's really super quick, and gives you a really professional edge. Especially with a little wax on a wheel afterward.Kevin Hopkins/Springfield leather co.
Thanks for the tip. This is the first time, believe it or not, I'd made something with an exposed edge like that. Normally, I'm one to do some type of braiding to cover edges...braiding is just my thing..
I did put beeswax on the edges and rub them good with the little round plastic edge tool from Tandy. But, I probably didn't do it as well as I could have. I just did enough to where the suede on the underside got burnished into the edge and left it at that. I still haven't figured a decent way to get that tool to work with my drill yet...when I do, I'm sure edges will get better.
And...when I get a "real" shop, and can move out of the spare bedroom, I'll for sure get a sander!! Great tip!
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I use Q-tips.
Just don't pick up a lot of dye with the Q-tip...just a little, and it'll be easier to control.
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Yep, it does. Though I can't remember the specific name of this braid, here is a couple cell phone cases I did using Grant's book as a guide. All this braiding came from his book.
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I know a lot of us are small-timers and just do this for a hobby that occasionally makes a little cash...but some are full-timers and make a living at it. I'm personally starting to sell a few items here and there, and got to wondering about incorporating this hobby into a business.
(This might make a good poll...if someone more knowledgeable than myself could set one up.)
Pertaining to your leather work...
1. How many people here have incorporated their leather business?
2. Is there a real "need" to incorporate?
3. At what point does it become necessary to incorporate?
4. What's the best way to go about it?
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Bruce Grant's books are pretty good as well. Easy to follow...and with pictures!! I started braiding stuff the first day I got "Leather Braiding". I got it off Amazon, but you can find it at Tandy too.
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I think I'm going to soak it in mink oil and see what happens. I like the idea of making it non-adjustable, but I'm not sure that would "work" for him. I know I'm always adjusting mine to suit me better all the time....but then, when I'm in the woods, I'm not carrying it on my shoulder, I've got it down and ready, so I don't care about "creak".
I figure the mink oil will give it a dark color (a consideration for a hunter), and help with water resistance to boot. If it still creaks, I'll try to fix it from that point....somehow.
Thanks for all the suggestions!!!
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I started with Bruce Grant's book on braiding. Wanted something to do on "rainy days". After braiding about everything I could, I remembered I had my dad's old hunting knife in a drawer somewhere, and that I'd planned to restore it someday.
So, I pulled it out and, like you, I wound up at the tandy store. Bought tools and leather to remake the leather "disc" handle and sheath and got started.
After that, I was really hooked. Started thinking of all the other stuff I'd like to have made in leather. It's been all downhill from there.
Here's the before and after pics of that first sheath. Pretty plain...but that's what got me started.
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I have a customer who wants a rifle sling. Customer is complaining about their current sling "squeaking" while hunting, (I assume when the rifle is carried with the sling over the shoulder), and if the new one does, they would probably never use it...hence, not buy it. (I personally love the sound of leather creaking, but, I guess it's too loud for Mr. Fudd in the woods)
I think they need to oil the swivels on the gun, but that's just my suspicion.
I'm thinking of ways to make a sling that won't "squeak" being:
1. Oil. Neetsfoot or Lexol, or something, but then they would have to keep reapplying as needed...out of my control
2. Coat it really good in beeswax. Not sure about that one, and again, it might eventually rub off.
3. incorporate some suede in the loops that attach to the swivels.
Anybody have any experience with this?
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hahaha...Thanks!
Like I said, it's my first try...and not a kit. If he has any trouble with it, I suspect it'll be with the peg holes. Wasn't too sure about them, but they look like the ones on straps in the local music store, so I'm hoping it'll work for him.
Like so many on this site, I'm my own worse critic, and I know a lot I should've done differently, but I had to "finish" it at some point and let him have it.
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Ok. Critique all you want, but after all the work I put into this, I don't think I'm gonna "improve" it any....it goes as it is. (Of course, I'll take all criticisms gratefully...I'll just save 'em for "next time")
My first try at this, and it was more work than I thought it'd be...or more than I'm getting "paid" for...the "customer" is an old friend in a Christian band and, (only because he's an old friend), he's swapping me a bird house he built for me.
He wanted a non-adjustable, 45" strap. I put padding in it, and braided a 5-strand applique, and added cross conchos...stamped small crosses along the stich line.
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I'm wondering if I should paint, then dunk the whole thing in the sauce. I've got two pieces to do...could try both ways I guess.
I'll have to do some experimenting...play the mad scientist a little..
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Funny you should ask this...because I'm about to attempt this very thing soon.
I let my vinegar/metal sit about 2 weeks and then strained through a rag twice. I've tested some pieces, letting them soak in the vinagroon for 2 minutes, then rinsing with baking soda/water.
I get a nice black, and it'll "pass", especially after I put Super Sheen on it, but I do notice some of the thicker pieces will start to fade to gray as they dry. I'll try soaking them a little longer next time.
I'll try to post some pics of how my attempt at painting on vinagrooned leather comes out in a few days.
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Have you tried taping to the back of the leather (when possible), and letting the film fold over?
Just a thought.
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Thanks, to all..
She doesn't have a sister...just a brother....and you can have him if you want 'em...hehe..
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I love my wife.
I knew she was a keeper when, after we'd first started dating and I asked her what she wanted for her first Christmas present from me, she said, "A compound miter saw." Yeah, she's a keeper..
For my birthday, she came home last night with a bunch of tools from the local Tandy store. This morning, also part of my present, she gave me a shopping spree in the Tandy store.
I'm a lucky man, and I know it....and, yeah, she's a keeper.
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I'm not sure I'd be able to make a decent stamp in that wrinkly old hide. Don't know if I can afford THAT much neatsfoot oil...
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I guess nobody knows....?
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I have about a half roll of light weight suede material that I'm thinking of using to line other things with, (like cell phone holsters). But I don't like the natural color of the stuff.
What should I do to the suede to get it a different color, that won't rub off on somebody's cell phone in the case? I've been told you're not supposed to stain this stuff with gel antique. Why not?
In the past, I've stained the backside of leather just like I do the front side when I wanted it darker, but only in situations where the backside isn't going to really be used....if that makes sense. I just don't like that glaring, natural leather color...especially when the item I'm working on is in a darker color. I have used edge kote on some applications too, but that would be a lot of edge kote to cover a large area...not sure if that's what I should do or not.
Your thoughts?
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My first project actually turned out kind of nice...which led to the leather addiction, and hence, several other projects that weren't worth wasting a match on. Overconfidence can be tricky sometimes.
I got into braiding to have something to do on rainy days, and thought, as a first project, I'd restore my dad's old hunting knife and give it back to him.
After that, it went to cell phone cases. Did some that came out really crooked and I didn't want anybody to see those, so I don't have pictures.
I waste WAY too much leather doing trial and error jobs. I finally got smart and started making patterns first from old manila folders...that's cut down my scrap a lot! Live-n-learn..
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I'm a designer. My company supports manufacturing companies with computer aided drafting/design support. Currently I'm the on-site guy helping a company design heavy construction equipment.
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I've never lined anything with cloth, but I've used a lot of tandy pig skin to line stuff with....works pretty good. I would think you could glue the cloth to the leather to hold it while you sew/braid the edges, but not too much because it might seep through the fabric. Happens sometimes on a suede lining if you over do it.
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I'm on facebook, and your leatherworker group as well. Good info on there, btw.
Just a thought for anybody thinking of making a page...careful what you put there...EVERYBODY can pretty much read it, so don't put anything out there you wouldn't mind everybody else knowing about.
Other than that, it's a neat way to get back in touch with old friends...providing they're on FB as well. I've met old classmates I'd pretty much forgotten about on there.