alpha2

When carving leather, lighting from more than one direction is good, other than that, I need some magnification for stitching also, but just went to the eye doctor today, and am considering glasses just for leatherwork.

That is an Okay starter kit. You will use some of those a LOT more than others. The edge beveller, for instance, will be replaced soon, and you will wonder why you ever used the basic one. The French skiver needs to be SHARP, or you won't use it again. When it's sharp enough, put another half hour into sharpening it. Guess how I know! The stitching irons. Yep, sharpen them too. They seem sharp from the factory, but that isn't sharp. Do you see a sharpening pattern developing here? Good. A sharp bad tool is infinitely better than a dull high priced tool. Next, read all you can on this forum. Then read it again. File it, write it down, memorize it. We have all made all the mistakes you can imagine, and a LOT that you can't imagine yet. Most of all...don't be dismayed by all this advice. It's all worth it in the end. We have ALL started where you are. Heck, I'm still where you are. I'm still replacing my "trainer" tools, but I learned a LOT with them. Wait until you get into "edge finishing", or even "finishing" in general. Oh, yeah, we'll be hearing from you! That's where the fun begins! Unless you count stitching... There I go again!!! It's worth it, trust me!

Thanks! There's enough these days I don't have a clue about. I didn't need one more! Sometimes I think I'm one "auto-correct" away from a felony conviction.

I know that with Tandy snaps and Tandy sets, I have to open up the female side of the snap with a drift pin to get them to work. I'd probably pony up for the good tools. I have three Tandy stores nearby, so it's convenient for me, but I'm starting to think about ordering stuff online. I hate ordering online.

Judging by the tiger thread sample I received, the tiger is on the left. Tighter braid, smoother surface. I would think it would present less of a possibility of snagging the thread when the second needle is put through the hole. Maybe not. I suppose it could just be more wax on the left thread, too.

Is that a typo, or am I not in the know? What is a retail yeah?

That's fantastic! I'm ready to do some items like that...without the zipper. Baby steps.

I particularly like the yellow belt. Kind of a Batman thing. Really sets off the blue gun! You're right, a red holster would have been over the top. Yes, I AM a smart a$$

I meant the unwaxed broke once when I waxed it myself. Halfway through a piece it just came apart. Never had their waxed break either. I figure all the wax molecules are holding hands too tightly for that!

I haven't tried the Tiger yet, still waiting for the shipment. I do agree about the Tandy, though. I have to put it through a needle eye and strip it a couple of times to remove the excess. I've also used their unwaxed and waxed it myself. I find that it gets dirtier faster, especially near the needles. It's also the only thread I've had break on me.

How do you set the snaps without cutting the stitching? I just now bailed out on the Tandy thread and ordered some good stuff from Egyptian Leather in Walla Walla. Shipped a few days ago, but USPS somehow hasn't see it yet! Was hoping to start stitching with Tiger this weekend or at least early next week. I guess it gets shipped when it gets shipped. I like the way you blended a couple of wallets to come up with that one. I tend to do that too. (Probably 'cause I can't decide...)

very nice! there's a bit of work done there!

Sooo, the 1.2 - 1.4 and xxl needle is over the top. Good to know. I'll find a use for it, and update when I do! Thanks, guys.

Thanks for the heads up. I'm looking to find out what the sizes look like on my usual projects. I got quite an assortment of sizes and colors to start out, kind of in an investigation phase right now. Then comes the full spools. Jeff

Welcome from Ft.Collins!

Oh, that explains everything! Actually, I always, since childhood, and that was a LONG TIME AGO...I wondered how they did that. My parents had a lot of books that had that treatment, and while I didn't at the time have any idea why anyone would do it, I was intrigued. I love all those wallets, and that's my next foray into leatherwork...I even bought some yellow thread this weekend!

Interesting shape. Looks like it would fit the hand better than of the "one size fits None" ones. Send it to me and I'll do a review... heh heh!

A lot of the commercial uses felt. Saddle scabbards it mostly veg-tanned grain side against the gun, or sheepswool, from my limited experience.

Oh, yeah! I can totally see now that the divots are a feature. Keeps the holster from slipping around on our pants. Now, everyone will want them.

Looks like you really studied up on that one! Nice job.

Well, I did it. After perusing the sample card, I finally ordered some "other than crap" thread and needles. I'm upgrading my stamps, awls, thread, needles and other misc. stuff. I've used the cheap stuff, "to see if I'm going to stick with this leather thing". If any of you are on the fence about spending what it takes to get quality tools and materials, if you are AT ALL serious, spend the money. "Spend once, cry once". I've got some cheap Tandy stamps, bevelers etc. if you are in the "checking it out stage". I ordered a LOT of misc. sizes and colors of Tiger Thread from Egyptian Leather. I've got a few projects waiting the arrival of the goods. I also ordered some John James harness needles in 4 sizes. Now, for some real leather. I went to the "everything's on sale" weekend at Tandy this weekend, but couldn't pull the trigger on any more abysmal leather. I've done the cheap, getting my feet wet, practice stuff. By the time you eliminate the unusable stuff, what you have left is not enough to make up for the lower cost. Low cost for waste leather is not a bargain. Unless it's for what I used it for, cheap practice while I did some learning and practice. Can't wait for the UPS/USPS/FEDEX delivery!

Still, that's a propper Roper! Can't tell from the pic, are those trays made from sewing the upper to a thicker piece as a base?

Nice! Great stitching. I didn't realize you were in Colorado.

How about this? Repeated dips make for a thicker coating on the stamp handles. Plus, it's plastic, so a better grip than the raw handle. There is spray and dip, go for the dip can.

I think there might be a "settings" issue here. I don't get any e-mails at all, and I don't see the banner ads at the top of the home page.