McJeep

Funny how timing works - saw Chris "spinner" post up his fender bib for his bike with his company logo on it - I happened to have just finished drafting stages of mine and was getting ready to cut cow at the time - just finished dyeing it and thought I'd post up a link while the dye dries, and before oiling etc. Lot's of in progress shots here as I try to get my buds hooked on the "custom" aspect of leatherwork as opposed to buying offshore vinyl stuff at the local bike shop ;0) This link "should" allow all to see https://www.facebook.com/pages/Rampant-Leatherworks/196182280429283 All critique and advice willingly accepted by this noob ;0) Thanks for looking! Rob

Really nice! How is the liner attached to the outside? Braiding on the outer - stitching on the inner - no sign of where the two are joined? What am I missing here? One day I'll have the nads to try working with exotics - really nice look to that wallet

cool!

Wow, that is awesome - thanks for taking the time to put that up - not only do I want a pair of yours but I learned a lot about how to repair a pair of old kickers I have already Well done Rob

Excellent!! I've been toying with making myself a pair of mocs (can never find the right fit with the right liner etc etc etc - I'm picky ;0) I need some that are borderline shoes cuz the sandals just aren't cutting it in the shop

OKAY!! Found red poly, albeit not as thick as I wanted but will try it - 207 will have to do. Also picked up some 207 black and 277 black. KUDOS to "The Thread Exchange!" I just got off the phone with a very very helpful young lad - picked up my thread at about 2/3 of what it cost up here in Canuckia, and managed to get 2 day shipping. Should be in my hands on Tuesday so I can do final assembly of a project in time for a bike rally on Thursday! This place had the best selection of anything I could find on my searches by far. Happy Rob

Hah, too funny - just spent a bunch of time yesterday bringing in a side of veg and side of latigo to get going on one for my ride as well ;0) I've got a rally to attend next weekend and thought that a little bit of billboard action wouldn't hurt ;0) As we get a fair amount of rain here, I'm going a different route rather than shaping mine. I'm going to stitch a layer of latigo underneath the tooled veg, and then a thin felt under that. Am hoping that the latigo will help keep moisture, that will likely get absorbed by the felt, from wicking into the tooled leather - a rainforest experiment ;0) It should also keep the braiding just that little bit higher away from the paint when the fender's loaded. It won't hug the curve of the fender but should end up being pretty beefy. If it ends up that I don't like it as much as formed, I'll make another for show and keep the tuff one for road trips when my luggage is likely to beat it up. I like the cardholder idea - good thinking - won't steal it as I'm pretty anal retentive about people going near my bike and don't want to give them an excuse, but great idea Nice work!

Yeah, I've sure noticed the limitation via hours of internet searching :0/ The main reason I was planning on poly was for the extra uv protection being as this is for a motorcycle gear application - starting to wonder if I'll have to go with nylon to get the look I want - Is poly THAT much better than nylon? Or will nylon do me for the fender bib etc? Opinions on the life expectancy of nylon thread for high uv exposure folks?? Thanks Bruce

Thanks fer the link - can't seem to find anything but embroidery thread on their site tho - am finding that a lot on different thread sites :0/ Still searching

So I know what I "want" to do for a new fender bib on my bike and would like to add some colour to the piece by using red thread. Can't seem to find much red poly at all, let alone in 277. I'd like the stitching to "pop" - Found 207 poly here http://www.thethreadexchange.com/miva/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=TTE&Category_Code=polyester-thread-size-207 in scarlet. Will 207 thread be thick enough to show off the stitching anywhere near as much as the 277 will? Or should I just give up the pop factor and go with the ole standard ... black. Advice or pointers to suppliers much appreciated Rob

'Excellent artwork - look forward to seeing it assembled

nicely done - I too find myself adapting things for messed up hands - filing this idea away for future reference - Thanks!

Okay, I have seen some truly amazing stuff on here - simply astounding work! The latest example would have to be Hidepounder's padfolio. Now I look at something like that and I have to ask myself, how on earth does one price something like that for sale? Or are they mainly commissioned works? I look at something like that, and think of the time it had to take to create, not to mention that good supplies and tools aren't cheap. The value should be well into the hundreds! So are people that enjoy fine craftsmanship paying those kind of prices, or is this truly a labour of love. Don't get me wrong, not looking to get rich by any stretch, but some gas money for the bike would be okay by me ;0) So are folks buying these pieces for amounts that reflect the time and effort of the craftsperson? Or is the art under rated and folks pick these things up cheap? Or is it just that too many canucks are cheap, to the point where I can't see someone paying me 3 days wages (if I'm able to do something like that in 3 days - wayyy down the line ;0)? That padfolio is awesome - what can a person fetch for something like that down there? Some of the excellent motorcycle seats on here - what does something like those go for down there? I have to say "down there" (USA for our non N. American readers) because I'm doubtful that a lot of Canadians will actually pay what these things are worth - just the way it is, maybe too much scot influence up here ;0) ach aye! So much amazing work on this site - inspirational! Rob

Service from "them" will pass - the fact that I can call the guy down the road and he does house calls no charge - priceless ;0) A free side doesn't hurt my feelings either - like I've said before - didn't put up with the pain in the butt for their sake, but for the sake of a good relationship with a local who knows the score and what I need going forward. Bird in the hand ...

Finally!!! Sure nuff does work smoothly - amazing to actually see the amount of leather this thing can stitch! First project will be to stitch up a cover for it - not unlike the first project with a new welder being to build a cart for it ... deja vu ;0) And they STILL forgot to ship the extra needles and flatbed for it <shakingmyhead> But did I mention it sho is smoove! hehehe Finally, time to learn it quick so I can build some of the things people have already jumped in line for

Read the thread - thought hmmmmmm - found this - I think it's what we're talking about?

Having wanted to do just this style of bib for my VTX, but having zero wet forming experience, I too would very much like any details that you could share Bro. Did you form it right on the tank itself or have another to work with? Soooooo many questions - I really need to get some hands on with someone who can school me in wet forming. C'mon - ya know that this bike is in need ;0) (wife thought I needed a tuff shot LOL)

Nice Bookmarked yer site for future reference - my wife kills store bought moccs faster than anybody - a pair that lasts me ten years will last her one! Lovin the triple sole canoe - nice work

Got the reply from my local distributor on Thursday night explaining all the crap and that my machine was supposed to be shipped the next day - discussed (informed him of) my options at that time. He called Friday night to confirm that my machine was shipped on Friday and I'll have it by end week. I do have the number for artisan but have no reason to doubt my local guy. As mentioned before, he's been really helpful and I have no reason to doubt his sincerity. There is also the "local contacts" part of things which I am keeping in mind so as not to burn bridges I may need later in da business. Appreciate all the feedback, and yes that IS why I did it on my card - so I would have the leverage if/when needed ;0) This aint my first rodeo LOL Lookin forward to getting it so I can learn that side of things and get started turning a hobby into something a little more lucrative - not looking to get rich, just pay some bills and put gas in the bikes Have arthritic mitts so full time hand stitching is out of the question unless doing smaller "one off" special orders. Thanks again folks!

<sighhhhhhh> so here I am almost two months later and no machine yet. It would seem that they are way low on manpower and that on inspection of my machine they found some part that was not up to spec (wrong metal) and needed replacing. Good on em for being picky enough to dis/re assemble these machines when they get 'em, but god, two months?! It is supposed to ship today - sure hope so - this self/un employed guy needs to get goin! LOL Wish me luck - don't expect anything in a hurry from artisan just now ;0)

Thanks Jimbob! Man, I dunno anyone who could ride long on the "hardcore" seat ;0)

guess it's gonna take some trial and error on my part to find out what works - I had always thought that folks just carved the leather flat, and that it took the shape once things started getting laced together and tightened up around the base. Thanks for the reply David - always! love your work

Hokay, so I thought I knew the process ... carve, braid together, colour, seal Now I'm seeing more ... shape, carve, stitch etc A) How on earth do ya carve leather when it's been shaped and you can't lay it on the marble How on earth do you guys take the shaped seat and punch all of the stitching holes in it without ruining the artwork? C) If you carved first, then molded, wouldn't the rewetting process for molding screw with the carving work? Signed, Confused in Canuckia ;0)

Thanks Planning on motorcycle stuff (bags/guards/pouches etc) dog tack and whatever people need done to a certain extent. Pretty damp and muddy here right now - where y'at?

Some $$$ finally broke loose for the purchase of a machine - my crippled old mitts will love this - hopefully it'll get me back into the swing of things Toro 3200 should be in my shop in ten days or so - Canadian dealer lives 10 minutes down the road and just happens to deal in leather as well Giddyup!!