mendedbowl

Nice work i like the squiggly font ken

Just remembered this site...maybe they have something you like already made fetteredcockpewters

Ray, If you're interested in brass or bronze, or anything that requires a little more heat, maybe you can find something of use here The gentleman in the UK who makes models, uses aluminum but you might find his set up interesting. this is his youtube page here ken

LOL...sorry, i know it has nothing to do with this thread, but i got a kick out of Johnny B's avatar. For a second there i thought i was being forced to marry Charlene Darling. ShortBBL, i agree with everyone else who says you should send it back. it would probably work fine for a holster, but you're not happy with it, and it's your reputation on the line when you sell your product. I've gotten sides like that before from Tandy, but i've always been happy with what i get from W&C. ken

Ray, I haven't done any yet, but casting metal has interested me lately also. I have a little past experience doing blacksmith and farrier work, so I'm familiar with the "fun" of working with hot metal. I've been viewing a lot of interesting videos on Youtube about home metal casting, foundries, and furnaces. There's one series of nice demonstration videos by a man there in the UK who makes his own working engine models. Not sure where in the UK, it would be wonderful if he is close enough for you to visit For regular buckles I think it would be easier and cheaper to buy what's already available, but for unique, one off, or restoration work; casting it yourself would be ideal. Are you wishing to recreate a buckle that you already have in hand, or make something totally new? ken

Have you thought about buying a cheap cloth version and taking it apart for a pattern? here's one or maybe stop by a Stuckey's for one of their souvenir hats. Just remember to bring back pecan rolls for everyone. ken

Ouch!!! I don't wanna play anymore!

It might be useful for someone who does a lot of straight line beveling, maybe to replace a push beveler. I can't see it being very good for detail work. In the video it looked like he needed both hands to control it, and it still looked like it was all over the place. I'd like to hear somebody's opinion who has one. ken

WOW!!! That is just beautiful! the back as well as the front. The colors in the sections near the center are stunning. just a few questions please: I"m curious about the large nails or spots in the tabs that cover the edge. are those custom made? or did you buy them somewhere? any information about them would be wonderful. also can you share which parts are embossed? I really like this piece! the more I look at it, the more details i see. ken

It's very nice. I'm sure they were very happy with it. may i ask what is the figure centered below Patrick's name? it looks like a silhouette, but I can't make it out. ken

If you're interested in a beginner DVD, you may enjoy "Learn Sheridan Style Leather Carving with Chan Geer". I found it to be a good start, and it's great to see his tools in action. now I'm looking for a little more, so my next educational purchase will be "Sheridan Style Carving" by Bob Likewise. After such high recommendations, how can I not buy it? ken

thanks ken, i just recently renewed my club membership with Tandy, but i haven't gotten a current skiver yet. let me see if they offer an online version, if not then i would very much appreciate the instructions. ken

very nice! i nearly fell out of my chair when i noticed the mud flap girl. ken

good work on all the applique examples. now i've had to add one more item to the list of things i need to learn. ken, about how long did it take you to do the braiding on your belt? it matches up nicely with your buckle. ken

Rick, I just recently switched from packing tape to clear peel and stick shelf paper. I guess i'm getting too lazy to work with all those strips of tape. I peel the back off and place the shelf paper sticky side up onto my granite. Then i put my dry leather on top of it and press down or roll it. Then case the leather. After you've finished your stamping and the leather is completely dry, turn it over on the granite and hold the leather flat as you peel the shelf paper off. You want to hold the leather flat so you don't pull it and stretch it while removing the tape or shelf paper. ken

critter if you live near a Tandy that's where most people get their starter tools. if you're not close, just order a catalog or go over their website for ideas about what you might like. Also Hobby Lobby and other craft stores usually carry a few basic leather working tools and supplies. Al Stohlman's book Leahtercraft Tools and Leatherwork Manual are good for learning how each tool is used. ken

I think it's a fine wallet, and i see nothing wrong with the font. what is the criteria for "western font" anyway? Should it be actual font that was used during a certain time period in a certain geographical region of the U.S.? If so, then checkout some old newspapers. =106&sort=price&sort_direction=DESC"]rarenewspapers For example, The Kansas Commonwealth from Topeka in 1872 was using a font very similar to workingman's wallet. As was The San Diego Union of 1873. Or by "western font" are we talking about that "western feeling" caricature font from childhood memories of cowboy movies, theme parks, and dime novels? In reality, the most common font used in the old west was plain block print, but just about every other style available was used somewhere. I like workingman's wallet. I think the font fits the style very nicely, and I can appreciate the detail work he put into the letters. but that's just my humble opinion... ken

ok here are a few of the DVDs that i would suggest based on what you have asked for. For western floral carving: The Basics of Leathercraft with George Hurst (this contains basic floral carving along with introductions to basket stamping, dyeing and finishing, lacing and stitching. a very good beginner's DVD) Traditional Western Leather Carving with George Hurst Classic Western Leather Carving with Robert Beard (very good but a little more advanced) Learn Sheridan Style Leather Carving with Chan Geer (very good clear instruction for basic Sheridan style) also: Carving Oak Leaves by George Hurst For belt instruction: Basic Leather Carving and Construction with Rene Berends (in this DVD he teaches how to make a belt bag and belt, both carved with a Celtic pattern. He teaches step by step and the info is very good) i'm not sure if all of these can be purchased from Hidecrafters. if you feel you would be interested in the other titles they offer, it's better to order in bulk for the bigger discount. ken

Timd those are very nice chains at Hawkwolf's i'll have to try those sometime. azrider if those chain maille chains aren't what you're looking for, maybe you can find something you like here at a few sites i had in my bookmarks: amigaz hottopic ken

Hi JP1, I have several of the DVDs from Hidecrafter's. most are very well made and full of useful information. When you say "flower carving" do you mean western floral carving or realistic looking flowers? both are covered but on different DVDs. I haven't checked to see if they still offer a deal if you buy several at once. They did when i bought mine. If i remember correctly, I bought 21 at once, which brought the per DVD price down pretty low. I like mine well enough that i'm not willing to part with them yet. But if you tell me a little bit more of what you are looking for I would be glad to offer advice about which DVDs to get. Also the Tandy website now has some short video clips that you can view for free. They cover many of the basic construction techniques. hope this helps some, ken

critter you can practice on cardboard or paper...you don't want to spray so thick that it runs, only a light feathering spray. i use fiebing pro oil dyes. if i were trying to recreate the effect on the backpack you posted, i would do a test on paper or scrap leather using dark brown on the very edges, med. brown next in a little wider area around the edges, then saddle tan feathered out toward the center. ken

Luke is right, use an airbrush. that's what the maker of the items posted used...if you look closely you can see the over-spray on the wrinkles. unlike the misleading response you got from the maker, the people on this forum are wonderfully generous at sharing their techniques. ken

And on a side note for anyone interested: personally i don't care how the animals lived, how they were treated, or how they were slaughtered and skinned. All i'm interested in is getting a good hide at a good price. It just so happens that the best way for the producer to get me a good hide at a good price also happens to be the most ethical way to treat an animal that is raised for it's meat. For meat producers to make the most profit they must be efficient. That means feed them good, keep them healthy, and kill them quickly. The same practices that produce good quality meat for the market also produces good quality hides for the tanner. The desire for optimum profit reduces the chances of mistreatment, because in the end any form of mistreatment costs more than it's worth. ken

Hi Steve, Thank you for trying to help grow the leather industry. I know you've been in the leather business a long time, so you have lots of experience and knowledge. You obviously have a vested interest in wanting the leather industry to grow, ( and so should every leatherworker ). Earlier you stated that market research indicated there was potential demand for leather goods made from this type of hide, but for some reason the people who buy from you (the leatherworkers) didn't buy the slaughter free hides as well as you had expected. What i'm seeing from the comments being made here is that most, but not all, of the leather workers on this forum do not hold the same views about leather hides as most vegans or PETA, and they don't really see the demand for slaughter free leather goods. Is it possible for you to share your market research with us here? let the leather workers who live in areas where the demand is higher see the potential sales they could enjoy. I'm an unrepentant capitalist; to me it's a shame to see a demand go unmet because of a lack of knowledge within the supply chain. ken