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Hello folks - Well this is the first pull from the mold. The mold needs some cleaning up but I’m not disappointed with the tray. It was made with two 2/4 oz Buttero leather back to back. I just need to cement them together, trim, stitch, crease and edge paint. Note to self: 1. don’t use the PVC board. It isn’t rigid enough and doesn’t sand well (I had to remake it). 2. 1.5 inches deep is a bit too much for a tray. Makes more like a bowl (unless that’s what you want). 3. Use more clamps than you think you need. 4. Need to seal up the wood with some lacquer. The negative mold is pretty warped now. Will this affect the next use? What do you guys do with the warp? Any pointers to improve overall?

The way I do it is: 1. Glue or tape the pieces together. 2. Scribe a line where I want my stitching line to be. 3. Place piece on a solid surface and put a scrap piece of leather or similar under by pieces. 4. Orient stitch line away from me (north/south direction). Place Chisel on scribed line perpendicular to the piece. 5. Look down the stitch line like sighting a gun to make sure Chisel is strait and right on stitch line. 6. Hammer in Chisel.

Nice! You need to post a review when you get it in. Looking forward to that day when: 1. I have enough work to justify a machine and 2. Have $3000 banked!

Thanks Rocko - trying to work through this one step by step. I would think that the slope would make it easier too but leather likes to do its own thing sometimes.

So I took some time to round off the hard corners. Tomorrow I’ll work on the frame. Funny, if you told me that I would need to sculpt for leathercraft when I first started, I would have laughed.

Nash Anonymous makes phenomenal awls. I purchased a 1.9mm euro flat awl from him. I was so impressed that I placed another order for a longer one a week later. He offers both flat and diamond awl blades and had made a monster diamond awl for a saddle maker. Prices are reasonable. Easiest way to contact him would be through Instagram.

Thanks. So better to round off all corners?

Hello folks - I am attempting to wet mold a large valet. This will be my first attempt at something larger than a pack of cigarettes so I'm a little hesitant. The dimensions are approximately 6 x 8 x 1.5 high. Before I waste perfectly good leather I wanted to run the design across you in an attempt to correct anything that may be an issue. My main concerns are the corners and the steep slope. Thoughts?

“Discord” works well for forum chats. It’s fast and free. Reddit r/leathercraft has a very active Discord chat room. Works well for mobile only users too and supports PM for gossiping. Did I mention free.

Do yourself a favor and put a dab of threadlock on the threads that hold the brass applicator. On two separate occasions it came undone and had to fish it out of my bottle. Good thing that I can use chopsticks pretty well.

Tokonole works pretty well. Apply generously and burnish with glass or wood to smooth.

Excellent tutorials by @bruce johnson!

Thanks @fredk! The V-groove cut lumber would do the job nicely. I'll go with that and let you know how it turns out.

Hello All - Wondering if anyone has come up with a clever way to hold irregular shaped objects while stitching. In my case I am stitching up a tube and my neck/back is killing me from holding it in my lap, table, hands, etc. What have you come up with? Thanks!

They both work well and, in my experience, performance compared to each other depends on how thick the paint is. The mesh one works well with slightly thinner paints like Fenice (preferred) while the Tandy cone worked better with thicker (Buckleguy stuff, not sure who the OEM is). The mesh applies the paint very evenly but I’ve actually been using the Tandy more recently because it cleans up quickly.

Thanks for the responses @Tugadude @Carson . I currently work with KSBlade irons but I am starting to run into situations that I believe would be easier using an awl/wheel combination. ie. box stitching around a curve. I also just want to increase my proficiency at using an awl/wheel in general as I am taking time off making/selling to learn different construction techniques.

Hello All - Does anyone manufacture reverse pattern pricking wheels that creates diagonal lines? As it seems like Blanchard and Doldokki are the only game in town for these types of wheels probably no but just want to confirm. Thanks!

I find that these rollers work really well for applying edge paint such as Fenice. As long as the paint has some body to it, these rollers work well. Cuts the application time by at least 50%. One of these and a damp rag is what I use. https://districtleathersupply.com/products/edge-paint-screen-mesh-roller-pen Similar ones available at Tandy: https://www.tandyleather.com/en/product/craftool-pro-edge-dye-roller-pen

@LatigoAmigo Have you used this site? I've run across it but had always been hesitant about making a purchase. Can you tell me a little about your experience?

I learn something new here everytime I visit. Makes total sense but it just never occurred to me. Thanks @Stetson912

My wife bought me a pack of a silicone putty that can be molded and sets. It hardens after a while into a semi soft structure. I found that it makes an excellent grip on my small tools: https://sugru.com/ I believe that she purchased it from Target or Home Depot. I suppose that JB Weld (available at any hardware store) can also be used but may not be as comfortable.

Pacific Trimming in NYC is quickly becoming my go to place for Riri zippers (very nice albeit expensive) and decorative rivets. They fulfill internet orders as well but I have not used this service yet. https://www.pacifictrimming.com/ Depending on the material of the earring or brooch you may want to look into brazing or soldering. Good luck!

Sold. How do I take down this ad? Thanks

I never heard of this though I can imagine that the stiffness and tack of the rosin would assist. Can you recommend a ratio? I would assume that too much rosin would have the opposite effect.

Take a trip to a thrift store to buy one and use it as a template making allowances for the thickness of the leather you’re using. Maybe a sales person at a men’s store can fill you in on sizing. Good luck and would be interested to see what you come up with. Post when finished!