Rockoboy

Depending on what you call 'unaffordable', I would always recommend @arbalet12 for quality stamps that are a reasonable price. Disclaimer: I do not have any experience of other quality stamp manufacturers. They may be similar or better price, but I do not know.

Ryan, You have done your Dad proud. They look excellent.

Only thing I can say, after "WOW! Excellent job", is, maybe multiple coats of the green on the big flower might help. I am sure somebody who actually knows what they are talking about will be along soon.

Indian Proprietary Leather or "IPL" if you like initials ... What do you mean it's taken?

Thank you @kgg and @bullmoosepaddles. I cut a 2 layers of 6mm MDF for the inner. The bottom one had a series of round holes and the top layer had the crosses to match the underside of the stamps.

This is my latest effort from the laser. An MDF box to replace a tired cardboard box.

Welcome Stu. I wonder if your 7th grade shop teacher was as muddled as mine was? At least he (Mr Burns) instilled a love of leatherwork in me.

Some people say stitch past the ends of the strap, some say that leaves the stitch vulnerable to wear. I think it depends on your point of view and possibly the place where the stitches are being placed.

Awesome display of your awesome talent. I can only hope to be half as good.

Very well said @machinehead. I concur.

You're about 12,000kms from me, I would make the trip and pester you for hours days if I could manage it! Tandy is 4000kms from me, so no chance there either. There's a couple of local stores within an hour, but their tools and available hides are very limited. @Daes Buying online can be your best friend sometimes. Search the forums for some 'go to' names and buy carefully. As suggested by @bikermutt07, start with a small item, like drink coasters or wrist bands, make a batch of 10 or 20 or more. Practice practice and more practice.

Do you have any diagrams or pics of how you want it to look? I got a bit very lost in your description.

I totally agree, this is an excellent question. I was initially inspired by a school teacher about 42 years ago, but more recently I have been inspired to stitch like @bikermutt07, carve like @immiketoo, stamp like @YinTx, work on sewing machines like @Uwe and @Constabulary, learn about leather like @JLSleather and many more besides. My inspiration and motivation changes with each different project I see and/or wish to tackle.

I am not sure if I am missing something here, what was in the "basic set that is sold" and what is left or sale? I am always interested in checking out the options, if you are willing to package and post (at my cost of course) to Australia.

When you stitch across a strap as you have done, you have effectively made a serrated line, similar to the line between 2 postage stamps. If you need to sew on a strap, a longer stitch length and only a single pass can be stronger because it has not compromised the width of the strap as much. You may have seen on some sewn equipment, a strap that has been sewn on to a bag or whatever, where the strap has been sewn in a square around the end. By sewing this way, you have 2 line of stitches across the strap, but they are separated by a piece of undamaged strap. There is also the stitch-line running along each side of the strap, which is the strongest direction and not so likely to cause a strap to fail.

As far as I have read, there is nothing that can resist a dye coating.

Happy Birthday Johanna. Sorry I missed all the fun. I hope you had a great day.

I think rare earth magnets are the way to go. I have some (no idea where I got them) that are a 2mm thick disc and about 28mm diameter. I also have some 1mm ball magnets that I got from an eBay seller in China. I am planning to use a line of the 1mm magnets recessed along the edge of a small box with matching magnets in the lid. Pictures to come when I get it done.

I think the strap ends match the upper portion of the strap. The stitch-line is square where it attaches to the top of the bag above the rivets, and square on the ends.

... and politicians. Worst thing about using politicians for leather ... how do you manage to clean 'em?

I am not a lase expert, but I am guessing you would need a CNC to cut out stamps.

I wish ... *sigh ...

There is an entire section on shoe-making on this website. Look in there and I am sure you will find kindred spirits. The section you want is in the "Other Specialities" section.

Very nice work on the case, but ... the blade doesn't fit in there with the rest of it. Personally, I prefer to keep all of an appliance, tool, set of punches etc, all together.

Absolutely, go the black edge.