bentley
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Posts posted by bentley
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I use saddle soap on the lace before I braid.
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Nice and clean, sometimes we forget how nice simple looks. You could not find something as nice and in those colors at a department store.
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Very nice work, may I ask where you got the hardware from?
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If I am using a pattern that I have purchased or found in a magazine/book they usually specify their recommended thickness. If you are creating your own patterns for a holster or belt and liked what you have used in kits from the past just use same thickness raw material or adjust if you want something stiffer or softer. Sometimes it just happens to be what I have on hand and maybe skive or split it down to what I think feels right. That is how I do it but maybe someone out there has a chart they use for differant types of projects. If it is an original piece it is your choice what works best and that adds to the originality, another leather craftsman may look at it and say "I would have done that differantly" but I bet someone who has never done leather work would not even think about the differance between an ounce or two in thickness.
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Welcome and enjoy, from another Zonie.
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Nancy, you are far too modest, your beginners work looks very good. Have fun with it and show it off.
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I think with rivets it also depends on what type. For everyday leather work the rapid rivets while pretty strong dont compare to the copper rivets that you can get which take more time to set but are far stronger (as far as the rivet is concerned).
Or brass rivet and bur for the McClellan saddle.
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I believe strength also depends on how something is stitched, while doing all the straps on my McClellan saddle the stitching is always done parrallel to the edge of the strap on both sides so you don't punch a bunch of holes across (perpendicular) the strap which may create a weak area. Most straps also had a single rivet, guess they weren't taking any chances in the late 1800's.
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Very good looking, your leather work was the icing on the cake, several nice comments from the wood workers site about your leather work, congrats.
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I don't have the answer but I am just as curious. I think they are supposed to be more balanced for ease of use and less fatigue on your wrist, unlike a mallet that has all the weight on one end?
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Never open a bottle of dye near your work bench, amazing how far a small bit of dye can fly through the air.
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I made a 4'x8' box from plywood and 2x6 frame, added a hinged masonite cover and hang it from the garage ceiling at an angle with chains so I can open the cover. Works great for me, keeps the dust and light out, the leather lays flat inside so no problem a curl in the hide.
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Welcome to LW, look forward to seeing some of your work.
Mark
Mesa, AZ
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That is truly amazing, beautiful work. I visited your link and was very impressed with the step by step. So how many orders have you received, haha.
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That is one BAD A$$ strap, nice work, hope to see more post in the future.
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Work looks good and functional. I have a breast collar pattern that I am working on for my McClellan saddle, I traced it off an existing military one. I will send you a copy when I am done if you want it.
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Nice work, great shading and original design.
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Welcome to LW, sounds like you are committed now. We all started as newbies one time and they all looked like 3rd grade art projects. You may discover that you enjoy this hobby so much that you will branch out to many other types of projects someday.
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Welcome, I did about the same thing, started in school and put it away for 25 years. It is addictive, been busy for the last 5 years on projects for family and still have not caught up.
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That is awesome, nice job. One lucky dog.
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Welcome to the site, try Tandy web site, they have a section of free patterns with examples of what it should look like when done.
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Thanks for the info! I dont think I have a Tandy store nearby, will check though. Im so excited, I was dreaming about it in my sleep LOL
Not sure where your located but I self taught myself in the beginning with a Tandy beginners kit doing coasters and key fobs. That was so many years ago before the internet was invented, now you have so many learning aids and examples on this site to help you. If you truly want to learn this it really is not that difficult, of course very few will ever be as good as say Peter Main or Bob Park but the basics are pretty easy to do and very rewarding.
http://www.tandyleatherfactory.com/home/department/Starter-Sets/55510-00.aspx?feature=Product_2
http://www.tandyleatherfactory.com/home/department/Books-Patterns/61944-00.aspx?feature=Product_31
Mark
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Find a Tandy store and take a beginners class, I think they are free and every manager I have ever met is very friendly and helpful. Then you will understand what basic tools you need to start. You don't need a machine to sew, just a few simple tools, thread needles and patience, oh and some tape around your pinky fingers, you will realize that soon enough, they have books at Tandy that explain step by step how to sew. Other than that you just need to practice a lot.
Have fun, good luck!
Leather Finishing
in How Do I Do That?
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Saw a McClellan saddle at the Museum of the Horse Soldier http://www.horsesoldiermuseum.com/ that is over 100 years old and was recently found in it's original crate, never oiled and it looked like it had been made yesterday.