Sledzep01

OK remember I am the definition of a beginner. I do not even have a stitching clam. I use 2 clamps with 2 pieces of wood. These pics show my work area, Supply mess on the bed, an overall pic of the 10x12? space and some shelves with miscellaneous leather and gun stuff Although I do have a great view to my back yard facing north east. great when I catch the Deer or the Fox

No business name here Way back about 20 years ago I moved to NH (GA Now ) and bought a Snowmobile (Sled) Iand went online to learn all I could. I needed a name and married it to my favorite band Led Zeppelin. For whatever reason I had to add the 01 at the end so... SledZep01. Now I have Sled and Led wherever I go. If you see that name elsewhere, it's me. Sled

2 questions' 1) what is a good STRONG leather cleaner, a little harsh is ok since I will condition it afterwards. sometjimg that will remove ink... Will saddle soap do that? or please recommend something stronger. 2) What compares to the Chamberlains leather milk? I love it but it is expensive. anybody ever do a comparison? The Chamberlains cleaner #2 does nothing really, but there #3 does waterproof well. But it does darken the leather. Sled

My son is a little steampunk and loves the rivets!!

Or, if there is more than one Grandchild consider making them each some type of possibilities?? bag. use the Deer for the front flap of each. Sled

These are the first 2 things I made. Sorry the one is already filled before I took a pic. The Haversack. First off I DID NOT sew that seam along the front. The leather is from an old couch. All Glued and then riveted with copper rivets. The top is reinforced to help keep its shape. It also has a small pocket near the top inside. If you have ever seen a still pic of a giant bolt of lightning you have seen my stitching!! so far. That's why there is none here. Besides I LOVE the Copper Rivets

I saw this cobblers bench that could certainly be used for leather. Pick up on;y on Colorado Springs CO. Only $10.99 right now Goodwill Sled

Picture a cutting board, some knives, and thread on a kitchen table, now you see my work area. when i move up stars i will post pics

So I bought both of the aquilim glues.] Do I still need silicone brushes? or would regular be ok?? Sled

I have Chickened out... Not going to set up in the basement, YET. I am brand new at this. I am going to use my old office/bedroom upstairs. it already has a long oval dining room table as a desk, and I even have 2 more leaves for it. Plus it is heated and cooled and looks out over my backyard... already has a TV and Tunes... I just will not be able to use a hammer as late in the evening unless I run to the basement. What was I thinking??? Besides all the rest of the tools I still need/want. I will buy a 36x48 cutting mat. Sled

So HDPE is a cutting sheet? How thick is normal? 1/4 inch? What about the 5 ply double sided turbo versions? do I need a specific thickness I should look for? I just saw this for 48 x 96 x 1/4 inch for $96.22 https://www.interstateplastics.com/Hdpe-Black-Sheet-HDPBE~~SH.php?&vid=20171219040311-8p&thickness=0.250&dim2=48.00&dim3=96.00&qty=1 Or this one 48x96 but only 1/16 thick. would that be good enough? under $50 http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/item.aspx?sku=45356&gclid=CjwKCAiA693RBRAwEiwALCc3uxhCC7uTirzWsFkGlXMGSK0CqSoAsoIaHwGHPDXZD_YAyFAT7GIEMBoCV9sQAvD_BwE

I will look again at hobby lobby and michaels. I bought a large one from Amazon that is 18x24 I did not think they came much larger. WOW I just did a few better searches and found one that is actually 4' x 8' way too much coin for someone who hasn't stitched a total of 30 inches yet... But I did see a 36x48 for about $70. I think that will be my next move. IAs I think this through I want to leave an area at one end for my hamering and stuff so when I biy another in the spring I will have a 2 foot strip of just wood at one end for other things. Sled

Alpha2 can I buy a giant sheet of cutting mat material? I was really thinking you guys would be telling me to use some kind of polyurethane or something. That was my idea (No seams) I like the idea of a floor covering roll or sheet (melamine, Formica etc) is there anything that can put up with an accidental cut now and then? I could probably buy enough cutting mats to cover it all for about $150. Thats a lot for me. Plus even if I glue them down I fear my cuts could wiggle when going from edge to edge. Sled

Thanks guys, I will give these a shot. Sled

I have a heavy duty 4x8 table in the basement and I am thinking of setting up my shop there. The plywood is scratched, and painted in areas (Gouged?) what should I finish it with to protect my projects when working? I have a cutting mat, and a cutting board for punching. but I want the tabled sealed somehow so when I am swinging a piece of leather around it does not get scratched, and naturally the surface should not rub off, or crack and flake over time. Oh yeah, and inexpensive too.

Does it stay flexible? The Gorilla certainly did not. Sled

Could you tape the belt with painters tape first?? Would the stamps then cut the tape so you could leave just the letters covered when you stain? I have never done any stamping. anyone think it would work? Sled

Add a birthday card to that also! Everybody has one, just send it at the beginning of the year and you cover everyone without asking for personal info. I used to do that when I sold cars... Another tip, (a little more expensive but maybe worth it in the long run if you can) for those selling wholesale I guess with repeat customers. when the Girl Scouts come around order cases of the stuff. your neighbor with the daughter will love you. put it in the package and voila a gift for the person in the warehouse! then you will have a voice saying they like ABC leather when at the watercooler so to speak. Sled

Ok I am brand new at this, I saw online where many people use rubber cement as a temporary binder to hold things still till it is sewn. I do not like the smell but I may be able to handle it Then comes the Barges in a blue tube. WOW no matter the ventilation if I smell it once I have a headache for an hour. Even after it dries for hours if I go near it I get a headache. What are good replacements for them that have much less smell? I was just using some Gorilla glue jell. I only used very little but I did not smell it at all! Will that be as good for a permanent option as the Barges? What can replace the rubber cement? Thanks Sled.

I am brand new to leather. I have created a drawstring bag and a key holder bowl?? and hammered 3, yes a Full 3! copper rivets!!! Yeah I am that new. I have read a whole bunch on here already and watched just about ALL of Youtube so you know I am dangerous! It is late and i am attempting to make like a haversack from leftover couch leather (all I have so far) and figured I better say hello before I started asking questions. Sled