AndyL1

That thing is wicked! I didn't realize the scale of it from the previous posts. Too bad you won't be there on May 2nd, I'd stop by and say Hi! Cheers, Andy

Sorry to revive an old thread, but I thought I'd pop a few pics of this bag all finished up. It's been done a couple of months now. I stitched on a small tooled knot to the front flap, made a nice shoulder pad, and added a small billet detail to the back pocket. My brother-in-law loves this thing. I've been slowly working on some more bags. It's kind of hard right now with the new baby and all. Cheers, Andy

Haha! Yeah no doubt. Hand stitching = raw fingers. Keep feeding me some jobs and maybe we'll work a machine out as payment? I have "Man Bag Part 3" in the works... I should probably post some pics of my work in progress. Cheers, Andy

that's freakin' sweet Karl! Let's see that Skin-Job stamp on there. I so want that rifle too. -Andy

However my nickname, 'Badger', came about when I was a Fireman in London many years ago. I had a dark Van Dyke beard which had a grey stripe each side, at the corners of my mouth. At change of Watch one day, a new guy walked into the Watchroom, gestured at me with his thumb and said 'Hey, is that guy eating a Badger?' Much hilarity ensued. It stuck. Cheers, Karl That's pretty funny right there. Mines fairly easy, ARM leather, basically my initials and a logo I made for myself which has multiple meanings: 1. I am left handed, hence the left hand. 2. An arm representing ARM leather. 3. A hand for "handcrafted leather goods". 4. I like it so there.

Thanks everyone for the excellent suggestions. I'm fairly new to tooling so I haven't quite figured out a good process, what works, what doesn't etc. I think the taping the excess velum to the backside sounds like a good way to go. I think on projects where my leather is larger than the velum I can tape on extensions to the velum and tape that to the back. When I get as good as Tom, maybe then I can let go of the tape and say "look Ma, no hands!" I like Kate's method too of "printing" on the leather. That may help as well. Cheers, Andy

yabbut... sometimes I need to turn the piece to draw the lines. How can I hold it securely on there and keep both hands free?

FAN-FREAKIN'-TASTIC! Cheers, Andy

Hey All, What is a good way to keep your design from moving as you trace it down into the cased leather? I print my designs out on velum and place it on the leather but it tends to move as I trace over the lines. I tried taping the edges of the velum to the leather but after peeling the tape up there is a residue and it also messes up the smooth finish of the leather. Edit: I am using the blue painters tape. Is there something with a lower tack that could work? Thanks, Andy

I've got a few templates that I made out of 1/8" thick sheets of plexiglass. I cut the curves and lines with a fine-tooth jigsaw, sand them all smooth and draw measuring marks, holes and such on them with a Sharpy. They're great as they are transparent and provide a rigid edge to cut against. I just clamp them down to my leather pieces and have my way with them. (giggles to self at pervy joke) -Andy

That is fantastic! Welcome aboard too. I hade to look up what a portmanteau was, just never heard the word before... now I know. They say you learn something new everyday and that was mine for today! Cheers, Andy

Killer belt! Try Oberon designs for a good buckle: http://www.oberondesign.com/shop/cart.php?...t_list&c=61 I have 3 of theirs and they are beyond perfect. All cast by them too. True artisans. Cheers, Andy

Thanks DeeAnna. I like your solution as I don't have to buy a whole bunch of different snaps for a small job. -Andy

Yes, but they got it from Blade Runner... an homage to another great Sci-Fi offering. -Andy (Sorry Karl, I beat you to the answer! HAHA!)

Hey Karl! Very nice bag and what a great thing to celebrate=life! Best wishes on your Aunt's recovery and hope the stress for your family is over. Thanks for the props on the stamp and logo too! It came out cool. It's sweet to see it in action on the back of the bag. Cheers my friend! Andy

That is very cool. I love that hammered texture. So easy to do and adds a ton of character. Thanks for sharing!

Hey All, I've made a few wristbands/cuffs for a friend. The problem is he has a metal allergy and is very sensitive to certain metals. Anyone know where to find stainless steel snaps? The problem is the flat side of the snap touches his skin and he gets a wicked rash. I was also know that these tend to get rusty over time from hand washing and sweating. The stainless could fix that too. Or is there some sort of lacquer I could coat the metal with? Maybe a dab of polyurethane? My wife suggested clear nail polish, but would that last? Cheers, Andy

Oh yeah... just a sample of what I get to look at most days. The truck is beautiful don't you think?

Here you go Ray! 2001 Dodge Dakota SLT Club Cab. Slightly modified with a Ground Force lowering kit on 20" rims. A few other mods here and there. It's an easy thing to customize since I work for a custom tuck magazine. Also a rendering of what I hope it looks like in the future. Cheers, Andy

Hey Tom, That thing is bad-ass! I really like your technique with the heart. To me it looks like a nicely polished piece of wood. The layers is a great idea! The overall shape and style of the necklace is cool too! I could see that being like an applique on a bag flap or something like that aside from hanging around a neck. Cheers, Andy

Yeah Dude, you're in the right place to learn a ton! Welcome aboard and post some pictures as you progress. -Andy

Yeah man, that is nice. I need to make another one now. I don't need another one but I have an itch to just create it! I like the straps and the whole design and style. I want to make another bag like that but try dyeing it with the vinegaroon method talked about in other threads. Cheers, Andy

Thanks guys! Pete here is the one I bought. It even has a Flex-Shaft attachment. I'm going to mount the burnisher on the left side. http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/disp...temnumber=43533 Andy

Hey All, I have a friend with a lathe who offered to make an Edge Burnisher for me. He has some Oak scraps lying around that are the perfect size and price: FREE. Is this a good wood to use? I've seen some other burnishers on here made out of woods I have never heard of. It just needs to be a hardwood right? I can't imagine the oak won't do a good job... my plastic cheapo thing I have now does it adequately. I bought a 3" variable speed bench grinder from Harbor Freight that we will attach it too. -Andy