SilverForgeStudio

Thanks NRK- I did order direct from WC- and the HOak was through Springfield Leather... Im looking to purchase the findings and clasps/buttons and a few odds and ends and the discount would allow me to squeeze a bit more selection into the mix as well as offset SWMBO concerns. Ive looked at Maverick- thanks for the nod there- I will give them another look next order as well!

Hello folks- PICS ARE ON THE WAY! This week the Wickett and Craig and the Hermann Oak sides both showed up! Love the chestnut bridle side from WC and the HO Black from Springfield Leather is better than I expected in uniformity and finish- outside the clamp marks there is a bit of a scuff but nothing major to my newbie eyes! I am truly looking forward to this set of beginning projects! So the reason Im writing was I was tottering through the forums on the wifes phone and saw a comment about a discount code for Springfield Leather for 2018 written by a gent with SLC in his name/title. The wife got a call, I lost the thread... and now am trying to "dance" in my budget for a last few items to get things rounded up... And so- Im looking for this discount code to help a bit. Thanks in advance and as always- enjoy the days and be at peace! Kerri

Looks great- I like the red thread!

Not a chance NV! This is exactly what I wanted to hear- Im not bashing Tandy- Im just naive and inexperienced- Thank you!

You can hand-sew with the Kevlar thread- you can even wax it if you desire- I also use thread exchnge as well as Miami Thread (out of NC no less- HA!)- I am still learning but the fellow I am quasi mentoring under hand sews with Nomex. Here is the thread exchange info on "waxed threads" it has sizes listed: https://www.thethreadexchange.com/miva/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Category_Code=waxed-thread-information Hope this helps

Going to make several bags and an apron for myself for the shop (Ok, ok... So its actually just half of a one car garage with a lawnmower in the middle of the floor- but its my space for now) Bought a 4-5 oz Tandy brown Oilskin side to make a few things- it arrived and it is seriously leaving spots on everything it touches! How long does this last and can I accelerate the "Drying" of this oil? Im hoping to make shaving kits for the fellows in the family- but not if this thing keeps weeping- who wants that in their suitcase!? Here are my thoughts- get a chuckle here folks! layer it in towels, wash the towels every so often and wait till it wicks down... just make the stuff and then deal with it later use some mild (1:10 ratio) water/dawn mix and spritz/sponge the surface repeatedly As for help on Leatherworker.net and see what you guys say... So right now Im trying number 4... any thoughts?

Image saved to my ideas file! Awesome Basketweave mate- Like the purple/white standout coloring as well!

The Wiz has spoken- but Ill toss my findings in as I am on the search as well for a machine for similar items. I do some work for a FD in my area and am a paid staffer- So I know where you are coming from but think ahead- think about 2 years down the road... IF you get into the hobby and it cranks into a business- you're gonna NEED to meet the specs for Nomex/Kevlar thread weights. Plus as an added bonus- lets say you hate it and want out- the machine has higher resale value as it WILL meet the need versus a startup machine you need to upgrade (Buy once- cry once). What Im getting at is this- your product and will dictate the machine- consider thread weights, and look for a compound walking foot that will handle OVER what you are looking at... Why you ask? Because SOMEONE, SOMEWHERE that has one of your products is gonna tell someone else... and before you know it you are trying to sew a belt, gear tenders, belt keepers, holsters and stuff... Dont go "good enuff" on materials- Overproduce your product to duty-specs for everything so that: It doesn't come back for warranty work (You want a good name- back up your stuff) It out performs the other guy who met the minimums (and you can back it up with endurance testing and showcase it if you have competition- Set the bar, dont just meet it) Its how you would want to be treated if you were the customer Look for a local sewing shop that does industrial/machines maintenance- in another thread there was an awesome point made- Cheap and free shipping is great but if you need maintenance there is NO support, backup and you will pay more to get it serviced than if you had bought from a local who knows the machine and can often do the work in house. Be safe and as always- at peace- Hope your journey if fun and you get the right machine!

Stamps are costly- but you already have a series of them lying about- Ive used a simple bolt-head to add a "Beehive" pattern to a scrap piece that wound up being appropriated by the wife for a lid-gripper (and I wasnt even done with it!) And getting a simple set that interchanges is the key. Sheridan is only one style of tooling- Start out by googling "Line art" with any graphic you want... and transfer it and begin lining it- you will be amazed what you can accomplish with a simple lining tool (By the way- I use a scavenged rod from a printer reshaped with a grinder as a liner... most simple tools can be made cheaper than bought) As for the Skill comment- Skills are the accumulated combination of: practice tasteful design (this is a matter of personal perspective) application execution. Where they intersect in a design or project- and over time your ability to apply these elements at will to suit either your own personal style or the client's desire are the culmination of "Skill" DaVinci wasn't born a genius- he just kept asking questions... Rembrandt was not a master till he was old- and wise enough to see the things beyond his brush- Skills are nothing more than cumulative experiences, mistakes, failures and the ability to understand their impact on our knowledge base. And I'm SURE Don Gonzales has many hours of practice and failures over any of us new guys here! Heck Im struggling with trying to just GET my first project supplies lined up! Dont over think it- just see what you have about and see what it will do- You may be pleasantly surprised- Looking forward to hearing what you choose for a first effort!

Miketoo had it spot on- PATIENCE... As for projects- you sound like me- where do I start...? EASY- something for YOURSELF... you will find you are your own worst critic- build it, use it and pick the flaws out... Mine was an ID card holder for work- Ive beat the tar outta that little guy... and I will be fixing things I dont like about it when I re-do it... cost me about 2 sq ft of 2oz leather and 3x new sewing machine needles... and about 2 hours of frustrated joy. Boris- Im new as well- very new... one place you can start is YOUTUBE- digest every: Arthur Porter video on patterns, hats and such Nigel Armitage videos for stitching Ian Anderson (Leodis Leather) His build along patterns are WORTH IT if you want to learn by doing and have a follow along. niteKore (dieselpunk) This is Tony- he is fast to respond to questions and his patterns are literally off the shelf awesome. ALL the Tandy, Springfield Leather and Weaver Leathercraft videos to learn WHAT tools or stuff you may want to look at. (no cheating here- seriously- watch not just the video- but HOW they use the tools as well- its like a post-game critique!) DON GONZALEZ- know his name? You will... And please dont say NO TOOLING... just a friendly reminder the SKILL is not the issue- Tooling is as much a part of Leather craft as seats in your car... work an edge? "Technically" its tooling... Make friends with it- blank leather looks bland and is really "cookie cutter"... learn to embellish. (seriously- its not all western-rhinestones conchos and basket-weaving- Tooling is the way to personalize, customize and stand out from commercial made crap!) Corter Leather Harry Rodgers Stock and Barrel Co (although not a big forum type supporter- he is a maker and promoting weekly sessions on getting your brand moving/built) THESE ARE ONLY THE BEGINNING- Find a project you like- for your self... and build it. Carry it, use it, and pick it apart- then build 10 more... Its not the "do it once and poof- you've got it" thing... Its do it till YOU like it- then move on- grow it. USE FABRIC PATTERNS THAT ARE SIMPLE TO LEARN FROM! No need to go to leather exclusive stores- go to any fabric store and look around! Working with heavy denim is a LOT like working with the lighter weight leather (2 oz) for me. Mock ups will avoid problems and pitfalls- as will good patterns (see references above!) A simple "Dopp Kit" will serve you well for learning how to "turn" bags, sew zippers, and several measuring and allowance items... This is my first "Turned" bag in cloth I will be doing in leather- See the link below! Hope this helps and I have found this forum is awesome as a resource- Be Patient, Be kind, and as always I hope this note reaches you safe, well and in good spirits! DOPP KIT VIDEO:

Bill- Im considering the John Campbell shoe course (rough or worker shoes/sandals) or the "Cordwainer" in/outside Atlanta (Dress and finer fitting casual/business styles) for shoemaking- Both seem like fun and the wife and I already love the John Campbell experience (Think "Adult" summer camp on steroids- immersion therapy for crafting). Just a bit of info if you have not considered it- here is the link to both: Cordwainer: https://www.shoemakingcourse.com/ John Campbell: 10th century shoes: https://classes.folkschool.org/class_details.aspx?pk=21287 Dress/Cordwainer: https://classes.folkschool.org/class_details.aspx?pk=21233 Mocassins: https://classes.folkschool.org/class_details.aspx?pk=21370 These are in my "Stuff to learn" pile as well

DJ- nice work indeed- I had previously found your fencing doublet- so nice to see other work as well- the info and french seam advice is well-met- Thanks for the feedback! Rodney- I dont have access to a serger- but I do have a heavier duty (but not commercial) Singer. I bold/underlined the part Im having trouble with as well- its not a especially finiky bag or complex- but the pattern is for fabric and Im mocking it up now with the leather to understand the differences. Thanks for the assist- clean folded edges are definitely my goal! Thank you! Battle- that bag is awesome- I will be hand sewing this one- I am certain a machine is in my future if I keep down this path! I had not considered seam tape- THANK you for that suggestion! Once again folks I will have pics coming soon- apologies for jumping in and not sharing!

Ok folks... It's like my third posting without any pictures or work... Mea-culpa but I'm gathering my materials... Pics are forthcoming- While I wait I've tried saddle stitching and am building the clam. But what I'm trying to figure out is how to sew No4 canvas (sail-weight heavy "duck") into a leather pattern... Sewing search terms with "canvas" gets no hits from the forum... So again I am asking for a nudge in the right direction from the collective minds here... I want to sew a canvas strip into a leather bag... My noob logic says dress the edge of the canvas by foldover and sew 3mm straight stitch... Then just saddle-stitch it as normal... But then again how do I treat the leather edge? Do I bevel, burnish and edge-coat or should I skive and foldover then sew? Trying not to make the "first" project not look like a junior Boy Scout camp-craft and good 'nuff thing... It's for the wife... And I want HER to like me leatherworking... Especially after she saw the bill for the startup equipment and the hides...

So I will be trying to cobble together some Dopp kits for the fellows in the family this year- and the ladies will be getting bags... Hoping to get some answers for a couple of bag and Dopp related questions: 1- I have 9-10 oz veg tan but this is way too stiff to think about turning right-side out... Is 4-5 oz the standard for Dopp kits? 2- I want the messenger bag(s) to take a bit of abuse so Im looking at 5-6 oz... is this getting into bulky territory (having never done this- I know it is ambitious but I have looked a lot of places and my search-karma produces no results about weights of leathers discussed for what type of bags vs. abuse) 3- Would Horween brown be overkill? I truly appreciate the help and assistance- like I said in the first posting- hopefully you guys can get a chuckle out of my noob ideas and nudge me in the right direction(s) Be safe and as always- At Peace!

So I will be trying to cobble together some Dopp kits for the fellows in the family this year- and the ladies will be getting bags... Hoping to get some answers for a couple of bag and Dopp related questions: 1- I have 9-10 oz veg tan but this is way too stiff to think about turning right-side out... Is 4-5 oz the standard for Dopp kits? 2- I want the messenger bag(s) to take a bit of abuse so Im looking at 5-6 oz... is this getting into bulky territory (having never done this- I know it is ambitious but I have looked a lot of places and my search-karma produces no results about weights of leathers discussed for what type of bags vs. abuse) 3- Would Horween brown be overkill? I truly appreciate the help and assistance- like I said in the first posting- hopefully you guys can get a chuckle out of my noob ideas and nudge me in the right direction(s) Be safe and as always- At Peace!

@JKHelms Like the tote! for a prototype is pretty complete and functional- not just proof of concept at all! whats leather weight and the finished dimensions if you dont mind? I like the pen holders as well- did you use a canvas strip or is that leather too? Hope all is well in GA! Im just starting out but like the idea of this as a first run item

Very well done and SAFE as well- Im starting out but like the ideas and the safety aspect!

HA! Scoob- dont feel bad- I just didnt get the perspective you were seeing it through- I get it... and I am a part of that mentality as well! Im not looking to go into business as a leatherworker/craftsman... Im more of a "maker of things I need" right now... That being said- I am also looking to not just "git er done" I want a quality product. I eventually want to sell my knives and metals arts- and that requires (demands) that my parallel skills (leatherworking, casting, wax carving- ect...) have just as much diligence and attention applied to them. (And yes- Im forcing the start up items on my family too- but my wife said- OK... if youre gonna do this I want "X" and has already set the learning bar for me pretty high! YIKES)

Well I think that is sage advice- and I appreciate that- I know the veg tan stuff I am trying to get a stash saved of mini-bins so my scraps arent in a heap- thank for the info! Hmmmm.... Im not sure if You're talking to me or the other you here- but I would hazard to say the analysis paralysis comment is what you are referring to... and I felt like your comment when I walked into a Tandy store- my grounding was in the prices for retail and NOT having a firm starting point I did not want to run down the wrong road... (And the fact that my wife is an accountant and I have a budget- shes good- like a built-in Office manager/Warehouse supervisor and Awesome-coffee-maker... and she supports me as long as I dont break the bank!) Thanks for the advice and the ideas- Im hoping to actually work out my own materials listings (like the other 1,000 listed in the forum- HA!) and then move it along to others as I move up... hopefully! @NV- Apples are In- Staymans, GrannySmiths and Romes are the pick of the lot this year- Spent Sunday cleaning drying and dehydrating and baking- Love it! I considered the Culinary institute here in VA- but the program didnt afford a very strong post graduate market (resort area on the coast- highly seasonal and NOT a long term viable career here)... Candy making- My wife and I are looking at doing some various caramels and chocolates for Christmas- Ill be getting my hams ordered for next season Good advice on the waste as well- I'm looking at cutting out by hand most items so I think the waste there will be minimal as long as I keep a straight/flat side to cut from/reference- I am looking at weights now for the projects then- on to the ordering!

Reim... Good advice thanks @battlemunky thanks as well... I've read your comments too along with Mutts' musings as well. Right now I'm in analysis paralysis trying to "batch" my first project (s)... So that being said... Ok FIRST QUESTION... How much waste do you plan on when considering doing lots or batches? I know when I sew I figure +1yard for bias correction and layout... Does same methodology apply to leather with blemishes and edge variations? Thanks again and as always be safe, and in good spirits! I'll be away from the keyboard for my annual apple festival and pumpkin patch family outings... I can read just no response from me... I'll catch up with you fine folks when the apple butter is in the jars and I'm set for my winter jams and jellies! (Yes, I'm a dude that loves to can/cook!) Until then- thanks for reading!

Reim- good info and I share your respect for the wisdom here! I am enjoying the resources and the fellowship

Great advice Biker- Right now Im trying to apply that advice- card holders, keychains and wallets to start- Thanks for the nod! Thanks Scooby and Biker and NV! I appreciate the invite to contribute- and look forward to giving you folks a few chuckles as my baby steps get a bit better also! Thats half the fun of things is looking back and going "WOW... I did THAT?!?" whether its good or not it will tell me where to go, and where to grow!

New to leather in general- always liked working with my hands. Im in SE Virginia. I would love to meet and grab a coffee with anyone from Richmond to Raleigh and learn- as well as horse trade and be cheap shop labor if they need a hand. My interests are mostly metal related- and now Im branching out into leather, kydex, wood and other mediums to go with the metals. In honesty Im a 25+year paramedic looking to slow down and have some fun as I explore my next adventure. (Main hobbies are casting/foundry and forging/blacksmithing (Metal detecting IS a hobby- but its metal related as well... soooooo- metals it is!) Specific to leather Im looking to learn bags/wallets, holsters, belts (gun/casual/dress), and general strapping, wet-molding and whatever else my "Jobbies" throw at me. Im looking to do a few projects for my family and myself to continue learning and let this thing grow. Yes, Im a long time reader and lurker- Ive digested the Wiz's sewing machine threads and Aurthur Paynes vidoes, and just about every pattern making thread here. Why did I join? Glad you asked- Im at a point I need some help and guidance as well as I think I can contribute as well to some areas. This is a great place to chew on ideas, perspectives and some downright funny happenings- as well as serious advice and business outlooks too! Thank you for allowing me to share what you folks have created- I hope to add something to these pages positive as well in the process and grow. Thank you- Duncan