Frank

I haven't seen the J. Watt videos but I am guessing what you are referring to is a "bow". Hidecrafters has them listed here. Frank

I know Tandy came out with the new groover that can be used alone or with the guide, more like the versa groover. I think they are around $25.00. I was going to pick one up just for the heck of it but never got around to it.

Ken, If I remember correctly, he was using oil tanned veg. tan leather. I want him to try on just standard veg. tan to see how he does. Maybe it will make a difference. Frank

He definitely spared no detail when it came to the tattooing. I am going to try and get him to tattoo a rifle scabbard for me. I'll give him the leather with the layout and have him tattoo and then I'll finish putting it together. I'm sure it will hang somewhere in my shop. I have given him a few ideas as to what kind of things he could do with that...table top covers, rocking chair covers (seat and back), photos, and stuff like that. I hope he goes ahead with the ideas as I think he would do great with them.

I just talked with my friend this evening and he said he has tried to tattoo leather using ink but it does not work at all. He mentioned that the ink likes to bleed through the grain of the leather and causes a mess. I'm also guessing that conditioning the leather afterward would cause problems as well. I forgot to ask about the needle that he uses but I'm sure I'll talk with him again soon. I just figured I'd give everyone interested in the topic an update. Frank

Hey All, I'm sure my friend is going to love the comments. He wasn't even sure if his work even looked good. Of course the most judgmental person is the one doing the work...or it should be anyways. Yeah, he just did the engraving with the needle, not with actual ink but if I know him, he will try it with ink to see how it works out. The next time I talk with him about it, I will try and get some more information for you all and keep you posted. Frank

A friend of mine stopped by this afternoon. I've been helping him out with leather working tips and tricks. He freely admits he cannot tool at all. He has been a tattoo artist for about 30 years. He pulled out this rifle scabbard and holster he made which he used a tattoo gun on. All of this was completed free hand, just going by photos and ideas in his head. I was simply stunned to say the least. If anyone wonders whether or not you can tattoo leather....tell them yes!!

I got my sewing machine for "big" work items such as belts, flank cinches, breast collar and stuff like that. All of my holsters and smaller items I still hand stitch. It may take a little longer but I like the results a lot better. It's just my opinion but the smaller jobs are just easier to do by hand since it would take me just as long to get my machine set for the smaller items. Frank

I think Weaver has black "japanned" roller buckles under the reenactment section of the catalog. I'm not sure what size they carry. Frank

I went to Outlaw Saddlery in Custer, South Dakota. Dallas Stermon is the instructor there. I have nothing but the greatest things to say about him. Most people will tell you that about their instructors. Two things made me decide on him: #1-He was close and I could make the drive, #2-He only books one student at a time so all of the attention is on you. It's a one-on-one training. If you want his info let me know and I'll gladly give it to you. Good Luck. Frank

This item has been sold!! Frank

Bev, Glad to hear that it all worked out for you. I know I love mine too. I have found a couple different places where the blades are right around $100. I plan on getting another one so I can sharpen them at my leisure while I put a fresh one on. Frank

Bruce Johnson, a member here always has a good selection of quality tools up for sale. I have bought quite a few from him in the past couple of months and you'll never hear me complain about him or the tools. You can find his website at: Bruce johnson Frank

I'm not sure if I should jump in on this or not but here goes. I've ordered from a lot of different companies over the years, some with excellent service and some with less than stellar. If you take a look at my single post on here when I complain about service, the name of the company was never mentioned. I did this for a couple of reasons. There is a great possibility that many people on here are friends with the person I bought stuff from. If I mention names then I make enemies in both directions. Now it could be that this company has a great track record and somehow I slipped through the cracks. It's definitely a possibility. If someone wants to talk about it personally then it's between them and I who I relay this information to, not a whole forum. FYI, it wasn't Siegel!! It causes distress and a lot of grief for all parties involved and sheds unwanted light on an already bad situation. Now with this forum being dedicated to leatherworkers, you are going to hear bad things about companies a lot quicker than any other place since we are a small tight knit group. Could it be that the 5,6,7,8,9,10 or whatever people who complained about the service are part of the .0001% who have had issues compared to all of the other thousands of satisfied customers? ABSOLUTELY!! Chalk it up as a bad experience and either keep trying or go to another supplier. Someone sooner or later will make you happy with their service unless you are the .0001% of the population that can never be made happy. Believe me, I have dealt with a few. I think it's really time to move on before anything else bad comes out of this topic. Frank

Thanks for the reply. If you are interested, PM me your email address and I will get one out tomorrow to you. I just took it apart tonight so I'll put it back together tomorrow for the pic. Frank

Definitely not a problem. Well, if you ever have need for them, Leatherman1457 on here (Gary) makes some nice ones. I was going to order a couple last year but got severely distracted. I'll still be ordering a couple from him in the near future though. Frank

Hey All, I have been getting rid of stuff lately that I do not use. Right now I have the Small Weaver Rex style tube riveter for sale. In great condition, I might have used it a dozen times. It comes with the splash anvil and also the magnetic anvil for setting caps on the tuber rivets. I am asking $35.00 shipped. I think they are $50.00 plus shipping from Weaver. PM me if interested. Thanks Frank

Saddle makers use them to smooth out the wet leather on fork covers, gullet covers, seats, cantle covers, and stuff like that but they can be used in just about any application where you need to smooth wet leather. They make them in all sizes. Frank

The video set has been sold!!

Hey all, I have a new (watched once) John Bianchi "The Art & Secrets of Advanced Western Holster Making" DVD set for sale. It's a 3 volume set with a 4th bonus video "Interview With a Legend John Bianchi" Price $50.00 Shipping Included (inside the US). Anyone interested PM me. First PM and it's sold. Or I will possibly take trades of similar videos, etc. depending on what you have. Thanks Frank

Gunter, I could be wrong...it happens on a daily basis so I'm told, but I think the Christian belt had 36 cartridge loops attached. Frank

Bev, Howdy from Milwaukee. I have family up in your area. Now on to the splitter. I paid $675 for mine plus shipping and it was in mint condition. I believe your price is approximately $100-$150 too high (my opinion). If you don't mind thinking of the $100-$150 as your insurance for the next year then you you will do fine with it. If you do not have to pay shipping then even better as it does get expensive. Now if I had to add a part or blade to mine when I bought it then it could have easily gone into your price range. Price is always relative when you look at how bad you need a piece of equipment and how soon you need it compared to the price. And also what is included...in your case, it's the warranty which most do not get. All in all, not too bad of a price compared to what new splitters bring these days. Frank

I don't think you are really going to find anything better than the leather crafters and saddlers journals. You have the top people in all aspects of the profession/hobby posting in the journal, giving how-to's, and also patterns. They are definitely worth their weight in gold. Just my opinion. Frank