JayEhl

Thanks all for taking the time to review my project. @YinTx took me a bit to analyze the zipper comment and finally figured out what you were describing. DUH! Makes total sense now that I look it over. Boy you're not kidding about the "deceptively large number of different skills needed". But it was alot of fun!! @tsunkasapa Thank you for your kind words. When I first got started, I (hyper) focused on the carving and painting part of the craft. It is so relaxing and so much fun. I only started making stuff in earnest just a while ago. I don't think I cased the leather very well which would've helped more with the basket stamping. Between getting the lines straight and making sure I manage the same amount of power while I strike the basket weave stamp is one of those (many..... many...) 'deceptive skills'. I used 4mm chisel set from Asyker? I try to (remember to) mark the holes first to make sure they even out at the end and then go back through and punch it. But yes, keeping the irons straight through that much leather is a challenge. I've watched several youtube videos for other ideas and help but nothing is better than some in person instruction and practice. And until I get a sewing machine, I'm thinking of investing in one of those pliers with the chisel teeth built in hoping that would help. But once I get my stitching straighter I'll see if I can get closer to the edge. thanks! I'm not especially fond of a raw look because its so fuzzy looking. I know it cannot be helped much using chrome tan, but I am going to trial some different dyes as you suggest. On another video they suggested rolling the edges which may get more of the 'look' that I intended. Another skill I need to pick up and practice... LOL! So thank you for the list of suggested brand options. @PastorBob no apologies necessary. I appreciate yours and everyone's time in providing tips to help me along. I've started to take better notes during my project but my hand writing is so crummy since I've been in IT for the past twenty years. Heck, I can't even remember the last time I wrote a message, let alone a phone number!! But I do know what you mean about writing out steps. The other day I was so excited to get back to a project after work I started to punch holes for sewing without gluing!! Again, thanks to everyone who contributed. I find this forum to be more than a blessing, it is a community! Maybe we can all see each other in Waco at the "Heart of Texas Leather Show" or some other venue. Enjoy your weekend! ~JL

Well, its been a while and hadn't heard any 'wows' or 'it's crappy'. (I'm going with the 'its crappy'. ) Then I realized I should've posted in the 'critique my work' area. If a moderator can move this thread to the critique my work area, it would be appreciated so I can get some feedback and constructive criticisms? Thanks in advance. ~JL

Hows your project going?

I'm not an expert (by a long shot or stretch of imagination) nor am I experienced with this tool but have seen a few youtube videos on how to build a stamp press//clickers on the cheap using a simple bench arbor press (1ton) or the larger stand up type up to I think 20 tons. Here we have a hardware store called Harbor Freight. The bench top one I was looking at is sometimes on sale for less than $50. https://www.harborfreight.com/1-ton-arbor-press-3552.html probably won't fit your needs but this is a six tone that might fit what you want: https://www.harborfreight.com/6-ton-a-frame-bench-shop-press-1666.html I know it doesn't answer your question off hand but it won't blow a budget to experiment, either. Just my .01 worth.......

like the card hand that you carved out. Bet it was alot of fun to make!

A quick update: I ran through all the broken links that I shared with Tandy and only the following is not working. I will bring this to their attention and I have no doubts it will be fixed, soon. CRUSADER-STYLE OVER-SHOULDER SWORD CARRIER PATTERN ~JL

basket weave is top notch! Nice deep impressions with beautiful burnishing. I need to practice more....

Just a blank buckle and you glued your design on? A good idea!

Passport just screams out "I"M HAVING FUN!" Bet it was fun to make.

Gosh, glad I could help. It was the least I could do for all of the support I get from you guys and from this forum!

I am in contact with the webmaster at Tandy and gave them a list of broken links. Maybe these will be fixed, soon.

Several fun looking kid projects at the Tandy Library, too. https://tandyleather.com/blogs/leathercraft-library You could even challenge the more ambitious students into carving trading cards. There is a Fb page for leather trading cards that I think Jim Linnell started Don't have the link handy but should be easy enough to find.

Hi, @lonesome dove Thanks for providing that link. I know you didn't create those links to download patterns but its broken due to I think the "#" in the file name used. Just an FYI. I suppose someone here has a line to Tandy to see if they can correct it. ~JL

Are these still available?

Hi all, I made a clutch purse and it turned into a bigger project than I had intended but I had tons of fun along the way. It was filled with many firsts. First time I used four separate kinds of leathers (actually first time I used more than one leather for a project!) ; first purse I ever made; first time I used a zipper; first design from a scratch design; first time I skived so much to make this project! I've never recorded the kinds of leather I have (a few were gifts) but the lining is some cheap stuff from Hobby Lobby. I have two kinds of chrome tan leather and a 4/5 oz veg tan as part of my clasp. I'll try to make a mental note of what I get for my records and to help me describe my projects for the future. The original design idea came from watching Aaron from Makers Leather Supply on his 'whatever' wallet. I liked the size and the overall project seemed to be a good intermediate size and challenging project. I decided I should make something for the wife or daughters as part of a cell phone holder/card holder. A phone without any protective casing does fit behind the zipped up portion. I'll have to make that pocket a bit bigger next time. My basket weaving didn't come out straight as I probably rushed it and it should've been cased better. My stitching has come a long way but the stitch lines needs more of my attention. The edging is really crappy and I'll have to take a sander to it some more this weekend. A question about using something like edge koting. Because I'm using chrome tan and knowing it won't burnish, if I use fiebings edge kote, the part that bends while folding the wallet in half, will the edge eventually crack/fall apart? Is there something better I could use? I read somewhere they roll their edging for such projects. I didn't do that because I was so engrossed in the design and didn't think much about it. Plus, the thickness was getting to be a concern and the sewing did a number on my hands! I hope to get a good used machine one day to solve that problem.... So, what do you think? I welcome any constructive criticisms.

That is a very cool and unique niche art work! Seems like you could find a market for it, too!

LOL! I was trying to think of what else I could do with our paperweight! All I ever made with it is soups and well... that got boring after awhile.

On the back, be sure to use painters tape or glue to a cardboard to keep it from stretching. BK is pricey but well worth it. It did elevate my work (well, at least I think it did) but I did practice with the beveller tool that came with my beginner Tandy kit for almost a year before I decided to splurge on his steep bevellers. Someone said on the forum recently that no amount of money can buy experience -- so true! I didn't know about receiving a sales flyer. I'll have to do that. ~ thanks @buzzardbait

Wow, what a cool project. The art work on the train is so well done it looks like its popping out of the leather. Excellent tooling.

Now that is a cool idea.

For small light weight leather I use contact glue (rubber cement) to a larger sized cardboard. I can then use my bench weight on the larger cardboard to hold down my project while I pound on it. Makes it easier to swivel around to get at different angles. Other than that I use blue painters tape. Works fine. edited for clarity

My leatherwork adventure is still in its beginning stages. I hope to improve my work and production when I buy a sewing machine in the fall. (hopefully) Looks like you're guy is waiting for you so you can go play. That picture was my favorite doggy, Bear. He was a stray when I rescued him off the street (full of heart worms) and I had him for 7 wonderful years. He crossed the rainbow bridge in 2016. Still hurts thinking of him. My current guy is 4 and is almost identical, color and all. He's waaaay more hyper (and aggressive/protective) but still acts like a puppy in the house. The German Shepherd is my favorite breed and they've all been my best friends.

It's amazing how a post from over 14 years ago is as relevant today as it was back then. I printed out those instructions so a big thank you, @Johanna for keeping this as a pin and for making this forum a success!

I have about a 1' x 2' piece of granite I got for free as a castoff from a local counter top maker. I've not done this for coasters but have used it press down glued projects by placing it under the slab with another piece of scrap leather on top of my project so as not to mar my project. Worked fine.

Great work! Really nice staged photos. You should have no trouble selling these!