JayEhl

Thanks! I'll have to cut up the hides to fit into a tote but that's a can do item. Thinking of the raw onion, I guess it would need to be in some sort of container like a plastic bag or something? After a week or two it would turn into mush, not to mention it's own odor. ~JL

Hi, I may have made a mistake and bought a bunch of leather from an estate sale this past weekend that is very good shape except for the cigarette smell stink. This is already dyed veg tan half hides in the 4/5 -- 7/8 oz range but a couple of embossed chrome tans. Right now I've got them all spread out hanging along the walls of my garage with a couple of fans circulating the air but the garage door is shut when I'm not home. Living in south Houston I am really worried about the humidity so I'm going to the store to pick up a couple buckets of 'damp rid' that should help. Can anyone else make a suggestion? Is it just going to take a few weeks of this practice? I was thinking if I take a couple of hides and cut them to belts widths if it would speed up breaking up the smells? Any other suggestions?

Hi there from Houston Texas

Hi there from a fellow Texan, living down here in Houston town. Where abouts from the republic are you from?

Hi from Houston Texas! Short story: I used to live in Heidelberg and Worms back when I was a kid in the '70's. Amazing times that I often reminisce.

Well... if its just going to scap yard with no other offers, would the travel, time and gas from Houston to Pennsylvania and back count as a trade, (20 hours one way)? I promise it will go to a great home (soon to be air conditioned) and it will be put to good use. I think I can get someone to wire in a 220 to my garage but if it works, I may have to take a few days off for vacation.........

How timely. I have multiple projects scattered about. I was using some shoe boxes but they're too big for just one or two things so I'm gravitating to 'borrowing' from work these interdepartmental vanilla envelopes that are well used but still usable. They lay flat for smaller things like pieces for my wallets, fold over knife sheaths and belts and other one off projects, including my patterns that I can slide in with it. I was thinking how after they're done I can just keep the label on the outside of the template (wallet, belt, etc) to help keep them organized. I've got my next door neighbor that is cleaning out her out shed and is going to give me these custom made counter height cabinets with long drawers (including counter marble tops!) that would work great for storage. I was thinking how I can just take the front panel off those drawers to make them just shelves for easier access and to make it easier to find things. Anyway, just thinking how I need to reorganize my garage to turn this into a proper shop and still be able to drive my truck in.

That's a good idea @Zonker1972

What's not to feel about it? It looks stunning! Great texture contrast and would make an interesting piece for conversations. Definitely needs to go in the next leather crafter magazine!

I've read how some use a natural color thread and then dye after you sew. Not sure if its an option but just thought I'd throw that out there.

Hey that is some beautiful top notch work. I think your leaving money on the table for 400 Canadian but that's just me. You said you sourced your leather from furniture upholstery? I imagine their scraps would be a good source for lining for other smaller project? (The hamster in my brain is turning the toy wheel). There are several business of this kind not far from me... may be worth checking into!

Very creative. Probably a cool item for the gamers out there.

I'm still a novice so what do I know. . maybe some of the pros can chime in.

I second that. Your carvings were fun to look at. I hope you're able to still do some carving and tooling but if anything I wish you a happy and healthy retirement. Buuuuut.... If you have some pictures it would be really cool if you could post them on the show off part of the forum.

Hi, If I can make a comment, the bottom thread line are being 'sucked in' to form a curve, I'm assuming from the wet molding process? Not sure how to prevent that. Would allowing more leather between the edge and the thread line prior to wet forming prevent that from happening?

Yea, that basketweave are nice and deep and most of all straight! Looking forward to the final product, too!

Great conversation. I appreciate everyone's insight and their technique!

I have all three so can confirm. They were inexpensive (to me) as a immensely useful resource so I bought these as it was also just joyful to thumb through with some nostalgia and the drawings were just fun to look at.

Probably not the best resource for bulk purchases to answer your question but I've found small one off ideas and solutions from our local Salvation Army thrift stores and the like. We have several of these not far. I just buy the belt or whatever pretty cheap (can even negotiate at the counter). I'm not a fan of garage sales but went to an estate sale and hit the mother lode. But that was just luck.

Have you tried to completely immerse your leather in vinegroon? It could also be the quality of leather you're working with or it may have brushed against some solution such as glue, or resist or something else. (my thoughts as a complete amateur, but from what I've read it is possible) But looks great!

I'm curious now. I'm guessing these would hang off your belt in the back? That would be a cool show piece for sure!!

I am finding this to be true with my leather craft hobby. I'm glad to think my wife and family think I can build stuff for them, though. Build my confidence and my love and joy of the craft.

That's the problem I'm having. Admittedly, I overbought and the danged machine goes way too fast even on the slowest (servo motor) setting. I have three projects and a list of other projects I want to get started on but I'm having to wait for a speed reducer pulley system from the vendor which are on back order. I'm assuming from the pandemic/supply chain/Ukraine/inflation/ issues. Hard to wait for it!

Beautiful to look at, fun to work with! I bet it makes your passion for crafting more inspirational. thanks for sharing!

I live in the humid south (houston) but my shop is in the garage. I'm keeping bits of scrap leather and cuts from my bigger rolls near my bench as it'll be easier to work that way and keeping my bigger rolls inside. I was worried about storing the larger rolls of veg and chrome tan in the garage. For now, I think it's okay because it's not too terribly hot or humid but here in couple months it will be another story, especially the heat. Should I continue with this course or do you think the leathers will be okay if kept it on the shelf in the garage?