Spence

Check with Tim @ SX Industries. He's got some really sharp conchos at very reasonable prices. I'm not connected with SX Industries except as a satisfied customer. tim@timcocorporation.com>

I like the idea of wiggling the needle. For backing up the awl, I've used a ball of beeswax that I keep the awl in when I'm not using it. Since moving down to a hotter climate, the wax is getting a bit softer so I think I'll try the cork trick. I like the stitching.

I use nothing but solid brass and solid stainless steel rivets anymore. I get the "shallow" hole ones that are hollow about halfway down. The walls are quite thick, in comparison to the tubulars. I have a hand clincher that I use that has a dome that fits inside that hollow part and fans out the end of the rivet over the burr or washer. Like the copper, you need to just about destroy the leather to get the rivet out. If anyone wants to know resources, let me know.

It will most likely take as long, if not longer, to train the dog to function with the "blinders" than it will to work on the root cause of the problem. It sounds like the owner plans to keep the "blinders" on whenever the dog is out in public, for the rest of it's life? Because, as soon as the "blinders" come off, the old behavior returns. Not all dog trainers are "professional" and if the owner has a way to limit the movement of the dog's head from side to side, the "blinders" become irrelevant. I've bred, worked with and trained quite a few dogs in my day and no one ever suggested "blinders" and if so, I would not have agreed to use them in training. Again, like in medicine, a 2nd opinion from another trainer would be the way to go.

I use the orange citrus waterless hand cleaner. Helluva lot cheaper and it works really great. Works great to clean grunge from leather furniture too.

Tapping is the way to go. You want to build up heat on the shaft of the rivet in order to peen the shaft over. Same goes with solid brass. Every time I even put anything behind the hammer, I bend the shaft. I now use the 6" ballpeen hammer from Harbor Freight. Just it's own weight and me guiding it to the head of the shaft is enough. I don't use copper anymore, but with solid brass, I do the peening on my granite with a piece of pigskin scrap under the head. Patience and practice.

Yes, Beilers has a facility right down the street that manufactures most of their stuff.

I get most, if not all, my hardware from Beiler's Mfg & Supply. I use stainless steel and solid brass and they are my choice. They are an Amish outfit in PA and don't have a website or online presence. If you call them (717) 768-0174) and ask for a catalog, they will send one to you free of charge. They are very good to work with and very efficient. Their prices are good too. I get no discounts or special treatments for my recommendations

I agree with Ed about Tandy's Pro Water stain. As I run out of my alcohol stuff, I replace it with that. I pay the "Elite" prices, so it's worth it, to me.

Sweet !!

I try to convince my buyers to go with black. That way, I use vinegaroon. Most folks like that when I explain what it's made from. If they really want colors, I try to go with water-based.

I do mostly dog collars and what works for me is being anal in describing how I want the dog measured. We go over it a couple of times. Luckily, I have dogs and most of my customers are large dog owners so I can spot an error pretty easily. Then when I'm satisfied that what I have is good enough (with five holes), I make out a very detailed invoice with all of the measurements and options the customer wanted. It works for me, 'cause I haven't had anyone want to return one. I'm sure there was one here and there that the collar didn't fit because they gave me the wrong info, but they were kind enough not to push for a refund or exchange.

Boomerang is about your best bet.

Chief, I've got signs all over my shop. I just can't remember what they refer to.

Very nice !!!

That says it all. Kudos.

Large order or small, Springfield is for me. From the person that answers the phone to Kevin himself, it's all about top customer service.

Cyberthrasher - Do you have any pics of that #2 process? Tks

I'm not implying that their other products are inferior. I have no experience in that regard. I have applied 3 and 4 coats and followed the instructions they have posted on their website. Diluting doesn't seem to affect the color - just the consistency. Right out of the bottle it is very thick and putting the black dye on a dog leash is tantamount to standing the leash in the corner when not in use. Diluting tends to make a leash a bit more supple but not enough. I've stopped using the Zeli black on leashes, but use it on collars and other projects that don't require suppleness. I like the looks and coverage but no matter how many coats or how it's diluted, it's not sinking in anywhere near where it should. Unfortunately I have so much on hand it's going to take forever to use it all up, if I ever do. Not sure whether I'd reorder certain colors yet. I've got a bad taste in my mouth about the runaround I got on the phone from a worker, his boss and the owner (as relayed by the worker)

HA. That rattler was hanging out about 5 ft from my shop door, all curled up and looking pretty. Normally, I won't mess with snakes on my own property, but this one looked like he wanted to mess with me. It was a red diamondback and 4 ft long (w/o the head).

I bought about 5 colors and I'm not that happy with them. They don't absorb into the leather as well as I think they should. A scratch will show. They advise thinning with water up to 50% I believe. I thinned the black to 75% water and I'm still not overjoyed. The colors themselves are good. The coverage is good. They don't crack. Takes a couple or 3 coats. I called with a problem and got a royal runaround and finally was blown off with a totally idiotic explanation. It'll take me years and years to use up all this stuff, but I won't be going back, regardless.

Gotcha.

Had a feeling you'd like that catalogue. They're very easy to work with on the phone. I've found that if it's a small order, they'll send it USPS Priority for me. If I remember right, I had to ask in the beginning. Have fun!

Question: Why even bother? Stingray is a waterborne creature and therefore waterproof already.