ruthless

Are there any books that give instructions on all the different kinds of twists and braids? I have the secret plait, but these are different I think?

I need help please #1 If strength and quality are my main aim, what hardware should I be using on my collars and leads? Solid brass and chrome?! I don't want rust to be an issue. #2 What's the strongest "thing" to use to hold my collars and leads together? Rivets, chicago screws, other? If rivets, what kind? #3 I'm looking for wholesale stockists of the following in brass and chrome: 1" and 1.5" welded d-rings - lightweight Rivets/chicago screws/whatever the answer to #2 is! Martingale and half-check chains #4 And finally, is Tandy the only place to buy conchos? I want to buy in bulk.

Sure thing I have solid brass heavy duty rivets, but they're single capped. I want double. They must exist. Stop holding out on me people!

I never did manage to find any H/D double capped solid brass rivets. I'll settle for non heavy duty ones. Does such a thing exist?

Please post links to your favourite leatherworkers websites here. I'm fairly new to this and would love some benchmarks to aspire to Cheers.

Thanks, I think he's a bit special too. He's a very patient model, so eager to please. When the shelter brought him out to meet us my first thought was "ugh, I hate brindles", it didn't take long for him to grow on us though and soon after he became our first foster failure

Thats, really nice I had been attaching the d-rings like this ... ... but I was told it would make the collar a lot stronger if I did it the other way. Here's a picture of the dog I made it for: Rocco Apparently even by Bullmastiff standards he's a pretty big boy. I love them, but I could never own a dog that drools that much!

Thanks. They don't sell straps by weight where I buy them, but it's 5mm thick and 38mm wide. And yes, of course he got a walk, the whinging would be unbearable otherwise!

Proper pics ... Comments and criticisms welcome

I'd be interested in this too

Modelled by a 19kg Staffy X I took these for the girl I made the collar for to give her a bit of a laugh at how huge her dog is compared to mine. His neck is a whopping 27"!!! It's dark and raining here so I can't go outside to get better pics, sorry I'll update the thread later when I do. ETA Chopper looks miserable cause he thought putting a collar on meant going for a walk!

That looks great! Did you handstitch it? That must've taken a while!! Spots, rivets and chicago screws? Are they gilt or solid brass?

Thanks I meant splitting I've never seen leather here sold in different weights, that's why I've been splitting. I'm going to a different leather store today, I'll see what they have. Cheers!

If you skive a piece of leather does it weaken it? If I want a thinner piece of leather, should I endeavour to start with a lighter weight of leather? Would it be stronger than a skived piece? [Hope that makes sense!]

I want that Dobe puppy too!

Thanks I've been in contact with Jim. Still finding it difficult to narrow down which machine would be best suited to my needs.

Is Latigo not soft enough to not need edging?

That's what I thought, thanks. Do you have a link to the tool you'd use in Step 3? I was told it wasn't necessary to use a circle slicker, that a good rub with canvas would suffice. Do you use your PVA solution instead of gum trag/candle wax/saddle soap? What are the ratios? Roughly

When edging a collar/cuff with gum trag, should it be done before assembly, or at the end? I've been told it's one of the last steps in the process, but would it not be a lot easier to do it before all the hardware is attached?

They're really nice! I want to lean how to braid like that Do you know of any online tutorials or good books?

Thanks for the compliments Chooper's actually a very happy chappy, he just tends to pout when I make him model for me

I'd want to be able to sew veg tan, bridle and latigo. I've no idea what machine to get. I'm getting really frustrated. I need a mentor!

Help me?!! Ok as is? Less length? Rounded?

How'd I miss this? I love that first collar, nice work. You're dog's not too bad either!!! Gotta love those big staffy smiles

Ok, thanks. Anyone know if I could get that kind of stitching with a Tippman?