Tkleather1

I want to clarify that I think you did a great job on these I was just telling my opinions of things I have learned and now do different. Keep up the good work.

just a few things I would have done different. First I personally dont care for the long yoke down the leg but if that is what is ordered that is what you do. Second I would angle my fringe line more toward the ground it will hang more natural that way. third try to keep you guide lines a little less noticable I know that with that hide the fringe guide line will go away after time but I have done the same thing when I was just gettin started and almost lost the sale because of it. I aint no expert those are just some things I would have changed. Tim

Looks real good Mark, Keep it up

Well thanks for all of the support. I have thought about Saddle school and jsut continuing with the leather business but I dont know if I could make enough money to stay afloat and I am affraid of losing everything. I think I do make a good product but I know I am not as good as others so I dont charge as much as others, therefore I dont make as much coin as others. The state is advising me to not go back to a mechanical (automotive and engine type) feild as it could result in further injury. I do have another option by not taking the schooling, I could go to work on my best friends feed lot but there is another can of worms there working for friends and whatnot. He has been hounding me for a few years and I would love the work but then I would have to sell my house and move and we all know how that is going right now and my wife would have to find a new job as well. she is a school teacher, and a damn good one so I know she could find a job I just dont know if she could find one right away. Well thanks for listening to my rants and rambles and thanks for trying to help. Please keep them coming and who knows I might find my pot of gold. Tim TK-Leather p.s. if any of you saddle makers wouldnt mind filling me in on a bit of info I would sure appreciate it. How much a month do you average, I know it will fluctuate but if you could give me a ball park I would sure appreciate it. Shoot me a PM if you dont want to post it here and if you dont want to share that at all I totally understand I am jsut trying to see if it is even possible. Thanks again

Yeah I am scheduled to take this test July 7th so hopefully your correct. Well thanks for the info but as of right now I cant go back to my old place of employment and I dont think the Heavy equipment repair feild is in much need fo rteachers in my area. I know I need to get my head screwed on straight but its all spinning right now. I would love to but I dont know if I could pay half of my monthly bills ( wich fortunatly is not much) by doing my leatherwork. I sure wish I was as good as half of you guys and gals on here or I would go to Saddle school and try that route. Thanks to all and Keep the Ideas and help coming please. Tim

I have a dilema(sp?) I was injured at work about a year ago and as a result I have now had two shoulder surgeries. My problem is now I cant go back to my old job as a Heavy equipment mechanic or any other sort of mechanic for that matter. The state has been good to me as far as my payments, surgeries, therapy and so on. Now I have taken all of there tests to see if it is possible for me to get back to my job and they have found exactly what I have told them, I cant lift my arm over my head let alone do HEAVY work overhead or in akward positions. So the problem I have is also a blessing, I will be retrained, that is a blessing, the problem is that I dont have a clue as to what I want to do when I grow up. I am only 29 years old but I have been a mechanic all of my life. my dad is a mechanic so that is what I grew up doing. I went to college the first time to be a mechanic. So now I (have been told this is how it works anyway nothing is final yet) will get 12,000 dollars toward any two year degree. I was hoping that some of you wonderful people could maybe point me in a direction as far as what YOU might do if you could do it again or at least shoot me some ideas. For some reason I am thinking medical equipment repair and that is all. I have this one thing stuck in my head but I need more ideas and then I can weed them down. Please shoot me some ideas and thanks for reading my ramblings. p.s. My old job I made $20.00 an hour, now I dont need that amount but close would sure be nice and more would obviously be better. Thanks again TIM

I totally agree and Like I said thats just what I would have ordered from you.

Looks real nice. I just dont care for the pointy square skirts I like the round ones. But I am not trying to drag your wok down one bit I think you did a great job it just my prefference. Nice work as always.

Those sure are nice Keep up the great work.

I love it beautiful job. I really love the textured section under the stitching looks great.

Well I thought that I would start this topic after a few people commented on the view behind a pair of chinks that I built so here you go and I hope that all of you will follow up so we can all see what you get to see when you wake up in the morning. I live about 30 minutes northwest of Spokane Washington and this is what I get to wake up to every morning. These pics are looking to whe west . I dont have a veiw to the east as I live on a big Hillside so all you see is my pasture. I hope you enjoy. Tim.

Well tell her that she did a wonderful job and I hope that you two enjoy your day together. My daughter is only three so she cant build any thing yet but she comes out to the shop to "help" alot. I hope that when she gets older she still shows a little bit of interest. Happy fathers day that is a pretty special gift in its own.

Thank you and pass it on

I too Live in the washington area, I am on the other side of the state however. beautiful country I will try to post some pictures in a day or two when I feel a little better.

thanks that is the knot I am looking for.

Thats what I would do

You do exsist.LOL I was giving marlon a hard time the other day asking if he just wore one of the mission impossible masks on your site.

Those are real nice but I was wondering what antique are you using? is it the black fiebings?

Thanks guys, ince I figure out how to tie a crown knot I will try that. I am not a braider and only know knots that tie horses,dogs,or loads of hay.

I am having trouble Keeping the knots tight on the rope handles of this purse if anyone can give me any insight on what to do to keep these things tight I would sure love to know what the trick is. Thanks Tim

Now I am no expert by any means but it looks too me like you need to work on your thumbprint. Your flowers look a little flat to me, and some of your vine work needs to be cleaned up a little the swivel knife cuts is what I mean here, its just a practice thing you know. I dont mean for any of this to sound like I am an expert at all because I am no where near that.

Look more like rodeo chaps as fancy as they are. Real nice but a touch fancy for my personal taste. You did a real real nice job on them though

I have a singer 3115 and it will sew through three layers of 8 oz without too much trouble if you go slow and pay attention.

I have been told that the rtc is good stuff but its pretty expensive and you have to use two coats minimum. Another product I have used with fair success is Saddle lac, Now I need to verify that I dont particularly care for this product but have had fairly close results as Neetlac I do however use it a little different than intended, I spray it liberally onto a peice of trimmed shearling and then rub it on. I tried spraying it once and found it works like crap. I was going to throw it away and I though well I will try rubbing it on and had way better results. if you are going over dye or antique with it be careful it seems to lift even more than neet lac did so I would use Tan kote as a top coat. Just my two cents worth and I exppect a check in the mail. Ha Ha

These Slobboer straps are for use on something other than a snaffle bit that you would not be able to get the other style through the hole on the bit. and yeah I now know that the hole is a little on the large side but they will be better on the next set and I will probably hand stitch them as I dont like the stitching on these ones. thanks for all of the nice replies and still feel free to give me more advice, I am all ears. Tim TK leather