NatesLeatherGds

nice cap !

Nice bags. Give your friend a try. Not going to know until you try. I've sold similar bags for same price on Long Island at fairs. I was always willing to haggle, so maybe let your friend drop the price if needed to an agreed cost ? Otherwise you spotted it, thicker leather for straps (so no stretch) or double up. Lock them down with 2 rivets or enough stitches. Pockets are always liked (make sure big enough for average phone -- that seems to always be the test). Sometimes they just want plain so do both. Closures are also a preference thing I find. Good luck. Just a preference. I've sold 50+ bags -- many colors. Same goes for other items. People have different tastes. If you can do rolled edges, clean zippers and lines, go for it, you're already doing great.

Thanks. Will see about a handle. I only have 2 dies. A 4" circle and 4" square coaster.

I found this - not totally sure what it is - judging by shape, it's a plate for an old school iron. 3/8 or 1/4 solid steel. Seems to work ok so far.

So... I didn't have a clicker press, or an arbor-press. ( So I 'made my own, with blackjack and h-----ers' ) But I do have this vintage Defiance Button Co press. Got some dies - one cheap one from amazon, one better one from Little King Supply Co. And... aside from having to walk the item around - perfect cuts. The press was from ebay - 75$ total including shipping. Seized up piston - but made it work with a ton of elbow grease and pounding. Also does small stamps. Also drives a punch.

Well now! Answered. Great video. Thanks.

Might. YMMV. I've stiffened chrome leather with boiling or just off the boil water. Anyhow -- no promises, that's for sure.

Boiling water? How much do you have to spare and experiment with ?

^ yes

Stunning work. Bravo.

Greetings. Very nice work.

Maybe this : http://needlebar.org/manuals/Singer28.pdf

Yes, please!

In progress coasters. A thin, over-oily hide on clearance I got - not much use for anything - die cut the shape, glued 2 together, stitching on singer. Fun. (My first ever batch - don't yell about my stitching )

Holy Smokes! Gorgeous!

Hi all. Been hand cutting my stuff. Certain items though just look better die cut. Looking to expand my skills and item line(s). So. Looking for a hand press/clicker, square dies, small keyfob dies, etc. On a budget. Anyone have stuff like this you need to offload affordably ?

Gorgeous for a first version. Like really. My first... well... let's say I don't have it any more (trash) and.... don't even do tri-folds any more. You've done great.

Keep at it, don't worry about mistakes, don't fret if you waste, and you'll make it and they will be great.

I second Bruce's thoughts. Scrap is not just scrap. I paid for it so will use it, either for testing or selling. My best use of scrap so far are these. 5 slit punches, "braided" finished with a ring or other at the end. Depending on how much coffee I've had and if I'm awake enough, I can do it in 15 minutes or so. Sold 4 or 5 - between 12$ and 15$ at fairs - 50-60$ - not a lot of money - but its half a hide -- on scrap alone. With the bags and other going for 65-100 -- well, suddenly scrap is a big player in my production costs and helps turn a "profit". Anyhow - my 2cents.

Have fun! When you find yourself pulling out a loupe and other strong magnifiers, looking for a burr, you're well on the way.

Just plain awesome.

Well, there are different schools of though on this. In my personal case and use, dry has worked for shaving sharp. I unclog the stone(s) with water, just rinse and pat dry. I've read that the oil helps keep the stone lasting longer, but interferes with the sharpening (something about micro bits in the oil -- but I am not sure on the science). Again, in my personal use, dry works perfectly every time and my stone is over 10 years old. Oh -- for heavy refactoring I use a standard whetstone (home depot or wherever) also dry. Then finish on the Arkansas stones. YMMV.

And that Tumbler looks like a sweet rig, I must say.

Handmade - ground from a sawzall blade, cedar handles. I use it occasionally - sharpening it as above. Otherwise -- utility knives

Well... many schools of though on knife sharpening. Rabbit hole as deep as night. As for me.... freehand. Dry stone. Arkansas. Final strop on paper, leather or blue jeans (depending what's handy). Shaving sharp.