Thadrick

Well, long story. I purchased a plains boot patern from tandy thinking I could alter the design to fit my liking. Basicly a pair of booties to wear inside my tent when camping in deep snow. I altered the pattern so they would be triple warm for my aging feet. I wear a size 10 logger but knowing I would be using bark tanned wool inside for insulation I decided size 12 would work. It didnt. They were very tight... So... I gave them to my gdaughter. SHE LOVES THEM!!! I guess Ill have to try again but go larger yet to fit my feet? anyhow, this is the pattern and these are the booties I made. Bark tanned inside the lower portion and long hair wool on top . I bet her feet stay warm?

I use the leather I would normally use but I don't spend any time with carving it. A holster uses very little leather, maybe $30? If it's a failure, I throw it away and if it's good to go then I have a knock around holster for camping and such.

I've been using electrical tape. Probably because I'm an electrician and I have plenty around here.

Yeah, took me a while to figure out that problem also. Lifting the foot causes it. Shuffling the material around while the foot is up also. Try to keep the foot down when turning and if it's a mild turn keep the needle down as well.

Found this because I am planning to build a pair also. Im planning to go a couple inches over the ankle though. Im planning to use mine for winter camping on those very cold nights and having to tinkle at 3AM. Yup, Im finally to the age when I cant hold it till morning.

I've seen a video of a builder tooling and carving then gluing the liner on (flat). Then he went about by slightly bending it wet and letting it hang balanced over a 1.5" dowel over night to dry. Hanging over the dowel allowed the leather to bend slowly while drying. It wasn't completely bent when dry but was close enough that it reduced wrinkles when he bent it the rest of the way. I haven't tried it but it makes sense that it would work? My experience with a thinner liner seems to reduces wrinkling, just don't rush the bending process and be sure it's laminated very well (extra glue is good).

After doing several holsters with different techniques I've settled on using a heavy weight for the outside layer for one reason only. I like to carve as deep as possible. For me, lighter weight leather doesn't give me the depth I like when carving and doesn't hold the carving as well after final forming and bending. My most recent holster was 8/9 outside and 3/4 inside. Forms great and is very stiff when dry. If your not carving the leather, any combination equaling 12oz is perfect.

Just leave the leather unlaminated?

Thanks guys, Ill try what you suggest and see what works. If no luck maybe Ill have to switch to apholstery? Especially if they keep fading out after only a years time.

That's interesting, After leaving it glued under weight for several hours the table top had an oil slick , I thought it was glue residual but your comment about oil sounds correct. How would I wash 3 sides of leather and how will it effect the color and longevity of the leather? At the present time, it matches the color of my bike seat and graphics perfectly. The last batch of red leather (different brand) I used for bike bags faded to brown in only one summer (it was always protected under a 4duck canvas tarp I built for it except when riding). Will this leather fade to brown or worse yet pink if I wash the oil out?

I ordered some of this https://tandyleather.com/products/designer-smooth-side?variant=45452955418755 in candy apple red to make bags for my dirt bike. Why won't glue stick to it? It's fairly thin so I'm doubling the leather rough side glued to rough side but the glue doesn't hold. I'm using weldwood glue and has been working well on other leathers. Why not working on this?

Thank you sir, it really turned out nice.

Would you mind if I gave that a try sometime this winter? It would be for my personal use and experience, I don't sell anything I make.

That's exactly how I do it. Leaving the welt sticking out a tad so when it's all sewn up, just sand off the extra for a nice edge.

Once again,outstanding work! You must use an air gun for dying?