JamesR

Hello, I plan on using DOT common sense fasteners on some shoulder bags I am making. What is the maximum leather thickness that can be used with these fasteners? Also has anyone used snap caps to attach the turnbuttons to the leather? Thanks Jim

Hello, I am having a hard time keeping the parts of my projects aligned when stitching. For instance when I stitch the billet that holds a Dee ring to a shoulder bag I just clamp it up in the stitching horse and stitch. Sometimes the billet shifts slightly and it ends up out of alignment with the edge of the bag. My question is can bridle or latigo be glued in place before stitching or will glue not work on these leathers. Both of these leathers have a waxy feel that would seem to prevent the glue from sticking. If not glue, is there any other method of keeping things in place? Thanks Jim

Hello, I just purchased some Sam Browne studs with back studs (rivets) and an anvil I am not sure how the back stud locks itself into the front piece. What tool should I use to hit the stud in? How do you know when it is tight enough? Any tips would be appreciated. Thanks Jim

SouthernCross, Hello. I make lots of archery armguards and I have found this stuff to be the best. http://www.apsltd.com/c-1506-shockcord-stretchcord-webbing.aspx I use their Shockcord Novatec braid in 3/16 size. The larger diameter is easier on your arm and you can melt the end to prevent unraveling. Most of the armguards I have seen use cloth covered cord which can not be melted. Jim.

I find that most folks do not understand what quality really is. They think quality is a certain name brand or something with a high price. When you really get down to it a lot of people get tired of thier possessions and are always wanting something new and different. Everyone becomes a slave to the latest fashion. This is how a lot of things are marketed. Marketers earn a lot of money convincing people why they should buy something. If they wanted to they could sell folks on the concept of quality and longevity but they want you to keep buying things over and over. Take for example fine furniture. I am a woodworker/leatherworker. I have learned how to make pieces that will last for generations. Really well built furniture can be handed down to your children. When you tell this to some folks they are not impressed since they fully intend to "redecorate" 10 or 20 years down the line and all the old furniture has to go. When the top celebrities and sports figures start touting how long they have owned something and how well something is made then maybe folks will listen. Jim

Hello, Whenever I set snaps I usually have a tough time keeping the anvil in alignment with the punch, it sometimes moves when I hit the setting punch. I built this jig to hold the punch in alignment with the anvil. The punch slides up and down (it is a snug fit) in a piece of oak which also keeps it perpendicular to the work. The anvil sits in a recess centered right below the punch. The anvil is sitting in a piece of "IPE" wood. This stuff is very hard (3X harder then oak) so it supports the anvil very well. So far it works quite well. What do you think? Jim

Hello, I want to make some shoulder bags for people who want to lug around text books and other weighty items. I am concerned about attaching the dee rings. What would be the strongest way to stitch them to the side of a bag? I am using 6SPI with 6 cord. Does increasing the SPI make a stronger connection? Is there some optimum combination between SPI and cord size if strength is the main consideration? Thanks Jim

Woods, I can see what you mean. I sometimes wonder what is the strongest combination of cord size and SPI. When I attach Dee rings to the side of a shoulder bag which will be stuffed with books I get a little apprehensive about the long term holding strength. Jim

MADMAXX22, Very nice work! Thanks for the input, I can see 6 SPI should be no problem. I will have to work my way up to 8 SPI though. Jim

Art, Thanks. I did not realize I could go that high with cord that thick. I have been using 5 stitches per inch and I am not happy with the look. I think I'll try 6 and see how well it works for me. Jim

Hello, Could someone tell me what would be the maximun amount of stitches per inch when using 6 cord and 7 cord. Thanks Jim

Drac, Now you got me rethinking things! I have at times wondered if stitching into small (000) punched or drilled holes would be stronger than pierced holes. I use a stitching awl and it is certainly faster then prepunching or drilling but what you say does make sense. Thanks for the reply Jim

Hello, I am confused as to why and when we use rivets. I would think that stitching would be a stronger alternative to rivets. It seems that with stitching the load is distributed over a larger area and therefore would make a stronger connection. When we rivet leather together it looks like the load is concentrated around the punched hole the rivet is set in. I have owned bags where the handles were riveted and eventually the hole around the rivet elongated and the rivet became loose. Can anyone shed some light on this? I am particularly interested in attaching D-rings to bags. Jim

Hi, I am looking for veg retanned Latigo. Has anyone purchased any lately? Anyone familiar with Siegel's Santa Ynez latigo? Thanks Jim

Hidepounder, A lot of this is new to me. When you say a maul are you talking about a cylindrical head as opposed to the flat face of a mallet? Jim

What do you folks use for hitting large hole punches? I have been using a heavy beechwood mallet and it is getting chewed up pretty badly. Also what weight would you use for hitting 1" to 2" oblong punches? Thanks Jim

DEADEYE, I made this one a while ago. It uses the threaded rod from an old Jorgenson woodworking clamp. The rod has an acme thread so it tightens and loosens with only a turn or two. It holds the work very securely. I lined the jaws with hard adhesive backed felt (it was a hunch) It works very well, holds the leather and does not damage it's surface. Sorry I do not have any plans as I kind of built it as I went along. Jim

Thanks Bruce. Only thing is I didn't think I could glue veg-retan latigo. I thought I would have to stitch it. Jim

Hello, I would like to "hem" (not sure if this is the correct term) the edge of a project I am working on. I am working with 7-8 OZ. veg-retan latigo and I am not sure how to proceed. Should I skive the edge first? Do I cut a shallow groove on the flesh side to allow the leather to bend easier. Any thoughts or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks JIM

Thanks to all for the help. Jim

Hello, What is the best backing surface for punching holes, poly board or a poundo board. Do you use a scrap piece of leather below the piece or is it OK to let the punch penetrate the board? Thanks Jim

Thanks to one and all for the help. Jim

Hello, I want to get a lace/strap cutter but I would like one that can be used lefthanded. Are there any? Thanks Jim

Hello, I am trying to find out the proper way to store sides of leather. At this point I keep my sides rolled up loosely in my workshop. The shop is unheated and sometimes the temperature goes below freezing. Is this a problem? Thanks Jim