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I was getting ready to start my saddle restoration (replacing all the leather) when I had a thought.... So this might be a really stupid question and maybe it doesn't apply here but I don't want to mess up before I even get really started. When working with fabric, the patterns are suppose to be laid down with the grain of the material.... Is there a ceratin rule for laying out the saddle patterns when it comes to leather? Thanks in Advance~ June

Hey y'all, I'm in the middle of negotiating a lease contract and have about 1,500-1,700 sqft warehouse to work with. It has a large garage door and workshop is close to square. There's a good amount of equipment to move in and I'm trying to wrap my head around initial layout. Who out here is working with a shop this size and feels they have a good setup? My thoughts are to make the flow of work move clockwise starting and ending at the door with cutting/assembly tables in the middle so you can bounce back and forth from step to step. Please critique and give your feedback on adjustment to my workflow below. We are expanding to more than just our Boulevard East line to make corporate branded gifts and private label goods so it could be anything from 50 wallets to 1,000 foil stamped notebooks to 5,000 coasters. Not everything we make will use every piece of equipment, but we all know you have to cut before you glue before you sew before you edge paint, etc, etc, etc Here's my workflow moving clockwise around a square-ish room. Try to imagine it in your head b/c I don't have drawings at this time: Inventory racks for incoming leather and raw materials (3-4 large racks) Wall of Clicker Dies and Rolling Tool Chest of Logo Stamps (100+ of each) 25 Ton Pneumatic Clicker (x1) 12" Band Knife Splitter (x1) Bell Skivers (x2) Heat Stamping Station (x2 Kwikprints) "Glue-Up Station" (Gluefast 20 Colonel and a center assembly table for all gluing needs) "Sewing Machine Alley" (x6 --> mix of cylinder arm and standard machines for various needs) "Rivet and Button Station" (foot and hand press) Edge Sanding/Slicking station (Power Edge Slicker Sander) Edge Paint Station (RC-50 edge painter and table for hand painting) "Shipping Station" - 1-2 large racks for packaging materials and 'ready-to-ship' orders **cutting/assembly tables in center of room (x4)** Does this sound like the correct workflow? What am I missing and what do you think needs to move around? POST PICS OF YOUR SHOP!

Hi, I would like to hear your ideas on shop layouts... I specialise in chaps, chinks, and armita's, and have feet problems. So that causes issues if I can't walk as much as I'd like. Any of you have the same type of issues? A person always seems to end up running back and forth for this tool and that pattern, some glue, a hammer... The list goes on. Thanks for any input and ideas!

Hello there brothers and sisters. I hope you are doing well. After working in a 15 square foot space for a year I think I am going to be at this a while and I am having a 8.5' x 24' Cargo trailer built that will be my workshop. I am looking for ideas regarding recommended benches, tables, and storage ideas you might have. I have built a 40 x 40 wood shop and I was able to lay that out where I could create efficiently but I am a bit lost on setting up a proper leather shop. I travel for work so when stationary it will be 100% leather shop. When I am going to a new location the trailer will be used to haul a corvette in addition to my shop. As a result I will need to be able to move the cabinets to the front of the trailer. I am planning on some residential base cabinets on a base with casters which will lock into the E track. I am having a laser cutter made and it will be delivered in a few weeks so there will be a dedicated rolling cabinet for that. I will build a dedicated glue table with ventilation to the outside after seeing a friends version of one. Stole the idea fair and square. Any must have design elements you would suggest other than good lighting? I am wanting to have dedicated areas for staining, airbrush, a large cutting table with self healing mats and another area for the drill press and belt sander. I am sure of the many people here there are some good "I wish I would have done this" stories to be shared. I would sure enjoy hearing your input. Thanks in advance for the interest. Scott

I hope this isn't a redundant question but I have been researching for two days and can't find answer. What determines the direction (down to the right or down to the left) of the basketweave? Or is there only one correct direction? Hope this question makes sense to someone out there and thank in advance for any advice. Paul