few in progress pictures

[Guest]

Here are a few in progress pictures. The "completed" seats are waiting to be stained. Any suggestions on how to "educate" these bike builders?..... They seem to want everything black. It really hides the tooling work.

I have my son helping me now, He does the seat backs and prepares the pans.... I tool the front and back and do the lacing. It is amazing how much time is spent on preparing those seat backs and pans. I can lace a seat in an evening...about 4+ hours. The tooling usually requires a day for the front and back and then overnight to dry. Not a fast production line but we are making progress on this order.

Dave

[pepin1948]

I know what you mean about the black - though not from seat experience - maybe make some as a sample in other colors so they can see what it would look like?

[wolvenstien]

David, Could you please tell me the name of the lacing pattern you use. I like that. Is it possible to use it on the outside edge of a bag or whatever?

Thanks Mike

[Guest]

David, Could you please tell me the name of the lacing pattern you use. I like that. Is it possible to use it on the outside edge of a bag or whatever?

Thanks Mike

Hi Mike,

The lacing pattern is a double cordovan stitch. You can find it in Tandy's booklet titled How to Lace; no author. It is about a $5 booklet and worth it.

It wojuld be fine for the outer edge of a bag....I've also used it on knife sheaths.

Dave Theobald

[Guest]

I know what you mean about the black - though not from seat experience - maybe make some as a sample in other colors so they can see what it would look like?

Hi Holly,

I have done just that. with and without antiquing and in three other colors of stain. But, I don't think they are comfortable with matching the leather color with a paint color.....If the seat is black, they don't have to wonder if it will "look right".

I know it doesn't take much artistic ability to tell if this tan seat goes with this green paint job.... but for some reason, bike builders just "want it black"..... I've about given up. Someone much wiser than me once said...."It all pays the same"!

Dave Theobald :deadhorse:

[BruceGibson]

Awesome, Dave! Black tends to be "safe," despite obliterating the tooling detail. I get the same herd mentality from bullriders...they all want what the other guy's got. On the other hand, there's always the one in ten or so that say, "Do what you want...knock me out." Those are the one's that I wait for.

Great looking stuff!

[Guest]

Awesome, Dave! Black tends to be "safe," despite obliterating the tooling detail. I get the same herd mentality from bullriders...they all want what the other guy's got. On the other hand, there's always the one in ten or so that say, "Do what you want...knock me out." Those are the one's that I wait for.

Great looking stuff!

Thanks for the encouraging words Bruce. Maybe I'm not just beating that dead horse! There is that occasional order that just wants the best that you can give him....Funny how those orders always get done first! I try to make at least one shipment to this guy every month.....Shooting for nine seats this month.

Dave

[Guest]

A very astute member wrote me an email telling me that I was dropping the last stitch when I laced my seats. I told him that I didn't think so...... shame on me...... Clay, you were right on the money! I was mis-lacing that last stitch...... once I turned all my instructions upside-down and backwards.... anyway you get the idea. Thanks Clay, a 100% improvement!

Dave Theobald

[wolvenstien]

So what you are telling us is that Clay is a nit picker?

LOL

Good eye Clay...

[Guest]

Hey Wolfie,

Clay can pick my nits any time he wants.... He made a great improvement in the look of the seats.

Dave