rdb Report post Posted February 12, 2009 For my bestest guitar strap customer. This is his third one. No hardware, adjusts from 48 to 56 Arrowhead basketweave and san marcos border Mahogany edge, saddle tan body Made a few (probably many!) mistakes. I have GOT to practice my freehand lettering....but all in all... Hope you like it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Luke Hatley Report post Posted February 12, 2009 YOU'LL GO FAR...............I LIKE IT.... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rdb Report post Posted February 12, 2009 Thanks Luke. Actually I don't want to go far, I just want to stay here in the shop, and have them come to me...lol YOU'LL GO FAR...............I LIKE IT.... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jbird Report post Posted February 12, 2009 Wow Dave Nice work I am looking closley and I love it. PS must have sharpened you knives on a new strop LoL. Josh Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MADMAX22 Report post Posted February 12, 2009 I think it looks great. What weight leather did you use if you dont mine me asking. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rdb Report post Posted February 12, 2009 Jbird, you better believe I used my new strop board...gotto be careful it don't cut too deep now...lol Thanx Max, it's belt leather, maybe 8/9oz, with a garment leather lining (suede side showing). Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jbird Report post Posted February 12, 2009 Jbird, you better believe I used my new strop board...gotto be careful it don't cut too deep now...lolThanx Max, it's belt leather, maybe 8/9oz, with a garment leather lining (suede side showing). Well then I guess it keeps you sharp LoL Josh Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
abn Report post Posted February 13, 2009 Nice job! Wish I could master that arrowhead basketweave pattern... I've tried with poor results, guess I'll keep at it! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hushnel Report post Posted February 13, 2009 Very nice, I hadn't seen that arrow head basket weave pattern. I got to get out of the cave more often. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rdb Report post Posted February 13, 2009 Thanx abn. That pattern is the easiest BW, to me. It's just a matter of matching legs, and hitting the center point. There's very little lining up to do, like a regular BW. The hardest part is getting the correct angle so the edge line leg will be blended by the border tool, just takes a few seconds of experiment on an equal sized scrap piece. This is the second time that I've heard people having a bit of trouble getting this one down, next time I do one, I'll take some pictures of the process. I could master that arrowhead basketweave pattern... I've tried with poor results, guess I'll keep at it! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Go2Tex Report post Posted February 13, 2009 Thanks for sharing. That is very nice work. I see no mistakes and that lettering is great. What tool did you use for the matting around the letters? Also, was that saddle tan antique or highlighter or what? I assume that was mahogany dye on the edge? The combination works really well. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rdb Report post Posted February 13, 2009 I see no mistakes and that lettering is great. Thanx Go2Tex, the longer I look, the worse it looks...lol There's something inside me that will not allow me to do things perfectly, even though I'm quite able to do better. It goes back to the pricing thread, I think. To keep my stuff in a price range that people can afford, I use lots of shortcuts, and spend less time thinking about a project, just diving in until it's done. This strap took about 4-5 hrs, and some $15-20 material. So instead of a $200-$300 strap, it comes down around $100-$125. It looks pretty good, and the construction is solid, but the work is not like the saddlemakers or others here on the forum. I'm more like the local cobbler pumping out repairs and such, than the fine artists that show here. What tool did you use for the matting around the letters? a-888, my favorite Also, was that saddle tan antique or highlighter or what? Saddle Tan mixed with neatsfoot, covered with hi-lite I assume that was mahogany dye on the edge? yep . Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Go2Tex Report post Posted February 13, 2009 I see no mistakes and that lettering is great. Thanx Go2Tex, the longer I look, the worse it looks...lolThere's something inside me that will not allow me to do things perfectly, even though I'm quite able to do better. It goes back to the pricing thread, I think. To keep my stuff in a price range that people can afford, I use lots of shortcuts, and spend less time thinking about a project, just diving in until it's done. This strap took about 4-5 hrs, and some $15-20 material. So instead of a $200-$300 strap, it comes down around $100-$125. It looks pretty good, and the construction is solid, but the work is not like the saddlemakers or others here on the forum. I'm more like the local cobbler pumping out repairs and such, than the fine artists that show here. What tool did you use for the matting around the letters? a-888, my favorite Also, was that saddle tan antique or highlighter or what? Saddle Tan mixed with neatsfoot, covered with hi-lite I assume that was mahogany dye on the edge? yep . Sorry to sound like I'm beating a dead horse but, there are so many different products out there for dye I have to ask, was that Fiebings pro oil saddle tan? I really want to try your technique, so I want to get this right. thanks Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rdb Report post Posted February 13, 2009 sorry, I didn't understand. yep feibings oil dye. It's the only kind i use. Stir the neatsfoot and oil dye constantly, it mixes well, but settles out quick. I've learned to make a lot of "happy accidents", out of dyeing with unintended results, so enjoy the experimentation...lol Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Go2Tex Report post Posted February 13, 2009 sorry, I didn't understand. yep feibings oil dye. It's the only kind i use. Stir the neatsfoot and oil dye constantly, it mixes well, but settles out quick. I've learned to make a lot of "happy accidents", out of dyeing with unintended results, so enjoy the experimentation...lol Great, thanks! I will. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hennessy Report post Posted February 14, 2009 Thanx abn. That pattern is the easiest BW, to me. It's just a matter of matching legs, and hitting the center point. There's very little lining up to do, like a regular BW. The hardest part is getting the correct angle so the edge line leg will be blended by the border tool, just takes a few seconds of experiment on an equal sized scrap piece. This is the second time that I've heard people having a bit of trouble getting this one down, next time I do one, I'll take some pictures of the process.rdb nice work tis good to see th heart pattern,back in australia in 69 i weld'd two basket stamps together n made several thousand belts for a belt co that finished them out n marketed.its a well liked pattern the world over eh keep up th good toolin adios pete Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
