Finishing Edges

[ToddB 68]

Glad you finally made it partner ! I was beginning to worry you might have gotten bucked out of the saddle on the way over ! All kidding aside, thanks for stopping in. This is a follow-up to my above post on Jan. 19, 2010 (Post #35). If you are interested in the background on this project, please see my post "Need Advice on Making Utility Tool Sheath" ( w/pictures ) dated October 19, 2009. As of today, it is at the bottom of page 5 of this "How Do I Do That ?" forum. Just be aware, it might be bumped to a successive page (#6, #7, etc., etc.) by the time anyone reads this. Firstly, I want to thank Bob Park (hidepounder) and Ross Brunk (RWB) for their replies to my above post #35. In reply to them, since I'm just getting started in leatherwork, I think I need to practice edge finishing on a few sample pieces cut from my side of 9 oz. veg. tanned cow hide. I will follow Bobby's "Finishing Edges" process as close as possible, using the tools & supplies I have accumulated to date (as listed below), plus whatever additional supplies I might decide to add if not too costly (Shipping & Handling costs being what they are these days). I'm trying to economize until I find out if I really like leatherwork enough to stay with it, although I believe I will.

TOOLS & SUPPLIES ACCUMULATED TO DATE:

#1..Side of 9 oz. veg. tanned cowhide........gift from my brother.

#2..Quick Stitch Sewing Awl #91812.......................................Qty. (1)............................ $3.99 Local Harbor Frt.

#3..Al Stohlman's book The Art of Hand Sewing Leather................................................... 12.99 Amazon.com +3.99 S&H #4..Pure Beeswax #C2014......................................................Qty. (1)............................... $3.25 Zack White

#5..Nylon Edge Slicker Wheel #8122.......................................Qty. (1)............................... 2.75 " "

#6..Midas Edge Beveling Tool #8076, Size #3.........................Qty. (1)............................... 8.95 " "

#7..100% Pure Neatsfoot Oil, 8 oz., #C23408.........................Qty. (1)............................... 5.75 " "

#8..Zack's Gum Tragacanth #C25594......................................Qty. (1)............................... 4.95 " "

Sub-TL 25.65 +14.12 S&H

Total 39.77

#9..Craftool Overstitch Wheel Size 5, on shank w/handle........Qty. (1)............................... $7.50 Tandy 8.00 S&H 1.01 Tax Total 16.51

#10..Paraffin Wax, Household for canning, etc., 1 lb. block.........Qty. (1)............................... 3.99 Local Kroger ________________

* Current Grand Total $81.24 *

If I use "ShOE GOO" on hand in house supplies, to glue the leather sheath together, add another $1.99. Note: I made a gun stock checkering bench years ago and am now in the process of making and retro-fitting it with a pair of wooden stitching jaws. I have all materials on hand for the jaws. I will post pictures when completed. If you're still with me I'll wish you GOOD LUCK on all your leather projects ! I'm headin to the bunk house ! Todd

Edited April 8, 2010 by Johanna
clarity, by request of owner

[Pelallito]

Hello Bob,

Like Todd, I am a newbie. I have seen you mention the dyes before and am curious about them and where to get them. Tandy has oil dies, but you seem to prefer another type and I would like to buy some to use your technique. The other thing that I have not found, as yet, in Miami is paraffin.

Thanks for the tutorial.

Regards,

Fred

Hi Todd,

I have never used vinegaroon to dye edges. Vinegaroon doesn't get real black until oil is applied. It doesn't seem very practical to me, but maybe it would work. When dyeing edges with spirit dyes you do need a fairly steady hand as you suggest. If the dye gets on the face of the leather there is no removing it! The leather does want to wick the dye along the edge, which is the sole reason why I burnish before dyeing....it helps to make a neat clean dye line. Hope this helps.....

Bobby

[hidepounder]

Fred,

Tandy carries both oil and alcohol dyes. I happen to like the alcohol dyes....maybe because that's what I learned to use. Oil dyes are fine also...they take longer to dry and I have never tried them on an edge....I would think they would be fine, though.

Pariafin is readily available in grocery stores (check the baking section) and at many hardware stores. It is still used for canning......

Bobby

[RandyScott]

The other thing that I have not found, as yet, in Miami is paraffin.

Bob is correct, paraffin is 'canning wax'. In my local Publix, canning supplies are in the produce/meat department area. Don't know why, just is. If you don't find it there, ask any employee and they will walk you to it.

[Pelallito]

Thank you both Bob and Randy. I will take a better look at Tandy's catalog and go to Publix tomorrow. I did try Winn Dixie and did not find any. I found some at Pearls art supply, but they only sell it in an 11 pound box. That is probably several lifetimes supply of paraffin.

Thanks again for the help.

Regards,

Fred

[ToddB 68]

Thank you both Bob and Randy. I will take a better look at Tandy's catalog and go to Publix tomorrow. I did try Winn Dixie and did not find any. I found some at Pearls art supply, but they only sell it in an 11 pound box. That is probably several lifetimes supply of paraffin.

Thanks again for the help.

Regards,

Fred

Fred..........I bought a one-pound box of household pariffin wax at the Mount Orab, Ohio KROGER grocery store for under $5.00. The box says "For Canning, Candlemaking and many other uses" and the distributor is Royal Oak Enterprises, LLC, Roswell, GA 30076, Made in U.S.A.. The brand is "Gulf Wax" and the box contains (4) individual blocks, each one is 3/4 " thick x 2-5/16" wide x 4-1/2" minimum long.

I would have attached a photo of the box for identification, except my Scanner is not operating at the moment (Computer message says "Sorry, Scanner could not be initialized. (Scanner not found.)". I should have it running again, as soon as I can consult with my son. He is employed as a computer programmer/analyst. All cables are still connected and tight, so the problem is something beyond my knowledge.

Hope this helps !

Todd

[Pelallito]

Todd,

Sorry about your scanner problems. Try unplugging from the computer at the back of the scanner and the power to the scanner. Perhaps when you reconnect your computer will find it again. I have had problems with mine and they can be irritating to solve. In my case, it normally involves a few appropriate words about computers and the people that invented them.

I looked up the gulf wax on the computer and saw it on line. I called a local Publix yesterday and they said they did not have it, but I think that I have seen canning jars there, after my memory was jogged by these responses. If necessary I will order it on line.

When I asked a friend about this, he laughed and told me that I lived in the wrong part of the country for canning.

Thanks for the help.

Regards,

Fred

[Pelallito]

Todd,

Sorry about your scanner problems. Try unplugging from the computer at the back of the scanner and the power to the scanner. Perhaps when you reconnect your computer will find it again. I have had problems with mine and they can be irritating to solve. In my case, it normally involves a few appropriate words about computers and the people that invented them.

I looked up the gulf wax on the computer and saw it on line. I called a local Publix yesterday and they said they did not have either paraffin or canning wax , but I think that I have seen canning jars there, after my memory was jogged by these responses. If necessary I will order it on line.

When I asked a friend about this, he laughed and told me that I lived in the wrong part of the country for canning.

Thanks for the help.

Regards,

Fred

PS I went there today and they did have it. I got a box. I will start using it tomorrow. Found it at last!!!!

Thanks for all the help.

Fred

Edited February 6, 2010 by Pelallito

[ToddB 68]

Todd,

Sorry about your scanner problems. Try unplugging from the computer at the back of the scanner and the power to the scanner. Perhaps when you reconnect your computer will find it again. I have had problems with mine and they can be irritating to solve. In my case, it normally involves a few appropriate words about computers and the people that invented them.

I looked up the gulf wax on the computer and saw it on line. I called a local Publix yesterday and they said they did not have it, but I think that I have seen canning jars there, after my memory was jogged by these responses. If necessary I will order it on line.

When I asked a friend about this, he laughed and told me that I lived in the wrong part of the country for canning.

Thanks for the help.

Regards,

Fred

Fred.........Thanks for the kind words and advice on my scanner problem. I had done what you suggest earlier. That's the first thing I do whenever a computer problem rears it's ugly head.....pull & re-plug cords. Unfortunately, that didn't solve the problem (computer cannot initialize....scanner not found !).

Glad to help with the paraffin.

Todd

Edited February 6, 2010 by ToddB68

[Pelallito]

Todd,

You might check your programs and see if you have lost the scanner. Then you could try this- go to My Computer-Control Panel-Scanner and Camera-under Imaging Task there is a Add an Imaging device. On my computer that starts a Wizard to add a scanner or camera.

We probably need to move this somewhere else now that we are off subject, but I don't know where.

I will try Bobs system today, but I still need to get the dye and make applicator pens.

Thanks to everybody again for all of the help.

Regards,

Fred

Fred.........Thanks for the kind words and advice on my scanner problem. I had done what you suggest earlier. That's the first thing I do whenever a computer problem rears it's ugly head.....pull & re-plug cords. Unfortunately, that didn't solve the problem (computer cannot initialize....scanner not found !).

Glad to help with the paraffin.

Todd

Edited February 6, 2010 by Pelallito