TomSwede Report post Posted November 17, 2010 This is 2 guitarstraps that I made for a couple of friends. The red and black one is for the band Loch Vostok front man Ted. Totally free hands apart from V logo and black and red. We think alike in many things so I had a great feeling for what he wanted and is now happily touring with the strap across Europe The black and blue one is more a personal thing for Ronnie Ripper featuring a carving from a cartoon style drawing of him that he provided, other than that I had free hands. Split in the back was required and the connecting strap width is matched exaxtly to his wireless transmitter. I saw Ronnie play live with it last saturday, dude was glowing in the dark ;-) Critics welcome!! Tom Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Luke Hatley Report post Posted November 17, 2010 Tom Sweed......You have came a long way, and i would like to say "its a pleasure to know you and to stay abreast of your Leather Work " The straps are awsum Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Boothill Bob Report post Posted November 17, 2010 Tom. Those are awsome. U are the man. Keep it up My friend. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dirtclod Report post Posted November 17, 2010 Really nice work Tom !! Their both great looking and i bet you get some more orders straps. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dscott Report post Posted November 18, 2010 another gerat job as always great carving nice job Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nighthawk Report post Posted November 18, 2010 Very nice!! I was actually asked to do a guitar strap a few days ago, so it's great that you posted these. I haven't made one yet, and I haven't had a chance to look into it. So this was a very helpful thread- gives me some good ideas! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dustin29 Report post Posted November 18, 2010 Awesome looking straps Tom!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TomSwede Report post Posted November 18, 2010 Thanks very much guys!!! Tom Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TomSwede Report post Posted November 18, 2010 Nighthawk: A solution that I find pleasing to the eye but a bit slow to adjust! Tom Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Spinner Report post Posted November 18, 2010 Nighthawk: A solution that I find pleasing to the eye but a bit slow to adjust! Tom Pleasing to the eye for sure! That looks awesome Tom. The two above look cool too. The red is very rich in color, what type of paint is it that you're using? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AndyL1 Report post Posted November 18, 2010 Nighthawk: A solution that I find pleasing to the eye but a bit slow to adjust! Tom The two new ones are awesome! Good work again dude! This one here is always my favorite. Haven't seen it for a while, thanks for reposting it here. -Andy Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tina Report post Posted November 19, 2010 (edited) Love your straps lil'bro, and the "pleasing to the eye" detail is gorgeous :notworthy: Edited November 19, 2010 by Tina Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
woodandsteel Report post Posted November 19, 2010 Very nice!! What weight leather did you use for these? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BradB Report post Posted November 20, 2010 Awesome work Bro! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TomSwede Report post Posted November 21, 2010 Thank you very much all!! Glad you like the straps :-) I use Fiebings pro oil dyes and the one with special connection is red dye with Eco-flo black antique on top of it to make a burst effect towards the edges on the thinner strap. Dunno the weight but it is about 3,5 mm in thickness. Tom Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tat2 Report post Posted November 21, 2010 Thanks very much guys!!! Tom DUDE you have totally out done yourself!!! Truely amazing work. I have watched your skills improve over the years well done!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shirleyz Report post Posted December 14, 2010 Tom, Those are beautiful my friend. I wish I had cool friends to make guitar straps for! Awesome! Shirley Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
OdinUK Report post Posted December 15, 2010 Tom, those are brilliant! I still cant get the same bright red dye effect with the same dyes, it always seems more dull. Which finish did you use? The red V on the black background is great. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TomSwede Report post Posted December 15, 2010 DUDE you have totally out done yourself!!! Truely amazing work. I have watched your skills improve over the years well done!! Thank you very much Tat2!!! I have read your mail and will reply when I can! Tom, Those are beautiful my friend. I wish I had cool friends to make guitar straps for! Awesome! Shirley Thank you Shirley, straps are fun! Tom, those are brilliant! I still cant get the same bright red dye effect with the same dyes, it always seems more dull. Which finish did you use? The red V on the black background is great. Thanks Odin!!! I used Fiebings leather balm for top coat on both theese and fiebings Aussie wax underneath. I allways dilute the red with denatured alcohol. Best regards! Tom Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
OdinUK Report post Posted December 16, 2010 Great pictures Tom, If they tour England I'll make an effort to see them. How come you add the alcohol, I would have thought that it would thin the colour out or make it less vibrant? Do you just apply several coats? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TomSwede Report post Posted December 16, 2010 Great pictures Tom, If they tour England I'll make an effort to see them. How come you add the alcohol, I would have thought that it would thin the colour out or make it less vibrant? Do you just apply several coats? Yup it is a reducer. I also wet the leather a bit before dying to help the dye to spread out more evenly. It is hard to get it even so the answer to yor question is yes and that is why I started thin it out because with an undiluted red that has to apply in more layers to even it out made a too dark red. Tom Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
OdinUK Report post Posted December 17, 2010 Yup it is a reducer. I also wet the leather a bit before dying to help the dye to spread out more evenly. It is hard to get it even so the answer to yor question is yes and that is why I started thin it out because with an undiluted red that has to apply in more layers to even it out made a too dark red. Tom Thanks Tom, I will give it a try on some scraps. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TomSwede Report post Posted December 21, 2010 Thanks Tom, I will give it a try on some scraps. Good luck with it, it may take a few tries before you get the hang of it- I use brushes for small details like lettering etc. Cotton balls in a cloth when I cover areas. Tom Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Patricia Report post Posted December 21, 2010 COOL! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hammerhead Report post Posted April 16, 2011 good stuff the one with the cartoon style drawing is really great Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites