There Is So May Reasons Not To Show

[DoubleC]

Joe, I like it. Plain and simple. Are ya gonna do art or are you gonna be a factory? I use mod podge for about everything too, LOL. I only saw one knife slip, and so what? Your beveling looks great and unless you're looking for it, it just disappears with the other things in the coaster.

[Ferg]

Joe,

You didn't ask but.......I think you are trying to tool your leather when it is too wet. That is the first thing you need to work on

ferg

A step backwards-3 failed atempts and just this.

The letters look wrong but they are all the same style .

Joe St

[Stewart]

Joe,

You didn't ask but.......I think you are trying to tool your leather when it is too wet. That is the first thing you need to work on

ferg

You are right. After all the things i done that turned out good. I am back at square one. Evan the pipes

I have been doing is going haywire. It must be one of those cycles that you go through.

l

[Ferg]

Don't get upset with me.....

You need desperately to get one of several Al Stohlman "Starter" books. You have gotten off to a disappointing start because your basics are flawed.

Let's back up and start over, nothing wrong with doing this.

Case your leather properly and allow it to dry to nearly the same color it was before wetting. Submerge the piece of leather in warm water until the bubbles quit rising.

I wrap mine in an old "T" shirt leaving it at least over night. Now unwrap and allow to dry as above. Strop your swivel knife often. If the blades you have are angled, hold knife straight up and down. If your blade is straight across slant the knife away from you.

Make your cuts to as near half the thickness of the piece you have. For your lettering and small work use a thin blade. Large pieces you may wish to use a thicker blade.

You need a wider beveler. The one you are using is difficult to "walk" when striking with the mallet. Practice walking the beveler. That is one of the most important tools to use properly.

When you have some roughness, use a modeling spoon to smooth the "dents".

If you don't have some of the tools you need to do a proper job, improvise. You obviously have some decent carving tools for making your pipes. You can even make some preliminary tools from hard wood.

Ends of small as well as larger dowels make some interesting backgrounds, they just don't last as long.

Don't give up. Sit back and take a deep breath. The politicians running our great country won't be there forever. LOL

ferg

You are right. After all the things i done that turned out good. I am back at square one. Evan the pipes

I have been doing is going haywire. It must be one of those cycles that you go through.

l

Edited March 30, 2012 by 50 years leather

[Stewart]

Thanks Ferg,

Back to Basic 101.

Just need to refocus.

Thanks for the advice.

Joe