chriscraft Report post Posted July 12, 2013 Here is the dried leather seat top. Gonna take a stab at antiquing this one today. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chriscraft Report post Posted July 16, 2013 (edited) Tried a water base antique gel on this one. Then when dried used Pro oil dye applied with airbrush and faded my edges with dark brown pro oil. Will have to see what others are using and get better at this. This was tooled on 8-9oz. HO and will be stitched with a wheat colored 346 bonded tread at 5 stitches per inch. Chris Edited July 16, 2013 by chriscraft Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Madhatterxlch Report post Posted July 23, 2013 simply beautiful work. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chriscraft Report post Posted July 25, 2013 Finished the bicycle saddle today. Right now I'm cutting my own steel pans but will be farming out the work and get them water jet cut locally. I'm waiting on the cost quote for these 10g pans. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chriscraft Report post Posted July 27, 2013 Here's a pic of my Springer Basic Saddle installed on this custom vintage 1940's bike. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jimbob Report post Posted July 30, 2013 cool seat, but black...szzzzz...ohhh well, all these super details u had in that face are somewhat lost....BUT, the customer always gets what he wants....kinda like my wife!!!! The shaped wooden form is cool but soon u will have to make different seats and shapes so making a form for each will not be economical! Most all of us tool flat and then form and shape. I have tooled on ready moled leather right on the seat,,,,but there was NO foam involved....so called hard ass chopper seats... You have great talent in tooling, so try to do different seats and shapes and soon you will be on your way...nice work. Jimbob Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Spartan Report post Posted August 23, 2013 Chris--- that is some of the cleanest tooling I have ever seen. Simply stunning Chief! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jessebeckham Report post Posted August 23, 2013 The Indian headdress seat is incredible! Really great work! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
paprhangr Report post Posted October 23, 2013 So I took the plunge and went out and purchased a nice sewing machine for my leather seats. My tooling has improved and still getting better with every hour spent swinging the maul. Just wanted to post this latest seat build as I'm having trouble finding similar tooling. It's a vintage pin-up style Girl. The face is only 3/4" so it's difficult to get good detail. I'm self taught so I'm sure I'll find a way. What's everyone else doing when tooling small faces? Chris What kind of machine did you get. Do the mounting bolts get in the way when sewing around the edge? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chriscraft Report post Posted October 23, 2013 What kind of machine did you get. Do the mounting bolts get in the way when sewing around the edge? I've have no issues with mounting bolts as I don't have a table top sewing machine. I have the small heavy duty cylinder arm sewing machine, Cobra class 3. Been stitching with my work on the outside of the arm. This machine was a huge investment that will one day pay for itself. Been busy getting set up for these BTR Saddles these past few months. As you can see, it wouldn't have been possible to stitch these on a flat table top sewing machine. I acquired a small contract for these saddles but will also be hand tooling some custom made to order seats once I'm set up. Really excited about this project. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Twisted 66 Report post Posted February 24, 2014 wow nicely done! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
David Report post Posted February 24, 2014 No comments on tooling faces, you did a wonderful job. Now go shoot the idiot who wanted that terrific piece of art dyed black. He doesn't deserve that seat! Dave Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
