First Carved Solo Seat.

[David]

Shadowryder,

I've made a few solo seats. Maybe I can offer some advice. Your leather is way too thin. I finally hit on 8-9 oz. as being the best for a solo seat when you use the construction method you use. (It's the same way I build seats.) Lace, use the best! That would be kangaroo lace. I used 1/4" lace and 1/8" holes. The bad part is it is expensive! Regarding the holes, mine are 1/8" holes 3/8" apart (on center) and set in 3/8" from the edge. The holes must line up, and remember the top and bottom leathers are neither the same size or shape if you use 3/4" padding like I did. So line them up carefully. There are several posts on here about how to do it. When you finish lacing, tap your lace with a mallet. It will make it lay down flat and look more consistent. Make sure your splices and endings are invisible. No one should be able to tell where you start or stop.

Regarding seat expense, mine cost me $320 to make so be sure you charge enough! I bought my pans so that added $60 to materials cost.

Keep building, it will come!

Edited June 29, 2014 by David

[earthling33]

David,

You answered some questions that I was wondering about, primarily the cost you had into your seats. The other questions concerned the quality and character of your materials.

Thanks for the info.

John

[shadowryder]

Billy P,and David,

many thanks for your comments and advice,they are very much appreciated,

I finally sold this seat on ebay this week for £80.00 GBP $137.48c

The materials came to about a third of that because I made my own pan from 3mm steel plate.

I will keep practicing and making stuff and one day hopefully I will be able to turn out work like yours David,

This is my 5th seat and each gets a little better than the last,I have sold them all for between £50 to £80 GBP.and have managed to make a small profit on each.

Thanks again to all that have commented.

[Turn n Burn]

Last pics could see whats going on to me it dosnt look like you are beveling your carving that would help make it pop and give it dimension. I havnt done a seat yet been focusing on the carving buthave a couple coming up this winter

[Sanch]

the only constructive criticism I have is get better materials, art work is very subjective. Practice makes better not perfect but better I love the plain look to the carving very sketchy and raw you could put more time into your lay out on holes, what antiquing process did you use?

[shadowryder]

stealfdawg,

Thanks for your comments and tips,I will take them on board.

Ref the colours and finish I used feiblings dyes and then used an antique polish to get effect and finished with resoline.