Returnee With Questions

[Bob Blea]

I use them and I think a lot of people do. Mine is a leather bag filled with BB's. Lead shot works better and I have seen people take an actual block of lead and wrap it in leather. Usually it's just something you make from scrap.

[splinters]

I did find this small bag leather that I used for another purpose and thinking, after trimming the end with the holes, I would see how much weight using #8 shot I could get into it and then hand stitch closed the open end. A starter weight maybe plus some hand stitching practice. (Also wanted to try attaching a photo to see how that goes.)

[splinters]

I've started working on a plain hide belt and think I've messed in my nest already. Yesterday I soak the buckle end of the belt so I could form the belt around the buckle tongue and avoid splitting the leather. After soaking the leather for approx. 2 hr. before forming and then dry the belt over night I have a dis-coloration at the point on the belt blank where it exited the water. It is still a little damp in that area. Though a little disappointed at this it is my "lets start learning some basics again old man".

Any suggestions or recommendations would be greatly appreciated. My intent is to finish the belt with neatsfoot oil, no tooling.

Edited June 23, 2015 by splinters

[Bob Blea]

Hi Splinters,

I think this may be pretty easy to fix. Try dipping the whole belt in water and letting it dry completely. That might blend the water mark out enough to not be noticeable. You could also try cleaning it with Oxalic acid (wood bleach or called Barkeepers Friend in many hardware stores) once you get the whole thing wet. That can clean a lot of stains out of the leather.

And you don't need to soak the leather in water that long. Just a brief dip would usually do it.

[splinters]

Thank's Bob. Just looked under the sink in the kitchen because I had a can of the powdered Barkeepers Friend down there for cleaning my stainless steal skillet. Can't seem to locate it right now...... Is that the stuff?

Thanks again.

Edited June 23, 2015 by splinters

[JLSleather]

When I bend a belt over like that, I just put a little pressure on each side -- finger and a thumb - and them add water to the grain side with my index finger on teh other hand. Slow, steady pressure centered on the slot (if there is one) and just "wipe" a wet finger across the face.

Oh, and I use a rawhide mallet -- Garland 11 oz.

[splinters]

Hi Bob,

Well, it looks like the next step is to try the Barkeepers Friend. I'm glad I made this error because its one that will stick in my mind from now on.

[Bob Blea]

If you have lemon juice handy that MIGHT help but I think the Barkeepers Friend is going to be your best bet. And if that doesn't work, there is always dyeing.

[splinters]

Hello JLS,

Thanks for joining in and adding you information about the wetting and the mallet.

One thing I've learned for sure, and I'm old enough I shouldn't have to relearn it, is that if you don't know what your doing ask before proceeding.

On to trying the Oxalic acid treatment. This is all good experience for me.

[JLSleather]

That's the good thing about belts -- no matter HOW bad you mistake it.. fella's never out more'n $10