David Posted December 9, 2008 Author Report Posted December 9, 2008 (edited) Final installment......finally. The seat is complete....a little atom wax after it has dried for 24 hours and it is finished then it will be off to California. Dave Edited December 9, 2008 by David Quote
Contributing Member wolvenstien Posted December 9, 2008 Contributing Member Report Posted December 9, 2008 Dave, you did some stretching to the leather before carving right? Did you attach the leather to something to keep it from stretching when tooling? Beautiful seat, love the coloring. Awesome! Quote "The miracle is not how two adults can create a child, the phenomenon is how quickly a child can create two adults." -- VYBE Her: Hit Me Him: Do you want me to use the knife? Her: No, When you hit with a knife, that's STABBING!
MADMAX22 Posted December 9, 2008 Report Posted December 9, 2008 (edited) Very good looking finished seat David. Im sure that is gonna be another happy customer when they get that on there bike. Oh also when you say atom wax, is that the same as the leather balm with atom wax? Ive been using that stuff lately and I really like it, just make sure the dye is dry or youll be pulling most of it up lol. Has a lovely finish though. Edited December 9, 2008 by MADMAX22 Quote
David Posted December 9, 2008 Author Report Posted December 9, 2008 Dave, you did some stretching to the leather before carving right?Did you attach the leather to something to keep it from stretching when tooling? Beautiful seat, love the coloring. Awesome! Wolvenstien, 7 -8 oz leather doesn't stretch much, but it was attached to my tooling board to do the tooling work. The main shrinkage that I encounter are due to long runs of decorative lacing. They tend to compact the leather a bit and "shrink" the seat tops and backs. It isn't a huge amount but maybe 1/8 to 1/4 inch over the length of the seat. It is a small enough factor that they can be pulled back into place when the top is tied to the back in preparation for final lacing. Thanks for taking a look at the project. Dave Theobald Quote
David Posted December 9, 2008 Author Report Posted December 9, 2008 (edited) Very good looking finished seat David. Im sure that is gonna be another happy customer when they get that on there bike.Oh also when you say atom wax, is that the same as the leather balm with atom wax? Ive been using that stuff lately and I really like it, just make sure the dye is dry or youll be pulling most of it up lol. Has a lovely finish though. Glad you like the finish MadMax, it is a combination of medium brown, saddle tan and sheridan paste antiquing. I like the color and hope the customer does too. That is Leather Balm with atom wax that I use. I've never had it pull up like you describe. The only thing I have noticed is that it has a tendency to turn to a whitish powder after a year or so on a bike. Some saddle soap and a scrubbing with a toothbrush followed by Aussie cream seem to do the trick and freshen the seat up. I used Lexol on the seat prior to antiquing and really like the even finish it gives to the project. I didn't get any antiquing splotches as can sometimes happen. Thanks for taking a look at the project. Dave Theobald Edited December 9, 2008 by David Quote
Members Kustomizer Posted December 10, 2008 Members Report Posted December 10, 2008 Beautiful work David as always. One question about the seat building process, is it normal practice to put the finish on after the seat is assembled? Quote
ArtS Posted December 10, 2008 Report Posted December 10, 2008 Boy, that came out great Dave! Beautiful job as I always expect from you. Art Quote Art Schwab "You cannot teach a man anything. You can only help him discover it within himself." – Galileo Galilei
David Posted December 11, 2008 Author Report Posted December 11, 2008 Beautiful work David as always. One question about the seat building process, is it normal practice to put the finish on after the seat is assembled? Kustomezer, I'm not sure what "normal" practice is since I'm a totally self taught seat builder. I do it this way for a couple reasons. Once leather has been dyed, the leather becomes very stiff. This would make it very difficult for me to lace it together. I pull my edge lacing very tight and stiff "sharp" edges on holes and edge of the leather would not be a good thing for me. Secondly and most importantly. Dyeing is a wet process, and the last thing I want is for the leathers to shrink. Thanks for taking a look, Dave Theobald Quote
Members Sawyer Posted December 11, 2008 Members Report Posted December 11, 2008 (edited) Looks Great as always! How was that evo to carve? Tight in the fin area? I got a customer that wants a Shovelhead motor on his seat. I love Shovelheads so it'll make it more fun for me. Here's a picture of my Bobber i just finished , I won 1st place in the Bobber Class at the Southwest Veterans Bike show a couple of months ago. Oil tank, Rear fender, chain guard, oil filter/license plate bracket all brass grips,pegs,brake and shift levers, 2 inch stainless steel exhaust pipes with brass and stainless baffles, and custom leather seat all hand made by me. Edited December 11, 2008 by Sawyer Quote
Members Sawyer Posted December 11, 2008 Members Report Posted December 11, 2008 just a couple more pics Quote
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.