garypl Posted January 11, 2018 Report Posted January 11, 2018 Finally finished a set of beer growlers for my sons. Made of 4-5 oz veg tan and trim is upholster leather. One handle is made from a crocodile belt I bought 30 years ago - it must have shrunk because it is too small for me now! Bottle is supported by two straps that criss cross and go up the sides of the main body. Finished inside and out with my homemade leather balm made of beeswax, carnuba wax, NFO and lanolin. Outside was also given a coat of Atom Wax. Gary Quote Cowboy 4500, Consew 206RB-4
bikermutt07 Posted January 11, 2018 Report Posted January 11, 2018 Those are super cool. Way way better than the one I made. Quote I'm not paying 80 bucks for a belt!!! It's a strip of leather. How hard could it be? 4 years and 3 grand later.... I have a belt I can finally live with. Stitching is like gravy, it's only great if you make it every day. From Texas but in Bossier City, Louisiana.
garypl Posted January 11, 2018 Author Report Posted January 11, 2018 Thanks Mutt! I am sure there are folks who prefer your design over mine. I appreciate your comment but I think you would be able to sell a lot more using your design because it is more suitable for production! Gary Quote Cowboy 4500, Consew 206RB-4
Members kiwican Posted January 11, 2018 Members Report Posted January 11, 2018 Those are real nice. Can we see the bottom anyway? Quote
garypl Posted January 11, 2018 Author Report Posted January 11, 2018 Thanks Kiwi - My wife just wrapped them up - we are exchanging Christmas gifts late this year due to a death in the family. I will take a picture on Saturday when they are opened! Quote Cowboy 4500, Consew 206RB-4
Rossr Posted January 11, 2018 Report Posted January 11, 2018 Looks real nice. I like the carving work on them! Quote
garypl Posted January 11, 2018 Author Report Posted January 11, 2018 Thanks Ross - wish the carving was a little more visible on the darker case - light has to be shining right on it to see it well. Quote Cowboy 4500, Consew 206RB-4
Rossr Posted January 12, 2018 Report Posted January 12, 2018 35 minutes ago, garypl said: Thanks Ross - wish the carving was a little more visible on the darker case - light has to be shining right on it to see it well. In the picture I think it looks fine.. but I like a darker look personally. R Quote
bikermutt07 Posted January 12, 2018 Report Posted January 12, 2018 3 hours ago, garypl said: Thanks Mutt! I am sure there are folks who prefer your design over mine. I appreciate your comment but I think you would be able to sell a lot more using your design because it is more suitable for production! Gary But your's are really really cool. Quote I'm not paying 80 bucks for a belt!!! It's a strip of leather. How hard could it be? 4 years and 3 grand later.... I have a belt I can finally live with. Stitching is like gravy, it's only great if you make it every day. From Texas but in Bossier City, Louisiana.
Members Seagrove59 Posted January 13, 2018 Members Report Posted January 13, 2018 Excellent job, something to strive for as I get better. What portions do you use in your leather balm, if it is a family secret I understand. Quote
garypl Posted January 13, 2018 Author Report Posted January 13, 2018 Just now, Seagrove59 said: Excellent job, something to strive for as I get better. What portions do you use in your leather balm, if it is a family secret I understand. Thanks Seagrove! I mix it up by eye - should weigh the ingredients, but I dont. I start with a chunk of beeswax (about 2x2x2”) that I cut off a slab. Put it in a jar and add @1/3 cup of carnuba wax granules, @1/4 cup of lanolin, and 1/2 cup NFO. I melt everything in a pot of water (put the jar in the water like a double boiler) using a hot plate. Once it is completely melted, I stir it up with a stick and then put some of the melted mixture on a piece of scrap leather and let it harden. If it feels too hard, I add more NFO to the mixture and check it again - repeat until I am happy with the softness of the hardened mixture. Then just let it cool and it’s ready to apply. I usually rub it into the leather and then heat with a heat gun so it soaks right in. Repeat and then buff. Makes a nice dull finish. If I want a glossier finish I follow it up with one or two coats of Atom Wax. Gary Quote Cowboy 4500, Consew 206RB-4
Members JMcC Posted January 13, 2018 Members Report Posted January 13, 2018 Those are some cool holders for the growlers Gary. Good job! Quote
garypl Posted January 13, 2018 Author Report Posted January 13, 2018 3 hours ago, JMcC said: Those are some cool holders for the growlers Gary. Good job! Thank you! I plan on making more - some friends have already asked about them! Gary Quote Cowboy 4500, Consew 206RB-4
garypl Posted January 13, 2018 Author Report Posted January 13, 2018 On 1/11/2018 at 6:16 PM, kiwican said: Those are real nice. Can we see the bottom anyway? Here are pics of the bottom and inside. Quote Cowboy 4500, Consew 206RB-4
Members kiwican Posted January 14, 2018 Members Report Posted January 14, 2018 Great job. Thanks for the pics of the inside and bottom Quote
Members Texson Posted January 17, 2018 Members Report Posted January 17, 2018 Great job! This is on my Project List. In my first design I thought about using a criss-cross bottom - now I know what it looks like. Thanks! Quote
garypl Posted January 17, 2018 Author Report Posted January 17, 2018 8 minutes ago, Texson said: Great job! This is on my Project List. In my first design I thought about using a criss-cross bottom - now I know what it looks like. Thanks! Thanks Tex! I was going to make a solid bottom, but then decided it might be better to have more air circulation at the bottom of the case. Since I already was using a strap for the carry handles it was simple to add the second strap. Gary Quote Cowboy 4500, Consew 206RB-4
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