Hampton Roads anyone? Older guy getting into it for more than crafts and chatzkes

[battlemunky]

Welcome @SilverForgeStudio. I've been at this for 3 or 4 years now and still contribute to the baby step humor/happy fun time/why did he do that compendium here. Luckily, there are many good folks here that will actually help you take the next step without mocking you in the open forum. There are some world class leather workers here as well. It's funny that novices like a lot of us are able to share the same pages as some of the world's best. I look forward to seeing you progress!

Also, the wisdom passed down from @NVLeatherWorx to @bikermutt07  and now to you is pretty invaluable. I took their advice and it cured my stitching inconsistencies I had been struggling with just reading and watching youtube videos. I recommend it. You can see improvement from piece 1 to piece 10.

[bikermutt07]

Everyone here contributes. I have seen some of the coolest techniques and styles from the newest of newbs here. 

I have been playing off and on for four years, but have only produced maybe a slow year's worth of products.

I have such a hard time commiting to a style or even to cutting into the leather sometimes.

My perfectionism mind is never truly honored with my finished product. So, a lot of time I have a problem just getting started. 

It is an ongoing conundrum for me. 

And, I see others just turning out project after project like YinTx. 

He and I started within a few months of each other and his work is so more advanced than mine.

Not that I mind, it's not a contest. Just something I've noticed.

I have been trying to take inspiration from Don Gonzales. Man, he just grabs that leather and gets to working it. While I will roll out a piece and stare at it for three days.

I think I have started to ramble a bit. Not sure I had a point....

[Riem]

Ah, @bikermutt07, you have a style while I still go "huh, what's this thing called 'a style'"? At best, my style - if I have one - is "decidedly inconsistent". Perfect is the name of a town somewhere in the world, not close to where I live. I plan to move there in about a gazillion weeks... months... Maybe years from now. But I plan to continue enjoying the ride on the road that leads there, even if a few cows have to sacrifice their hides before I arrive!

[SilverForgeStudio]

Reim... Good advice thanks

@battlemunky thanks as well... I've read your comments too along with Mutts' musings as well. 

Right now I'm in analysis paralysis trying to "batch" my first project (s)... 

So that being said...

Ok FIRST QUESTION...  How much waste do you plan on when considering doing lots or batches? I know when I sew I figure +1yard for bias correction and layout... Does same methodology apply to leather with blemishes and edge variations?

Thanks again and as always be safe, and in good spirits! I'll be away from the keyboard for my annual apple festival and pumpkin patch family outings... I can read just no response from me... I'll catch up with you fine folks when the apple butter is in the jars and I'm set for my winter jams and jellies! (Yes, I'm a dude that loves to can/cook!)

Until then- thanks for reading!

[NVLeatherWorx]

10 hours ago, SilverForgeStudio said:

Reim... Good advice thanks

@battlemunky thanks as well... I've read your comments too along with Mutts' musings as well. 

Right now I'm in analysis paralysis trying to "batch" my first project (s)... 

So that being said...

Ok FIRST QUESTION...  How much waste do you plan on when considering doing lots or batches? I know when I sew I figure +1yard for bias correction and layout... Does same methodology apply to leather with blemishes and edge variations?

Thanks again and as always be safe, and in good spirits! I'll be away from the keyboard for my annual apple festival and pumpkin patch family outings... I can read just no response from me... I'll catch up with you fine folks when the apple butter is in the jars and I'm set for my winter jams and jellies! (Yes, I'm a dude that loves to can/cook!)

Until then- thanks for reading!

When it comes to waste you are actually the one in total control of that.  First thing to understand that your waste starts with the quality/grade of leather that you are purchasing so if you are going cheaper then the amount of waste is going to be greater because the cheaper leathers have more scars, bite, brands, etc. that can take away precious profit.  The next thing that will impact waste is how you lay out your templates for cutting - the farther apart they are the more that you will be leaving in between.  The industry average is suggested to be no more than 15% of a hide/side/skin should be waste, I have mine down to about 5% but I buy the cleanest sides (and hand pick them myself from the source) and I lay out every piece I cut on a very tight line so that I am not leaving money on the floor or seeing it find its way into the garbage.  This stuff costs a pretty penny and I will damned if I am giving any more than I need to for the cost of garbage service.

On your comment about being a dude who loves to can/cook!  I do my own canning and I am a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America so I know what you mean.  I love to cook, can, smoke my own meats, make my own sausages, etc. and so on; oh, I bake too and am pretty darned handy at candy making as well.

[bikermutt07]

When I did my run of bracelets I stripped out a shoulder. There wasn't much waste.

That gave me plenty of materials. I didn't complete them all, but made gifts of some of it to newcomers. Never hurts to pay it forward.

[ScoobyNewbie]

I can’t! I can’t! There is too many fun projects! I can’t choose!!!! I have to do them when they hit my brain, that way they ricochet around and I can write down my mistakes and (hopefully) improvements.

[Rockoboy]

On ‎16‎/‎10‎/‎2018 at 11:01 PM, SilverForgeStudio said:

How much waste do you plan on when considering doing lots or batches?

I have very little waste that goes in the rubbish bin. When I cut out a heap of items, the lace work of leather left behind is used for practice stamping, dye testing, swivel knife practice, making small welts, sanding to make leather dust (add to PVA to fill small gaps) etc etc.

[SilverForgeStudio]

On 10/21/2018 at 9:20 AM, Rockoboy said:

When I cut out a heap of items, the lace work of leather left behind is used for practice stamping, dye testing, swivel knife practice, making small welts, sanding to make leather dust (add to PVA to fill small gaps) etc etc.

Well I think that is sage advice- and I appreciate that- I know the veg tan stuff I am trying to get a stash saved of mini-bins so my scraps arent in a heap- thank for the info!

On 10/16/2018 at 10:18 PM, ScoobyNewbie said:

I can’t! I can’t! There is too many fun projects! I can’t choose!!!! I have to do them when they hit my brain, that way they ricochet around and I can write down my mistakes and (hopefully) improvements.

Hmmmm.... Im not sure if You're talking to me or the other you here- but I would hazard to say the analysis paralysis comment is what you are referring to... and I felt like your comment when I walked into a Tandy store- my grounding was in the prices for retail and NOT having a firm starting point I did not want to run down the wrong road... (And the fact that my wife is an accountant and I have a budget- shes good- like a built-in Office manager/Warehouse supervisor and Awesome-coffee-maker... and she supports me as long as I dont break the bank!)

On 10/16/2018 at 10:13 PM, bikermutt07 said:

When I did my run of bracelets I stripped out a shoulder. There wasn't much waste.That gave me plenty of materials. I didn't complete them all, but made gifts of some of it to newcomers. Never hurts to pay it forward.

Thanks for the advice and the ideas- Im hoping to actually work out my own materials listings (like the other 1,000 listed in the forum- HA!) and then move it along to others as I move up... hopefully!

On 10/16/2018 at 9:28 PM, NVLeatherWorx said:

 First thing to understand that your waste starts with the quality/grade of leather that you are purchasing so if you are going cheaper then the amount of waste is going to be greater because the cheaper leathers have more scars, bite, brands, etc. that can take away precious profit.  The next thing that will impact waste is how you lay out your templates for cutting - the farther apart they are the more that you will be leaving in between.  The industry average is suggested to be no more than 15% of a hide/side/skin should be waste, I have mine down to about 5% but I buy the cleanest sides (and hand pick them myself from the source) and I lay out every piece I cut on a very tight line so that I am not leaving money on the floor or seeing it find its way into the garbage.  This stuff costs a pretty penny and I will damned if I am giving any more than I need to for the cost of garbage service.

On your comment about being a dude who loves to can/cook!  I do my own canning and I am a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America so I know what you mean.  I love to cook, can, smoke my own meats, make my own sausages, etc. and so on; oh, I bake too and am pretty darned handy at candy making as well.

@NV- Apples are In- Staymans, GrannySmiths and Romes are the pick of the lot this year- Spent Sunday cleaning drying and dehydrating and baking- Love it! I considered the Culinary institute here in VA- but the program didnt afford a very strong post graduate market (resort area on the coast- highly seasonal and NOT a long term viable career here)... Candy making- My wife and I are looking at doing some various caramels and chocolates for Christmas- Ill be getting my hams ordered for next season 

Good advice on the waste as well- I'm looking at cutting out by hand most items so I think the waste there will be minimal as long as I keep a straight/flat side to cut from/reference- I am looking at weights now for the projects then- on to the ordering!

[ScoobyNewbie]

Nah, it was more how every sensible guy here was saying, “Do your work in runs or multiples so you can prefect your techniques and do a more professional job.” 

Which sounds really, really good, and sensible, but I’m not good at that. I get bored and it becomes a grind and then I spend all my time painting, or reading or brushing the dogs. Anything to avoid making another -fillintheblank-. 

But then I don’t ever intend to sell my stuff. I just want to be proud of the stuff I make and then force it on family and friends. I think I do okay. 

The advice these guys give is always really eye opening. I have learned a whole lot of interesting things. That was just a wild outburst, and should be ignored. 

Now I feel bad. Sorry.