Alaisiagae Report post Posted August 21, 2020 (edited) I had some scrap 6/7oz from a larger project and decided to make a small valet tray from it for my dad. I tried making some gouges on the inside so it'd fold up nicer, but that didn't work (maybe the gouge lines were too high). I also only used Tandy's Gel Antqiue (medium brown), with Neat-Lac as a finish. This was my first time using the gel on a project, and, wow, that stuff sure is messy - but I love how it highlights the tooling. There are other flaws with the piece - I don't think I cut the notches from the corners exactly equal (despite my best efforts), and, the letters are a bit crooked and the spacing not perfect, and that gear on the bottom isn't perfectly centered. My dad is an electrical engineer and likes trains. Edited August 21, 2020 by Alaisiagae Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
fredk Report post Posted August 21, 2020 That passes scrutiny. Its just grand so it is remember; we are own worst critics. When I have to do a fold in leather I first gouge a line then I use a ball-head modelling tool back and forth over the groove in the dampened leather. This usually helps, but not always, Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BDub77 Report post Posted August 21, 2020 If you look at this from your Dad's perspective for a minute.... His daughter brought him a personalized, hand-made gift that looks good and functions well. I'll bet he is pretty happy about it, and any imperfections are eigher ignored or appreciated. I have never made anything that was perfect, and I've decided I never will (and it's OK). Overall, I'll bet he loves it. Cheers. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Samalan Report post Posted August 21, 2020 I use a wood carving V tool practice on a scrap for depth works grate. All that said you did a nice job on that bet dad loves it .. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Alaisiagae Report post Posted August 21, 2020 Thank you all for the kind words, I'm definitely my own worst critic. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TomMeyers Report post Posted August 22, 2020 Nice work. I see nothing to change. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Spyros Report post Posted August 22, 2020 Ι like small imperfections that distinguish a hand made item from a machine made one, if there aren't any I'd even go as far as adding one and I'm not even joking. As long as it doesn't distract from the overall quality of the thing, and in this case I don't think it does. Just a lovely gift. Honestly the only thing that caught my eye when I looked at the photos and before I read your text was the two "E" in Engineer were not perfectly in line. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rleather Report post Posted August 22, 2020 I hope my next project is "flawed". Dad will love it! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
