Whacha Been Up To......

Robber58 said:
With this bag the trick is that it is a type of chrome tanned leather that will get semi-permanent pull up effects when folded or twisted. The more you manipulate it the more used it looks. Unlike other types of pull up, these can't be removed with heat or burnishing. Also a few minor scuffs spread around help as well. I say scuffs because scratches from something like sand paper look more abused that used in this type of leather. Most of it happens as I build the bag because of all the handling for hand sewing. The nature of this leather is that more of it will happen over time, I just like to give it a head start.
Randy
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Thanks for the info! I suspected some bending and twisting was involved based on the look. Good to know that yours is chrome tanned leather. I have a few things in mind to make that would look good if they looked like your bag,
 
ron55 said:
Thanks for the info! I suspected some bending and twisting was involved based on the look. Good to know that yours is chrome tanned leather. I have a few things in mind to make that would look good if they looked like your bag,
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Make sure when you go to buy that you get the right leather. Not all chrome tan will do this. Just flex it a bit and you will see the changes if it is the right type. If you buy on line look carefully at the pictures. It should show some lighter color areas with a wrinkled texture.
Randy
 
Robber58 said:
Make sure when you go to buy that you get the right leather. Not all chrome tan will do this. Just flex it a bit and you will see the changes if it is the right type. If you buy on line look carefully at the pictures. It should show some lighter color areas with a wrinkled texture.
Randy
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Thanks - I think I need to go to a leather store to make sure that I pick out the right leather. I have a few projects coming up that I don't trust online ordering for. I've only been to the Tandy store in Chicagoland. I need to find another option.
 
SwissHeritageCo said:
Your prejudice against straight lines will not be tolerated! (jk, beautiful as always Coleman! Glad to see you back at it :))

As for me, I'm still working on getting "dead simple" right... and I'm not there yet!


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😂🤣 Thank you. I actually find straight lines easier! Haha.

Some absolutely fantastic work coming out of your shop, my friend. 👍🏼😎
 
SwissHeritageCo said:
Your prejudice against straight lines will not be tolerated! (jk, beautiful as always Coleman! Glad to see you back at it :))

As for me, I'm still working on getting "dead simple" right... and I'm not there yet!


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Partner, it looks to me like you blew past dead simple and and landed in the zone of very clean, professional work. This is nice stuff!
Randy
 
I don't think this question warranted it's own thread so I'll park it here in hopes of some feedback (since this is where we all hang out anyway).

So I'm opting not to get a belt sander even though I know they are incredibly useful for leatherwork. Instead I've purchased a variable speed dremel and I'm going to try to limp along with it. My question is, what attachments do you guys think would be the most useful?

I've got some cocobolo burnishing bits on the way and even though it came with some sanding drums... I have no idea of the grit or coarseness that would be the most useful. Up until now I've just been trying to cut my patterns to be exact and using an emery board to even up the welt then burnishing by hand. I'm looking to get cleaner more polished edges and hopefully save some time in the process. After some experience, I've decided against using tokonole on anything but drum dyed leather because it prevents absorbtion of oils/waxes/general leather treatments. I also like the idea of being able to drill through multi layers of leather to add holes for belt/pocket clips, so again the dremel makes sense.

Do any of you guys use a dremel for your leatherwork on a regular basis? Or is it all belt sanders and burnishing/sanding machines? Any helpful advice would be greatly appreciated :)
 
My experience.

I use an upright sander only for the fact that I like to move the piece I am working on verses moving the sander on the piece. Interesting idea on the Dremel though. I do own a Dremel and a Fordom, but haven’t used either on my leatherwork.

I hand burnish, so I can’t really speak to motorized burnishing.

Not sure if this post is really all that helpful, Josh.
 
Sharp & Fiery said:
My experience.

I use an upright sander only for the fact that I like to move the piece I am working on verses moving the sander on the piece. Interesting idea on the Dremel though. I do own a Dremel and a Fordom, but haven’t used either on my leatherwork.

I hand burnish, so I can’t really speak to motorized burnishing.

Not sure if this post is really all that helpful, Josh.
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Coleman, your advice is helpful :) I'm always impressed by how many different elements you have going on and how you lay them out so cleverly ;) However, I am surprised to find out that you hand burnish! I like a more matte wax finish on my edges but it would be nice to get them as slick as possible before hand. I was thinking a dremel might be useful for maintaining control on the beveled corners rather than the flat side of the welt.
 
I use a Dremel with sanding drums when I have some tight internal curves and it works well if you are careful. The drums I use are about 120 to 220 grit and they cut just fine but you really need be sure to keep it moving or you will have lots of new curves. I have a couple different sets of the small burnishing wheels and they work but the problem I have with almost all of them is that when spun fast enough to work they vibrate and make getting a good edge difficult. I actually think it is the dremel and not the bits in some cases but I gave up on them. Instead, I got a drill mounted burnisher from the guy that makes the one on the Cobra machine and it works really well. I still do some small pieces by hand but belts and holsters and sheaths all go that tool.
Randy
 
Robber58 said:
I use a Dremel with sanding drums when I have some tight internal curves and it works well if you are careful. The drums I use are about 120 to 220 grit and they cut just fine but you really need be sure to keep it moving or you will have lots of new curves. I have a couple different sets of the small burnishing wheels and they work but the problem I have with almost all of them is that when spun fast enough to work they vibrate and make getting a good edge difficult. I actually think it is the dremel and not the bits in some cases but I gave up on them. Instead, I got a drill mounted burnisher from the guy that makes the one on the Cobra machine and it works really well. I still do some small pieces by hand but belts and holsters and sheaths all go that tool.
Randy
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Randy, this is great info man. Thanks for taking the time to post it! That actually makes a lot of sense.

There are quite a few budget/knockoff cobra style burnishers for cheap, I might be better off trying to make due with one of those vs the dremel. I hadn't considered the vibration on the burnisherbits but I have experienced the "new curves" when I tested a non variable speed dremel and sanding drums. I thought maybe if I slowed it down with the variable speed it might be more controllable but now that you mention it, it's probably a lot easier taking the sheath to the sander vs the other way around.

I'll stop mucking up the thread with these posts but I think I have what I need :) Thanks again!
 
How about just the original work sharp tool......Small cheap n handy.......🤔🤔🤔🤔.....

Should do the job......I clamp mine down an sharpen my blades freehand...No reason won't go for sheaths as well.😉
 
Finished this one...and then the customer asked for *gasp* kydex. Also finished the small edc sheath.

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Hey, if you're gonna belittle those of us who ask for kydex, (aside from the leather), you and I are gonna have a long night...

...drinking bourbon and coming to an accommodation.

You hater, you.

🤣
 
navman said:
Finished this one...and then the customer asked for *gasp* kydex. Also finished the small edc sheath.

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Nuthin wrong with kydex and leather.......😉.....Two is one and all that..👍👍👍.....Besides your kydex work is darn nice too👌
 
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