Handmade leather pipe pouch, the early years

Rubber cement... RUBBER CEMENT!!!!! NOT contact cement lol

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Originally Posted by Cardinal

Little update. I'm trying some different leathers now, and working on my edges. Found out a friend of a friend does some leatherworking, so I went to her shop and she gave me some tips and help, and also showed me her edge waxing wheel which helped a ton -

http://i1329.photobucket.com/albums/...pswdw9bssd.jpg

I've got two more in process, one buffalo hide which is thick but very supple, and another in what I believe is oil tanned and quite a bit softer than my original veg-tan, but more rigid than the buffalo.

Here's a pic of the buffalo one, which due to the softness I really struggled with my stitch lines -

http://i1329.photobucket.com/albums/...psaveymzkm.jpg

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I love Buffalo hide...When you make another one for sale, LMK :cool:

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Originally Posted by Will46r

Now you've done made me place an order for 3-5 oz leather lol. One of the first things a pro leatherworker will when examing your is to check the edges.

Are you having a problem grooving or punching? If it's punching are you placing fingers on eqch side of where the awl goes through? If it's grooving you can use double sided tape or contact cement and glue the leather to some plexiglass or even your cutting board.

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I'm kind of having trouble with both on the buffalo. First, the leather is so springy that the groover won't cut it, and the marks from the overstitch wheel spring back pretty quickly. However, I can get a good enough line to see and good enough pricks to find with the awl. The worst is trying to punch it - I finally figured out where to put both fingers right over where the awl comes through, but I'm having an absolute devil of a time getting the holes to stay in a straight line on the back side due to the way the leather gives and bends.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Cardinal

I'm kind of having trouble with both on the buffalo. First, the leather is so springy that the groover won't cut it, and the marks from the overstitch wheel spring back pretty quickly. However, I can get a good enough line to see and good enough pricks to find with the awl. The worst is trying to punch it - I finally figured out where to put both fingers right over where the awl comes through, but I'm having an absolute devil of a time getting the holes to stay in a straight line on the back side due to the way the leather gives and bends.

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Try using a fine pen to mark the leather in the points from the over stitch wheel. Have you tried wetting the leather before grooving? Try backing the leather with another piece of leather or thin wood with a small hole drilled in it.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Cardinal

I'm kind of having trouble with both on the buffalo. First, the leather is so springy that the groover won't cut it, and the marks from the overstitch wheel spring back pretty quickly. However, I can get a good enough line to see and good enough pricks to find with the awl. The worst is trying to punch it - I finally figured out where to put both fingers right over where the awl comes through, but I'm having an absolute devil of a time getting the holes to stay in a straight line on the back side due to the way the leather gives and bends.

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Try using a fine pen to mark the leather in the points from the over stitch wheel. Have you tried wetting the leather before grooving? May try backing the leather with a thicker piece or use a piece of wood with a small hole drilled in it.

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Originally Posted by Will46r

Try using a fine pen to mark the leather in the points from the over stitch wheel. Have you tried wetting the leather before grooving? May try backing the leather with a thicker piece or use a piece of wood with a small hole drilled in it.

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That's a good idea on the pen! I've been wetting it and that works great for the veg tanned, but the buffalo is too springy. A little pen-mark is probably the ticket.

I also just gave a try on the backing idea too, first with a stiffer piece of leather and then with my beeswax and both made a huge difference. Thanks for all the advice, it's helping me a lot!

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Originally Posted by Cardinal

That's a good idea on the pen! I've been wetting it and that works great for the veg tanned, but the buffalo is too springy. A little pen-mark is probably the ticket.

I also just gave a try on the backing idea too, first with a stiffer piece of leather and then with my beeswax and both made a huge difference. Thanks for all the advice, it's helping me a lot!

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No problem. I'd be making crappy leather if it wasn't for a lot of free information from master leatherworkers.

Well, I'm extremely unhappy with the stitching on that buffalo, so I'm taking it all apart and trimming off the edges enough that I can start again. Good news is I've practiced some more and think I can do it right the next try.

I also completed one with a softer leather that I'm very happy with. I'd put my name on this one.

http://i1329.photobucket.com/albums/...psis1t52ms.jpg

I also finished a veg-tanned and put it in the mail for somebody to check out - 9405903699300394246609 :pipe:

I am impressed Tim! Nice work. Certainly something to be proud of.

These are looking better and better with every post! That last one is a beauty! Keep up the great work