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Posted: Sat Jan 24, 2009 4:59 pm
by Eric C
[quote="Peter Remling"]If your hide isn't tanned see:
http://www.shanepotter.com/hidetanning.html
But Pete, Mom made sure my hide was thoroughly tanned when I was a kid!
Greg, please post pics when you are done. I'm hoping that as you guys post pics, it'll make me find the time to finish some things up to post myself. I look forward to seeing what you are doing.
Posted: Tue Apr 28, 2009 8:12 pm
by Greg
Alrighty, I've got another question regarding Tandy. I've bought tools from them before, but never leather.
If I don't need an entire chunk of the leather that's up on their racks, but rather just a few square feet of my leather of choice, will they actually cut and sell me a few square feet, or do they only sell FULL hides, and simply PRICE by the square foot?
Posted: Tue Apr 28, 2009 9:51 pm
by Steven S.
I am fairly sure that it is the latter...
Posted: Tue Apr 28, 2009 11:21 pm
by Peter Remling
Steven's right. They won't cut their leather to sell pieces. Everytime you cut pieces from a hide you are rendering a goodly amount unusable. The size and shape of the remaining piece drastically cuts down on the projects you can use it for.
What are you looking to make and what weight are you planning on useing ?
Posted: Tue Apr 28, 2009 11:52 pm
by Greg
I'm looking into buying some stoned oil sides around 3-5 oz. for various projects, including a blacksmith apron, a vest, and some other smaller projects for friends in my trekking group, but I can't afford the $70+ that it's going to require to pick up a full one, so I'm searching for options online. Problem is, most scrap/remnant bags for sale online don't look like they've got pieces big enough for even the smaller projects.
EDIT: HOLY TOLEDO, I'M IN LUCK! I found what I needed on ebay finally; 5 scrap pieces, all within the dimensions I'm needing, for six bucks plus reasonable shipping. Still, any advice you might've had for my earlier question, please give for further reference and/or others.
Posted: Wed Apr 29, 2009 12:09 am
by Peter Remling
How about a sueded split like :
http://www.tandyleatherfactory.com/home/9828-00.aspx
Much cheaper, virtualy the same weight and you can apply your own canuba/beewax blend after you're finished. This would also improve the waterproofing of your seams.
Posted: Wed Apr 29, 2009 12:47 am
by Greg
I'll have to give that stuff a shot after I've used up what I just ordered.
After the wax blend application, what's the finish like?
Posted: Wed Apr 29, 2009 1:17 am
by Peter Remling
It looks like an oily suede, darker finish and a matted suede look. You can improve the look by useing a hair dryer on hot high setting. This will force more wax into the leather giving it a less waxy look. The suede will still appear a bit matted though. For an apron or many other applications, it won't be an issue, for the vest it might be.
Posted: Wed Apr 29, 2009 1:18 am
by Willrett
It would depend on what you use for wax and how you do it.
Posted: Wed Apr 29, 2009 1:36 am
by Greg
Peter Remling wrote:It looks like an oily suede, darker finish and a matted suede look. You can improve the look by useing a hair dryer on hot high setting. This will force more wax into the leather giving it a less waxy look. The suede will still appear a bit matted though. For an apron or many other applications, it won't be an issue, for the vest it might be.
Well, as of now, I'm covered on parts for the vest, so that's a non-issue. Thanks for the tip!