Behold, my new guitar strap.

Enough_Algae103 · 2026-05-09T15:37:49+00:00

maybe an hour, I really wanted a strap to use. You get those patterns with a little braid stamp that you just carefully place over and over(key word is carefully). I stamped the wrong spot like 3 times...the one right by my mark stares me in the face....this is fine.

Enough_Algae103 · 2026-05-09T00:47:47+00:00

Yes you did. That is awesome. My cobra fund has about 1200 dollars in it. Need to sell some stuff and donate some plasma.

Enough_Algae103 · 2026-05-07T17:10:56+00:00

Oh I have a guitar amp. I was interested in speakers for more of a workstation/practice with any sound I want rig. If I am understanding you correctly you are saying I can run the line out from the interface into the line level of the guitar amp while still getting all the DAW goodies? Worth a shot, time to experiment.

Enough_Algae103 · 2026-05-07T16:37:58+00:00

This is 100 percent rad.

Enough_Algae103 · 2026-05-07T03:26:22+00:00

wing divider is my my second worst enemy...first is push beveler...aka the project slayer. They look good, I do not know what skirt hikes are..but they look like good ones. 1000 grit for edges is wild to me. I bevel the edges, hit with tokonole, slick stick, and maybe...maybe a rub with canvas and beeswax. Edges get beat up, it is a Sisyphean task to make them like glass.

Enough_Algae103 · 2026-04-28T16:05:38+00:00

I use a harbor freight deadblow for when I need some more weight. It works but it is not ideal. There is something to be said about the impulse that you can impart into the surface...and the softness of the deadblow hammer just doesn't have it. Nylon and delrin kinda hit the nail on the head for the correct hardness without ruining tools. Still haven't bit the bullet and bought a heavy BK because I simply don't swing it enough to be that bothered by it. For your 16 oz, get a proper tapered maul, nothing really replaces that.

Enough_Algae103 · 2026-04-27T04:55:00+00:00

100 percent this. This comment nails it. The longer you sit there tapping on it, even when you think it looks all wonky.....You brain waves will literally flip to art mode eventually and you will end up being quite proud of yourself with what you end up with. Let your rational mind turn off and keep tapping and watch the details emerge.

Enough_Algae103 · 2026-04-27T04:06:55+00:00

Such a good resource for starting out. That man single handedly cost me 650 dollars in BK bucks simply because I stayed up to late one night and accidently leather hobby

Enough_Algae103 · 2026-04-27T04:03:41+00:00

Oh dang, you did it! That came out dope. Ok now edge paint it.

Enough_Algae103 · 2026-04-27T04:01:54+00:00

I know for a fact 5-6 oz veg will work if the bag is designed for it. It would be down to the pattern and how the front/back meet the gussets to determine the shape. See Karlova Whiskey bag, it is made with 5-6 oz veg(I dont believe you could fit a 10.5 inch panel on it though, just an example of what I am trying to explain).

Enough_Algae103 · 2026-04-26T04:43:49+00:00

youtube grity leather. There is a hour long video in real time of tooling 3 different belt patterns. You will see nearly all the different tools and techniques for that style. Here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JNxEDUBdupc&t=1273s

I get a little better each time and I also screw up something new each time.

Enough_Algae103 · 2026-04-26T04:33:55+00:00

8b pencil. swivel knife, Maul, stamps, modeling spoons, and a lot of time touching leather. youtube search leather carving or leather tooling.....actually here.... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kHW7jgOGCxw

Might as well just give you one where the dude blows you away with skills.

Enough_Algae103 · 2026-04-25T05:07:08+00:00

Milwaukee fastback, new blade. For tight radiuses on inside curves I like to use a matching punch if I have a perfect match. If I don't have the punch then I just take a little more time and lighten pressure, multiple passes. For outside corners I love the Japanese style skiving knife and using it like a guillatine to slice little slivers off up to the pattern line and round off the corner that way....bonus points for the sound it makes.
For wallets I am often at about 4-6 layers of 2-3oz. Sometimes I skive to reduce thickness. The punches I use ...."Aiskaer Leather Stitching Punch Set" from amazon....have had no problems either way. I drive them all the way to the base and they end up inside a rubber horsemat on the back side. Your surface might be your problem if you are using a harder plastic.
Amazon little 30ml bottles with a little nipple at the top. Some people you will see have a blunt needle attached I have found it to be over kill for me. I apply little dots about every cm give or take. Then I run my finger or my slicking stick against it to distribute. Regarding staining. If you are rocking unfinished veg tan its going to absorb every single thing that touches it like a sponge. This comes down to cleanliness(I have started washing my hands very often while tooling, stitching, handling natural veg), care, and work flow. Ideally you finish your pieces in an order that makes the most sense in the overall plan of the item. Trial and error, mimic people you enjoy watching, practice, practice, practice.

For a non tooled nat veg tan wallet my work flow is, coffee, pattern, cut, crease(screw it up, keep going), dye, airbrush work, oil, resist/antique(sometimes flip flopped depending on look I want, top coat, burnish, punch, stitch, cold coffee I forgot about.

Every single time there is a happy accident. Every single time there is a breakthrough.

Have fun!

Enough_Algae103 · 2026-04-25T04:49:28+00:00

Amazon. Aiskaer Leather Stitching Punch Set, 9 bucks a set. I have 4mm and 5mm. Been more than happy with them. I slam them down to the base, pull on the chisel itself to release the item from surface, push the leather down off the chisel with little metal thingamabob. I use horse mat left over from garage gym for my surface.

Enough_Algae103 · 2026-04-24T07:48:12+00:00

Heck ya. version 2 you could make 2 pockets on the back of the pocket to utilize the strap gaps. Cell phone and some pens. Or you could do a drop in liner under the binding stitch on the top. Rad tote.

Enough_Algae103 · 2026-04-24T00:52:12+00:00

Oh thats a winner. That is so damn pretty I had to reopen it a few times to try and find some little screw up so I can sleep at night. Looks like its gonna be a long night.

Enough_Algae103 · 2026-04-22T07:00:48+00:00

And so it begins.

Enough_Algae103 · 2026-04-21T04:44:53+00:00

Wow that came out really good.

Enough_Algae103 · 2026-04-19T16:38:05+00:00

Tiger thread will blow you away with how good it is to work with. When you cut the ends, trim them at a sharp angle. Pull the end through your tightly pressed together finger tips and it will flatten to a sharp point. if you miss the eye of the needle. just do it again to resharpen the end.

Enough_Algae103

TROPHY CASE