Useful Links for Tools & Other Supplies

It was pointed out to me by Major 2 that a few pards posted some good links in the "I have added somthing I think some of you might want to read" thread. Although we have a thread for leather suppliers, I'm starting a new thread that will be a place where we can post any links or contact information for supplies like conchos, rivets, tools, finishes, you name it. We may end up with a few duplications but that's better than not having some of the useful contact information at all. Thanks for the suggestion, it was a good one.

Remember, we have a thread for leather suppliers and another one for making dyes. Other than that, this one will be the go-to place.

Here are the links from the posts:

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Title: Re: HELP! You have heard of writers Block, I have Holster Block
Post by: Ten Wolves Fiveshooter on May 19, 2008, 07:42:27 AM
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Try this website for walnut hulls http://basketmakers.org/topics/tutorials/walnutdye.htm

tEN wOLVES Wink

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Title: Re: HELP! You have heard of writers Block, I have Holster Block
Post by: Sawdust Jim on May 19, 2008, 01:38:06 PM
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Hi Ace,
I use the Barbours thread and really like it. I get it from Oregon Leather here in Portland. They carry carry it from 00 cord up to, IIRC, 8 cord in both left and right twist. For hand stitching the twist direction doesn't matter. They, also, have a good supply of needles. Unfortunately, they don't have a website but thier phone number is (503) 228-4105.

Good Luck,
Jim

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Title: Re: HELP! Please read I have aded to it!
Post by: Ace Lungger on May 19, 2008, 01:59:44 PM
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You guys ROCK

I ask you give back!! AWESOME!!!

My Turn Shocked

If you live in the sticks like me, you have to order everything, no place to go and just pick it up and pay! After reading the how to's which is AWESOME, I have something to return. When I started in the leather work, you guys were and are a GOD SENT!!!!!! But believe it, I have something to give back to the leather group1 Untill i watched Chuck Burrows DVD, there was alot of info that I didn't know and didn't know to ask!! I just tought that on your seamed edges you burnish with a bone or antler, I didn't know you use a coating to help to get this awesome burnished look!, I had seen edge coat but didn't have a clue to what it was for untill I wath chuck's DVD, here I am out in the sticks I got to thinking, if the old timers made there own dyes (and I did and love it) the light came on, in the 1800's there wasn't any big company making Edge coat, so you would have to make it, I read in a 1999 issue of Rawhide Gazzett that a well know saddle maker used his formula of gelatin, after spedingt 8 hours surfing and I stumbeled on a cake making forum, where they were talking about making rosettes usingGum Tragacanth, now more research, they forumal makes a paste! Well I didn't want paste, so I did more research, after I looking over the ingredences in there mixedsure I figure what made it a paste! So I mixed up a batch and have now tried it, it seems to work great and will let you know for sure how it works, it burnish's great!

Here it is:
1 table spoon of Gum Tragacanth ( go to any place or person that makes cakes) and get some from them) It isn't costly!
1 table spoon of Powder sugar
1 table spoon of Corn Strach
8oz of hot water
wisk untill everything is mixed up good, no clumps
Put it in your spray bottle and away you go!

If you buy ECO FLO Gum Tragacanth it is $30.00 a quart! To make a quart of this you might spend $1.00
This stuff you can drink if you want to!! Shocked

I am not telling everyone to jump up and make some, but it's color and texture is exactly nthe same, and if you think about it, and do your own research, I think you will find out it is the same. If you like edge Kote take a little of ACE Lungger's Leather treament and ad some of your dye!

Try it if you like, or if you don't want to, no big deal! I just wanted to finaly give something back you the GREATEST GROUP OF PEOPLE I HAVE EVER HAD THE PLEASURE OF KNOWING !! We turn one way and then God turns use the right way!

I hope this helps at least one person!
And i want to thank each and everyone of youfor helping me!!!
ACE

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Title: Re: I have added something I think maybe some of you might want to read
Post by: ChuckBurrows on May 20, 2008, 12:25:27 PM
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Veg/Bark Tan Leather - I order the 8/10 oz Tooling-Holster
Wickett & Craig - my favorite www.wickett-craig.com - they now have double shoulders in 8/10 oz Tooling/Holster...

Dyes, all types of leather including some exotics, hardware, etc.:
Siegel of Ca - www.siegelofca.com
Leather Factory/Tandy
Mid-Continent Leather Sales Company (800) 926-2061 http://www.midcontinentleather.com/

Linen Thread - 5 cord left or right hand twist is a good all purpose hand-sewing thread:
Campbell- Bosworth: http://campbell-bosworth.com/catalog/advanced_search_result.php?keywords=linen - I have not used the less expensive Hungarian thread myself, but reports that I have received from others who have state that it just fine and costs half as much as the Barbour's.

Tools: Cheap but OK:
Leather Factory/Tandy - the Craftsman brand

Tools: Better - Osborne and other better quality tools:
Mid-Continent Leather Sales Company (800) 926-2061 http://www.midcontinentleather.com/
Campbell- Bosworth: http://campbell-bosworth.com/catalog/advanced_search_result.php?keywords=linen
Leather Factory/Tandy and Siegel also sell Osborne tools

Tools: Best:
Jeremiah Watt - www.ranch2arena.com
Expensive but worth it - made by a master saddle maker and a heck of a nice guy!

I can recommend all of the above having used them for several years (some several decades) - There are many other suppliers including Hidecrafters. Montana Leather, Oregon Leather, and others including some suppliers on EBay - as always with any unfamiliar suppliers it's caveat emptor.....