The homemade sporran adventure...

[ozmeath]

Machine worked, well of course that make sense now David. Well done on all the hard work you guys do, knowing now what's involved I really do admire the effort put in. I see what you mean with the tension. I've been stressing every 8-10 stitches with a sharpened 4" nail, just gathering the slack to get it right. The thread has snagged in the bobbin of the awl a couple of times and has snapped. luckily both times I was doing the back piece and it'll be hidden. It's a hell of a trade, good that is! i've meaning to do this or the likes for years so it's top to have the excuse.
BLAZN can't wait to see the moose sporran. Horn fittings? Do they have toes or hooves? Hooves can make an awesome medium for catches/clasps etc. Made a few things over the years using it, mostly from cow. Once from kangaroo nail (black and hard). No pic of that sadly.

HINTS? I'm staining and polishing the belt. got a tan dye but am up for ideas.... also the leather is quite thick (4.5mm) and am wondering if it needs to be thinned somehow before I attatch a buckle.hammered? shaved down?
E.

[Caradoc]

HINTS? I'm staining and polishing the belt. got a tan dye but am up for ideas...

I've always been fond of the red-brown "oxblood" leathers.

If you're going to be the wearer, I'd stick with whatever suits your tastes.

[Iolaus]

HINTS? I'm staining and polishing the belt. got a tan dye but am up for ideas.... also the leather is quite thick (4.5mm) and am wondering if it needs to be thinned somehow before I attatch a buckle.hammered? shaved down?
E.

You could skive down (shave) the bend some; it'll make the fold tighter. If you've got a leather working shop near you, look for something like this for around $6 USD:

(The pics are links)


...or, for a few bucks more, this:

[ozmeath]

Iolaus thanks. I've got an old and small spokeshave. That looks similar to the function of those two, esp the last. I'll try on some scrap or it's off to the shoppe.

[Mike S]

Iolaus thanks. I've got an old and small spokeshave. That looks similar to the function of those two, esp the last. I'll try on some scrap or it's off to the shoppe.

In a desperate pinch, a Dremel motor tool with a course sanding drum bit will remove the excess material on the flesh side, followed up by a pass over the left over fuzzy bits with a cig. lighter to remove them. I've had to do this "in the field" when I was without my skiving shaves. If you go with the spoke shave, make absolutely certain that it is razor sharp, and held at a consistent angle with the leather secured down to a work bench. Otherwise it will dig into the leather and/or cut right through the whole thing.

[ozmeath]

thanks Mike. I've got a jewellers drill, an old dental, which is mighty.