A Targe on the cheap for Panache

**Ozark Ridge Rider** · 25th April 10, 08:02 PM

Wow, he really is back, and what a lovely job. I never thought I wanted one, but now...

Regards,
Dan

**Panache** · 26th April 10, 08:55 AM

Thanks for all the postive words everybody. This was one project where the end result turned out far nicer than I had hoped it would. probably beginner's luck, but I'll take it all the same!

Originally Posted by AFS1970

...Was the leather glued down in addition to being nailed?

No all those pieces are just tacked down. Ideally you should wet the leather and slightly stretch it over the wood when tacking it down (so when the leather dries you get a nice tight fit). This wasn't possible with the pieces (especially since the black leather ones are actually all double width)

One of my friends in the Nor Cal Rabble mentioned he might have a large enough piece of scrap leather lying around that I might have tomake another targe. So I might be at it again and I will see if wetting the leather really works.

By the by, I wasn't happy with how short the spike was so I bought a slightly longer bolt and a brass fitting and maanged to extend it out another 3/4". Which of course is far better for skewering...rubber chickens

Cheers

Jamie :ootd:

**BoldHighlander** · 26th April 10, 12:09 PM

Originally Posted by Panache

By the by, I wasn't happy with how short the spike was so I managed to reddo it and extend it out another 3/4" .

Anything that helps keep Grant at bay!

**Alan H** · 26th April 10, 12:29 PM

I"ve seen this thing in person and it is every bit as handsome as it appears in the photographs! It's a beauty!

**ccga3359** · 26th April 10, 02:26 PM

Originally Posted by Panache

By the by, I wasn't happy with how short the spike was so I bought a slightly longer bolt and a brass fitting and maanged to extend it out another 3/4". Which of course is far better for skewering...rubber chickens

Especially not when I'm wearing it as a sporran!

**BobsYourUncle** · 26th April 10, 04:19 PM

Truly outstanding and inspirational. What a great looking targe! While I wouldn't want to discourage you from further efforts, you need not feel that this is lacking in any way. It is truly a fine example, and a sufficiency....Cheers!

**Eleazar** · 26th April 10, 07:05 PM

DANG! That's impressive.

I'd love to see some side shots or construction shots.

Love the detail.

**Ozark Ridge Rider** · 26th April 10, 07:13 PM

Originally Posted by Panache

Which of course is far better for skewering...rubber chickens

:

**Pleater** · 27th April 10, 02:51 PM

Be wary of stretching out wet leather so much that you get long slits rather than pinholes where the studs are put in.

It is easy to stretch wet leather, but you really only want to draw it out a tiny fraction of the overall size to make it fit well.

When it dries it exerts tremendous pressure, enough to distort wood and bend metal strips.

I let a self proclaimed repairer put a new skin on a banjoline I had, and they ruined it completely by overstretching the wet calfskin so as it dried it broke the body of the instrument.

Anne the Pleater :ootd: