Comments: 54
MissLaneyLuck [2014-02-27 17:14:09 +0000 UTC]
This looks KILLER! If you wouldn't mind me asking, how much did the hides cost?
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
passbyguy In reply to MissLaneyLuck [2014-02-28 06:01:06 +0000 UTC]
They set me back around $60-80 per hide. took one hide for the straps, and another for the main back piece and all the little connections. Add in hardware like buckles, rivets, thread, the dyes, sealers... Materials alone would be $150-180, assuming you had all the tools already. I sold it for $250, thinking back, only making $70 on profit for about a weeks work, I wouldn't really wanna do it again.
If you're making one, by all means, good luck. I'd suggest using thinner leather, its softer and bends better than the belt-like straps I used. I literally made it to be used as a harness. It's beefy and almost unwieldy. Using softer leather would contour much better and have cleaner lines.
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
MissLaneyLuck In reply to passbyguy [2014-02-28 20:37:39 +0000 UTC]
Thank you!!! I'm looking to use leather as the straps but probably plastic for the large back piece... I already have the tools and some of the hardware, so I just need to find a good deal on the hides and dye. Is this cowhide then? How thick is it/ would you suggest?
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
passbyguy In reply to MissLaneyLuck [2014-03-01 00:17:22 +0000 UTC]
Its cow leather. About 8-9 oz. per square inch. I'd suggest using 3-4 oz leather.
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
sondreara [2013-11-16 02:35:27 +0000 UTC]
I'm actually going to try to make my own one of these for sakura con but...I dont know if it will be that good...
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
passbyguy In reply to sondreara [2013-11-17 18:24:18 +0000 UTC]
Good luck. I'd suggest using thinner leather, it flows better with the body contours.
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
sashabrau-s [2013-11-06 04:25:54 +0000 UTC]
ooooooo oh my <3
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
faultyLethargic [2013-08-08 09:47:01 +0000 UTC]
This is absolutely gorgeous. I don't take it you do commissions, do you?
If you don't mind me asking, how did you get into leatherworking? I've always wanted to get into it myself but am completely lost and befuddled on where to start with it all.
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
passbyguy In reply to faultyLethargic [2013-08-08 21:51:41 +0000 UTC]
I haven't taken on any commissions since I started working. no more free time.
I got into it because I was the only one in my circle of friends that had the free time. It's fairly straight forward to learn. Cut with a sharp knife, go light on the touch when carving, and make sure you know exactly where you need to punch holes.
If you have the expendable cash, tandy leather factory's beginning tool set is a great way to start. About $40.
If not, do what I did.
Buy a box cutter with spare blades. The ones with the breakable pieces, I still use them today. My preferred one is the x-acto snap-off blade cutter. That one was my favorite until I lost it. About $10.
With it you'll learn to cut, edge bevel, split, and even etch on leather. Just takes some practice and finesse.
Go to a swap meet, goodwill, salvation army, or vintage store, and buy leather belts, jackets, shoes. The uglier and cheaper, the better. I bough belt for 50 cents for about 3 months to learn and copy what professionals would do with the leather. Jackets can be converted into bags, purses, and other small pouches. Shoes can be a good practice to make sandals and anime accessories. Just don't spend more than 5 dollars on them.
From tandy, or amazon, pick up a handheld leather hole punch, leather stitching punch, leather needles (100 box, because you will lose them, alot), waxed nylon thread for leather (its a necessity). Those are standard. About $20.
Oh and a poly hammer or rummer mallet, and rubber mat or kitchen cutting board. I had these in my home already.
Optional purchases are rivets, snaps, and eyelets, and other styled punches.
Important thing to note, with leather working its not skill or talent, it's experience. The more you work, the more refined and consistent your work becomes. You just have to have higher expectation of yourself and not settle. It's a money pit, that will take up a lot of time, but it'll enrich you in man other ways.
Good luck!
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
faultyLethargic In reply to passbyguy [2013-08-20 05:55:41 +0000 UTC]
Oh gosh, thanks so much for a detailed explanation! I really have been trying to get started for a while now, and this is all really helpful! Everyone has to start somewhere,after all. I'll make sure to keep it all in mind. I plan on getting started with testing all of this as soon as I get paid next.
You're real helpful, yo~
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
passbyguy In reply to faultyLethargic [2013-08-20 07:52:18 +0000 UTC]
no prob. on a side note, I also left a couple of more details in other comments that I left for people who were asking similar things on this and the WIP pages. I should really compile the info into one post, but... i'm lazy. haha.
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
faultyLethargic In reply to passbyguy [2013-08-30 07:32:57 +0000 UTC]
Totes understandable, yo.
If you ever do get around to it, I'm sure a tone of people would be very thankful, you're very talented with what you do!
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
xHee-Heex [2013-08-06 22:40:11 +0000 UTC]
This looks gorgeous, man!
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
passbyguy In reply to xHee-Heex [2013-08-07 19:26:28 +0000 UTC]
thanks. I'm glad you like it.
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
claushiru [2013-08-04 03:08:43 +0000 UTC]
Very impressive work! I wanted to tackle making this cosplay, but after reading what it would take to actually make this happen... hmm it's going to be tough O.o
Is the friend of your friend going to wear the actual 3D Maneuver Gear for the cosplay?
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
passbyguy In reply to claushiru [2013-08-04 06:56:32 +0000 UTC]
i think she wore it at AX last month. I didnt really see any pictures. haha.
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
skittlesai [2013-07-31 02:42:45 +0000 UTC]
is the gray part leather also?
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
passbyguy In reply to skittlesai [2013-07-31 16:50:14 +0000 UTC]
yup. I used leather paint on it.
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
jackiesan17 [2013-07-31 01:14:10 +0000 UTC]
How long did it take you to make this?
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
passbyguy In reply to jackiesan17 [2013-07-31 02:40:20 +0000 UTC]
about a week. 3 days of construction, 3 hours to dye in between 3 days of drying. and one day to clear coat and cure. so about a week. roughly.
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
jackiesan17 In reply to passbyguy [2013-07-31 12:46:32 +0000 UTC]
Wow! Really? That's amazing! It's so nicely done, I thought it would of taken longer! That's very impressive!
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
passbyguy In reply to jackiesan17 [2013-07-31 16:51:47 +0000 UTC]
that was the time to make one. haha. research, planning, measuring, and pattern-making took way longer.
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
jackiesan17 In reply to passbyguy [2013-07-31 17:56:05 +0000 UTC]
Ah~ I bet it would have! So are you cosplaying as someone from Attack on Titan or is it for a friend?
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
passbyguy In reply to jackiesan17 [2013-08-01 07:25:43 +0000 UTC]
I made this one for a friend of a friend. I stopped cosplaying a few years ago. It just wasn't my thing.
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
jackiesan17 In reply to passbyguy [2013-08-02 03:40:09 +0000 UTC]
No seriously, I would so buy! Your shit's amazing!!!
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
passbyguy In reply to renjer4444 [2013-07-22 10:57:49 +0000 UTC]
i used 5-6 oz leather. If you want you can always go thinner or thicker. I just picked somewhere in the middle.
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
renjer4444 [2013-07-21 06:14:49 +0000 UTC]
Hi how did you manage to take measurements? I bought one harness from ebay, but it was ill fitting, so I think I might have to make my own.
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
passbyguy In reply to renjer4444 [2013-07-21 06:38:53 +0000 UTC]
I didn't really measure for length. I picked up hides of leather, specifically to cut into belts. So the cow determines how long they would be. (thanks cow) Then I paired them up, finished the edges, etc.
It's universal, cause its made to be more than what the wearer would need. That whole "better safe than sorry" rule of thumb applied. Plus, except for two belts, they had to be super long, like super super long.
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
passbyguy In reply to WitchsInk [2013-07-10 13:42:29 +0000 UTC]
each strap is 1 inch in width which is the size of the buckles. the only one different is the center belt, which is 1 1/2 inches in width because of the two prongs.
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
dangassronpaul [2013-07-03 20:09:12 +0000 UTC]
quick question, are all of the brown leather pieces rectangles? or are some curved?
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
passbyguy In reply to dangassronpaul [2013-07-03 20:49:10 +0000 UTC]
The small ones? they're supposed to be rectangles except for the piece behind the butt, that one's shaped like a base from baseball. as it is leather, they might curve and contort with the user/sweat and heat.
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
MidShipCivic [2013-06-27 03:36:05 +0000 UTC]
What tools do you use and where to you get the belt latches and supplies I'd love to make my own harness for my SNK cosplay.
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
passbyguy In reply to MidShipCivic [2013-06-27 06:00:12 +0000 UTC]
I use leather working tool. and I made everything from scratch.
If you actually plan to make it, you need a leather hole punch, leather sewing needle, nylon waxed thread, medium brown and grey leather dye/paint (respectively) 7 belt buckles, 1 two prong buckle, clear coat (i use resolene), and two sides of leather.
Overall, without any prior investment, about $200-250 from tandy leather factory. Sure you can make it cheaper if you find a place near you that sells it for wholesale.
This is the bare minimum of stuff you'd need to make it. Making the pattern sized to you, you'd need a buddy. Good luck! If you have any other questions feel free to note me.
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
Darckilla [2013-06-19 05:56:49 +0000 UTC]
I did send you a PM. I got a question.
Awesome work btw!!!!
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
passbyguy In reply to Darckilla [2013-06-19 06:26:42 +0000 UTC]
I haven't received any questions through PM's or the notes. Feel free to send another one.
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
Darckilla In reply to passbyguy [2013-06-19 06:41:38 +0000 UTC]
did send you another one
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
Epic-Leather [2013-06-17 17:25:10 +0000 UTC]
Very nicely done! Yeah its amazing how quickly you go through a hide once you get into the groove of things isn't it?
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
passbyguy In reply to Epic-Leather [2013-06-17 17:29:58 +0000 UTC]
Thanks. Yeah, I definitely agree, the strap cutter it deceptive, after a few long strips, I realize I'm halfway through the hide. That's why I start stocking up on spares.
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
Okami-Hikaru [2013-06-15 20:42:19 +0000 UTC]
It looks good! Do you think you would take commissions for these or share some suggestions for people who aren't as savvy with leatherwork?
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
| Next =>