My latest attempt

[Bronson]

This is for my S&W 60 with unfluted cylinder.

Firstly thanks to everyone here for the great advice and tips. The entire process went smoother using the things I've learned here.

I know the stitch holes are too big since I'm still using the diamond punch. I want to make either a stitching pony or clam before I try learning to use the awl. Any preferences here for either the pony or the stitching clam? Any pitfalls of either design? Right now I'm leaning towards the clam because it's inexpensive and easy to construct.

Anyway, here's some links to the pics.

And of course comments, suggestions, or high praise are always welcome

Thanks everyone,

Bronson

http://www.flickr.com/photos/29310638@N07/3407746584/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/29310638@N07/3406936403/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/29310638@N07/3407744406/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/29310638@N07/3406937029/

Edited April 2, 2009 by Bronson

[coldmaker0]

nice clean design,what color dye did you use.nice finish on edges

[rhall]

Nice work Bronson,Clean..Sevicable!Q where did you get the clean side S&W?

[carljc72]

I think it is a good looking rig and I too like the smooth cylinder. Nice job.

[Bronson]

Thanks everyone.

It's Fiebings mahogany dye. I have to put so much on to get coverage that it comes out darker than what I would think of as a mahogany color. I will soon be ordering some Angelus dyes.

I picked up the smooth cylinder 60 used at a local gun store. I had seen a new one at a gun show for waaaay more than I was willing to pay and had been on the lookout for one ever since. It's an older model 60 as it's a true .38 special and not a .357 magnum like the newer ones. It was dirty as sin in the display case but the trigger and action are smooth like greased glass, luckily it cleaned right up.

I've been wearing if for a few hours and it's comfy. Hard to tell it's even there.

Bronson

Edited April 3, 2009 by Bronson

[cazio]

Very nice. I think the color looks great, nice and deep and your edges also look good. Keep up the good work.

[Tac]

Bronson,

Your stitching looks fine to me. Nice lines, tight to the gun and even. Your edges look great. Overall, I like the style and look of the holster, as well as the color. Very professional job.

-Tac

[Bronson]

Bronson,

Your stitching looks fine to me. Nice lines, tight to the gun and even. Your edges look great. Overall, I like the style and look of the holster, as well as the color. Very professional job.

-Tac

Thanks Tac. Edges are a big challenge for me. I tried a bunch of stuff but ended up coming back to the way Al Stohlman writes in his books. I dye it, wet it and then burnish it. If I want a glossier edge I might put some gum trac. on it and rub it with a piece of denim. A guy I work with lathed me a burnisher out of a piece of 2" nylon rod. I chuck it in drill that's in a holder he also made for me and clamp it to my work bench.

After wearing it for a while and looking at how it sits on the belt and where the belt is putting stress on the holster I've decided that while it is comfortable and fully functional if I were to do it again I'd change a couple of things. First I'd move the front belt slot a little further out from the holster body and secondly I'd cut my belt slots at an angle so when they wrap around they fit more naturally on the belt.

Thanks again,

Bronson

Edited April 4, 2009 by Bronson

[zaptoid]

This is for my S&W 60 with unfluted cylinder.

Firstly thanks to everyone here for the great advice and tips. The entire process went smoother using the things I've learned here.

I know the stitch holes are too big since I'm still using the diamond punch. I want to make either a stitching pony or clam before I try learning to use the awl. Any preferences here for either the pony or the stitching clam? Any pitfalls of either design? Right now I'm leaning towards the clam because it's inexpensive and easy to construct.

Anyway, here's some links to the pics.

And of course comments, suggestions, or high praise are always welcome

Thanks everyone,

Bronson

http://www.flickr.com/photos/29310638@N07/3407746584/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/29310638@N07/3406936403/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/29310638@N07/3407744406/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/29310638@N07/3406937029/

Im just starting out and Im thinking of going with the diamond punch as well. My question is when using the diamond punch do you still use the overstitcher to mark the holes and if so which size?

[Bronson]

Im just starting out and Im thinking of going with the diamond punch as well. My question is when using the diamond punch do you still use the overstitcher to mark the holes and if so which size?

I still use the overstitcher because in the curved areas I have to use the single punch. I think I'm using the 7 spi wheel. Honestly I just used the one that matched up with the punch I have

I finally got around to gluing up some scraps and practicing punching my holes with the stitching awl. I think it definitely needs to be sharpened. Anybody know of an online tutorial on sharpening one? I did a search here but didn't come up with anything.

Bronson

[zaptoid]

I still use the overstitcher because in the curved areas I have to use the single punch. I think I'm using the 7 spi wheel. Honestly I just used the one that matched up with the punch I have

I finally got around to gluing up some scraps and practicing punching my holes with the stitching awl. I think it definitely needs to be sharpened. Anybody know of an online tutorial on sharpening one? I did a search here but didn't come up with anything.

Bronson

I have the four prong one as well as the single so I think I will give the #7 a go. Also did a quick search and found something on sharpeining an awl. Hope it helps.

http://www.bowstock.co.uk/saa.html

Thanks.