Mike Craw

Thanks Plinker! So am I!!! Mike

Thank you all for taking the time and thought you put into your answers. I was asked to make one for a friend who specifically wants a "20"s" look to his holster, Any of the modern designs would have been a lot easier all around, but I figured a bunch of heads was much better than mine in trying to address all of the factors of this build. I appreciate the input! Mike

Anybody know how Bucheimer's got the spring steel clamp into the pocket of their early 1911 shoulder holsters? Was it inserted flat and sewn and then formed around the gun, partially sewn and then slipped in already bent and then hand sewn the rest of the way? I can't tell from looking at the photos online. Thanks! Mike

I just got a snap setter from Barry King. I got the one for a line 20 but he has other sizes. It's not on his website, but you can call and talk to him. It's a machined cylinder with a recess machined at either end, one for the male half of the snap and one for the female. It is center-bored for the punch and it holds down the snap on its base while you smack the punch without getting the fingers of your other hand involved. I think it works better than my lever press because none of the components can move while being set! Mike

I have two different sets of stamps, one of which Clay made to my specifications, and a swivel knife that is my go-to knife. Clay makes excellent tools and is a real pleasure to deal with! Mike

Check out Barry King, Clay Miller, or Lonnie Height at Hackbarth. All make excellent stamps, and both Clay and Lonnie have been fantastic in making several stamps and tools to my personal specifications. Hope this helps, Mike

Hey Dwight! I found this screen capture on a search of the film Tombstone. The rig doesn't look tooled to me, but maybe just some border stamping. Hope this helps, Mike

Hey Company6! I agree with Ron on his advice to purchase DVD's and I especially agree with the order he recommends Jeremiah Watt and then Dale Harwood. Watt's video is fantastic and very detailed step-by-step with excellent camera work. Harwood is probably the dean of Western saddle builders, but I found that his video assumed some knowledge on the viewer's part that a beginner may not have. I would also strongly recommend repairing as many saddles as you can get your hands on. Seeing how they failed is an invaluable lesson in keeping yours from failing. Hope this helps and that you have a successful build. Mike

I believe that if you search "Rope Edge" belts or saddles, you will find a technique of using light weight cording and wrapping it through every-other hole along the edge, Then cover tightly with lightweight leather and then tightly lace the open holes with your lace on top of the leather and slick down between the cord and you will have a crazy good rope edge. Hope this helps, Mike

Hey Julie! You didn't specify price, so here goes! Jeremiah Watt (ranch2arena.com) has, in my opinion, the best DVD set on carving. It's $179.95, but before you faint you should know that it is a 3-DVD set, each DVD is 2 hours long! The videos are clear and concise with excellent camera angles and crystal clear explanations. I also happen to think Jeremiah is a hoot, but that's pretty subjective. Cary Schwarz has two excellent videos, Floral Design ($45.00) and Floral Carving ($45.00). They are both outstanding. Cary's design style differs from Jeremiah's but both are excellent instructors and all the DVD's are beautifully shot, lighted, and presented. I don't have any personal relationship with either man, and I don't get any kick-back for the recommendations. I just wish either resources was available when Al Stholman and I taught me to tool 38 years ago. Well, nobody knew what the hell a DVD was 38 years ago, but you get the idea. Hope this helps, Mike

+1 on Barry King and Clay Miller. Clay had made me special bevelers to my specifications and they are fantastic. Also Lonnie Height at Gomph-Hacbarth customized one of his 5/8" swivel knives that I use most often. Mike

Look like Gomph-Hackbarths. Mike

You know, you can make stuff out of deer skin...just sayin' Mike

Belts are what caused me to call Steve and get a Cobra!!! Mike

My Cobra 4 decided to stick in the up position today, exactly as you described. Wiz, what are ribber covers? I can't find any reference to them in the parts list that came with my machine. Also, when you say remove the faceplate, are you talking about taking all the parts off so you can completely remove it, or just the plate screws so you can see inside? Thanks! Mike