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FYI: I would not use spent casings to make a bandolier. (Unless you are running them through a resizing die first.). The cases expand when they are fired. The loops will be loose when carrying new ammo, if they were made from spent casings.

As a note some people did converted their machines from 134-35 needle system to the 135 needle system. If the previous owner did the conversion then for leather you would need 135 X 16 X (correct needle size) and for fabric 135 X 17 X (correct needle size). What I have found is using a leather point needle will give a cleaner needle hole in vinyl then a fabric needle. Fabric needles are meant to separate the fibres of the material rather then cut them. Really depends on what size of thread you are planning on using and the needle system it is setup for. Your machine can accept up to V138 thread. The 190-22 if I'm not mistaken is a system 190 needle used on the older PFAFF 145 so what they are suggesting is a #22 needle which is good for V92 thread. kgg

Pfaff says 134-35 needle system: https://www.pfaff-industrial.com/en/portfolio/sewing-machines/flat-bed-heavy-duty/pfaff1245 You'll then need to select a size to match your thread: https://tolindsewmach.com/thread-chart.html And then research the many different points available to decide what kind of look you want your stitches to have (scroll down about half way): https://www.techsew.com/us/blog/needle-buying-guide.html

Very cool!!

A properly made gun-belt should have a curve in it. It might be just exaggerating that curve. I have a/some Tandy Gun Leather pattern(s) which have the belts on it/them. And they are cut on the curve Do you want copies of the patterns?

My thoughts, find the fittings you want to use, preferably a brand that has lots of different choices to allow for future needs, then either make adapters or ream/sleeve the tool so they fit. I was given, amongst other things, three Carr Fasteners presses along with an assortment of dies, anvils etc for them, some of which didn't fit (I still don't know what they're for). I had to make up adapters for some of the fittings which is no big deal for someone with a lathe.

hello, quick question, what needle do i want to use for leather and vinyl on my pfaff 1245 sewing machine? i keep hearing 190-22 but i check the forums and people are recommending some weird needles, so i wanted to ask, what needle should i use? thank you

When you talk about making them do you mean making them from scratch or simply modifying existing scissors? It would be a lot of work to make scissors by hand and I doubt it would be cost-effective to sell them.

That's certainly different, very nicely done - and a lot of hand stitching there!

Just what you'd expect, a paragraph with the heading tags I copied and another paragraph of me blathering about the tags. It might have to do with post count. Maybe the software doesn't let s user enter raw HTML until a certain threshold. I wonder if @Johanna knows off the top of her head? EDIT:I went through and deleted most of that back and forth, it was just clutter. I left enough that Johanna can see what we're talking about. It's ok here in Feedback and Suggestions.

Very nice carving, it looks good.

It's that curve that has to be thought about. Shouldn't take much to work it out, just wondered if there was a "standard". I used to reload including reforming 22 Hornet cases sometimes. Still got the presses and dies somewhere so if I can find the heads it should be easy to set em.

Titles are good! What does it show in the "Source" tab when you have a title?

Maybe there's a setting deep in your settings to choose a different editor. I'm out of ideas ...

A bandolier is really nothing more than a belt with pouches or bullet loops on it. Likely curved where it goes over the shoulder so that it lies flat. I should think there are patterns out there, several on Etsy, but it shouldn't be too difficult to create your own pattern. Start with paper and an idea, move on to a prototype, et voila, you're a bandolier maker. When you say "heads", do you mean the projectiles? Probably expensive in GB, but reloading bullets are available. Or if it' just for decorations, turn some on a wood or metal lathe. It's crafting time!

@bjr, Thanks for the stories. I sold that saddle about a year ago to a guy in Wyoming. I seem to recall that he knew Mr. Steiner, but I can't find any communication to confirm that. He was sure pleased to get it. Randy

Home Depot does have them for $32. Definitely not US made. Wiss is part of Crescent Tools now. Using those as a base I could sell the Mega Leather Shears at $100 + shipping. I can't compete with China. That would cover my grind time and materials. Have to figure out a faster method of making serrations. I used a tungsten grinder with a diamond wheel for the prototype. I sacrificed a new, probably Chinese, pair for the prototypes. I'd feel a little bad using a nice older pair.

When I looked earlier, Home Depot listed w22w wiss for around $32. I note that the extra w may be a typo or some cheaper version for Homedepot.

I came across a tin full of spent 17 Hornet cases and I thought if I can find the heads it might be interesting to put some around a hat or maybe make a bandolier. Does a bandolier have a "pattern" or just make it up? Might have some .223 around somewhere also.

I can buy the new WISS 22W's for around $60 wholesale. Not sure where they are made anymore. Might be China. Older, better US made ones are on eBay for usually around $50 plus shipping. I'll make a few pairs and throw them on eBay to see if they get any interest. I like the set I made so much I just thought somebody else might like them as well. I thought about making fancier ones from the older HUGE tailor shears with the more elaborate handles, but there are not as many of those available, and they go for way more money if they are in decent condition at all. I refurbished a pair recently where the lower blade had split on the lamination line between the edge steel and blade body. They turned out pretty well, but I can't adjust the curvature of the lower blade without risking shearing the epoxy holding it together.

Beautiful work!!

This is a purse pattern from an old Tandy pattern pack - believe it’s the “traveler” almost done with the double cordovan stitching! I’m probably going with a plain strap but there’s always the urge to do something extra. Maybe a simple border stamped strap.

I carry mine on my hip. I use it for lighter leathers, cutting patterns, snipping thread, etc. Not sure if I would use one with serrated edge. If I can still use then on other things I may go for a set.

Thanks!

I've been seeing a lot of ratchet belts and a few people have asked me about them. My usual comment goes along the line of "I haven't made any and I'd have to do some research on them". So here I am looking into them. I started looking for ratchet tracks and a lot of companies make the ratchet belts but the tracks are really hard to find. I found a couple people selling them on Etsy and Ebay but they are the same brand. I can't find an actual company that sales them directly. If anyone knows of a direct source I would appreciate that info. The tracks that I ordered through Ebay are pretty good and the seller was great to deal with. I gave him a call when I had a few questions and he was really helpful with tips to mount them and what buckles work well with the track. https://www.ebay.com/itm/277241899676?itmmeta=01K0SQE5R03ZHFJ6Y637CP450F&hash=item408ce7aa9c:g:ycwAAeSwrd1oYYOR The biggest issue I have is that I would like to sew them in instead of gluing then in. I used a #23 needle but the track is too narrow for the needle. I also tried using a pricking iron and I don't like how close to the edge of the leather it is. I put one together with just glue as a test. 5oz black harness leather and 5oz vegtan liner. The area that has to latch onto the leather is skived down to a total of 5oz so the clamp can actually close. I'm looking for buckles that can actually close down on 10oz. So, does anyone know where I can find these tracks wholesale? What can I do different, if anything, to secure the track better?