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Thanks. It's always interesting trying to wet-mold some leather that has already been tooled. At least with a basket weave I don't have to worry about losing too much detail. I was bored a while back so I watched a couple videos by Jim Linnel (Feather Carving) and Don Gonzales (Large Basket Weave). I was intrigued, so I grabbed a piece of scrap leather and gave them both a try. Not the greatest, but it was fun playing with them. Maybe you just need to watch a couple videos and go play.

Thank you. Holsters are one of the few projects where I'll reach for Resolene instead of Tan-Kote, so it always looks a little jarring to me. definitely gives a nice deep color though 😎

Looks good, very neat work.

Hey folks, Just wanted to share a cool photo of my latest Glock holster build. 9-10oz Hermann Oak and Angelus Jet Black Leather Dye

Well done, nice restoration and a serious bit of modding!

A good point, the external-mix siphon-feed are better suited to what you want to do as they generally have a wider spray pattern than a double-action internal mix - plus they are cheaper, easier to use and simpler to clean.

Hey folks, I've been getting pretty deep into holster making as of late. Lot of orders coming my way, primarily for revolvers. It's not too bad to guesstimate pancake holster stitchlines, but there's gotta be a method I'm unaware of to consistently calculate the distance based upon the dimensions of the firearm. Any good resources dedicated to this topic? Would be interested to know how you folks do it. thanks!

Thanks! Decals are from https://www.singerdecals.com/ I found the majority of parts in my country, Romania. And the 545 parts for the needle feed, I found them on ebay in Poland. https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?item=305456329419&rt=nc&_trksid=p4429486.m3561.l161211&_ssn=jerzmerci0 But there is also another guy in Lithuania: https://www.ebay.com/str/sewtech71 I would have loved to buy a 545 but it was over my budget so this 543 I bought it for nothing actually and in my budget, still, I could buy the parts to restore it. Honestly I really like working on these machines. My Adler got the same treatment and now I am having a second Adler 169 that I want to prepare for a buddy of mine.

@Handstitched Thanks for that, yes, in the meantime, that is what I have resorted to doing. Using a regular beveler and turning it around.

@OscarRush Sewing those thicknesses of veg-tan leather are beyond the scope of upholstery class walking foot machines. You'll need to buy a machine that's built to sew holsters, saddles and horse harnesses. Most of these machines can sew at least a half inch of hard leather. Some, like the cb3500 and 4500 that AlZilla mentioned, can sew 7/8 inch of saddle skirting. I have the 4500 and a bunch of walking foot machines, so I know what I'm talking about. My walking foot machines can sew up to 3/8 inch of chap or garment leather, using #138 bonded thread. My Cowboy cb4500 can sew from just under 8 ounces, up to 52 ounces thickness with very heavy thread, like #441. I personally never go beyond #346, but I could if I needed to.

Thank you

Thumbs-up, Chuck!

yes - Adler 105 - 64 subclass, needle feed machine with heavy roller foot!

I've also been getting into this weave pattern. I'm having trouble w/ free handing the pattern- esp the spacing to size up for larger weave sections (eg. for a bag panel). I've downloaded the various paper templates but looking for an acrylic one that I've seen w/ the Wuta wallet and others. Any luck by others finding a better template? Thanks much.

Yup, they do that a lot here as the temps get into triple digits. I've watched a lot of his stuff over the years. Excellent instructor, even via you tube where you can't ask questions.

Please help identify this machine, subclass and feed? thanks Mark

I use single action airbrushes as I just couldn't get the hang of the double action airbrushes, like the Timbertech Airbrush Kit and the Paasche Airbrush that are siphon feed rather then gravity feed with the braided nylon hoses. I would push the pressure probably up to 40 - 45 lbs from my normal of 30lbs. You may have to: i) use a real compressor rather then an airbrush compressor just for the volume of air that maybe required. ii) detail spray gun like the Titan Tools Siphon Feed Detail Spray Gun if the consistency in doing the large pieces isn't what you need and to reduce the number of dye bottle changes. The airbrushes that I have can realistically hold about 20ml while the detail spray gun could probably hold close to 200ml. I have done 2' x 2' pieces of leather using my airbrushes with the airbrush compressor for both oiling (JOJOBA oil) and dying. I would definitely try the inexpensive Timbertech airbrush first, practice on a piece of cardboard of the same size first to get your spray and your rhyme right. This topic on my setup may help.

You've done a beautiful restoration on your machine! I have a gently used 545 that I think is a wonderful machine. I'm surprised that you found the parts for your modification, I rarely see anything for Pfaffs. Where did you find the decals?

I ve found it locally in Romania. At a mechanic

Before attempting to removing the bobbin assembly I would remove the bottom cover on the cylinder arm as you have a 50/50 chance that the tip of the needle fell down there. kgg

Quality content and users is why this forum is better than all the others. Thanks @Tove09Tilda for this well researched contribution!

Others will be along, but 12mm is pretty close to a half inch. I'd be looking at something like a Cowboy CB 4500. I'd think you're using pretty thick thread. I think the CB3500 is the same machine just with a shorter arm. Known genetically as a 441 clone, if that brand isn't available in the UK, something just like it is. Plenty of other capable machines but that's the one I'm most familiar with.

When I do rose petals ,I like the natural 'rounded' look on some of the petals, so I use a small beveller along the line ( i have a fave), and then turn the beveller right around and go along the same line giving it that ' rounded ' look. Perhaps practice that ? HS

Have you looked at the PDF attached to the first post? That seems pretty generic to me. You just need the measurements of the rifle in question. Maybe I'm not understanding something.

This topic wouldn't really "close". That's mostly for the For Sale section. Maybe tell us where you found it to help out the next guy looking for one.