Jimbob

That is about as tight as you can stitch to the siluette of the gun, very nicly done....I bet the XDm fits like a glove!! Dont care for the tan color on this one, takes the pro look away, but what ever people like.....cant see the edges, but seems they burnished well...good job! Keep it coming... James

Try airbrushing the top part of the scales, fading to the end...also use a stipple tool and stipple the roots of the scales a bit....about half way out....lifting as mentioned is a good way to get it more 3D look like.....like the Koi a lot, good work!! Jimbob

My head exploded long time ago....hahahaaa.... But I like the design..dito on the stitching, also take care of your edges....need to be burnished and corners rounded or cut ......other than that : just wait till your head explodes....haha.. greetings James

Its done, faster than I thought....all panels came out sweet....owner wanted some spider webs incorporated in the design...all looks pretty swell!! We used 2-3 oz milled soft tooling leather and regular 5-6 oz tooling leather for the panels....all welts been done with antique brown carerra leather....sharp!! Also some frame work of the panels have been done in this dark brown carerra leather. The stitching was all done with dark brown 138 nylon thread, looking very sharp!! Now on to the panels, kick boards and all side elements for the lower door panels....welting will be in reverse, all tan....panels will be all in dark brown carerra leather.....the carving again as inserts/panels in 5-6 oz veg tan. I get them seats here on Tuesday, will post a bunch of pictures...see what ya all think!! JImbob

Outch......I think I just mix it with a little Tequilla and add some Alcohol....that odd to do the job....!@!@

For light leather you need a smaller light weight machine...for stuff you mentioned you will be needing a horse like a Cobra or the real nice Cowboy machines....most likely you will end up with two machines. I have an Adler 105 and it will do 2-3oz leather...barley....but will quit on me over 22+ oz or so... Most all machines can't do it all....thats why most of us here own 2 ore more leather sewing machines!! Jimbob

I know can buy expensive thinner for Barge glue....is there anything else I can use to make my half can Barge more liquid again.... Starts getting thick... thanks James

Northern tool company cheap arse airbrush,$19.99.... works great and got tons of good reviews....I got one or two....I do tanks and deco stuff...workd fine!

Nice rig, like to solid stiffener in different leather....color is cool, the stitching could be closer to the boned line of the gun....BUT this is really hard to do with long presser feet and tight curves...guess how I know this...hehe....I fixing to make me one ( maybe paddle or IWB..??) for my new Thrasher 3.2 inch barrel 1911...love that thang!! Made a Avenger for my 5" 1911 last month....I like Avenger style holsters. Well done... James

AHHHHHH>>>> finally skulls on a western saddle.....I LOVE IT....now back to the bench and lets make one with flames!!!>>and skulls, and gohstly elfes and zombies and, and, and....ohhhhhh the possibilities!!! And I like the traditional one just as well....maybe just a little bit with flames...heheee... well done !!! Jimbob

Looks almost like very lightweight veg tan in natural....Springfield and Tandy having a sale right now for soft milled 2-3 oz veg tan...that would be perfect!! James

NO!! and NO!! dont even try that, you gonna ruin the 211 in a heart beat!! Max for these good walking foot machines is about 1/4 or less...no more...they are after all a stout upholstery machine...not made for holster leather! James

I also would opt for a Singer 211 walking foot ,but I tink you can do better then 900 dollar....these babies are regulary sold for 4-600 dollars....with the money saved, buy you a nice Servo motor and all is well!!

dito !!

second that, dye has alcohol in it...even oil dye has a it of it...that dries the leather out....so using neatsfoot oil is a good thing...but very thin coat and use comon sense....and yes it will ruin a 100 dollar holster in no time if dunked in oil!!

thats exactly what it is....I use the walmart stuff alcohol all the time...works fine....

pure is as is PURE, and compound is as Cyber thrasher said a mix of something....thats why it is cheaper and not pure....like Olive oil, virgin is pure and expensive....good stuff, second harvest or just pure olive oil is a mix and much cheaper.

I used Fiebings all the time and then used 99 cent crafts acrylics on top of it, no problems...now I switched to Angelus dye and use same acrylics....no problems either...but I do always seal lwhen finished painting with clear leather laquer....real thin film/layer...works fine for me. Hope that helps a bit too...

The "secret" is wet forming and then using a glue like Barge that also will glue wet leather!! U be surprised how you can bend, stretch, shape and cheat leather when it is wet!! (veg tan only of course...) James

Super nice, cool, awesome and well made...enough said....

And again, as it has been said and will be said for a long long time....You, are still the KING of all wallets !! Period !!

Cool, love the detailed painting and coloring!! Well done!!

NO HOT WATER ON VEG TAN !!!!!!