qarawol

I'll post pics when I get my photobucket pics straight. I posted them before on other forums and I changed a few things on photobucket and it screwed them up. Let me say that my tool system (pouch) is like no other. The backing of the main section is a mere 7" x 4-1/4" (178mm x 108mm) and it holds the following tools... three screwdrivers, lineman pliers, diagonal cutters, needle nose pliers, arc joint pliers, wire strippers, electrical tape and a utility knife. Think about that for a moment! All those 10 tools on a backing about the size of your hand. also... a) it all fits in a plain jane Samsonite attaché case yet I do wear it when I take it out of the case. comes apart in TWO sections for there are times when I don't need to carry all the tools. c) no belt needed to secure to the body yet it does help - secured to the body like no other tool pouch (no suspenders, I don't like them) d) can be released from the body in one second e) I can look, with one glance, and notice immediately what tool is missing f) it can be inverted or thrown on a roof WITHOUT ANY tools falling out. g) I can grab the right tool needed without looking h) all tools made by Snap-On i) other added unique features, too many to list on my tool system I'll let you ponder on that for a spell while I fix my pics. It also holds, a ratchet set (1/4"-5/8") with extensions, allen wrenches (1/16"-3/8"), open end and box end rathcet wrenches, screw starters, flashlight and nut drivers. All those tools listed above AND the complete leather pouch that holds everything will fit in a carpenters nail bag while all tools are secured in their place on the tool system. Now think about that! Njoy... *edit* spelling

She mentioned that this job was so small and easy that it would only cost me $27.00 ($25.00 + $2.00 shipping). Their normal price listed on the website is $35.00. We went back and forth via email a few times as she showed me what my options were. looking closer, I wanted the apostrophes to be a mirror image of each other with the arc going inwards toward the lettering. She changed it as requested at no charge even after she made one. I just got confirmation that the changes were made and it was mailed today. GREAT CUSTOMER SERVICE!!!! I'll post pics when it arrives. I can't wait to see and start using it. Leather craft projects are waiting to have my name stamped on it. Njoy...

Lookie what I'll be getting in the mail soon... A custom made stamp just for me by Laser Gift Creations. The size is a mere 1/2" long by 1/8" high. PERFECT for my custom leather holsters. Thanks for the help! Njoy...

Hi tat2, Nice job on your first attempt. I like the decor rivets you used. My first one too was only riveted and then I went to sew and rivet then to only sew. Are you an electrician by trade or you made this for others? I am an electrician by trade and still hard at it. I now have to post my pics of my holster for my "electricians" tools which I now call my tool system. You made yours on your own and you can claim that yet you kept the basic design of a tool pouch. If this is for you, then may I suggest you REALLY think on how you work and live with that pouch and design one for you AND ONLY YOU. That is what I did. A SUPER CUSTOM leather tool system. Not only did I think out of the box, I got into my car then got on 3 buses a boat and a camel to get away from that box. It took me five years to determine what tools were "really needed" on hand for the type of electrical work I do and it went from there. If you made it for others then disregard. Please don't take it wrong, the tool pouch is nice yet that style no longer works for me. One ALWAYS has to adapt to what the tool pouch has to offer. You have to knowledge to change that and have the tool pouch do what you want it to. I had to conjure one up and it took three tries to get it just right and I completed it back in Nov 1995. Njoy...

Not a silly question if you really don't know the difference between a Maglite and a Custom Super Power Limited Edition one. This comparison will be between the SF-V and the Maglite 3D. Size... All pictures below were taken with a Kodak P850 Digital Camera mounted on a Tripod, Shutter speed set to 1/2 second, f2.8 ISO 50. The camera lens and the window of the Flashlights are approximately 30' from the shutter. Flashlight held one inch to the left of camera. I chose these settings for it best shows what the eyes sees before the night adaptation kicks in. The pictures were untouched!!! Dark room (front yard lights glowing behind shutter)... Maglite 3D... 'ARC mania' SF-V on low ... 'ARC mania' SF-V on Turbo... See the smoke detector better? The SF-V has four modes. Low-Med-High and TURBO! Okay five modes including 'off' --- To keep things on topic, here is a holster I made for the 'ARC mania' Extreme Micro I made… It can rotate 90 degrees on the fly for use as a hip light… And here is just a teaser of the 'ARC mania' Extreme Micro's output vs the Maglite 3D's… The camera settings were the same for both beam shots. I think they were the same as the ones listed above. Again, untouched photos. Size comparison… isn't the tiny silver one so cute!!! Three large batteries vs one little green one. Maglite 3D… 'ARC mania' Extreme Micro… This Extreme Micro I have is one of three made (I have two). It sports a special LED and can sell for $350.00+ used. A lot of output for such a small package. I hope the beam shots pics help. Njoy…

I have recently started to "paint" some of my leather crafts. I mainly been using Sharpie colored markers. It comes out fine yet some colors change when sealed... darker, lighter or all together different then what I wanted that is why I had to start painting. Here is the last project I made using a needle/pin to paint the corner stamping... This takes too long, though it is therapeutic. Dipping the needle in the paint bottle only to get about a 1/4" of coverage at a time is a lot of work. I tried using a super fine detail brush yet the bristles hold too much paint and almost always spills over the edge of the stamped image. The pin stays in the grove and I just scratch along leaving a painted trail. Having a black background can easily be touched up with a Sharpie but what if I want it to stay natural? Getting paint off of leather is no easy task without discoloring the error'd section... at least that what happens to me. The black in the pink ribbon was done by a fine tip Sharpie. Question... What do you use to paint the fine lines on some stamps? Suggestions? Tips? Njoy...

Here's is the latest pink ribbon project I have been working on... the Magic Billfold. Cut pieces... Internal view of lace work... Adding a folded bill... Close and open wallet from the other side, and viola! a secure bill. My VERY FIRST carve job... I added card holder slots on the opposite side of the ribbon... Different slots to help separate cards if needed... With negative image ribbon key fob... I was very nervous on the ribbon carving. I know it is a very simple design yet it was truly my first carve job. I made many key fobs with just stamping letters and flowers but never a carve/stamp from scratch. I still need to add something on the bottom of the card side. Maybe my wife's name or initials. Njoy...

THANKS! I just shot them an email with my request. Njoy...

I have a bunch a scrap black leather remnants my co-worker gave me awhile back and found another use for the pieces. I pieced this together on my lunch break a while back. Nothing fancy... no stitching, no pre-stretch, no precision measurements, etc. I think it came out nice for a quickie. The wings read "LIVE TO RIDE" With the matching black and silver Surefire 3P Flashlight... I made this to ride high on the belt. Sitting at times with a Flashlight on my side tends to hit the seat and push up on the belt even with a small Flashlight. Not this one! I went out of my normal realm and made this a bezel up holster. I don't own a bike... YET!. Njoy...

Yep! There are some high priced ones out there. They are a niche of people out there for these, like me. Here is a link for info on the 'ARC mania' SF-V... http://www.customlightfactory.com/phpbb3/v...p;sk=t&sd=a --- Mega Micro... http://www.customlightfactory.com/phpbb3/v...?f=20&t=956 (I got a prototype!) Here is a better picture explaining my stretching technique. Showing how small the head still is AFTER SEWING (the one to the right)... A lot of muscle. See how big the loop is now? Look at the tension at the stitch line. This is just not wet molded. I take this added extra step to make my leather holsters a little special. This takes a bit of knowledge of how thick the leather is and how the leather feels when working it dry. It also makes for a tighter second skin look as well as an overall smaller profile holster with all the strength of a larger one. Look at the following picture and see that the backing DOES NOT exceed the width of the head wrap, clearly showing how much smaller the holster is compared to the normal wet molded types. Njoy...

I'm looking to have one made with the lettering 'qarawol' made in all lower case letters. I'd like it to be around 1" wide max. This is so I can stamp my name on custom stuff kinda hidden on a back corner or such. I have the 1/8" steel stamps for keys. That takes too long for each letter, not always straight and they are all capital letters... I want lower case. Can anyone here direct me to a custom stamp maker that may be able to do this? Njoy...

Thanks for the kind words and prayers! I have bought a bulk pack of leather support ribbons from the Tandy Leather Factory. I think I make those up nice and purty with a lanyard. That seems simple enough to have it all done soon. I still may opt to make more bracelets too. Have you heard of the Magic Billfold? I bought some from TLF and came up with an idea. These are fun to use wallets and a great leather conversation starter. I'll post pics here when I finish one. It's so special! (I think) Njoy...

I'll just start off showing several pics of my own leather creations. I have been collecting and using Flashlights for as long as I can remember. As a kid Flashlights have always been a play toy for me and now that I am older, they are still a play toy yet they just get more expensive. Starting off with the limited edition 'ARC mania' SuperFlashlight Five... aka SF-V When i fist made a holster for the SF-V, it was nice and it worked for me. Then I noticed I could make it better... Isn't that always the case? For the 2nd version, these differences will be... • A stronger belt clip that will fit belt widths to 2", (the other one fit a max of 1.5")... • A one piece backing (will not be usable with the Universal Backing)... • Slightly larger head wrap... • Thicker leather... • Dual snap retaining strap... • A precisely shaped head wrap that lifts the Flashlights head slightly above the backing to prevent it from hitting the Chicago screw head. The four cell SF-V (longer) is sporting the new design while the three cell SF-V shows the original. Side by side... Showing dual snaps... Larger belt width capability (and stronger)... See the light under the head... For those who do not know, these 'ARC mania' SF-V's are super special Flashlights. I have sold TWO of the 4-cell version for $800.00+ and the 3 cell can get a bit more $ for it is even more rare/scarce. NEXT - The making of the 'ARC mania' Mega Micro Flashlight holster (ver 1)... This is what is involved in making an 'ARC mania' Mega Micro Leather Holster. Everything is completely HAND made, cut one piece at a time, sewn, dyed (optional), finishing touches until the final product. All pieces are measured, one at a time (no cookie cutter here)... I use contact cement on the stitch lines... Pulling a needle through 3 layers of leather is no easy task. I have broken many needles... One side stitched... 2nd stitch line alignment... Hand sewn. Yep! I need new gloves!!!... BTW - Am I the only one that does this next step?? This shows how I just don't form the leather to fit right away... I have to stretch fit AFTER SEWING to make my holsters work. The Surefire 3P body is 1" in diameter (black Flashlight in holster). The Mega Micro is a bit over 1.25" due to knurling. See how even 1" is still too small to "just fit". This requires a lot more work and I think I am the only one that does this. Besides, look at the backing, the Flashlight body or head wrap on my leather holsters don't ever rarely exceed the width of the backing. Clearly showing that it is not just wet molded. I can't even clamp my leather work before stitching due to the tension of the leather. My stitch lines are usually under the body or head and I stitch the entire length. Also, look how close I am to the edge. This makes for an overall smaller holster. Most think my ways of holster making is a waste of time. A holster is a holster as long as it holds what we want. So then a Flashlight is a Flashlight. Yeah Right! We know better. Edge beveled... Sanding the edges... A few more touches... And VIOLA! A finished project... COMPLETELY 100% HAND MADE! I didn't include the pics of installing the snaps, belt clip or the little leather disc inside to cover the snap to prevent scratching. I still have to sign and date. There you go folks, all that work (4+ hours) just to make a Custom Leather Holster... EASY! NEXT Mega Micro CONCEPT Leather Holster (ver 2). Well y'all have seen the NEW Mega Micro Leather Holster and how it is made. "Most" vertical carry holsters keep the Flashlight tight to the body if it is tight to the belt. A lot of nylon 'cheapies' has an over sized belt loop and flops around and is not tight to the body so this comparison will not apply to the the cheapies. Drawing a Flashlight straight up may bind on the cover flap or on your body making it a bit on the slight side of hindrance. Here is my CONCEPT of how it can be avoided. The all NEW 'Self Tilting' CONCEPT Leather Holster for the Mega Micro!!!!... Snapped closed, tight to the body and looks like the first holster I made... Unsnapping reveals its hidden secret... The Holster remains tight to the body as long as the flap remains closed and snapped. Unsnapping the flap will allow the Flashlight's tail to automatically 'tilt', at an angle, an additional 1" away from the body making it a little easier to draw and re-holster. A NEW CONCEPT in CUSTOM Made 100% Leather Holsters (less hardware & thread). What y'all think? Has anyone ever saw or used rawhide used as a holster? Rawhide is leather before it is leather as we know it. It is when the skin is taken right off the animal, stretched and hung to dry. No tanning process is used except for bleaching if desired. Bleached rawhide is mainly used for drum heads, lamp shades, shields etc. Anything that requires a stiff semi translucent white material. The tanning process is used to soften, color and make the leather pliable so that we can use it to make holsters, jacket, shoes, etc. If you never seen rawhide before it is REALLY STIFF!!! I always wanted to make a holster out of rawhide but was scared due to the fear of it being so stiff and non workable... so I thought! I asked if plain (non bleached) rawhide was sold in smaller pieces then the entire half a cow. I preferred the non bleached one for it is very translucent, looks semi clear brown and it shows much more characteristics then the plain looking white bleached one. Two Leather Store managers never heard of rawhide used for a holster. Well if you know me, I had to be different. I wanted to see if it was possible to make a holster out of something unique. Here is a sample of what I have made using small remnants of bleached rawhide. The following pictures shows just how stiff this rawhide is. Look at the above picture again and look at the curvature of the retaining strap. Below are pictures of me holding the Flashlight up gripping just one edge of the strap with a pair of needle nose pliers. Look how it doesn't bend much with TWO loaded working Flashlights. The SF-III is no light weight either and it is wearing its holster! Keep in mind that the strap is a mere 1/16th of an inch thick and only 1/2" wide. The head loop alone WITHOUT a flashlight inserted seems like it can withstand maybe 50 pounds + of crushing pressure. I pressed my palm down on it HARD! It compresses to an oval shape and springs right back. THIS IS SOME STRONG STUFF MAYNARD! Working with this rawhide takes a lot more time. Maybe because it is new to me though I do know it still takes more work since you have to do a few more steps to do what you want it to do. Since I know now how to work with this tuff stuff.... Now to buy the expensive plain rawhide!!!! More to come... Njoy...

Here are just a few of my mystery braided leather bracelets I made for myself. With spikes... Snake skin... reversed... Both snake skins are made from REAL Python skin. The larger snake skin one is reversible to an all black one with a stitch line on the center strand. Cool huh? It's a bit tighter then I like for I thought the thicker leather would stretch a bit more. No dice! I'll make another and give this one to my brother. And a few more... Njoy...

GREAT IDEA! I just bought one too after many a years. I never knew what I was missing until I bought one and that was just last month. I now must put a leather case on the back burner of future projects for my round knife. Thanks for the idea! Njoy...

I'll make this important subject my first post other then my intro. My wife recently got diagnosed with breast cancer early in March of this year. I always seen the pink ribbon magnet on cars/trucks and never gave it second thought. Well now it has become a part of my life. She is diagnosed with stage 0-1 at this point and is going to be undergoing a second surgery. Pink is the color of Breast Cancer Awareness and I have made several of these CUSTOM Leather bracelets for her co-workers as well as her boss for she herself has breast cancer and is still being treated. The black top one is the one I wear everyday. I am making more of various styles and will be selling them soon to support the cause. I don't know the amount of the donation yet. The bottom mystery braided one were the ones as gifts and they sport some bling bling. The second from the bottom with the added pink stitch line is the wife's and I have a matching one too. Everyone else got the one pink strand with black stitch line (bottom). I just want to throw out a question... Is it wrong of me to ask for at least $5.00 back (bracelet with concho) to cover the cost of material? I have no problem donating my time to make these and I want nothing for my labor. These each take me about 1.5 - 2 hours to make depending on the detail. $5.00 is to cover the cost of the leather, conchos, paint and snaps. So $5.00 x lets say 100 pieces = $500.00 which I can't afford to cover. I know it's a large quantity number though I know one day I will easily pass that and it all adds up. I can do several as freebies though once it takes off... who knows? There is going to be a cancer walk at the end of next month and I have to conjure up maybe 20 special leather pieces for the wife and co-workers that will be participating on that event. I have a regular 40hr week job and a very long "honey do list" so leather work is for leisure time only. Anyone else in the same boat as me and any suggestions for a quickie pink leather project to pass out to others? Njoy...

Howdy All, I was just introduced to the forum by a member of CPF and decided to join in. I'm also a member there too as well as other forums. My user name of 'qarawol' is the same for all forums. I've been working with leather for well over 15 years now. Anyone remember the Tandy Leather Company store in Long Beach and Anaheim CA??? (I guess the name Tandy Leather Company in general). I used to go there during my teen age years. I guess that will tell how long I've been playing with leather. My "main" specialty is custom holsters for Flashlights, tools and cell phones... kinda your EDC items. Also, custom key fobs, bracelets and other leather apparel used as an accessory... ya know, the fun stuff that put smiles on people faces when given as a 'free' gift. I'll post pics soon on the appropriate thread of the past and present works I am currently dabling in. I'm looking forward to learning more and possibly contributing my learning's to others here. Njoy... Rick