steelhawk

Based on recommendations like Lobo's, I went with the Cobra 4. I am still learning how to use it, but have made two belts and a holster.

NIce work on the belt. I should be starting on a large belt today as well. The 84" blanks should arrive before end of day.

Thanks for the responses, guys.

I have a belt glued up that I had an order for, but the customer canceled. I haven't done anything to it yet, so no big deal, really. However, if I were to cut it to length and stitch it up for sale, I wondered what size to make it that would be most easily sold. I tried to search and see it this was covered, but was unable to find anything.

I have noticed that with my new machine, that the black thread I am using is frayed after sewing. I did not notice this with the white thread. I even closely examined the white stitching and don't see any fraying. Am I using cheap thread for the black. It is a different brand than the white thread. Is there better thread, or is black a problem?

Thanks, Michael I ordered 7/8 oz leather blanks. I will have the same problem. My dyeing area is only 60 inches, so I will have to extend it somehow. I have a Cobra 4. It has a large bobbin, but I haven't had it long enough to know how much a full bobbin covers. Springfield advertises that their blanks are 84 inches, so I will believe them.

I've been asked to make a gunbelt for a customer that is 72 inches to the middle hole. I measured it myself, so I know it is the right size. I've only made a few gun belts, and this will be my second one with the machine. I ordered some 84 inch blanks from Springfield Leather. They should be here next week. Now for my question. Are there any surprises when making one this size? I can't think, of any, but there could be something I'm not anticipating. I hope the bobbin will hold enough thread to go all the way around.

I saw a holster tutorial on ar15.com. The guy used some non-flammable Weldwood. It is in a green can and kind of blue. Has anyone used this?

I'm interested in this as well, as I want to start making belts. I have made 4 gun belts. 3 of them have been stitched by hand. The latest one is by machine. I am almost done with it. I just need to punch the holes and it will be done. It was lots quicker. I don't skive the leather, mostly because I don't know how. I run the bottom piece almost up to the buckle fold. I border stamped 3 of them and did that before I glued them together. I'm still trying to figure out the thickness, but maybe two pieces of 8/9 oz might be too thick for some holsters. Most that I have seen have been about 1/4 inch in thickness when done. I know I didn't answer all your questions, because I have some of the same ones you do.

Very nice, indeed.

Went there the other day. Liked it, and plan to post something shortly.

I use the harness needles as well. I tried the large eye ones and they broke too easily. I have only broken one harness needle in over 2 years, and still use some that a year old. They are a little harder to thread, but not that hard if you cut the end at an angle and rub beeswax on it first. I accidently sat on one and bent it almost double. Not too much pain involved. I straightened it out and used it for two weeks until I could get some more.

I did the same thing with my LC9. Bought it to make holsters. It has almost been paid for with holsters. Now, I need to make a few to sell for my existing guns. Maybe that way they can be expensed as well. Maybe someone who has done this can suggest some pointers so those of us who are new can have a bullet proof tax return.

I'd like to see pics as well. I was asked to make something like this last year but I had to turn it down. It was for a Super Blackhawk with a 10 inch barrel. I had never made anything like it and the customer wanted it in 3 days for a hunting trip.

That's what I am doing. I have one with contact cement and one with the Tandy glue. I'll let them set overnight.

You are right about women. I've made 4 different holsters for my wife and she hates them all, but one of her friends just loved one of them and bought it. It fits her just great.

Thanks, guys. One more question I just thought of. Will the Tandy stuff work on gun belts, too, or should I stick with contact cement on them?

That's good to know. I won't use the white stuff on my underwater holsters for glocks.

I had been using my garage workshop to glue my holsters, but it is now too cold for that, according to the temperature limits on the container, 65 degrees. I can't do it inside as my wife is very sensitive to the fumes. Is there a good alternative to contact cement. Tandy makes a white glue called Leather Weld, but I don't know how it will hold up on a holster.

Those are great. It makes me want to get back into tooling. I may one day.

Very nice. I liked the knife sheath. It's just like the knife I used to have. It belonged to my father but disappered many years ago.

Three months. You should call or email Steve.

I've already used up a bobbin full on scrap, and not done yet.

Thanks for the suggestions. I hope to sew my first holster tomorrow.

I think I got the ending backstitch ok, it is the beginning one that I am now messing up on. I can't seem to get it right.