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Everything posted by JLSleather
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Cant' tell from here -- looks like it might. Easiest way to check (maybe).. wipe the top surface with a damp rag.. see if it penetrates.
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There's the thing, right there. Of course you can use it -- you paid for it! Most likely, the seller listed as "full grain" to distinguish it from "finished split" leather Looking at your wallet, doesn't look like that stuff "drapes" very well (clothing), but should be okay for flat goods (like the one you uploaded).
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Ranger belt
JLSleather replied to sharkeyfinn's topic in Purses, Wallets, Belts and Miscellaneous Pocket Items
I like the belt, but I'd lose the rivet. Doesn't need to be there, and I think it detracts from the finished look. -
Avenger Holster for a LCP
JLSleather replied to jstar61's topic in Gun Holsters, Rifle Slings and Knife Sheathes
Somebody actually read that?#!@!! Sueee weeeet Looks good on there, too! -
You can find "definitions' for this until you're tired of them. But most of what you see / read is just going to be useless marketing poo spewed to willfully confuse people who don't know (and KEEP them not knowing). The "fix" of course is to look at the goods themselves. Compare the ITEM, not the STORY. Need an example? Pop over to cutesy - there you'll find a few thousand acres of "goods" (which itself is misuse of a word) which clearly (to anyone aware of anything) have more time and effort in the PUNCH LINE than in the article. Most around here are 'big kids', capable of cutting through the crap and assessing what they're looking at. I mean, for example... say I make a holster that sorta fits, and it's "okay"... Now, I put it in a pretty box - hey, maybe even a bow on it And throw in a fancy full-color pamphlet about how to break it in. And upload a video -- that's always a goodie, huh? But, none of that changes the holster. It's either what I'm looking for or it's not - the rest ads nothing. Funny - I got a buddy, used to do construction work. Showed up all proud one day in his brand new shiny truck, complete with logo on the door. "HAD to" come show me, since I designed the logo (and he's really got a bit of "look what I have" these days). So I said tha'sa nice lookin' truck. Well, I personally don't buy brand new trucks - a truck is a tool, like a wrench or a hammer (plus I don't hear an engine running, I hear the depreciation meter running). But, he was happy, so whatever. But then he decided to "justify" his purchase - though I didn't question anyway what he does with his money. Tells me that little old ladies don't like to see rough lookin' trucks in their driveway. According to Richard, when you call a contractor, a shiny truck in the drive shows "professional" and "responsible".. and "successful". So I just couldnt' keep a straight face any more - even though I like that guy. Told him when I see shiny in the drive, I don't see "professional and responsible".. I see a guy who likes shiny new trucks and wants me to pay for it! 'Course, once the contract is signed -- the day of the work commencement, that shiny truck is nowhere to be found. Instead, 5 or 8 boys will show up in two or three 15-year old trucks with ladder racks which have clearly held weight for a long time. So, his story means nothing. In fact, the more he leans toward "earning" money at the expense of them other boys' labor and thinking he's fooling little ole ladies (little ole ladies aint dumb.. my Mom is one of em).. the less I spend time with him. Seriously, con my Mom and see what happens to ya. Wait.. that took some of your time. So don't run over ta cutesy.. you can find enough of that here My personal take on it -- clicking out a shape, glue n stitch (or lace), pack n ship... is not a "craft". Any more than eating is a skill, or washing your hands is "art". Either takes little actual talent - just a bit of simple instruction and the right tools (clicker, needles, bar of soap, whatever). Yes, I'm including holsters (the not-tooled version) -- any monkey can do it. Off the path.. my 8-yr-old little girl sometimes looks in and asks 'so you do that so it does that?" And she's right. She looks at the ITEM. Came around the corner one day when I was stitchin' (she's not actually 'supposed to ' be in there) , looked at that POC (piece of cobra) and said - 'it looks like it's walking". Yeah - it do. She gathers information and then makes her own assessment. SO THEN... why all the words from somebody who always sayin' shut up 'n' show me?! POINT is, at the end of this, the only thing that changed is the CLOCK. It would be nice to see people - hear people - actually saying what they think. But I'm not gonna hold my breath. Sadly, while not EVERYbody is 'full of it", the majority are. I have far more respect for the guy who is wrong than for the guy who is lying, but wants to tell you it's "okay" because "thats business".
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Yeah, that's a done deal. There was a gal - sewing the tops of bags -- I didn't see where that could be done on a flat machine (though, perhaps it could happen on a pedestal machine). But the thing to remember here, is not about what would constitute a worth-while video -- the point here is something more along the lines of my turn to make a pointless one I did make one a while back, but it was not of the same caliber of 'lameness' I'll be looking for here. That video was about "holster stitching"... showed a flat holster being stitched on an excuse for a leather stitcher, with far too bright lights making detail impossible to make out, and a down-right 'gabby' narrative that caused a 5-minute job to take 10 mins. But i'm talking about something WAY beyond that one.... I've already covered the information about how to make holsters in a simple and fast (and free) pdf file made available to anyone who wants it (don't even need to ask). So teh video doesn't really require information anyway - it'll just be for those who like to spend their day watching.. you know... nothing ANYhoooo.. back to the holster makin's ...
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When purchasing leather in the U.S., you'll be billed by teh square foot (not the square meter) for leather which is gauged by the "ounce" (not the mm). Beyond that, I don't know if it matters.
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Exactly. Not about helping another leather man / woman at all. Just about keep you sitting here - even if it's a waste of your time -- so that the "producer" can get paid. Yikes. But, enough of that. I'm off to the gym, then a shower, then some holsters (TIP: forums can waste as much time as videos ).
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Well, this has always been my position. Sadly, though, the 'useful' is drowning in an ocean of poo! Apparently, I'm the minority -- I value the INFORMATION above the "production".
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Cylinder arm machine for sewing leather handbags
JLSleather replied to LearningLeather's topic in Leather Sewing Machines
You didn't state a location. If you aren't sure what you need, then IF POSSIBLE I always recommend that you go SEE the machine you're thinking about. If it's a major hardship to go see it, then perhaps getting it serviced isn't easy either, so consider that. If a dealer won't take a bit of time to show you how the machine works and what it does, then same thing -- perhaps getting it serviced isn't easy either, so consider that. Plus, if you're already there looking at it, maybe they can load the machine and take it with you, saving a couple hundred shipping $$. -
How do I soften and bend a leather Photo Album?
JLSleather replied to whistlestop77's topic in How Do I Do That?
Sounds like your leather is incredibly dry. Bad news is - once it's cracked, that's that. I do oil binders / portfolios / albums type projects. 2 light coats of neatsfoot, about 24 hours apart. And I mean LIGHT coats. Also helpful to put a gouge on the inside if you're "bending" heavy leathers. On my notebook-type things (full-size) I generally use about 7 or 8 oz leather, and then put a gouge inside the fold about 1/3 teh thickness of the leather. Gives teh leather a place to compress INTO, instead of forcing the outside to stretch around the corner. -
Marketing? Are we sure we don't mean "grifiting" or "hustling"? Pretty widely known, I'm generally not impressed by WHY-tube videos....WHY-tube as in WHY do people spend hours staring at that stuff?@! I like to see leather people improving their skill(s), not watching tv. But today I checked one. 3-part thingie about some new knife. Entire first part, we actually saw the knife, but that was it. 8 1/2 minutes of nothing about the knife except it's shiny. Really? I didn't watch the other two parts - later I'm going to not watch some more But in the course of that, another video comes up right after that (if you don't "cancel" it playing). And there's a video, with over 4,000 "hits", about making a G43 holster pattern. But, you have to wade through an ad first. And then the video plays, but never does actually show anything useful. If someone was awake and thinking, he/she might legitimately wonder WHY they were even sitting there. For me, it's a glimpse into WHY some people seem to get so little done --- they're watching "how-to's" that don't show "how-to" anything (presumably, they sit and continue to search for one that does?). So, I'm sold. One day soon, I'm going to make a video. I've been asked to make more anyway, but I've been doing more profitable things with my time. But, I really now wanting to make one that does not show how to make a pattern for a holster. Yes, I said that correctly. And I'll actually title it something descriptive and appropriate. how NOT to make a leather holster pattern: nah..that sounds like you're showing the "wrong" way; how to NOT make a leather holster pattern: nah, not quite. That sounds like you aren't making one at all. All a guy would have to do to not make a pattern - go fishing. how to talk about how to make a holster pattern but NOT actually offering any useful instruction someone could use: yeah, we're getting close now- though that's a bit verbose and likely not so very search-engine-friendly These videos seem to be little more than attention grabbers. Of course, some will call it "marketing", but I'm not seeing the difference between this and when a baby cries or my little girl's puppy barks. Thus the reason for my new video (coming soon) -- perhaps I'll then see the point of any of it BEYOND 1.) making noise in hope of being noticed, 2.) persuading people your poo isn't poo, or 3.) an excuse to not be doing actual work. I'm sure it's none of those, I'm just not personally seeing it yet... Now, I'm not a video producer, so someone maybe let me know if this will qualify as a "spoof"?
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An elephant in the window
JLSleather replied to OLDNSLOW's topic in Gun Holsters, Rifle Slings and Knife Sheathes
Nah.. truth is we's ALL the 'type' to learn by doing. Them folks watchin' videos and watchin' somebody else do it, .. while it may be better than nothing at all, truth is a fella don't know how cold 'til he gits in the water. Good thing about holsters, if a fella was ta mess up, he aint out much but the time.. and hopefully that time wasn't just wasted, but rather traded for some experience Guy asked me how long 'afore I quit makin' mistakes. I said 'I'll let you know' ! -
Where'd that fella go, was lookin' fer a Glock 19 mag carrier? Thought there was one on the site, but oh, well.... Mag_G19_P0.pdf
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An elephant in the window
JLSleather replied to OLDNSLOW's topic in Gun Holsters, Rifle Slings and Knife Sheathes
Looks a little loose.. either suck in the stitch line a bit or use a slightly heavier leather (which accomplishes the same thing, within reason). I don't mind the color.. trick is how to REPEAT it. -
North American Arms blue gun
JLSleather replied to glockanator's topic in Gun Holsters, Rifle Slings and Knife Sheathes
Is that autocorrect gone wild, or a .22 tuna? -
Tricks for CAD (Cardboard Aided Design)
JLSleather replied to TinkerTailor's topic in Patterns and Templates
Well, at the risk of sounding "geek", I admit that was interesting As for the belts, quickly-- if the waist size given is W, then the thickness of the leather adds to the size by twice the thickness times pi, or (2T)(π). the diameter of that 1/4" thick belt is (W+.5), and the "size" on teh grain side is {π)(W+.5)-- the 1/4" thickness adds .5π to the length measurement (1 1/2"). the diameter of that 3/16" (12 oz) thick belt is (W+..375), and the "size" on teh grain side is {π)(W+.375)-- the 3/16" thickness adds approximately .375π to the length measurement (1 3/16"). Some will find this too "technical", but it's fast and it works. -
The black 'n' red works, actually, and i don't think that's as bad as you make it sound. But, where's the loops and / or slots?
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Ruger Super Blackhawk Cowboy Holster
JLSleather replied to SLP's topic in Gun Holsters, Rifle Slings and Knife Sheathes
I like to use a [relatively] heavy 'outty' layer, so I can carve deep, then make the 'inny' a bit thinner. For geometric stamping like yours, you could get away with a double layer of 5/6... which would give you a little more leeway in grooving the innards, and you'd only have to stock one weight. 6 or half dozen. Yer ahead o' me on the thread experiments, though. I generally use 277, but i don't mind some 346. I have never used 554, but it sounds like something aguycould maybe tow a vehicle with? -
NO FEESHIN'??#!@#!@! Man, if I dont' gitta play, then I aintagonna wurk neither
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Yer right about the granite... took a good chunk out of both the granite and the punch driving a slot punch.. just not payin attention and whopped it too hard I don't hit steel tools with steel hammers. Some folks whose judgement I would trust insist on dead blow mallets (I personally used them only in teh machine shop). A plate of aluminum or brass over your steel plate or over an anvil will manage to keep the rock in shape and the punch sharp. I use an 11 oz rawhide mallet. Same one I use for tooling. If the punch is sharp, really don't need a BIG swing down on it.
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Thanks, Dwight Way I hear it, you still got a couple o walleye out yer way, too!
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Oh, cool.. we're covered then My stuff isn't all boxed up just yet, but I haven't cut a piece of leather in about a week.. and there is definitely some withdrawal symptom ...
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Tricks for CAD (Cardboard Aided Design)
JLSleather replied to TinkerTailor's topic in Patterns and Templates
AutoCad at the house would be awesome (or something like it). But I haven't even bothered to check the sticker price since kid #2 Any more, any layout I do "on paper" is generally done with graph paper .. so I can just sketch with a visual "guide". But when I'm done, I want it in the computer anyway, so if there's a way to do it in the computer to begin, I'm for that! Never have time, though, for "that guy" who goes on about having some program at work.. AutoCad, Illustrator, PS, whatever ... and spends his / her time "at work" doing their own 'thing'. Having been an employer, I have some idea what employees can convince themselves is "okay" to do at work on the basis of "everybody does it". That kid who was always on the phone when he should be working - gone. That girl who reported her internet out, and called the tech boys so she could spend the morning shopping for new bras - gone. I could go on. When I see posts from those people, I automatically 'record' them as lacking personal integrity, and glad I'm not paying them. And I don't pay them -- either for designs or finished projects. Hard to make speeches about personal integrity when taking money for one thing and doing another. Like, 'hey, I'm cheating my boss at work, but I would nevereverever do that to you ..." Yeah.. Okay. But, OFF the soapbox.... Whether on teh paper or in the file, the one thing you can't seem to get people to grasp is the importance of the material thickness. One obvious example is the multitude of "correct" ways to measure a belt By compass or CAD, you can't mark a belt waist size on the 'grain side' and thnk that a 1/4" thick belt is going to fit ... [ A bit further off the topic, I also have no time for those who sat (or "lurked".. I guess is the "acceptable" term) and got info for FREE, who now want to CHARGE the next guy for that same info. Pathetic. ] -
Ahh.. shooot.. I aint leavin' the planet just yet (far as I know). Once i git moved, I'll be addin' sumthin ocassionally. Mean time, we could may hire a loud, obnoxious, opinionated fella ta fill in fer a while Second thought.... if we git ta pick, let's git a gurl