JLSleather

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 $$.

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"?

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

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.

Is that autocorrect gone wild, or a .22 tuna?

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?

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

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.

Thanks, Dwight Way I hear it, you still got a couple o walleye out yer way, too!

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 ...

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

The previous owner may have adjusted it down (less travel) if not needed to go that high. Got the manual? Those are decent little machines, and you CAN adjust the foot height up/down. http://www.consew.com/Files/112347/InstructionManuals/206RB-5.pdf

Yeah, ther's a cupple details that coulda been a bit smoother, it's true. But that's still a nice lookin' rig ya got there. Stamping is decorative but not excessive, colors work, stitchin' looks good (including the thread color). I even like the waya got the gun linin' up on the inside stitch and the 'bag' of the holster linin' up on the skirt stitchin'... great detail that adds to the piece, if'n a fella wazta ask me If I wazta offer just one 'whatif'.. I'd say maybe recess yer stitch a bit on the INSIDE with thread that heavy. I dont' think it's goin' anywhere, but just to keep from hangin' up on it.

I personally think folks should be working leather. But if you absolutely have to watch tv (instead of working leather) check why-tube for ed hubbs.

I've used a paasche vl for quite a while. Get the entire set for about $60 ... including the cup, the hose, blahblahblah.. everything but the compressor. Basically indestructible.. lasts forever and sprays everything from dye to top coats. Simple use and clean-up. Each his own, but I don't see teh 'value' in saving $20 to get something that's basicaly a pain in the back to use.

Nah.. I'm talkin about one that fits in them other holes. Easy to use, works good (I had one on my other machine, somehow ended up with a 'spare'). I'll find something to put it in and ship it down there... been riding the top drawer of my desk for WAY too long The magnet is good if it's strong enough to not move around, but easy enough to adjust without trouble. And you could always look into spring-loaded edge guide feet if you're sewing close to the edge. And you could drill & tap holes in the machine for a "drop down" guide. This, though, is somewhere between those methods, and lets you use the holes already there. I think the holes are standard, and if not its simple to get different screws. These are inexpensive.. money not an issue -- just better to send to someone who'll use it than continue to move it and store it! If you can't use it, or prefer not to, then just pass it on to someone.

Still haven't done a pattern for the ruger.... got a "dummy" for it, but I been a bit busy keepin up with the glock users!

Well, though that may be - to use your words - "rough".. I like seein' a guy jump right in and git his hands dirty I think you'll find that with holsters, it adds a bit of "solid" with a stitch line under the guard. Hmmm.. wonder where a guycould pick up a pattern for somethin like that for little money.. or even maybe -- dare i say it -- for free....

Or have the back piece snap off and BECOME the gunbelt... now THAT would be sumthin ...

Line 16 snaps work in 8/9 leather. Sometimes called segma snaps.. MUCH less bulk - still strong (I've used 'em on belts for years).