JLSleather

That looks like a belt maker's dream ...

Folks must be busy busy around here... 286 holster pattern downloads from the site today

Yep, HO does grade their leather. I don't know the folks mentioned down there at Panhandle, but likely they purchase "tannery run", other words a mix of grades. Price cut because HO doesn't have to go through and grade 'em.... so in that way they "could" have HO leather that doesn't have a marking for grade ... meaning it could be any grade. HO sells a "mix" of "A" and "B". You might be able to buy all "B", but you generally can't buy all "A" (mix it up so there isn't one guy buying up all the "A" hides, I suppose). The "B" generally isn't so very different from the "A" - either is good usable leather. And no matter what grade you get, there will be SOME marks (fat wrinkles and/or scratches, bites, etc.) plus belly leather sucks no matter the grade. Most retailers will tell you they get leather from HO, and they don't do anything to it. Whatever HO sent, that's what they got. WIthout biting any one seller in the butt, I can say that is NOT always the case.

I really need to clean out around here more often. Just found a quart of black oil dye and 3 bottles of Fiebing's stain that I didn't know I had I think it was late last year I found an entire side of 3/4 H.O. hiding under some other stuff. WHY do I always find that stuff AFTER I bought more .. ?!@~!!

10 collars out of 18 feet? I'd be unglued, and about no fun at all! Even for a VERY large dog, that's not right. I think biggest one i ever did was 2" wide and double thick, and the strap to make it measured about 45" long (22 1/2" twice). And again, that's a BIG dog. Most wouldn't need to be nearly that large. In general terms, a cowhide back would be about 18 feet, which is 2592 sq inches. And that BIG collar is 90" (45" X 2"), SO simple math says that's 28.8 collars. Subtract 20% (ish) for waste, and you still get 22 or 23 collars, and that's if they're all for LARGE dogs and all DOUBLE thick.

Line it with some smooth veg tanned goat. It's still gonna wear, but minimal.

A consew 206-RB5 for $700 is a good deal if it's in good condition.

Usually decided according to the size of the case. A small pocket notebook might be 1.5mm, and a large notebook might be 3mm plus a 1mm lining

Ordered a couple from Intl. Friendly lady obviously has some real knowledge of the process.

Thanks, Pt... adding that to the list. I did get a response from Allison at Progressive Service Die Co... no estimate yet as I didnt' specify die height. My mistake. Okay, so to start a 'collection' of possible sources ... : Economy Die Makers (ON Canada) http://www.economydiemakers.com/ Global Die (Auburn, ME) http://globaldie.com/ Intl Die (Clarkesville, GA) http://intdieco.com/ National Steel Rule Die (Vandalia, OH) http://www.nationalsteelruledie.com/ Progressive Service Die Co (No Carolina) http://psdcdies.com/index.html Texas Custom Dies (Mansfield, TX) http://www.usacuttingdie.com/

Still haven't contacted ALL these people. Did get another estimate back. $150 seems a bit steep for a fairly simple holster blank die, but I guess if that's what ya gotta spend to git'er done right ....

Not all mags are created equal. You might have better results if you tell us what mag you're trying to suit. All these boys round here, SOMEBODY got one ...

Yeah, let's see 'em ! I've heard good things about that Angelus finish, but i've usually got too many trials and test-fits going on to try it out!

I like whatcha did there, but you mighta had less work jus' ignorin that 1911 pattern and startin from scratch Some o them rails should be maybe spelled R A K E. Looks like you gotter covered, even if that was almost like WORK! Good to see folks sharin' a pattern, too -- WAY too many folks terrified of that.

Okay, so to start a 'collection' of possible sources ... : Economy Die Makers (ON Canada) http://www.economydiemakers.com/ Global Die (Auburn, ME) http://globaldie.com/ National Steel Rule Die (Vandalia, OH) http://www.nationalsteelruledie.com/ Progressive Service Die Co (No Carolina) http://psdcdies.com/index.html Texas Custom Dies (Mansfield, TX) http://www.usacuttingdie.com/

I don't "weight" anything. BOP it down tight, and off to the next one. Have yet to see one come apart.

Fair enough on teh exchange rates. Now if I could figure out the snail mail thingy!

Yeah, perhaps I'll just cut by hand (some more). While I would love to click out parts, it seems most are content with "about so much", or "somewhere around here". I understand that metal generally contracts when cooling (from a process such as welding). But if you know that, then ALLOW for that. I don't want dies that are "about like this" or "sorta" something. I just got email from yet another place. I sent a drawing and asked for a price and a level of precision. I got a price I thought was maybe a hair high, but no "acceptable" precision. I didn't find any company called "progressive". Just a bunch of info about what a progressive die is -- and I do know what a progressive die is --- I used to design some of them.

RIght. But willingness to pay for advertising does not make one the 'guy' for the job

Appreciate the link. But, sadly I have no canadian currency WHY do none of these sites say what file types are acceptable? Doesn't seem like saying "send us .ai" or "we need .dxf" would be a security threat! I'd put a list of where to go for these dies, but until I've actually ordered from a company I don't want to look like I'm endorsing them. And if I put up a list of those I haven't used, then I gotta put on something about disclaimers 'n' such.... STILL, might be somebody here who can use that very clear, concise, accurate information --- so -- SERIOUSLY -- I appreciate the link.

pro-dies doesn't exist, and globaldie doesn't respond. Wonderful.

That's what I said! Not sure if anybody knows what they're doing, though. I bought several sides when they had a close-out on Royal Meadow tooling leather (the only leather in the place worth buying). Then 6-7 months later, I stopped in again, and the leather that was "discontinued" was right there on the shelf where it always was I figured at about 40% off, I aint losing nothing pitching the bellies. Ended up giving 'em to some kids group thing... where I'm purdy sure they destroyed it

One gal at a store said her boyfriend was going to have a booth at a craft fair. She said he DOES use bellies, and I don't, so I suggested they take the sides I was buying, cut off the bellies, and give 'em to her boyfriend. Must be a big deal.. almost like it scared 'em. So, I said I'll be right over there at that restaurant for the next hour - hour ana half ... if you're boyfriend wants to show up and get this FREE leather. But she didnt' want even the appearance of something against the rules. Oh, well..

Well, yeah. Not sure why, but lots of folks don't seem to grasp the "volume" thing. SLC and others certainly SHOULD have brokered a better deal than most of us get. But that's true on the things they sell, too. Does anybody really think they're paying the same for HO as you 'n' me? Back to the shipping thing, HO send me 10 sides and the shipping is $50 (ish).

Yeah, I posted this so folks would know. Truth is, I wouldn't have a problem paying the shipping if they send me WHAT I order WHEN I order it. This last order, they did that quite well. But that hasn't always been the case. I remember "back when", I ordered HO backs. What I got came with bellies on it. Some genius cut the wrong way... instead of cutting off the belly they cut off the shoulder If paying the $7-10 shipping allows them to pay for someone in the shiping dept who can READ, then I'm all for it