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Everything posted by JLSleather
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Not sure what that said .. perhaps yer autocorrect is too active? Idunno ... I'd take a couple hundred for ALL of it . Oh, and that IS the way I'd sell it... one package deal.
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Not sure if there's any interest in these at all. Got some spare feet that came with the machine, that I'm quite sure I'm NOT going to use. Oh, you can check that cobra site, it'll be the Double toe foot Right foot Holster Plate Stirrup plate Slotted plate blanket set (3-piece) I use the outside toe (left?) and a couple of times I did use the edge guide. Everything else in the bag and can go. No, I don't have a picture of it. But I could take one if there's any interest. Interested parties throw me an offer. I personally don't think they're worth what I paid, but since they all fit in a small priority box, they aren't taking up so much shop space that I want to give them away, either.
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Want To Be Inspired? Watch This Leather Craft Video
JLSleather replied to Jess Jones's topic in All About Leather
It's certainly true that leather is the same regardless of how it's cut. One guy with an x-acto, one with a head knife, one with a clicker die. For those who miss this, Hermann Oak "A" grade (for instance) doesn't care which knife is used - still the same quality leather. Any operation that doesn't IMPROVE the finished product is wasted work (and usually a grift) I can make a double-layer belt from the top grade Wickett & Craig drum dyed skirting leather for well under $20 (depending on yield from the hide, likely closer to $15). I know that, because I do it. If I didn't feel like making one, but I need one, I'd wanna pay $65. Since that's about what I would want to pay, then that's about what I charge. Do the math - that leaves me "making" about $50 per. But all the "processes" are negligible time. Cut two strips, glue together, trim if needed, stitch (the only part takes really ANY time at all), punch holes, attach buckle. Now without going into how many MINUTES each of those takes, here's the point ... INEFFICIENT does not equal better QUALITY. If that belt takes you 3 hours, you're not "better", you're just slower. PUH LEEZE do not give me $20 worth of materials, an hour of your time, and a pretty story and ask $100. Your story isn't worth that much Gluing two strips of leather does not warrant $30/hour. GREAT leather is $9 / foot. It is not worth more because you WALKED to pick it up. I can tell the difference between "each one is unique" and you just couldn't duplicate it. Yikes, I forgot how simple this is I've been busy making holsters and the occasional belt. Looks like I need to go make a pile of belts ...- 13 replies
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- video
- thompson tactical
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Pancake Holster
JLSleather replied to grumpyold's topic in Gun Holsters, Rifle Slings and Knife Sheathes
I"m gonna guess that he did enough 'trial and error' (in his words, 'reams of paper') that he didn't want to share his labor with EVERYONE But with that Glock, I'd say that 'extra' that he added to the front panel was in the 2" - 2 1/2" range. No time for the long version this morning. Keep in mind, one of the benefits of a pancake holster that has some of the "shape" in the back.. is less exposure to the outside. It's the same thickness either way, .. .1 piece leather, 1 pistol, then another piece of leather. But all the form out one side tends to leave a more pronounced "lump" on a guy's hip. I get folks who want every detail of the gun showing in the leather. Other guy ask me if I can spell "conceal", since he DOESN'T want it to show ... I don't know nuthin' bout no sheet metal, but if you have someone near you experienced with leather, don't hurt ta pick a fella's brain. But if you like the idea of "flat" (ish) back, you might try multiple layers of leather. Like, say yer gonna use 9 oz leather for your rig. Then you might make that front piece out of 9 oz BUT make the back piece from two pieces of 4.5 oz laminated together. Tends to be more rigid, all else equal. You'd get a bit of 'shape' in the back, but the majority of it will go to the outside (if there's enough leather to allow it). Oh, and yes --- trial and error is a teacher. If we learn from our mistakes, then the guy who knows the most is the guy who made the most mistakes. -
Okay, not so many votes, but looks like about 3 otta 4 rather see the markings on just one side.
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Pancake Holster
JLSleather replied to grumpyold's topic in Gun Holsters, Rifle Slings and Knife Sheathes
Funny ..I just watched a good bit of that video - though i've watched it before. At half way through, he already has a better looking holster than much of the stuff you see sold. I'd just rough guess it's because he's interested in making a holster, which is not the same as interested in making a video about a holster ... -
Pancake Holster
JLSleather replied to grumpyold's topic in Gun Holsters, Rifle Slings and Knife Sheathes
I don't recommend videos usually. First thing out of some folks, "buy a book", "check utube".. blahhlahblah. There are thousands of other [supposedly] holster making videos "out there", but the vast majority of them - free or paid - are a complete waste of time and generally filled with marketing crap. This guy is a bit gabby, my opinion, but he DOES show what you're talking about. Stitched together (including a lining) and THEN formed ... -
Want To Be Inspired? Watch This Leather Craft Video
JLSleather replied to Jess Jones's topic in All About Leather
Agreed. People love to say 'buy here', but truth is the US is largely lazy. They've done nothing for so long, that many think if they actually DO something they should be paid a mint. The labor charge is higher -- not because it's better - because people think they deserve it. I see it all the time -- people have no intention of working. If they get fired , which is rare, they'll just apply for welfare and / or unemployment. Handmade means NOTHING if the product made isn't BETTER than it would be some other way. And I don't mean somebody TELL me or try to CONVINCE me it's better. I mean I can SEE it's BETTER.- 13 replies
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HO at the tannery is $2 / foot less than that . "A" grade 7/8 is $7.25 / foot. And that's the price WE would get - I'd guess they're getting a better price than I am.
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That's the good thing about belts -- no matter HOW bad you mistake it.. fella's never out more'n $10
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Want To Be Inspired? Watch This Leather Craft Video
JLSleather replied to Jess Jones's topic in All About Leather
Wait .. what? Didn't you just say that sewing OTHER than by machines isn't scaled? And, I would disagree that people should be "educated" as to why one is better than the others. As the saying goes.. if you can't TELL the difference, then why PAY the difference?!- 13 replies
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When I bend a belt over like that, I just put a little pressure on each side -- finger and a thumb - and them add water to the grain side with my index finger on teh other hand. Slow, steady pressure centered on the slot (if there is one) and just "wipe" a wet finger across the face. Oh, and I use a rawhide mallet -- Garland 11 oz.
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Too Easy ...
JLSleather replied to JLSleather's topic in Gun Holsters, Rifle Slings and Knife Sheathes
Yeah, cute maybe. I wouldn't go so far as ta say 'awesome'. Jason - how you see to cut out those little ostrich panels Customer always usually right. That seems like a little gun considerin' that belt fits a size 49 ... -
Too Easy ...
JLSleather replied to JLSleather's topic in Gun Holsters, Rifle Slings and Knife Sheathes
Thanks, fellas -- customer picked the colors on this one. Maybe he got a Gibson guitar to match? -
What Leather Are You Buying?
JLSleather replied to usmc0341's topic in Gun Holsters, Rifle Slings and Knife Sheathes
Here we are, little over a year later, and I could basically copy n paste my response from last year. I ordered ONE back at SLC recently -- was runnin' low on 7/8. Without going through all of the details about it, they got the opportunity to take that back (more than a little sad). I guess that's business these days... send whatever we got laying there, and the people who don't know the difference will be okay with it. Not to pick on 'em TOO much, the gals certainly have been pleasant, and the one time I ever talked to Kevin (another quality issue) he certainly recognized the problem and addressed it. But, still can't recommend them for buying leather. Too bad, too, cuz not EVERY piece I got from them was bad, and I was willing to pay a little more to NOT have to stock 20 or 25 sides on an HO order. I just dont have the time OR the patience to be on the phone all the time ordering or returning leather, and i certainly don't have time to waste a week getting and returnin a bit of cow. END RESULT of all of this... I'm gun shy. People can tell me about wonderful service they've had here, or there.. but sometimes what some think is wonderful is in fact the best they have seen YET. Some folks - I think - aren't lying about it. they just honestly don't know the GOOD leather from something else. So, before I buy somewhere I don't already, I wanna SEE it .... -
Pancake Holster
JLSleather replied to grumpyold's topic in Gun Holsters, Rifle Slings and Knife Sheathes
Plus, whatsa "full double panel"? -
Pancake Holster
JLSleather replied to grumpyold's topic in Gun Holsters, Rifle Slings and Knife Sheathes
Surely there's one guy "out there" makin em like ya done said. I could git er done, but I got like 5 other designs to do ... Jon from AR gonna start pitchin rocks up this way if I don't finish that Ruger shortly ... -
That 'idea' was presented in several books back in the 70's, in case you ever decide you want a diagram of what they're doing. I mention it here because even though it was presented in at least three books that i know of, none of them gave a length or a percentage of "loss". Here's one of those books, still available .. https://www.leathercraftlibrary.com/p-1727-ideas-for-leather-projects-vol-1-1923.aspx .
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Ya got learnin's and ya got makin's. Just not that much to it really. Them folks go on about how 'terrible many steps' to make a holster MAY be -- ughhh.. sensitive. Sig Sauer P938 pancake holster with matched pancake mag pouch and lined belt.
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1911 Pattern
JLSleather replied to JLSleather's topic in Gun Holsters, Rifle Slings and Knife Sheathes
Is that 9 oz leather? Looks a bit thin from here . -
Anyone Know Good Place To Get Buckles For Spur Straps?
JLSleather replied to thekid77's topic in Leatherwork Conversation
FWIW --- I'm going to dissent there. I ordered there before. Once.