JLSleather

Form, stitch, dye. Stitch, form, dye. Dye, stitch, form. I've seen some good lookin holsters made with each of the 'processes' there, and prolly some others. White thread in black holster ... yer prolly gonna hafta dye that FIRST (or, you could buy leather already black). Eco-flo stuff is not good for --- well, actually, really not good for anything.

Welcome. And thanks. Not always nice work, though.. tonight I found a bottle of 'coffee' Angelus dye SO old it had chunks, most of which I managed to get on my fingers

Yeah, I got a bunch of card stock, bristol, masking tape, and I think some peanut butter -- all of which needs to go in the computer to clean up around here a bit. You know, all that stuff you don't use very often but don't really wanna throw out. Speaking of that, did I mention I'm married I got a better pic somewhere, but this might work fer now ... gonna end up lookin a bit like this one (only with better color, and might mention that this is the glock 19, nearly the same animal) ... Workin' on gittin that rig in the first post in the machine, too ... after I git done hagglin with the concrete driveway guy, the hail storm insurance adjuster, and the hard-body girl at the gym ...

yep, one needle. only thing to watch is you notice they came up on teh same side of the hole every time. doesn't matter which side, long as they're consistent. and at teh end, we usedta go in the last hole, back up through the second to the last, and instead of all the way out the front, you come out between the layers and cut it off. here, looks like they jus wrapped it.

. if google don't find it.. still run a thread from between layers in second hole to back side. go through first hole from back to front; go through 3rd hole front to back; through second hole back to front; rinse & repeat.

Looks like what the old foks usedta call a rope braid, or a backstitch. Front comes over two holes, back goes back one, etc ...

That guy has a used artisan for sale, reasonable price too. That guy over there... http://leatherworker.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=57421&hl=

Glad I could help - welcome.

No, I haven't tanned any snakes. But, I don't like snakeskin anyway ... it has to be done up with some type of top coating, or the scales like to flake ...

Just one guy's opinion -- I don't think the channel needs to - or even should - go all the way the length of the holster. For formed channels, you might consider the distance from the top of your holster to the stitch line under the trigger guard. In English, that means that when the trigger guard clears the rig, you lose pressure (hopefully) and the front sight can clear itself inside the holster. If you're talking about the leather not hitting the SIDE of the pistol, that's where the forming comes in

You didn't show us the inside! But the part we can see is very nice.. downright purdy. Love the hardware, too.

You can walk down any city street and find two people who know more about that one than I do. Still, it LOOKS like a top thread size of 138, which alone would put it lighter duty than the 227. Someone else can give you more info on a "drop feed" machine (??). Personally, I'd still be thinking about the 3200, but I'll leave this now to others with more knowledge than mine (meaning, nearly anyone at all)

One 'o these days I'll get around to the holster design for the 229. Bogged down in the 1911's at the moment, but maybe later we kin swap designs.

A few simple points that may help... a guy looking for a business loan (that is a loan, right - not a "gimme") might -- hit the spell check. nothing spells 'unprofessional' like misspelled words. nobody wants a $500 leather item with their name misspelled; maybe don't mention the 20 years 'experience'. Investor folks (the ones with money) might wonder why after 20 years there's not enough profit to fund YOURSELF; consider instead an Etsy shop. I saw this morning someone selling HUNDREDS of "luggage tags". Little cheap crap .. total investment 37¢ and 2 minutes.. and they are selling 'em all directions at $40 apiece. Get a slut in a bikini top to "model" 'em for you. Oh, keep in mind that CHEAP sluts keep costs down Like I said -- just thinkin' out loud here ...

$2 says Bob Kovar can tell you exactly what the difference is (he sells both). The price is virtually the same either way. That said, I'd likely stick to the 3200. Reasoned ... Price about the same either way. The 227 has a top thread size of 207, which is likely heavy enough for you - at least most of the time. But on the low end of the scale, the 3200 will go down to a #18 needle and #69 thread, which is about as small as I get (I confess I used 10 yards of $46 - once - long time ago). If you have 'home' machines that 'struggle' with what you're sewing, the 18/69 is likely where you're headed. And the 3200 will bump up needles and thread size if you care to - where the 227 won't. Belts are often sewn - at least up north here - with #138 or #207 thread, which either machine should handle. Further south, some o' them boys use thread that looks like it was made for towing my truck .. perhaps it's for emergency cow roping? Bottom line -- you should talk to Bob ( http://www.tolindsewmach.com/ ) but my opinion, why spend money on a machine that will "just enough" do what you need, when the same money will get you what you need plus room for upgrades if you choose ...

Casting? Throwing? Okay, seriously .. is this some kind of "alternative lifestyle" thing I'm not privy to? Hmmm?

Yep, Kenny's is the .44 with the 7.5" barrel. He's a lot bigger 'n' me, but still ...

Pictures can help, but if your top thread is laying on the top, this would suggest that you REDUCE the top tension (not increase it). Needle size seems matched to the thread, so prolly not that. Being lazy, I like to start with the simplest thing first. Is your thread 'buggered' somewhere coming from the spool to the needle? That can throw tensions outta whack in a hurry. Then, no buggers on the needle, burrs, bends, etc.?

At a glance, it looks like the Techsew 3650 and the CB3200 are similar machines (same capacity, roughly). On the other hand, depending on where you are, might be better to contact this gal, selling an almost new CB4500 (for a quite reasonable price). Without getting long-winded about it, if I was in that neck of the woods I'd go pick that one up myself Seems like a no-brainer -- she has one more than she needs, and you need one you dont have ... http://leatherworker.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=57483

No skivin'. No jivin'. No wrinklin'. Just solid unworked HO leather in 'n' out.

That could be more than one thing. My 'best guess', loose grained leather. The top grain is separating from the inner fibers (top stretching more than the bottom). I think your word "permanent" is correct -- nothing to be done at that point.

Not sure why "everyone" does it. Me, personally, I'm weighing the idea of 1400 and an entire day driving versus the cowboy 3200 is $100 more and gets delivered with a warranty. And, this is an extra machine for me, as in I don't absolutely need it. Price would likely be fine if I was across the road, but gotta figure in the travel (which I hate). Since you seem adamant, I'll assume that you are on your way there to purchase, and this machine is now spoken for. Cobra Steve should be open in a couple hours anyway ...

Yap, still do. Sometimes cut it in half - so I can't change my mind. If it isn't going like i think it should, it'll just irritate me the whole time i'm trying to alter it. Better to just pitch it and start fresh.

I'll tell her you fellas commented on it. We tried to maybe ask her why the clip - like not actually talk her out of it. She was pretty determined .. as in wasn't sure if she wanted the thumb break, but DEF wanted the clip. I don't think she 'carries' anyway -- likely it goes from the shooting range to the console of her car and back.

Yeah, there's more going on in this one than meets the eye. Rock Island Armory 1911 (9mm) with tooling, belt clip, thumb break safety strap, full lining. Design mine, artistry by a chubby girl I know. Hand stitched (we're not currently aware of how to sew between all of that with a machine