camano ridge

You will only get your blue gun faster then the blue gun store gets them if where ever you buy them from has them in stock. Most places only keep in stock the ones that are extremely popular such as shields etc. If the store you order from has to get them from Rings the wait will be the same.

You should visit muzzleloadingforum.com and the forums on cascity.com. On cascity.com there is the leathershop forum a great place to show what you do and they also have a classified section for posting what you want to sell (comercial postings are ok). http://www.muzzleloadingforum.com/ http://www.cascity.com/

They look great, especially like the two tone ones.

FOr clarification, If you are talking about beveling both sides of a single line and don't have a double bevel like pictured below, then simply bevel one side of the line(groove) with the beveler you do have and then bevel the other side. Is this what you are talking about. Or are you trying to acomplish something like the second picture?

Almost all black has rub off. Use a piece of white thread a couple feet long floss each hole befor you stitch it is a little extra work but it should remove any rub off that would contaminate your thread. Just rub the thread back in fourth in each hole until you no longer see any discoloration. should only take a couple of strokes.

Tom, this might be the thread you are refering to check out post #12 there are several other posts as well with different ideas. The one inpost 12 is an acrylic self centering dowel jig. http://leatherworker.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=38348&hl=+belt%20+hole%20+centering#entry237928

Check out Blackriverlaser.com they are also on ebay (prices there are discounted). THey have a hole center template it is designed for different widths of belts and straps. Lay it on the belt or strap line up the edge width marks you can choose from different hole spacing 1/2" 1' etc. poke a scratch awl through the aproprate holes to mark. Remove the template and you have correctly spaced and aligned hole marks aling your punch over the mark and punch away. IT is actualy pretty quick to do. They have many template availble for doing all kinds of thing inclusing a handy pocket leather thickness gauge.

Very interested in seeing it.

On many odf my Wild Bunch holsters I put ears or wings that the belt threads over. When the belt is snugged up it pulls the wings againt the hip the wings form against the hip keeping the holster in place. The one pictured below has a muzzle forward cant but does not have to have. if you are doing a mexican loop type in the area that will fold behind the belt just cut the pattern a little bigger to make the ears or wings it will work the same way.

I place the wrapped gun or holster mold in the wet holster shape and mold then let the gun sit in place for an hour or so the leather should be set in the shape you molded by that time. I then gently remove the gun or the holster mold so that the inside of the holster can dry as well.

Red, if you do a search on these forums for Vacuum forming or vacuum bag you will find acouple of threads On the subject including at least one buy Dwight he gives atutorial on making a vynil vacuum bag there are acouple that list needed hardware etc.

Here is a link that might help you there is text instructions and if you scroll down a little there is a video demonstration. They use the F910 which is about the same as the tool you are using. http://www.leatherlearn.com/

You can do a general wet forming where the inlay wraps or lays over the gun. You can do detail molding in the areas not covered by the inlay. Check these threads for examples. http://leatherworker.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=43391&hl=%2Bblack+%2Bcherry http://leatherworker.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=48288&hl=%2Bavenger+%2Bwith+%2Binlay

The short answer is yes. They started making Craftool's in the 1940's and it was in the 50's that they started putting numbers. I am not saying yours are that old, just saying what the history is. Here is a lot more history of Craftools, might be of help to you. http://www.ebay.com/gds/Craftool-guideline-/10000000002193708/g.html

Wow, a lot of work there. You did a great job keeping them all looking the same for a matched set.

They turned out great Jack.

If you are asking about period correct carry. They were most often worn with the butt forward on the strong side. So if you were wearing it on the right side the butt would be forward and you would draw with the right hand doing a revese cavalry draw or cavalry twis draw. Wild Bill Hickok was to have frequestly carried his revolevers butt forward and used this style of draw. Modern day many people and shooting clubs have a problem with this style draw as there can be some safety concerns.

The reality is that tie downs are a 20th century invention along with buscadero belts and cut down metal re enfoced quick draw holsters or gunslinger rigs. THe belt loops in the 1800's were large so they could be put on what ever belt was available and so the holster could be moved around as needed such when mounting a horse sitting down on a saloon chair etc.

There are several ways of doing it and several ways of making the belt loop. You don't mention the type of holster, mexican loop, slim jim/california etc. Period correct holster are often made with the larger belt loop like the originals so that they could be put on what ever size belt the wearer had. Also often times they were worn on cartridge belts and slid over the cartridges. On mexican loop you can stitch a strip of leather to the holster side of the skirt the appropiate distance form the inside top of the skirt to give enogh space for the belt when the belt is buckled on the belt will snug up against the skirt and sit just above the strip that you sewed on. This will stop any movement of the holster. On slim jim style you can size the loop for the belt. On some of mine I have mounted two pieces of leather one being a spacer the thicknes of the belt and the other a little bigger piece that acts like a flap they are mounted by chicago screw to the inside of the skirt similar to the stitched in strip mentioned above. I will dig up some pictures of some different belt loops for western holsters including the back of Wild Bill Hikocks HHolster on display in the Autry museum it has a different style belt loop then most. Was able to get back and edit before I was locked out here are two pictures the first one is of the Hickok holster the second one is just a standard slim jim style belt loop that can be cut to any size you need then sewn on the holster. I could not find an pictures of the inside of a skirt with the belt stop I will keep looking. If you are interested in information on western style holsters fo over to cascity.com go to the forums and leather shop. There is a lot of infomation in the FAQ How to, also you will find many examples of western holsters that for the most part is what we do over there. If you post your question over there you will probably get several ideas as well.

Sounds like it would be fun. Count me in.

Does anyone have Nov/Dec 2002 Leather Crafters and Saddlers Journal they are willing to sell? If so please PM me with price, I will pay shipping as well.

Very nice, clean looking. I like the re enforcement piece on them. What color dye did you use?

Jim, thanks. I had this pattern and some how lost it now I have it back again.

Like Bob said oiling darkens all the leather you do get a little contrast in the tooled areas but not to the extent you get with antique or High lite. It takes a little practice to do the antiqueing right so it does not look like puke. However it is not difficult and is used by Chan Geer and others with far more expertise then I have. If I am not mistaken and Bob can correct me if I am wrong. I believe Bobs Avatar is a very good example of antiqueing. Attached is a picture of a knife sheath I di just usin oil and suntanned for a few hours. Also a picture of a saddle bag I am working on theat is done with Saddle Tan High lite. Sorry I ran out real quick and snapped a picture for this post so the lighting is not that great but i think you will get the idea.

Here is a Kingsley on ebay bid is $149.00 right now. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Christmas-Special-Kingsley-Hot-Foil-Stamping-Machine-/141128868200?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item20dbefa168