$$hobby

dont be so hard on yourself. if you havent touched leather in a while, you have to relearn what youve forgot. i havent stopped doing leather projects in 10+ years and i still make mistakes. My last boo-boo i did 2x. i was making a leatherman/mnimag holster for a friends-friend and my first 2 attempts were made backwards. somewhere, someone could use them. my first holster i made was dearskin lined and laced and it turned out for a lefty. good thing one of my good friends is a shooter and a lefty, but i tell you i wasnt to happy about my first holster turning out wrong. if you have the time/materials, try again or you may want to continue on what youve started, but be patient.

Bruce, Sorry i couldnt get anymore info for you, but i get the impression that saddle makers come and go and if you find a good one, keep it. The next time im down at Oregon Leather, i will check with them too. i know what you mean with the extra $$$$$. i was trying to keep the expenses down on this hobby, but after deciding to buy a real sewing machine its too late now.

You may want to get a book/pattern on holsters. It wili give you an idea(s). I found a pattern/info by: Will Ghormley called the "old west collection - cartridge belts" Colt: Brand name. SAA: Single Action Army (type of action. like the cowboys used) 5-1/2" Barrel: the lenth of the barrel. On revolvers or SAAs. Measured from the face of the cylinder (closest to barrel) to the end of the barrel. The cylinder is where they put the bullet in. 45LC. Its the cartridge name/caliber. 45LC is approx 0.45 inches in diameter. if you get a pattern book they will ususally give you info on what length/spacing to use for 45LC. Or you can have your BIL give you some rounds to use as patterns. BTW, some of the holster makers use spring steel inserts to give the holster shape and to minimize binding on the gun. you will also need to know what type of "rake" he wants on the holster. The "rake" is the angle, measured from vertical of the holster. Also, there is the "cross draw" holster too.

that must be a kick in the pants. the last time i was at the State Fair i was lurking behind the race track and stables where i found some people on some Belgins bareback walking/trotting around getting warmed up. They were getting ready for a draft horse race. unfortunately i didnt see it, but it looked like a hoot.

hi, everyone starts somewhere. i remember starting on some of those rectangular peices to try carving.

Hi there, and i have to say...nice sheath..

tom, can you believe i flew there about 10 years ago. i really didnt want to drive and it was about a 30 min flight. the prices were great too so i just did it on a whim. But the last time i was there, i did think the show was a little thin on the sewing machine side. I just may go anyway since my vac time is use or loose. Also i know the people at Oregon Leather that go there and it would be great to travel a couple hundred mile to chat instead of going into town. makes since doesnt it? it would also give me a chance to get my car on a long road trip and it would be nice to see whats changed in Pendleton. edit i did see some hints about classes, but no details.

I love horses more then most of the people. but i would have to say that it would be a waste not to use the flesh. With all of the starving people in our own backyard, it doesnt make since that theres a posslibe source to help and not use it.

i use weaver alot when i buy alot. I use to use MAST when they were around since they had better quality hardware. unfortunately weaver bought them out and only carrry some of the mast stuff. I also use Oregon Leather alot when i dont have an order for weaver.

I p/u some cheap ss pans/trays from a local discount place. i just pour the black dye into the pan and dunk/soak the leather for a couple of minutes. when my head clears i remove it and let it drip to get the excess off. the only time i use a dauber is on small parts less the 6" square or so.

bruce, hi again. I was looking at the Artisan 3000, but dont know how well they work. theres a trade show this november in Pendleton so i my head on up there to see if they have any reps.

The Major, thank you for the link. If you dont mind me asking, how much was the M1?. also, what have you sewn with your machine and have you had any problems?

Bruce, I have to dropoff/ pu some leatherwork so i will ask around. btw, just googling his name, theres a guy in SF thats selling one. his add says Dean was in Eugene. It could be dean moved from PDX to Eugene at some time too. i hope the trade was for a good horse since its your office. RC

hi, just wanted to say hi you all of you. ive been doing some leatherwork (off/on) for 30 years now. learned it in jr. HS and then began making things as i needed. after i got into horses, i was asked to do some repairs and such so the repairs has been going on for about 10 years. i also like to make other things esp when you cant find what youre looking for at the local stores. hope everone has a safe and great labor day.

Hi all. Ive been doing leather work for a while now and have bought some powered sewing machines for mostly my other projects (not leather). However, ive been looking for a sewing machine to start sewing leather. Do any of you use powered (elecric) sewing machine? If so, what brand/model do you have and if there are any things you like/dislke. I noticed that most state a pressor foot height/capacity. is that number a real stating of capacity of the machine or is it BS? I will most likely not be sewing any 3/4" material, but from my past experience, i could always use 1/4" more then what the machine could give. im looking for: > forward/reverse > ~ 245 Thread > <3/4" lift > 110/120 VAC > < 4k Im trying to keep the cost down since its a (expensive) hobby for me. although i do alot of tack repair, its just to keep me off the streets and to allow me to make other things.

my first holster was too tight for the pitol i made it for. If youre going to make a leather lined holster, make sure you are generous with the addional matieral thickness. I think it said to add 3/4" to the size, but i had to add about 1". Of course it will depend on the leather thickness too. there are a couple of books out there that give great info.