mlapaglia

It keeps me out of the pool halls and drives the dog crazy when I shoot it across the floor. Thanks for the compliment. This is the first one I was happy with all over. Im getting there. It is a step away from the plain and simple Ive been doing on holsters. Michael Thank you sir Michael It keeps me out of the pool halls and drives the dog crazy when I shoot it across the floor. Thanks for the compliment. This is the first one I was happy with all over. Im getting there. It is a step away from the plain and simple Ive been doing on holsters. Michael Thank you sir Michael

My thought process and steps on the last belt I made. So I played with the design I wanted to use. Then I looked at the base color and what type of stitching I might want. Black vs White thread. Stamped the pattern. Then dyed it. Dye color will change as it drys more and gets oiled. Cut the Chape and the Billet, applied the antiquing and finish. I did replace this keeper before I was done. That's the process I use on most things I do. I always do tests on the patterns and dye options. I like how it came out and I remembered to not run the design off the end of the billet this time. At that point I thought I was done so I put it aside for a day. In the middle of the night I decided that it didn't look finished so I got up and stitched it. At that point it felt done to me.

Thank you. I had to get the end right. I really screwed up the last one at the end of the billet and wanted to be sure this was better.

Ok so I went with the antique. I like how it turned out. The color is more like the one above on the left (in the original post). Its out of here in about 20 minutes. Thanks

The trick is to push the needle through the leather at a 45 deg angle and to use a stitching groove so the thread can lay the right way on the leather. Its a pretty cool thing that is easier than it looks. You just have to pay attention to where the needle goes. Michael

Stroph should be strop. Sorry about that.

What color compound are you using to stroph the blade? What angle are you using when you sharpen? Are you using a sharping jig or trying to hold the angle by hand?

Simple problem. I have a belt on the bench for a customer. He wants a belt. I pretty much have free rein as to what it looks like. Right now its been stamped and coated with 2 coats of resolene in preparation to antique it. Looking at the belt my son and wife say it looks good as it is once I get the edges done and the finish applied. I was going to add a dark Brown antique so the stamped and cut lines popped. I would like opinions please. Should I antique it or not. The first photo is the belt as it sits right now. It has the new Tandy Tan stain on it. and 2 coats of resoline. Second pic it the sample I did to test the geometric stamp pattern and the antique. It has a neetsfoot suntan for color. My feeling is to go ahead and antique like I planned. I think it will make the design standout like in the sample. So should I antique it or just let it go as is and finish.

I have used it with Crazy legs. With ones that are more open than closed I just press at the cross point of the lines. This way there is less line to cover. Give it a try there are many ways to make it work. Michael

When I started I would draw several light lines spaced the size I needed for the basket tool I was using. It kept me on track and the lines went away under the tool. What ever it takes to keep it straight. For geometric tools like you used, I have used Tandy's Craft Aid #76600-00. when pressed lightly it leaves a grid on the leather that works great for the 4 point tools or the round and half round tools. I even used it on a basket weave once. If the area you want to do is larger than the grid you just move it over line it up and press it again. Just go lightly. Michael

To be honest there are days when its really easy to be grumpy. Seems like more and more days like that every year. -M

Congrats!!!!

Any word on this idea. Its would be a great thing to have. Was this lost or did it turn out to be a bad idea? Do we have the disk space for something like this?

MIke, I like the back even better than the front. Its the kind of work I strive to do. I figure another 20 years and Ill get there. How old does one have to be to belong to the old guy club around here? At 57 I feel like a kid sometimes. Michael

Yes, it sits after the last rinse and before the oil. To be honest I oiled some before and that seemed ok to. The main thing seems to be not to apply the finish or bend it before it sets. Mold and bone before vinegroon or after didnt seem to matter.

Nice, clean, well done. A holster for holsters sake. More and more I like the clean lines of the simple look. Good Job!!! Michael

Ed, That is really nice. Nothing I can find wrong with it. In my younger days I would have ordered one from you. It is that nice. Good job. Michael

The one on the left is a sharpening jig for a swivel knife blade. Put the shaft through the hole the blade in the end, set the angle and sharpen your blade.

Ok, after much research and several test strips I believe I have solved the "Grey" issue at the bend points of a vinegeroon holster. Time is the main factor. If I left the vinegrooned leather to dry and rest for at least 24 hours I could cover it with what ever finish I wanted to and it would not turn grey at the bend points. If I rushed it and didnt let it set for the full 24 hours it would grey at the bend. It does NOT matter if you dip or swab, use Resoline or Atom Wax or any other thing I thought. The whole point is to let it rest for 24 hours before you oil and continue with the leather. I have tried this 4 times now with test strips that were allowed to rest and some that were not. Always the same thing. Those I rushed gave me problem with grey. Those I allowed to rest were fine. Im not sure it has to do with drying as much as allowing the chemical reaction to finish. Hope this helps someone.

Take a look at this holster. If you like the style I can send you the pattern I created when I made it. PM me if you want it. Michael

What did you use to make the holes for the stitching?

Don't you just hate when that happens?

Lets start with, "What is a 'shot show'?"

knife work a 3' x 3' self healing cutting mat. For punches I use a poly kitchen board. I am on top of a very expensive kitchen table and the cutting mat saves my life daily.

Is that for left hand use? Looks good. Nice work for a first.