Kcinnick

I got some regular round point needles, and they do make a pretty stitch line, but I am still getting marks on my groove lines, on both sides. I guess I just needed a wider groove. I guess I will be ordering a wide tip for my versa groover from sheridan. Funny, every post I can find about choosing tip widths suggests the medium tip for 277, and the wide for 346 and up. The needle gets warm much faster than a leather point needle, but I don't think its a problem at the speeds I go right now.... Nick

4 months? I ordered my Cowboy on a Wednesday, It shipped the next Wednesday and I had it that Friday with the head set up to sew. So 10 days... I don't think I could wait 4 months.

So I have a brand new Cowboy 4500. I am grooving with a versa groover with a medium tip to groove for 277 thread. The issue I run into is for part of some of my runs the needle will mark outside of the grove, it puts a little triangle nick in the leather, its not even a hole, more like an indentation. The versa groover makes perfectly straight grooves, its amazing how easy it is to use. Do I need a wider groove or is there a way to eliminate the indentations. From my research the medium tip is appropriate for 277 thread.The stitch looks very nice and lays down perfect in the grove, just little nicks on the sides from the needle. I am taking it very, very slow, this is my first time with a machine. Thanks, Nick

Poor horse having to where the wrong kind of tiger on its face... You should try one in purple and gold. Geaux LSU Tigers.

That is awesome, I didn't know what I was going to do with bellies of the sides I have coming from Wickett and Craig, but my wife is interested in wrapping some flasks decorated with Saints/LSU themes.

Just curious, are the necks and bellies useful at all?

I ordered some sample buckles from buckle guy and added some chicago screws to a springfield order. I wish I could find some brushed nickle or antique brass chicago screws. Thanks, Nick

Has anyone used buckleguy.com or chicagoscrews.com? Not that Zack white doesn't have a decent selection, I am just looking for as many options as possible for top quality buckles.

Awesome reply, but I still have questions Do you dilute the dies with anything? Why die are you using, I was planning on purchasing fiebings oil dies. Thanks, Nick

I am looking for the proper way to dip dye leather. I often see the dip dye method recommended, but is their a standard regimen to go from natural veg tan to a nicely dyed and finished product. Funny, in all the holster and belt making books I have purchased, none of them describe finishing anything other than the edges. Thanks, Nick

I am looking for quality belt buckles and chicago screws. I would just order a few samples and pick out what I like but most places don't sell in small quantities. I am looking for nickle, brass and antique brass in roller buckles and just regular square buckles. I am also looking for Chicago screws to match. Thanks for the advice, I learn something new everyday. Nick

So I have made my couple big selections, and now I need to get some basic hand tools for making belts and holsters. I am picking up a Cowboy sewing machine, Dixon Plough Gauge and I got a round knife from the vendor I got the plough gauge from. I talked the the nice people and Wickett and Craig and they are going to select some sides of leather to fit my needs. I also ordered a burnisher from spinner here on the forum for when he gets back to spinning. I know I need Edger(s) Groover(s) punches (round, oval, and the ones that make belt slits (I know I can use a hole punch and chisel for this, but I think I would prefer the long slit in one punch) Boning tools In my research, it seems that a #5 edger for one make might not be the same size as a #5 edger as another maker. Basically, I am just looking for a nudge in the right direction to what sizes and styles of tools I need to make belts and holsters. Thanks, Nick

You were born 2 days late, the best Libras were born on the 15th! Happy Birthday.

Thanks for all the help. I am sure I won't figure it all out until I put needle to thread, but I am pretty sure about the dealer and machine I will be purchasing. Thanks again.

How would you compare W&C to herman oak, W&C allows you to buy their best grade at lower limits than Herman and Oak. You need to sides to order from Herman oak.

Any difference between getting just the right toe presser foot or just the left toe presser foot? I was recommended to stay away from the holster plate and get a left toe presser foot. It looks like the allow you to do the same thing, is this just a personal preference on if you get left or right. Is the roller feed guide standard (I thought it was). Nick

Well the a la carte pricing and lower shipping rate is going to make the cowboy more affordable. Seems like level of service is good from both Bob and Steve. Anyone have any suggestions about what accessories to order with the Cowboy, I am want to be able to sew belts and holsters.

Looks like the Cowboy is going to come out cheaper for me. I will probably call both Steve and Bob, their preferred method of contact seems to be the phone, its just easier for me to get to a computer than a phone...

So the price difference is in the accessories and stainless steel? It seems like I see more people talk about their Cobra purchase, but nobody has anything bad to say about the cowboy's at a lower price, not to mention the other versions of this machine. It seems like the choice really comes down to cowboy or cobra.

What is the difference between a cobra class 4 and Cowboy 4500?

I have plenty of room in my reloading room. I have two workbenches built. I started with a 4X8 that I thought I would need for reloading, but I quickly downsized to a 48"x18" for reloading and now have a huge bench I can't get out of the room without dismantling. I like being able to reach everything without moving. I really want to make some belts, so I guess I will look into a machine, the expense can't be more overkill than using a dillon 650 to reload 9mm...

After looking around this board I realize most of the "custom" leather I have is pretty average. I bought two books, "The art of Hand Sewing Leather" and "How to Make Holsters". I think I might just stick to hand stitching a holster... It looks like a belt would take days. What makes the tippmann boss stitcher better than the leather sewing machines available in the $1k to $2k range? I have seen machines as low as 1k recommended for belts and holsters in the sewing machine forum.

Everything I have read says hand stitching is better than a machine, I assume with practice.... Is the Diamond Awl method the best way to stitch? I read about people drill holes with drill presses, but wouldn't the hole never close around the thread if you used a drill bit?

Thanks, I'll go get the books first, then tools and leather. I am not opposed to single ply belt, sometime I think my double ply belts are a little overkill since my main carry guns are an xd9sc, pf9 and occasionally an m&p9. I don't plan to take this beyond a hobby, but I do want pro quality tools. I load on a dillon 650xl, and I expect that kind of quality from everything I buy. Don't get me wrong, I do have a few one time use type tools from harbor freight, but I like quality when it counts. I don't mind spending money on the good tools. By anvil I assume that means a slab of granite? What part of the hide should I buy for holster making? I see backs, double shoulders, sides, bellies, butts. I know I want tooling leather, 7/8 or 9/10 with little stretch. Herman oak seems to be the most recommended, and I looked up most of my handmade leather is advertised as being herman oak. What is the thickest belt strip you can get?

I have been lurking around the forums off and on and I think I can tackle a couple of holsters and mag pouches. I really want to make some belts too, but I don't know how difficult it is to make such a long straight stitch (and all my current gun belts are double stitched). I looked around the new forums, but it looks like it is mostly geared towards leather carving rather than constructing a holster and belt. I am looking for suggestions on what tools are needed and what tools that aren't needed but will make life easier. I like my tools to last a lifetime, I would rather buy a quality tool the first time. My goals are to build A single clip IWB holster for a Keltec PF9 A dual Clip (or loop) IWB holster for an M&P Mag carriers for a variety of mags A couple of belts, some gun belts, some just plane ole leather belts made from quality leather, it is hard to find good belts these days. I am curious about holster design, I know what I want to make, but how do you make a holster without it looking like you copied somebody? For those that sell their work, are there any styles that are copyrighted? Thanks