rugershooter

Hilarious Sand Squid! Nothing beats "custom made," bullets, wine, and holsters. I would like to answer "Little Blue 12's" question. When Sand Squid mentioned how much time he spent to craft an item he was correct in his analysis. However, all "manufacturing companies," start the same, a table, ideas, drawings, tools and a mchine or two. Now, with the aforementioned in mind, I suggest you continually hone your craft, with production in mind. Like. . . how could I cut these patterns in batches, can I glue and press more efficiently, etc. Break down each step, and you will find that the leather crafting (manufacturing) business requires as many processess (steps) as the tanning business, twenty six. Finally, if you are producing and shipping 5 pieces per day, which you sell for $200.00 each, but your material cost is say $150.00, your only labor worries at this point is to ramp up your personal production to the point where you have enough working capital to hire your first part time worker. I can write volumes on this trade....But I hope you get the point, Oh one last things.....packaging, I have seen some holster manufacturers "hand craft" (can still be machine sewed and "hand crafted") dump a beautiful holster in a poly bag! Why insult your products and customers at the same time? Would Hermes do this? No, no, no! Invest some time in selecting nice tastful packaging, and see your profits soar even more!!

Hey Bob, Thanks for you detailed instructions for finishing edges, finally I found the process and you cut years off of my trial and error! I am working on a Logbook over the involves a calf lining and calf/plastic document pockets that is glued to a 3 ounce cowhide. The logbook/document holder will be finished with a 1 1/2" to 2" calf trim, and would like to know the following; 1. How do I turn the trim on the rounded corners without any "crimping" of the leather (like these bags http://benscycle.blogspot.com/2011/05/gilles-berthoud.html) and keep an even amount of trim on both sides of the edge? I will be hand sewing with a diamond awl and 5 cord Barbours linen thread. Incidentally, I originally folded the edges of the calf leather trim after soaking and "gimped" or made three slits on the inside of the leather trim, which eliminated the "crimping," but distorted the shape and size of the trim. In other words, I was not left with a clean 1/4" folded trim on each side of the logbook holder. I even practiced sewing the trim and the glue did not hold on the edge of the project. Yours any other crafts person's response would be greatly appreciated, since I know with the right machine I can sew trim, but as everyone knows, machine of not we need to always be proficient at hand sewing! Thank you in advance..... Regards, Drew............

Dear Mike, 1. Awl, Cord, spacing, book and technique noted with much appreciation and I will follow up and post to the forum, when complete. 2. The "diamond stitching chisel" I am using is a slightly greater than 1/32" of an inch blade width and spacing between blades is about 1/16th." 3. That is not a picture of a holster you sent me, but "A Work of Art." Thanks for knocking off many years of frustration! Regards, Andrew Peter...................

Hello, I am hand crafting holsters, mobile phone cases, key chains, etc. I have been able to get hold of what appears to be a rare size 1mm (..1 cm) "Diamond Stitching Chisel," The first time I stitched using 220D and 250D nylon thread, but found this thread to be too small in diameter to "drop and lie" neatly and uniformly in the stitching groove I had made on two 4oz. pieces of leather. I have been testing other threads, but I do not see the nice rounded stitches on professionally hand crafted holster. Is there a rule of thumb that one should use when using chisels, thread and needles? Lastly, I am typically sewing 2 x 4oz. leather cowhide, however, at the fold of the holster, I will be stitching through 4 X 4oz. pieces of leather, would this require cord or is a solid A&E Bonded Nylon "ex 270", or "Tex 350?" I greatly appreciate the feedback. Regards, Andrew Peter.............