shooter55

Thanks all who answered. silverback....never thought about aluminum plate. Great idea, but I'm sure more costly. I have a steel fabricator about 3 miles away and I picked up some 1/2" plate today like mncarpenter uses. Didn't know if I could continually handle 3/4" Tree Reaper. Did a form today. Works excellent....and proved that I would be worn out with the 3/4" stuff. Do have another question though....where do you purchase a gauge to measure the pressure? I'm using mainly blue guns, so I'm not too worried about those, but if I have to use a firearm, don't want to compress anything too much. Didn't know it was gonna be a two parter, didja? Thanks again for the responses.

Well, I broke down and bought a press to replace the home-made one I built not long ago (another post). My wooden one was adequate, but I decided to get a free standing unit and save some counter space. Have plenty of floor space (not according to the wife, though). Tried my wooden "sandwich" but heard a distinctive "craaaakkkkk" on my last molding. Time to get plates instead. I overkilled the press I needed by getting the 20T one from Harbor Freight. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks, Tim

I guess this may be a goofy question, but I seem to always find something just not quite to my liking on most of my work. It's never anything horrible, and I am sure that most people would never notice what may be glaring to me. I always try and improve and do something better on each and every project. It goes against my gut to make something that is "good enough" for the masses. I want it to be good enough for my satisfaction. Is this delusional? No, I am not in therapy and I didn't have a mommy complex when I was younger. Am I seeking the holy grail? What I have a tendency to think is that if I am totally satisfied with what I have made, the drive to get better evaporates. I know there is no such thing as perfection in anything outside of God, but I wanted to hear from you if anyone has a similar thought. I probably should be lying on a couch while I write this, huh? If there are others, maybe we can get a group rate at the institution......(ONLY KIDDING!!!!!!)

I'll be there.......

Thanks to all for your help. Will be working on the suggestions. Appreciate it.

Thanks Denster, dirtclod, and WinterBear for your input. Sometimes the obvious eludes me and clarity comes from others that are willing to help. I see all of your points and have implemented some suggestions for the site. I need to invest in a better camera and maybe a lightbox for better presentation. I appreciate your opinions. Thanks, Tim

Competition so bad that no one has a comment??????

Have been selling holsters and belts for a number of years by word of mouth advertising and never really followed what fair market value is for such items. Sure, they all got good pricing because I was not contemplating this as a main income. I have since made the decision to get more serious about it. I have invested in machinery, material, hardware, blue guns, and all the items associated. I am familiar with making a business plan, but to be honest, can't seem to get a handle on fair market value on holsters. The belts are simple enough. Holster pricing is all over the map. Can I get some evaluations as to how you price your items, and what you have done to build your following. I know it takes time and effort. I have built companies in the past, but never experienced such wide variances in price for a hand craft made item. Don't want to be a Galco, DeSantis, or big corp supplier. I currently have a Google AdWords campaign to drive people to my sight, but little response. Need basic pricing help. Thanks for any input you feel can assist me. Tim www.defensivelineleathers.com

Have a few things....need a few things more. Pattern making/cutting and 2 station sewing area. sanding / burnishing / strip cutting area (background is my homemade form press) stamping area Dyeing and finish area drying (my easy bake oven---see next photo) Wife's getting a little perturbed since this was supposed to be "our" finished basement. At least one of us got our wish. By the way, couch sleeps pretty good.

Here are some pictures of SID for you. Really like the action one. Big Ole lovable guy........

I have some Dremel burnishers from Bearman that are great and I use them for finish burnishing. I wanted to speed things up a bit, so I made some burnishers that go on my polisher. Made them from bloodwood that I had laying around from a gun grip project I made. Used a hole saw to cut them and mounted them on the polisher to do the grooving. Used my Dremel with a sanding bit to do that. The one, I had to glue together 2 disks for my monster belts. Thought I'd share. Not that hard to do. And do a pretty good job. Use a combination of saddle soap and water to start.

They came from Zack White Leathers. Here is the link http://www.zackwhite.com/Letter-Conchos_c_348.html Not cheap, but really nice. Gotta have a itty bitty screwdriver though.

If Sids a kid, he has a face only a mother could love......Should receive pic of him with the collar shortly.

How much time do you have in this? I see that you make for friends and relatives, so cost probably isn't a consideration, but as labor intensive as this looks, it would be hard to put a value on it for sale. I realize that we do things over and above compared to some other crafts, and can't capture true value, due to that. Wouldn't it be nice if everything we buy or need, would have craftsman that really cared about quality and esthetics similar to what we do? Those are days past I think. Great job, and beautiful work. Do it cause you like it, cause we'll never get paid what they're really worth.

Go to Wally Mart and buy 1/2 pint canning jars. Work great for me. The only time I go there........

Very nice work. Great start to a lifelong learning experience if you want. BTW...I like your guitar comment and happen to agree.

The owner is supposed to get me a picture of him wearing it. He'll be my model on my website, too. I'll share it as soon as I get it.

Hi Cheryl, They are sterling silver letters (concho style) that have small screws holding them in. Thanks for the compliment

Thank you. The double layer of 9 oz. was tough to round and could have done a little better if my burnisher was a little bigger. I used Bearmans Cocobolo Dremel tool. Canlt tell you how much it has helped me improve doing edges. Thanks for the compliment.

Thanks TR.

Kind of hard to see, but that piece is actually inset into the basket weave portion. Thought it would be way too much if I just put it on top. 3 layers there as it is.

for SID. Customer requested this for his pet. Actually SID's a French Mastiff with a 27" neck. Not too blingy, and stout as a tank. Have a floating keeper that I didn't put on, but available if he needs it. Look for him pulling the Budweiser Wagon.........(kidding) Whatcha think?

Customer wanted a snap top holster and mag pouch for his 1911 in a Basket-weave design. jUst finished it today on my new Cowboy 4500. Need to get used to the machine, but for a first try on it, I'm not all that unhappy with it. I dreaded the thought of having to retool another one.......

Haven't seen any better. Absolutely beautiful work and design. It's a shame you'll only be wearing it for CAS. I'd wear that all day long....... Great job.

Was a little perplexed after reading the heading. Wasn't quite sure what part of an eagle was considered his stubby........(kidding......) Looks fantastic.