[First Holster And Second Gunbelt.]

Texback is correct the fifth hole is under the first keeper in the pictures.

The tongue ended up that long because between the two keepers there are two rivets and my makers stamp. Not sure I would build it that way again. I think that next time I would place the stamp after the second keeper.

There are two keepers because personally I really dislike the loose end of a belt flapping around. Without pant belt loops I thought that the loose end would be a problem. Maybe it is not, I have never worn a gun belt for any length of time.

Thanks for the kind words.

[First Holster And Second Gunbelt.]

A couple of pictures of my first attempt at a holster and gunbelt. (It is my second gunbelt since I cut the first one too short and used that for something else. Measure twice and cut once, they said.)

Holster is for a Norinco Model 213 in 9mm. The Norinco is a copy of the Tokarov (sp?) T-33. This is also my first large commissioned piece.

Material used is 7oz W+C with 3oz pigskin veg-tan lining. All brass hardware, handstitched billets

Thanks for looking and for any comments left.

[Measuring A Western Gunbelt/cartrige Belt...?]

I didn't realize that a gun belt is supposed to be curved. Why is that?

Is it more comfortable than a straight piece of leather?

[Measuring A Western Gunbelt/cartrige Belt...?]

I hope she posts this real soon. I am planning to sew up my first ranger style belt this morning. Take about your timely posts.

Now I am beginning to wonder if I should wait and see if there is anything I might be doing wrong. I have already cut the blank too short the first time. ( Now I get a new belt as the test piece and I will take another run at the client's belt later)

[Which Leather Is Best?]

I built my wife a briefcase using 5 oz chrome tanned and she finds that it is a bit shapeless. It works fine if there is anything in it like a binder or a notebook. You might want to try using a stiffener of some sort internally to help with the shaping.

[Inside Lining For A Satchel/breifcase]

Tandy leather carries a couple of different cloths that they sell as lining. I haven't tried any of theirs but I have used printed canvas in some of my projects.

[Needle Size, Thread, Spi And Leather Weight Rule Of Thumb?]

I agree, Wiz thanks for all the information. I would have no idea what I was doing with my Techsew 2700 without this forum and your posts.

[Sewing Machine For A Cylinder Arm]

I have built a flat bed sewing table for my Techsew 2700 cylinder arm machine. It sure makes it a lot easier to hold the project, the loose threads and keep everything aligned. Easy to unclamp and remove.

A bit of scrap birch plywood and some varnish and it came out quite well.

[Which Speed Reducer To Use]

I have the speed reducer on my 2700, factory installed at Techsew. I find it really helps with the thicker veg-tan projects. The only trouble that I have is that sometimes I wish it was would sew faster. But what do I expect with a speed reducer.

[My First Briefcase]

Looks good. What kind of leather did you use on that item?

[Bison/buffalo Supplier]

There were no brokerage fees since it was sent via USPS. If I remember correctly there was just GST. Shipping was quite high though at I believe 60.00 for the hides.

[Flattening Tandy Bag Stiffener/]

The "sign guy" is probably selling a product called "Sintra" It is a PVC plastic that can be cut with saws or just a sharp knife, I know that material since I ran a sign shop for 7 years.

It is a little stiffer than what I want but I can see where it would be useful in leatherwork.

I am not sure what Tandy sells. Is it bontex or a similar type? If so the best thing to do is to unroll and lay flat on the floor so the roll has the ends on the floor and ha a hump in the middle. Weight it down with books or whatever. You are right not to try and roll it the other way. Sometimes a dry iron will help if you put the weight on it quickly. Most important is to make sure the grain is laid out correctly when you go to cut it. As hard as it is, the most important part is to store it flat. Yeah, I don't have any place for that either.

What is "bontex"?

[Flattening Tandy Bag Stiffener/]

I have purchased a piece of Tandy's bag stiffener material. It seems to be just the sort of thing I was looking for to use in a portfolio.

However it was shipped to me rolled up and seems to have retained the curve. I thought that when I removed the wrapping it would unroll given time but it has not. Any thoughts on a method to make this stuff flat again? I thought about rolling it the other way but this usually softens the materials that I have tried. I do not want to make this stuff more flexible.

Any suggestions?

[Help Choosing The Right Cylinder Machine]

I have the Techsew 2700 with a speed reducer and I am very pleased with it. It will sew two layers of 8 oz veg-tan easy and two layers layers of 2 oz garment calfskin.

Support from the people at Techsew has been great. I am still learning but it was a great purchase.

[Shot Gun Case]

No idea how long the stitching took since it was done over 6 weeks in between other projects. I bought a CS Osborne awl part way through the stitching and that sped things up greatly.

If it was less than 20 hours I would be surprised.

[Shot Gun Case]

Shot gun case for my 1964 Baikal 12 ga O/u trap gun.

Veg tan cow hide with ostrich leg hide inset, all leather except for a 1/8" plywood stiffener in the case bottom.

All hand stitched.

(An expensive case for a $150.00 shotgun. But it was an interesting project.)

[Hinges For Semi Rigid Cases]

Actually I was thinking of doing that very thing. I have bought some carbon fiber rod as well as some aluminum tubing and was going to try a mock up to test it out. I will post results of the test when it is done.

Good to know I'm not the only one looking for the answer on this question.

[Hinges For Semi Rigid Cases]

I am planning to build a leather carry on bag similar to the one in the attached pictures. The case construction is not too difficult but I need to have a hinge that will swing through 180 degrees. I was thinking of using a piano hinge but they are usually narrow and work best on a quite rigid box, and how would the metal hinge be attached to the case?, Would a leather strip sewn on as a hinge be adequate? Maybe a very heavy piece of cloth webbing sewn as a hinge and then covered in leather.

Is there another method I am unaware of? The commercial made bags I have looked at use custom hardware I cannot source.

Any suggestions?

[New Satchel/briefcase]

Nice design and execution. Why did you say that the Sedgwick leather was interesting to work with? Some unique quality that we are unaware of or something else?

[Bison/buffalo Supplier]

Excellent suggestions. Always nice to have options.

[Want To Learn Sewing Hand Backs]

Check out this link. I have not taken the online course but I plan to this winter.

http://www.craftsy.com/class/making-leather-bags/272?ext=ShareASale_LeatherBags&utm_source=Share%20A%20Sale-Share%20A%20Sale%20-%20Sewing&utm_medium=banner&utm_campaign=Affiliate&initialPage=true&SSAID=261334

[Bison/buffalo Supplier]

Funny enough those are the actual ones I ordered. Here are my thoughts on the leather I received. Keep in mind I have not bought bison leather before.

Antique whiskey: Looks exactly like the website pictures, leather is flexible and the surface is smooth, not glossy and free of defects The piece is a relatively regular shape . On inspection I did not find any soft spots or holes. Leather measures out at 1.2 - 1.5 mm ( 3- 3.5 oz), a bit thinner than listed on their website. Will be using for some upholstery projects.

Sante Fe: .Firm temper and not as flexible. Surface is smooth and a bit glazed. Again free from defects and regularly shaped. A few wrinkles around the neck area.. Leather is 2.5 - 3.0 mm thick (6-7.5 oz) a bit thicker than listed on their website. This will make some nice cases or briefcases

My thickness measurements are only done on the outer edges. I have not used this material yet some I am unsure how it will work.

Overall I am very happy with my purchase

[Bison/buffalo Supplier]

Just thought that I would mention a really good source for bison/buffalo at a good price.

I received 2 sides from The Buffalo Leather store and I am really impressed with the quality of the leather and the price.

The material worked out to $7/ft which I thought was great. The quality is good, the shape is regular and there is no damage or any problems that I have seen. I have not built any cases with it yet but that will happen soon.

I dealt with Dane Cotten and he was really helpful.

Shipping was prompt and packaging was good.

Blake

Procyon Leather

Peers Ab Canada.

[Other Alternatives For Waxing Thread?]

Interesting idea that, a toilet wax seal. I'll have to try that since I have a new one around somewhere. Now I just have to find it.

[First Few Stiches With An Awl]

I'll second the recommendation for that video. It really helped me and I thought my awls were sharp to begin with.

I wasn't too impressed with that linen thread from Springfield, I use a prewaxed nylon thread from Tandy.

I don't use a cork on the awl as a stop, I let my thumb work as a variable stop. I will occasionally use a cork in my left hand, so I don't stab myself.