Dallas Cowboy

Wayne-Are you sill using this method for your finishings? How about on belts and projects that you don't have a dyed background? How do you finish those?

Looks great. Im sure he will really appreciate that. Where did you get the marine concho?

looks great eric. Lots of detail as always

I built my bench today. After careful consideration and reading what most people like, I chose to make mine at 42" tall and 3'x6'. I love it!! It seems to be the perfect height for me. I can sit on my adjustable stool or stand and don't have to hunch over and hurt my back or my shoulders. This thing is solid and strong as a Rock. I usually over build stuff and you could probably put an engine block on it. The legs are 4x4's and the framing is 2x4's and the top is 3/4" mdf board I'll try to get some pictures to post.

thanks bruce.

Can anyone recommend where to get a good quality set of belt punches and maybe the strap end cutter? Im sure tandy has them but i would like a quality set if possible. DC

Thanks Gringo-Good info there.

I have a farrier apron that i had custom made about 6 or 7 years ago. Its made out of hair-on leather with some fringe sewn on the sides. I am just wondering about what size this stuff is. I want to try to make my own pair since these are about shot. Thanks DC

I am going to make some belts and was wondering what everyone uses for punching the holes and what do you use for cutting the tips of your belts. For the holes do you use a rotating type of hole punch or do you use the handle like punches that you hit with a maul. And for the tips do you use a strap end punch or do you cut them with your head knife? Thanks DC

Yes it's set up correctly. I wasn't saying the machine wasn't good. I was saying that the motor and it's lack of control ability is not what I was expecting with a machine that has this much hype. And this flaw is not new to these motors. There are a few people on the net with the same problem.

Ok, tonight i went to a new friends house (I don't want to give his name but he can if he wants to) and watched him work some leather. He is very talented and makes some great looking and fitting holsters. His holsters fit better than a glove, more like they fit like skin. He spends a lot of time boning and making sure every nook and cranny is fit to exact specs and doesn't leave even the smallest of wrinkles in the leather. Needless to say it was impressive. I got to try his NEW cobra class 4 and this is a great machine but has some horrible flaws. As hyped as this machine is, it shouldn't act like this. First off the machine is great but the motor is a piece of crap. This thing has a peddle that has about 2" of travel and it only uses about 1/8" of the travel. I was fluctuating the speed by just flexing my big toe. Its stupid on how little of the travel arm it utilizes (Simply unacceptable). You can have it on a pretty slow speed but basically its all or noting (You can't control the speed hardly at all with the peddle). Also (I wouldn't have noticed this unless he pointed it out to me but being a perfectionist, he did point it out) it leaves a small raised bump on the bottom (Bobbin side) of the material. Its like the leather is raised and then sewn in the middle of the hump. The manual is basically fire wood starter and the slow start function is simply crap and just marketing hype!!! I thought the Cobra Class 4 was supposed to be one of the top of the line machines. Don't get me wrong, I am still interested in eventually getting one of these machines they are a nice machine but the motor is a pile of crap!!!! Someone could have chosen a better motor instead of cutting corners on one of the most important pieces of the machine. SOOOOOO......what options are there for holsters, belts and such. This thing will mow through some leather,but the motor and its lack of adjustability, would make me slit my wrist And Please don't get me wrong, i am impressed and like the machine, i just don't like the cheap motor and its lack of adjustability. I liked the machine and its still one i will consider but if there is any other options out there that are just as good with a better motor, i would entertain looking at it as well.

Looks great (Of course it does) wayne. Can you talk a little bit about the inlay. I want to try an inlay of gator on a belt. What was tough about it, what did you glue it with, etc.. Also what machine have you been using for your belts, thread size, SPI .......Thanks, YOu are truly gifted my man.

Where did you order your tuckable clips from? Yes i would love to see the tutorial for the hidden snaps.

I am planning on building my workbench this weekend and need to know the ideal height. How high do you like yours? Do you like them taller and sit on a stool or do you prefer shorter and sit in a chair? My other bench is 36" tall and I sit at it on a stool but wasn't sure on how high is ideal for leather working and tooling

Ok i want to cut my own belt blanks and need to know if i should just buy a cheapie from Tandy or should i spend the extra money on a more expensive one from Bruce? Or is using a razor knife with a straight edge just as good? Thanks DC

How did you laminate it to the cow hide?

I just ordered the original DVD from Geer from Hidecrafters. Yes the shipping is more than the DVD but all together it was $30 and i think any dvd that has the reviews that this one has is worth $30.

Gonna be practicing my sheridan tooling. Also practicing for belts and holsters. Stamping and tooling and just getting familiar with my tools.

Well i will be ordering my tools this week and want to start practicing. But what leather does everyone recommend i get for practicing. SHould i buy a remnant package from springfield or get a side? Some say the remnant packages are the way to go and some say they are a waste of time because they are not a good enough quality or not thick enough at times. So what should i get for starting out and practicing? THanks DC

Have that sucker master by friday. LOL

What is cobra steve saying about this particle?

Eric-sounds like there should be some way for you to adjust it. Here is a video I found for ya showing what it should run like.

Does Barry King carry them?

slyvia-Yeah i can make a few tools Buckles are much harder to get uniform without a press or a break. More of a silversmiths area instead of a blacksmith. Unfortunately since i moved to Dallas a few years ago i don't havre a blacksmithing shop any longer. I still tinker with some small stuff but thats about it.

I would like to see other peoples makers mark.