SooperJake

Is there a rule of thumb for slot spacing? I get the whole pinch and bend part of the analysis, but figured I'd ask if anyone had a sort of "standard" for slot placement. On one holster I made a while back, I had them too far out it didn't hug very well. Also, on the Horseshoe's holster..Is that a weaker loop design? Seems like the back side leather around the loop would have more stress on it than a regular loop with two thicknesses of leather taking the load. Looks nice from the front though. Jake

Killer idea, Shooter! What weight is the main holster body,? Jake

Welcome. PM me with any sharpening questions, Cheryl. Or ask them here if you'd like. I 've been a woodworker most of my life and taught tool sharpening for nearly 13 years. I think I've used (and own) pretty much every kind of sharpening stone, jig, widget and machine that's been invented. You can lubricate an oil stone nicely by adding dish soap to water. Once an oil stone is saturated with oil, you will never remove all the oil from it, so it is best to continue using oil. Kerosene is an old time lube for Arkansas stones. A little thinner than mineral oil. By the way, you can use unscented lamp oil in place of mineral oil, and you aren't paying for something labeled "food safe" Heck, any cooking oil would technically work. Abrasive technology has come a long way, yet is well rooted in the past, still. Natural Arkansas stones and quarry cut japanese water stones are among the best sharpening stones you can get. But, they are getting more rare each day. Of course there are modern versions too. Also, keep in mind as regarding grits of stones that there is more than one "grading system" Here are a few useful comparison charts: http://micro-surface...page=page&id=16 http://www.fine-tools.com/G10019.htm Jake

An update from me : Things are going well. My anxiety with the machine is gone and I'm ticking right along. I just needed to tinker. Now I'm ready to switch to the smooth plate because the tooth marks on the backside of my stuff is pissing me off. Haven't made any holsters lately. I made a quiver belt hanger attachment for a family member and he showed it to a local archery shop and next thing i know I'm producing these things for them. Apparently crossbow hunters don't always like to carry the quiver attached to the crossbow. Jake

I recommend Leonard Lee's "A Complete Guide to Sharpening". About $15 or so from Amazon. Money well spent. Jake

Mike, Just be thankful they didn't have to hit you with those damn lightning rods. Your eyes go bloodshot to hell and your tongue turns black. Although you'd be all set for Halloween. I think I'll make one of these for my XDM .45. Thanks for sharing the details. Jake

Well deserved once again, Lobo! Jake

Thanks, Horrrk. I like it too

Lost: bowling bag full of leather tools. See Jake for details and small reward. May have been left behind at bowling tournament near Hickory , NC.

Nice one, kats.... Is the paddle 4 layers of 4/5?

Ken, Yes, I'd like to see a picture. Ronnie, it's the "while you sew" part I'm trying to get around. My Cowboy will wind while I sew, but I wanted to avoid that aspect if possible. Jake

Nice work! Jake

Is there such a thing as a dedicated bobbin winder that will work with the 441 type machine bobbins and is anyone using one they would recommend? Jake

Where do you get the Angelus in quantities large enough for dipping?

this is a picture of the item in question.

Which black from Angelus do you prefer, Dick? Jake

My neighbor's dog chewed on a pair his boots and he asked me if i could make the missing piece. Figure I'll make two so they match. The boots are a riding boot and have what he called a kilt on them. I liken this piece to a similar design on my dress shoes....it is a fringed flap that covers the top of the foot. I have a whole one for a pattern, and one chewed up. It looks like plain, very thin brown leather, kind of soft and pliable. I'd guess the weight at around an ounce, maybe. grey colored on the back side. What would you suggest i use to make two new pieces for his boots? Thanks, Jake

Is there another order break/ cost savings if you ordered double that?

Very nice as usual, Eric. But, something about the reinforcement of the second holster bothers me, though. Not terribly, but the overall shape seems a bit off, compared to your usual designs. I see a spoon shape on the front whereas you usually have an asymetry which I like much more. The back side of that same holster's reinforcement is asymetrical and doesn't have the same effect. Know what I mean? The first holster is a perfect example of the opposite effect. It has an asymetrical harmony front and back. Jake

George, is a minimum order from Ring's qualified by amount of guns or value of the order? Jake

Looks good, Dawg! Jake

Nice Work JRC. Say...where'd you get your elephante' from? Jake

Welcome aboard from St.Croix County! Jake

I think angle depends on the shooter's preference, body type, and the gun itself. An angle of 15°-17° on a belt slide for my XD works nicely. My LCP lays better at 20°, and gives me a more exposed grip that is easier to grab. As an aside, a snubby without a trigger guard makes me nervous. TwinOaks has some good ideas there. Mental note... Jake

Isn't a holster such as a Crossbreed just a flat backed holster? Why couldn't you make one like that only swap the kydex for some 10 oz veg, and vac mold the front leather first, then sew it to a backing piece? It's probably already been done, but it just occurred to me to make it that way. Jake