immiketoo

It's way too tall, that's for sure. Or not tall enough if you look at it the other way round...

How long have you been leather working? You are a master.

Great tip!

Looks really good. I hate the one I made and I think a floor model is a better idea from the get go, but I didn't even know they existed when I made mine. As it is, I hate using it, mostly because I can't see that close anymore.

Mike, thats really nice work there. I'll bet that paddle is super comfy when it breaks in. Is the barrel end fully closed?

Looks great! I love your name change. Very cool. I'd also round the corners of your strap. They kind of glare at me. EDIT: On second look, if it was stitched in front like it back, it would probably be fine, just like you said. Un finished looking as is. It still looks great though. Mike

So wait, whats number 8 leatherkind? I have a funny story about how I aquired my Singer treadle machine. I was conducting surveillance on a house for a drug investigation with five other guys in a van. We were in a residential area and an old couple dragged this machine out to the curb and put a "Free" sign on it. This was at about 11 AM, and towards 4:30 PM, people started coming home from work, and the woman from up the street came by, hawked the machine and began walking back to her house, where she was clearly explaining her intent to grab it to her husband. I had already decided this was MY machine, although I couldn't do anything about it being in the van. I told the driver we needed to grab it, but he was reluctant to get out and grab it. Finally, as the woman and her husband got about 25 feet from the machine, I convinced my guys to help me grab the machine. We back the van up, and three burly dudes in police raid gear jump out of the van. I open the back hatch, they grab the machine and toss it in the back. The driver says in his best police voice, "I'm sorry ma'am, the sewing machine is wanted for questioning." We slam the doors and drive off to another surveillance location. I'll never forget the look of shock and surprise on the woman's face as this 30 second event unfolded. It was priceless! Needless to say, we laughed so hard we cried afterward. I still have the machine, but I don't even know if it works! Mike

Sweet. How did you make the paddle? Is there any reinforcement in it?

There is a huge difference between your current bag and the old one! Your floral tooling is really good IMO, and far better than the old brief case. The only thing I see is the inconsistency with the serpentine. It gets fat and then thin, but even that is way better than your earlier effort! All of this from someone who hasn't attempted a case yet, but it's on my short list!

I was really excited that they had glycerine soap and a bottle of neatsfoot oil with a built in brush. Plus, the people there have extensive leather care knowledge if limited to horse related stuff. Either way, it's nice to know I have an alternative.

)(*^#(*^$_@+&$! are my sentiments exactly! This is why God invented sewing machines! At least in your case, you can say, "Aww fork it!" Mike

Hey Mike, if he has added another 1911, he's been holding out on me, and I will have a chat with him about that! As for the uniforms, we have blues everywhere and we are the anomaly. I don't mind though. It's distinctive and most of the time, it looks better IMO. I am going to try and minimize the mistakes, but as you say, there's bound to be someone who can use them! Mike

This is probably common knowledge among saddlers, but for those of us who are into other leather areas, the local saddle shop is a great resource for things like saddle soap, neatsfoot oil and other leather products that we use. A huge bottle of neatsfoot oil is only a few bucks more than the little bottle Tandy sells. I was glad I stopped in, and if you live in an area where there are equestrian places, you should too! Mike

Ok, I've decided that I don't like my stitch groover. Its the one thing that can kill a project and I always mess it up. Especially on inside grooves that theres no edge to follow. ^#^%#%@$!

Thanks Mike. I appreciate you comments! The overall holster is ok but I'm glad it needed to be re-done. I tweaked a few things on the next one and of course it turned out better. I'm glad to know I'm not the only one that's transposed a holster. My dad said he wanted both holsters, but I'm not sure why. If he doesn't want it, I would be happy to to donate to a former brother in blue. Tan in my case actually.. Either way, here is the correct side version of the holster that is almost finished. I just need to stitch up the side and punch and finish the hole and its done!

That's one hell of an edge finish...

No you havent. There is still something wrong with your security certificate. Sorry, but that gives me bad vibes and I'll not be visiting your site.

Thanks Phil, I am always open to suggestions and advice to improve. And you're right. Now I know to l,ook for the proper side before I start cutting!

I made the pattern myself and everything is hand stitched. It was supposed to be a righty cross draw but messed up and it ended up a lefty cross draw. Since I will be re-making it, I'm also going to adjust the belt loop holes a bit. I finished it with atom wax and I learned a lot about pattern making and that I really want a sewing machine! Also, its for a 4 inch 1911 not the 5 inch thats stuck in it now.

Thats cool. It just looks really pointy. I'd worry it would curl, but you can always trim it if it did.

Nice work. I'm curious about how pointy the strap is.

How do you make the box? Can you post pics of the box before the leather is applied? When do you tool? pre or post application to the box? Amazing work.

It does look good. First I've seen of that style in leather too.

Hey David, What do you use to finish the seat? Is it water resistant or do you advise keeping the seat covered in the rain?

Thanks! I saw thatone but it didn't look like a punch so I skipped it. Good find though!