Double Daddy

Ditto what Dwight said...my experience is from back in my cabinet and countertop days where we used gallons of the Weldwood Red Can Original. Don't use too much...let it dry til its DRY...then be sure you get the pieces where you want them THE. FIRST. TIME...it's unforgiving in placement but I've found it pays off in strength...and availability in my area. YMMV.

I've seen mechanics and electricians carry them...as a quick mini-tote for just the essential tools for very small fix-it projects...grab it and stuff it either in their front shirt pocket or back pants pocket while squatting or bending...they can lay them nearby and still have those few tools kept together in a handy package without the bulk of the normal toolbelt. Excellent work, Matt...as always. You make what works well and sells...and from the numbers, your customer base would appear to be satisfied with your handiwork. Others would do well to silently take notice from your example.

That's some fine craftin'...great job on the tooling work as well as the snake skin overlay.

As a person who carries such things...that is a quality thing! Flawless, sir!

You should be able to customize the command buttons (user/menu interface), similar to AutoCAD or other software programs...keep working with it. AC calls the command "CUI" (Custom User Interface)...then you just go in and move/delete/add the desired command/buttons around within sub-menus, etc. Update: Yep...here it is (slightly older link...but something similar should be in the current version): http://www.cadoasis.com/customize-commands-draftsight/

Yep...that one's a pretty tough command to master, Jeff...it's all subscription based nowadays, starting at about $1600/year. Luckily, there are a few alternatives...check out DraftSight. They have a free, lower feature version (plenty for what a leather worker would need!) as well as a full-feature paid version. I use Autodesk products (AutoCAD and Revit) simply because I have access to them thru my employer (I do my patterning during lunch and down-time, etc). I've used DS at home before and its very similar to AutoCAD so the learning curve wouldn't be too steep and the wallet wouldn't suffer. Plus, as I understand it, the DS software (like AC) has the capability to plot directly to PDF as a built-in feature, if that were something a pattern-maker required.

Excellent tutorial, Stetson! Thanks for taking the time to put it together. I typically use AutoCAD for all of my patterns (non-hand-sketched ones, that is)...then either print them out or convert to PDF...but that's only because I have access to the software and am familiar with it. It's always good to see other ways to skin the same cat! Appreciate the info!

OOO-WEE!! Don't that purdy! (so says the hill-billy) Thanks for the quasi-tutorial as well. Fine work you been doing...

Looks REAL good from here in NE Georgia...(says fellow Toledo Sewing acquired CB3200 owner). Great job!

Awe-inspiring work, Bob...as always.

Proceed with caution... I'm the kinda person that also factors in the value of my time to get such a beast running as equally well as a new machine after outfitting it with said purchased parts (ASSUMING it has no hidden internal problems). How long is it going to take you to get this machine up and "producing" (might be time & $$ away from other things you could be doing) vs. a simple purchase of a dealer-set machine by a professional vendor that you know will work the way you ordered it??? I don't mind an education...life is a continual learning experience...that's one of the reasons I took up leathercraft in the first place...just doesn't make sense (IMO) to waste time and money unnecessarily if it can be avoided.

Quality looking work...as usual from you. The initials subtly placed into the serpentine border are a nice touch. Being from the NE GA mountains, I have almost no need or experience with this type of gear...no critiques from me on that front...but like garypl, I like the stamping work.

This is exactly how I use SS paste...the water spritzer I keep on the bench is real handy for controlling how much water ends up in the can. Depending upon how the particular project's edge is cooperating, I'll even follow up with wax or gum trag, per battlemunky's suggestion above. On my desk at my full-time job I have a leather edge sample that I did just for kicks...used nothing more a pocket razor knife, a black sharpie for the edge coloring (and burnisher ), spit (in lieu of GT or SS) and elbow grease...wouldn't want to do an entire holster or belt that way but the process works...in a pinch.

Very nice work! The stamping and inlays are a nice touch. Your loops seem to work similar to the way that Lobo GunLeather does their Enhanced Pancake and Avenger style holsters...Ray Cory was the first on here that I recall doing that...was perhaps the one the originate the design. It's a really smooth look...I like to do it on my holsters as well. Those of us that live with 1911's daily as our boon companions know that anything other than Condition 1 carry is best left to that fictional TV/Netflix sheriff in Absaroka County, Wyoming

Josh...great work, per your typical. It's always nice to be able take an accident and make something good come of it...in this case, it gets to stay close to home for the missus! I share the other sentiments...that's one fine lookin' hog-leg! The holster compliments it very well!

That is really sharp...clean design and great choice of materials. Fine work, sir!

That's purdy and functional from where I sit...I like your choice of colors and the contrasting thread is always a nice touch. Mr. Gonzalez' website and channel is indeed inspiring/addictive...very talented yet down-to-earth guy who doesn't mind sharing his knowledge.

I concur with battlemunky on the knives. I've gotten by just fine with just a general purpose utility type...and a large Xacto with #2 which I use for my pattern work (learned this trick from a YouTube video watching Sam Andrews cut out his holster pieces). As others have said, these blades come 'sharp' from the factory but can be improved and maintained to last longer than the common user would normally expect. Thus far on my leatherworking journey, I have no reason to purchase a head knife...TETO! Another thing that stays on my bench is a plastic bin full of wooden clothes pins...purchased at the local Dollar Tree/General...they provide just the right amount of tension for small projects during glue-up without leaving marks on most any decent quality VT leather. Around the mouth of said bin I keep black metal binding clips (also purchased in bulk at the same stores)...I use those for slightly heavier clamping needs.

Thanks for the info, Gary...another reason for me to get to "Capital City"...maybe find something decent to eat as well. I've looked over their website before...they don't list anything in the Used section...might have too much to show online (as you pointed out above).

Gary - is that where you got that Consew the other day? Sweet deal! Atlanta is barely a hop/skip/jump for me as well...

Really great work...as always from your bench!

Most excellent work, sir! I like the concho at each end of your cartridge loop run in lieu of a rivet or stitching...very nice little embellishment to go along with the "high" placement to showcase that nice carving work.

I've visited a lot of online forums over the years...this one, hands down, is the most helpful in terms of having an overall community of craftsfolk willing to encourage and contribute to each other's professional growth. I agree about the above mentions and accolades. @Dwight is one of the most faithful contributors, especially on the gun leather forum...going out of his way to lend a hand to his fellow crafter...like JLS, freely offering his own patterns and proffering advice...always helpful, sir! I would add that I have, in my time here, went back and read pretty much every single post by Ray Cory @Lobo...the evolution of his holster business from kitchen table thru full time production until he sold it in late 2016 provides much to learn and he was always willing to share his knowledge. For those looking to move toward production type work, (gun leather-related or not), Lobo's insights into how he set up his workflow, how he valued time and materials, consideration of new tooling vs. return on investment, etc are worth your time to consider reading. Lots of other inspiring talent on here as well @Josh Ashman @IngleGunLeather @particle (Adams Leather Works) @katsass (read his posts, too) @nstarleather (love those bags!) One maker not one here but a working machine and business success story is Odin Clack of Odin Leather Goods...phenomenal work ethic that has translated into a serious up-and-coming leather brand. I like to find successfully skilled folks who are doing the kinds of things that I want to do...maybe not every single thing that I'm planning to do...but individual pieces from each one and study them. Like many others, I have a hard time staying away from LW.net..it's chock-ful of the aforementioned people.

I'll drag in late to the party and say "Happy Birthday!" Like many others, my journey into leather working has been made much less painless by the efforts of yourself and many other craft-folk on this forum. Many thanks!

Heirloom craftsmanship, Josh...as always. Many thanks for the tips & insights into your process over on the build thread as well...very enlightening! Been looking forward to seeing these items completed while also enjoying the journey...I imagine the customer will be doubly anxious to have them in their possession for many years of durable use. Again...fantastic work, sir! Thanks for sharing!