TexasJack

Perfect holster for the Judge, IMHO. Well executed as well.

Mean lookin' rig, amigo!!

As always, it's great to see your stuff posted on here, Chuck!

Dave makes beautiful stuff.

Ethylene Glycol is antifreeze. It's not volatile and shouldn't be a problem (unless you eat it!) It's listed as hazardous because Congress included it on the Hazardous Air Pollutant list in the 1990 Amendments to the Clean Air Act. They used annual production records to decide what they should list and a lot of antifreeze is manufactured. (Hydrogen sulfide, which is very toxic, is NOT on that same list. There are very few scientists in government.) Gorilla glue is extremely strong and sticky. It's a polyurethane material that requires a bit of water to initiate polymerization. It tends to foam up, making it tough for some applications and it does give off some diisocyanates as it cures. I can't say for sure, buy it may damage leather over the long term. Hotmelt glues might be your best bet. Very little emissions. If you're just looking for something to tack a seam together, you might try "stick" glues. Before someone mentions Superglue, it gives off cyanoacrylates, which can be irritating if you're in an area without ventillation. Epoxys don't give off much in the way of fumes, but you have to mix them each time. Elmer's glue (or the Wood glue alternatives) are good for indoor use, but they take awhile to dry.

There is an old "Tool Conversion Rule": When no hammer is within reach, the nearest tool magically becomes a hammer.

Ooops, my bad. Guess I need to put back up my "Dyslexics of the World, Untie!" sign. Still, the LCR is pretty small. Maybe move to an ankle holster.

Yeah, that's for lacing. At a minimum, you need an awl (to make the holes), thread (kinda obvious), a pair of leather needles (which are not sharp like cloth sewing needles, which is in part why you need an awl, and you need 2 because most leather is sewn with a saddle stitch), and some wax (to lube the thread and needles). To do it right, you need a groover (so that the thread won't stick up above the leather and get worn through) and a stitch wheel (that marks the stitches evenly). Leather stitches are also 'set' with a mallet (or the stitch wheel) when you're done. I haven't seen the DVD offered earlier, but it looks like a good one. Definitely you want to spend a few $$ and get Al Stohlman's "The Art of Hand Sewing Leather". It shows you all sorts of tricks and tips and is a very easy read.

It's pretty simple to make a holster for the back pocket. Because the LCP is so flat and right-angled, it's easy to work with. I took a small board and used it to make the top cover for the pistol by wet molding the leather over the gun. (Actually, I made a wooden model, but you can also use the pistol and just cover it well with Saran wrap.) Mold the leather over the pistol using pins or wire brads to hold it to the board as you mold it. Let dry a bit, then remove the gun and let if finish drying. Next, cut a thick piece of leather that will fit in the pocket. If you want, you can use 2 thinner pieces, just sew the cover onto one of them before gluing and sewing them together. Trim the molded piece of leather so that you have enough edging to be able to sew. Place on the flat part and sew them together. Unless the molded portion is very stiff, you may want to put the pistol inside as you get it attached. BE SURE the TRIGGER is covered. Legal reasons - just trust me. Thought I had a pic of the one I did, but can't find it. I actually did a couple before I worked out the bugs. If you look on the elsiepea web site, there are various holsters being marketed.

I found it to be a pretty cool web site. I think you could add an "About" page (or at least I didn't see one) that would tell folks a bit more about yourself and give them a feel for your experience level. I don't know that I'd break out prices as well as you do. That just invites people to have others try to undercut your price. For what you market, a price range might be good. Individual pricing works for sites that actually sell off the site itself. Again, I thought you have a good site and my comments are just suggestions.

That's one mean looking holster! Kinda surprised to see shotgun loops - or at least ALL the loops for shotgun shells. Nice job!

I really enjoy these pics, Chuck! Was thinking of you this weekend. Someone posted on here looking for a cartridge holder for a lever action rifle. Got me to thinking that might not be a bad project for my own .30-30. The main body is about as simple as it gets, but this is the first time I've done cartridge loops. Dug around and found advice from you and Will Ghormley (and I can't think of two better sources). I stumbled through it and I'm willing to say it came out "functional". Now that I've done it, I can work on making one attractive as well.

Yes, it doesn't rub off easily. No, it soaks in, so it's not really like a clear coat.

My wife made pancakes that were like leather once. Then she found a better way to do it. She has me make them.

You always do outstanding work, Dave, but this one really stands out even for you!

I've never been on 'that' side of the table, but I've been at a lot of gun shows. A couple of things I'd point out: 1. Have shiny things on the table. Silver buckles, for example. You'd be surprised at how easily people are distracted into looking at your stuff that way. 2. Look at people. In the eyes. I can't believe how many people pay to sit at a table and sulk. 3. As others have pointed out, don't expect to sell out. But see if you can plant the seeds for future customers. 4. Also as others have pointed out, MANY of the folks at a gun show are looking for bargains. By that they mean as close to free as possible. If you're fishing in the ocean, most of the fish are not ones you want to keep. Keep baiting the hooks if you want to land the good ones. 5. Have fun. Ask to see someone's gun that they're carrying. Ask about the gun. (Play stupid, if necessary.) Be fun for the customers. The time will pass quickly and you will make a far better impression than just as a leather pro.

Tandy is kinda the Walmart of leather suppliers. They have a little of everything, the quality varies from barely useful to mostly OK, and they have stores all over the place. They are what they are. There aren't many who've become millionaires making leather goods. (Any?) There probably aren't many millionaires who decide to take up leathercraft. So Tandy serves a purpose. There are places that sell better stuff and they get a premium for that. It's all part of business. You had a bad experience with Tandy, and we all understand the frustration. I hope your next purchase works out better, whether it's from Tandy or someone else.

From the web site www.maryrose.org: "Built between 1509 and 1511, she was one of the first ships able to fire a broadside, and was a firm favourite of King Henry VIII. After a long and successful career, she sank accidentally during an engagement with the French fleet in 1545. Her rediscovery and raising were seminal events in the history of nautical archaeology."

Nice addition and well done!

Invisible moose? Warm weather here has the skunks roaming around. I'd happily trade for the moose!!

Very, very nice!

Very nice - and an interesting stamp!

Chuck Burrows suggests in one of his videos that it's best not to use the brush that's left in the can of cement. It tends to have glue on up the 'stick' that then drips down onto the brush or (worse) the middle of your project. I'm giving him credit on this idea partly because it's only right and partly because when I didn't listen, things screwed up precisely as he predicted.

I don't think I'm under any misconception. A few kids screwing around with chemistry that's been around for many years does not constitute a terroristic plague. Spreading these sorts of things around is far more dangerous. No. (BTW, I work in a chemical plant.) The chemicals used are exactly the same as they were 100 years ago. As for "intelligent/antisocial/sociopathic", I really doubt that. I knew a third grader (when I was in 1st grade) that stole blasting caps and dynamite. Kids today just have faster ways of spreading information (and angst). . We consider it more like disconnecting the lifeboat from the Titanic before it sinks. We don't "flaunt". (Well, maybe in some parts of Austin, but that's another topic.) We thank God every day for allowing us to live in Texas.