rdb

At $45, they should fly off the rack. Most, that I have seen, or sell myself, run between $65 and $125. Some run small factory type runs, whipping them out in less than half an hour. Others put up to two hours into their gun belt work. You can usually tell the quality involved in either type. Either it's the leather, or craftsmanship, or both. Then, there is the customer service involved, including warranties, returns, etc. Some people put a lot of emphasis on that. Others just look at pricing. At fairs, and flea markets, price is king. To people who depend on things for their living (soldiers, guards, etc), quality is key. Like any other part of business, it's best to know your cutomers.

Busy, busy! What are those products on the lower right, some kind of travel tag/license thing? A Vegas show sounds like a Big Thing. Good Luck!

Welcome to LW! sharing is the key, fer sure. Looking forward to pix of your work. Too bad you aren't hippies! The world needs them now...lol

This conversation is beginning to get overheated already, even for TT&E. I suggest we just let the two opinions stand, and remember this is a site for Leatherworkers. Two things you don't discuss in the bar...religion and politics, sorry for my lapse in judgement.

Great job. That old school K&Q seat is still the bomb.

The actual problem came about because, there is a movement afoot to force a Christian prayer even into a veterans' funeral who was an atheist. The Family objected, and still the Christians wanted their prayer included. Thus the requirement for approval ahead of time. There was no attempt to prevent prayer in a religious family's service, only the forcing of religious apects into a non-religious event.

Now, that's a Kevin King original!

Used for letter heat press embossing.

I hope no one minds this bit of promotion. A friend of mine is a co-author of a book "Her Final Year". It's inspiring, and informative. It is about the Caregiving responsibilities that fall on many of us at times. I know it can seem like a dark subject, but it is inevitable that most of us will be involved with our loved ones in their final years. Jim treats this subject honestly and the reviews so far have been very appreciative of the information therein. Most people do not know where to turn in situations, or what actually occurs, humorous, and serious times alike. So, please read the webpage, and take advantage of the book if you purchase. Hopefully, this will help almost immediately if you are about to, or are now, involved in Caretaking.

Old age strikes again. I ordered the wrong model. Fresh out of the box this morning, I've got an xtra Sig P229 and 2 mags. I'll sell them at my discounted cost, plus the $6 shipping. So... $58.30 plus $6 =$64.03 You save $17.95 from the Ring's Retail pricing (, and I get to pretend I'm not such an old fool...lol Paypal, or CC#, or even snail mail checks/MO.....

At a good show, you wouldn't have time for any of this. Even doing just single layer belts, there's barely enough time at many points in the day, to just lop off the end and size it, or cut a buckle end. If something takes 5- 10 minutes to complete, and you have 3-4 possible customers lining up with questions, or wanting something, but have to wait...fuggedaboutit. It sounds like you can't afford to have a great deal of stock. You might want to build as much as you are comfortable with, and do a demonstration of some sorts, then just take orders. A good display of gunbelts may require at least two of each color and size (3 colors max, 32-44 in sizes)), possibly more. That would probably be about 40-50 belts.

Welcome from Chatham County! We look forward to seeing your work. PS: There's nothing simple about farm work...lol

Can't be sure about coconut oil, especially older oil, but Palm oil is used in leather conditioners, probably contributing to deforestation, dunno, but that's probably a lot better than ambergris, which palm oil was meant to replace after whaling was curtailed. All in all, if you can use motor oil, or olive oil, I'ld say you'll probably be alright.

Thanks marine mp! Like I said, still working on the development, but I just like the way is was turning out so far. I may have a few suprises to it. Remember if your ever in this neck of the NC woods, check in.

Been working on this holster, and things seem to be working out, I've got a few changes to make, especially with the paddle shape, and hole adjustments. This one is horsehide, mahogany dye, with two security loops included, if necessary. M&P .40 for this sample.

A conversation on Quality is all fine and good, but posting a link to someone trying to make a living out there, and presenting that person's work as inferior, is at best, bad form, and at worst bordering on libel. I have taken the liberty to excise the link.

Great stuff, and imaginative rendering! Welcome to the Forum. Hope to see more....

That's a lot of questions, and not quickly answered. You've chosen a tough 1st project with no experience. Maybe start with a small class somewhere near you (ie Tandy, community college, etc) Mostly you should read all you can here. This place is a veritable encyclopedia of leather knowledge. Learn how to use the search function too, for specific questions like edge burnishing, cuff tutorials, etc. Cuffs and bracers topics are in the Topic list, maybe start there. Probably one of the most well known Steampunkers is one of our members, Banwell. Read everything he's written. He also has some tutorials on gas mask making, etc. Good luck, and be sure to show us how you get along on this. PS: There are no dumb questions!

Technically, it's Cordovan shell. A most expensive hand rubbed section of the horses rear, approximately1 1/2- 2 sq. ft round, upwards of $90 a piece. Used mostly for expensive shoes. The part that is cut away from around that little shell piece is what the leather suppliers sell as horse butt. The butt is inexpensive, maybe $12-20. For your needs, that's what you could use.

I'ld go with the 10 oz, or sew 2 7oz together. A long time ago I wrote up a little belt tutorial. Some of it's good, other parts have changed, others may do it altogether different, but here it is. `http://leatherworker.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=4416

Gee, looks like a great place to work. Separate stations, not too much walking ( but that circling in such a small place would make me dizzy...lol). You definitely have a good complement of equipment! Congrats on the final setup, you worked hard at it.

Looks like you forgot to give us the ebay link to your auctions, Shelly.

Welcome TBone! You've found the one and only place that will make you a better leatherworker, just by being here...

Welcome, Mate! Can't wait to see the things you share with us. Count me as one with no patience for braiding, so I really appreciate those that do.