MADMAX22

Well its been a while since I did any leather work to speak of, couple rifle slings with just stamped back grounds and what not. Finally had a reason to do some tooling and wow Ive forgotten alot. Had to go back a review a few books lol. Managed to get it done. And a pic of our first baby, she showed up just this last weekend. Almost forgot, its about 6oz wickett and craig russet skirting. I lined it with some calf and am gonna put the 3 ring assembly in, gotta get some stand offs to make it work right.

Amazing looking work. Your skills in bringing out your design in the leather are just wow.

Great looking both of them. Always love some nice suntanned HO leather.

Had to quote both of ya guys as you have gotten some great advice by craftsman both with crafts that require a great attention to detail even if its not being scene. By the way I think any cabinet maker has some form of OCD lol. I have had to struggle with not thinking an item is good enough and that is what keeps me trying to make things better. I know that even when I point out to people that the edges are nicely burnished and rivets properly set and in the correct areas or that the stitching I do is the best for dependability I can tell that most dont really have a clue what I am talking about. I am happy they are happy and more then anything that I dont get an email a year later saying it fell apart. I think most times I look at something whether it be a knife I made or a leather project and think to myself if another person that makes these items sees it what will they think. I would hope that they could look at it and be like "thats a nice piece you got there".

Alot can also depend on what your finishing your leather with. I use to seal with neatlac and other similar items but started moving away from that and using more natural coatings because of the fact the leather would age a little more naturally and looked better (IMHO) with time. Also depending on what you seal it with you can refresh it over time which is something I liked as well. My process usually is once done give it a coat of neatsfoot oil, can use the prime, others have used things like olive oil and what not. Once this has sat for atleast overnight I take a mixture I made from combining bees wax/ parafin wax/ and a small amount of neats foot oil. This mix comes out white and consistancy almost of medium soft butter. I rub this in to the leather and let it sit someplace warm then buff it out. Gives a nice mellow sheen and protects very well. I have also used sno-seal which works very well. One I want to use but have not yet is montana pitch blend. As stated I like these finishes because myself or the customer can go back every year or 6 months or whatever and reapply.

That all looks great man.

Yeah and they use to tan leather with dog s*** lol.

Yeah as stated the stitching adds stiffness to the belt and helps a little I think with stretching. When I started I made several belts with either a layer of 8oz and 5oz and then later on layers of 10-12oz lined with a layer of 4-5oz. Once stitched these were the beast your looking for. The first belt I stitched probably took me 4 hours or so. By the time I got to my 3rd or 4th one I was at about 2 hours for a 42" overall length belt. I would glue the pieces together, trim the edges. Groove my stitching line, run my stitch spacer then punch all the holes with my awl. This helped me anyways. Then I could just sit and stitch. You can do it the traditional way but I didnt get the hand coordination to work right but it would make it quicker. If your just making yours spend the time and stitch it, it will make ya happy in the end.

Now if your ability would just come with your mauls I would be happy, lol great job can see why ya took first.

Matt I would take a look at your sporting goods store and see what measurements the standard lengths that are sold are. If I remember correctly I pretty much made mine based on lengths of other makers and what I saw in the stores. Just tried to average it out. Sorry I would have to take a look at an older one which I dont have around right now. Glad you guys found this useful but any more help will involve some leg work, not much but a little. Another thing to look at is that alot of hunters nowadays are liking the thumb hole in the sling instead of the hand loop, I am not a fan but talking to a couple of guys that bought mine suggested I should offer that because it seemed to be popular. Just a thought.

Here is a rough pattern that I used a while back. Ofcourse adjustments as you work with it will probably be necessary. It should get you going though. http://leatherworker...l=+rifle +sling Its on post #13

Thanks Country, I agree with ya. I am gonna try and adjust the pattern some to allow more space. I think your right about a 1/4" would be adequate.

Bob on my machine (4500 from Neils) I was having a little issue with back tacking not working right. Come to find out the little screws on the lever for going from forward to revers that you can see inside the machine on the slot (hard to describe) were actually loose. Once I got them good and tight the back stitch will stay in the same holes for a good little stretch. Probably not for a long stretch because of what you mentioned but much better then when I was first started using it.

Hey guys been a while since I have posted anything, been busy learning out how to make knives so only been doing leatherwork here and there for buddies. Finally had some time to do some holster orders. This is the first one Ive completed for the glock, and yes everyone is right the trigger gaurd is kind of a pain to get a good mold around. Anyways comments always welcome. I know the stitching didnt come out all that great. Keep forgetting if I cut the stitching channel the sewing machine will sinc the stitch too far in. Plus I am not quiet sure about the space between the grip and the top of the holster. It pulls fine but am thinking a little more space there would be nice.

Its not the knife that is the issue usually. I have had this happen with WC also. If I remember from posting this same issue a few years ago is that if the hide stays in the tanning solution a little too long or gets burned basically from it then you will end up with the core of the leather going on the verge of rawhide. It actually makes the core of this leather really tough and hence the cutting issue. Not so good for knife work but great for sheaths and such that require a stiff piece of leather. As far as the cutting utinsel thing its always gonna be what you feel comfy with. I personally hate using shears except for the thin stuff, utility knives very very rarely because I personally cant control them except in straight lines and dont like changing blades. I love my round knives, have several of different shapes and sizes and I have very good control of them. Took a while but got there. Ofcourse thats what works for me and cant say it will work for anyone else.

This is a great idea. Guess I stopped back in at the right time. Was thinking would a piece of plexi that had a gradient color work as well? Thinking it would be a little tougher and would have very fine control. Gonna have to play with this.

Good looking stuff Arbalet, I like the first one the best. Its a interesting design.

Thanks for sharing Boma, always love looking at your work. Its so clean and concise.

Very clean looking stuff. Great work. Had a questions, what size needle and what machine are you using. Your stitching looks really good and the back stitching part looks really good to. I seem to keep goofing that part up, it doesnt turn out to bad but not quiet as neat as yours.

Outstanding as always. Really like the different color in the flowers. Kind of sets it off. Great lacing as well.

Well you used some nice looking leather, looks nicely stitched both of which puts it above about 90% or more of the standard production crap out there. Also when compared to alot of the stuff being sold as "custom leather work" with which quality is questionable yours looks very good. I took a long while before I started selling things, still only do occasionally because of my day job and house remodel. However alot of craftsman seem to get to the point of just being able to assembly something then they are off and selling there stuff without learning to refine it a little and get more of a professional look (not saying just neat and clean, to me chuckbarrows stuff allthough rustic and dated looking is still very pro looking). You have a nice neat clean product that looks good. Good luck.

It depends on what the customer wants really. Most of the ones I have scene that are of any quality have the end covered.

Excellent job Arbalet, that is a great piece of art to be depicted on leather.