Bighearn

What are the alternatives for someone that does not have $2000 for a nice machine? Lets say you wantend something for small holsters knife seaths chaps etc is there a good afordable machine for the part time leather worker not making a living at it just doing for side bucks and friends etc.

So no one ever told me what they thought about the buckle idea. Good, bad, indifferent?

Well I at least expected someone to say nice Stainless S&W pistol you got there Big. I know it looks bad. But I was looking for a little advice or something. Let me have it guys your not going to hurt my feelings. I really want some advice and feedback. Or just tell me you really are hopeless and should stick to belts and kits because you lack any skills and and we dont think you are worthy of any help or advice.

First off let me start with I have never worked leather stitching or holster making in my life. I sat down with a scrap piece with some strange range marks and decided to give the moulding a try. After words I thought what the heck why not go ahead and see what if anything I can do with this. After a lot of head scratching and much thunking I thunk this up. I know its rough as a corn cob pipe but what amazes me its that it is actually functional and wears rather nicely. The gun fits perfect and tight. So consider that I started with no pattern and absolutly no experience in holsters whatsoever. It kind of just happened. With that please tell me what I might have done differently other than making a pattern first I kind of figured that one out the hard way. I did realize that my stitch holes were way to big and as a result I dubble stitched for strength and to try and hide the hugh holes. So let me have it what is my next step is there a book I should get? On stitching and holster making?[att chment=7644:DSC00819__Small_.JPG][attachme t=7646:DSC00821__Small_.JPG]

bighearn... 99% of the time i am working with customer supplied seats or seat pans. some guys pic up a used seat on ebay to send me. if you want to cover your own i am more than happy to answer any questions you might have. Thanks I have been wanting to for about a year but just have not been able to find a seat pan I like. I am going to find one though and I would have quite a few questions. One of those things you just dont want to mees up, get it right and take your time on. I have the pattern I want but have to find the seat pan. I'll find one soon and then I'll get with you. My main concern is the sticthing and fitting more than tooling.

Man I got to do a seat for my Heritage. If you don't mind a question do you build your own seat pans or do you use what people bring you. I looked last night for something on the internet but could not find a solo seat pan for a 97 softail. I got the original one but I hate to rip it apart in case I ever sell its going back on. I kinda like the lepera shape or the ultima you know slim and clean but I cant find anything on the net just two ups. Any ways just asking not thinkiing of going in the business just would like to try my own you know.

So true. I been playing with some programs and seeing what I can do. This site has giving me tons of ideas. I really dont know where to start. I guess I do.... the next peice of leather. I been eyeballing some of the holsters these guys are making thinking I might give that a try or two or three. I got an old 45 I need a new holster for so I guess Ive picked my next project.

It makes me want to have you make me a seat for my Heritage. But then I know by looking at your work I can't afford it. That is wicked work brother.

Thanks fellas I just wish I was more of an artist so I could draw up the things I see in my head and put them on the leather. I guess I'm just stuck hunting for cool things I see and can transfer. I lean to motorcycle related things as I have two Harleys and a ton of Harley pals that want a belt nobody else has. So you got to make each one something different and new and all that jazz and the patterns out there just don't go with the Harley crowd. I guess I'll Just keep looking for cool patterns and tibits that I can snatch here and there, and hope the Harley goon's don't track me down and get me for copyright infringment. Oh not leather but something cool you might like (or might not) but I make these buckles with a picture of your bike encased in it. I get the buckle blanks and glue the pic in then pour a resin over it. The resin hardens like glass and there ya go a nice custom buckle of your bike or whatever else might strike your fancy. May not be the first to do it but I never seen it before it just hit me while shopping for a buckle at Tandy. A pic attached of my buckle with my Heritage.

It looks very good.

I will post em as I get them done. I got a few request from friends after they saw this one. I'm trying to do some stuff other than the pattern book junk. Not that the old patterns are bad they are great but they only appeal to a limited crowd if you know what I'm trying to say.

Cova colors on the design and paint brushed dye around it. It was a real pain to do had to use some reading glasses as my eyes are shot. I worked with leather when I was a kid some but just got back to it after twenty some odd years and two kids etc. I love doing it and am rusty but I just got the itch if you know what i mean.

Im new to the forum and would like to know what you think. Have not worked leather in years but got the itch again