Randy Cornelius

Use clear shelf paper, it'' actually a clear plasitic.

I use Wickett & Craig for most of my tooling leather. It is a softer tannage and takes tooling and stamping very well. They are great people to work with and will split any leather to your disired weight. You can buy direct from the Tanery and they have no minum order. My sales person is Glen Proud phone # 814-236-2220They have a good selection of all types of leather. It is the only place I can get veg tan leather drum dyed black and split to order. I do use some Herman Oak from time to time but have to get it from a retailer as HO have a 10 side minum order to buy direct. These are the only two American Veg. Tanned Tanneries left in the US. I also use some of the Mexican tanned leathers from Thouroughbred Leather to make 2 saddles with good results, contact Jeff Ballard at 502-315-0315 The Mexican tanned skirting that Siegel sales is also good leather. I have never heard of Zack White leather???? Where are they out of. I have had some bad experiences with Tandy leather in the past. I hope they make improvements in the future. Randy

I have tried to use one of those pattern wheels that my wife gave me. I have had limited success as my hand is not as steady as it used to be and one slip and you have marks on your leather where you do not want it. With the powder you can wash off your mistakes and start over. But everyone has their own way of doing things. Just my thoughts Randy

When I do a fancy stitch design in a padded saddle seat. I draw the pattern out on a piece of heavy paper then sew it on the sewing maching without any thread. This leaves a buch of needle holes. I then lay out the pattern with the holes on the leather. I sprinkle baby powder all over and rub. Lift the paper and the design is transfered by the powder. Stitch the pattern and the powder will wash off with a sponge. Randy

Amazon.com has 7 copies for sale, starting at 71.00 all the way up to 433.00. Randy

It's got an internal retention from the plastic holster that I covered with the shark

I would like to take this opertunity to brag a little. MY son Riley Cornelius has an articule publised in the Leather Crafters & Saddlers Journal. The article is called "Riley's Corner" on page 9 of the new issue. Please look at it. He was one of the Ann Stohlman Award winner in 2006. Randy

I have had an inquiry from a lady of small stature about building a custom saddle for her. She is requesting a saddle as light weight as possible but still be a quality saddle. She is having trouble throwing the saddle up on her horse. From talking with her I think she would like a bowman type tree. I have ideas such as using a 10/12 oz leather instead of 15 etc. Trimming up the skirts and the fenders to lighten it some but thought I would throw the idea out to see what others thought and see what other ideas were out there. I would be open to all suggestions. What about tree construction? Is there something that could be done from a custom tree makers view? She is not a roper, just trail rides and shows some I don't think the saddle will be abused from that aspect. Would like to hear all suggestions. It's in the planning stages. Randy

Batie's Custom Saddle Trees usually has some stock trees on hand. I always get the AAA tree that are wraped in rawhide and sewn and nailed. 918-788-3686. They are in Welch Ok. I would also reccomend the Bill Gomer Video as an excellet guide. RC

If the leather is dry which you say you do not wet form until after its sewn then the answer is no. The spring clips that I use have plastic over the jaws that leave very little if any marks. I always use some glue on the seems that I am sewing to hold them in place. I use a machine so I am more concerned about the leather moving as I sew. I have no problems with using a little glue to hold everything in place. I use a glue called "Fabric Tack". It is clear glue that drys in seconds and is clear with little odor. I t comes in a bottle with an applicator tip that lets me put just the ammount where I want it. I have used it for years and would not build a holster or case without it now. It is like a second pair of hands. RC

I went to Sheridan 3 yars ago with the purpose of buying a sewing machine, I tried them all. I did not buy one at that time. I came home and shopped a few other and made a dicision to buy an Artisan and I have not been disappointed. Anytime I have called for tech support they have been there, talked me through any problems I may have had. The shipped they used dropped the box off a dock and broke the motor mount. They replaced the parts not questions asked. The servo moter went bad, they replaced it no questions asked. When I have a brain **rt they helped me fix it. They are the nicest buch of people you would ever want to deal with. And to top it all off they all speak English!!!! Something you don't find with tech support these days. I can switch from 346 thread to 138 by changing needles and with very few adjustments. Be sure to buy extra bobbins you will use them. You will not be disappointed in buying an Artisan 3000 Randy

how can I hold it securely to punch and stitch it so all my holes stay backed up nice and neat? Spring clamps and binder clips. You can get the spring clams at hardware store and the binder clips at Office supply.

I live just south of Kansas City welcome. Randy

There was also a man at Sheridan this year that had some heavy duty stitching horses. They were really well built but very expensive in the 500.00 range. I have seen Dales and they are very good, well built, and a value for the money. I cannot remember the price of the sit and stitch but you can call him direct. He has a web site Grandpas Pasttime. Or something close to that. Weaver Leather also has a traditional style stitching horse in thier cataloge that is reasoably priced also. Don't know of the quality. Randy

When I sew two pieces like you are doing I use a product called Fabric Tack. I buy it at Walmart in the craft dept. I now order it by the case from the maufacturer. It is a clear glue that bonds in seconds. It has no or very little smell. I work a small area at a time and use binder clips that I buy by the box at Office Depot to hold it all together until it drys. . After I have it all glued and clamped I start sewing, removing the binder clips as I go. I have also used just the binder clips without glue with good success. That way when you turn your project inside out you do not have any glue showing. I use this method for making purses and other bags. Just keep trying it will get better. We have all been there when we started. It helps to have someone to ask and get so many responces. You can pick the ones that work best for you. Randy

I have been building holsters for several years now. Got started when I got into the SASS shooting and was too cheep to buy a holster rig. I don't hand sew much anymore, arther. in my hands just won't let me. I have an Artisen 3000 machine I bought 3 years ago. It was the best investment that I have ever made. The Consealed Carry has brought in a lot of business. Also look for those lefty's as they do not have the choises out there off the shelf that the Right handed people do. Randy

Thought I sould tell everyone a little about me. I signed up on this forum last year but there was not much activity at the time and I kinda drifted away. I got an email from Johanna inviting me to come back which I did and much to my suprise I seen thousands of members. I have posted a few things over the last several days so I thought I sould tell everyone a little about me and what I do. I live south of Kansas City near a small town in Eastern Kansas. I still work for a living as Deputy Sheriff. But looking to retire soon and hope the leather business will keep me from having to find another job. lol. I do just about anything that involves leather. I started out in leather as a kid and have picked it up and put if down over the years. Got real serious about 10 years ago. I do all the normal belts, wallets, portfolios etc. Went to saddle making school 2 years ago and have now built several saddles. I would like to go to boot making school also if time and money permits. I make chaps and all kinds of horse gear and do saddle and tack repair. I also do a lot of law enforcement work and K-9 leather gear. Work out of my basement but have built a new shop that I hope to get finished this fall or winter. I got my son Riley interested in leather work 3 years ago when he was 14 years old. He showed his first piece at the IFoLG show in Denver 2 years ago and won a first and a second in his two classes, He was hooked. We met Bill Gomer and Chan Geer that year in Denver and both were inpressed with his work and took him under thier wing. He was nominated for the Ann Stohlman Award for Youth Achievement in Leathercraft and was one of the reciepiants in 2006. I took him to Sheridan 3 years ago and we have not missed a year since. We met Bruce Johnson there and he is considered a dear friend. He is truely an accomplished leatherworker with a fast knowledge. I an glad to see him posting her. Riley is now 17 and a very accomplised carver in his own right and I am proud of him. I wish I would have had the instruction he has gotten when I was his age. I teach leathercraft to the local County 4-H every year and try to make it to some of the shows each year. I hope to see some of you in Ft. Worth. I think it will be quite a show and party. I will get off the soap box and quit borring you all. Good night. Randy

Here are three more gun holsters and rigs. Someone asked to see some more.The first one is a fully basket stamped rig for a Colt 1911. It was made out of W&C leather. 10/12 oz lined with 2/3 oz. The holster is fully formed wet to the gun. The other 2 photos are another style of holster for the G-36 that I made the shark skin for. One is dyed Mahonogy and the other was black. They were both made out of W&C and also wet formed. My wife claims I have different holster rigs for every outfit. She compairs me to a lady and her purses.... I think it goes much deeper than that...I will be happy to answer any questions about construction etc. I almost never line my holsters. When you line them and then try to wet form them the linning never cooperates. I have better luck without linning and it come out better looking job without the linning. But if a customer wants I will do anything for a buck. I have made holsters for everyting from derrangers to the new 500 S&W revolver. Randy

To answer some of the questions. I got the shark skin from Jerry VanAmberg while I was in Sheridan at the trade show this spring. I cannot remember the price per square foot but it was expensive, 20.00 or so as I remember. The shark is only about 5 oz so you almost have to back it with veg tan, at least I did for the belt and mag pouch for this project. It molds fairly well. I cheeted a little on this project I took one of those cheep plastic holsters you see, won't name a brand. I cut off the belt loop and molded the shark around the front. Glued veg tan black to the back and cut the holes for the belt loops. It seems to be holding up really well as I have been wearing it every day for the last 2 months. The shark is very durable leather and is #2 next to Elephant which is near bullet proof as a leather can be as far as wear. The shark hide is odd shaped and you can only get 3-4 belts out of a hide the rest can be used for other projects such as holsters etc. I encourage anyone to try some new leathers to work with as it is interesting. Stringray is really interesting to work with but that's another subject. I will post some of my other holsters when I have the time. Randy

Hey Clay, I am back signed up here when it first came on line but did not say much because not too many people in, but I am back. FYI, Bill Gomer is going to Ft.Worth, I think Riley is going to ride down with him or drive him, not sure yet. I will be there too but am bringing the wife with me this trip. I think that is why Riley is going with Bill so he don't have to ride with his mother. For thoes of you who don't know Riley he is my son and is one of the 2006 winners of the Ann Stohlman Award. Hope to see you at Ft Worth. Randy

Thought I would post this project that I made for myself. It is black shark skin holster rig for a Model 36 Glock that I carry on duty in my other life.

Can you email me off list. Could you sell me a yard of it until I see if the English repairs become more frequent. Let me know what you want for it. Weaver only has a 30 yard roll. Big investment for a few repairs. Corneliusaddlery@yahoo.com Thanks Randy

I have the CD you refer to. I don't see why I could not copy it for free with a shipping and handling charge

I have had several of the hunter jumper or english style saddle girths dropped off to repair and those of you in the know with english equipment they have heavy elastic on the ends of the girth. I have been looking around and cannot find a supplier in the books. Have not went on the net yet as not sure what to call the elastic. It's about 1 1/2 inch wide. Anyone who knows a supplier who will sell by the yard not the 100 foot roll let me know. Randy