dikman

As suggested, I've ordered some #69 bonded thread. I've also sorted out the breaking thread issue. I figured it had to be the shuttle timing, as I'd dismantled it all to smooth out the sliding parts and grease them. It just took a little while to work out the correct operating sequence. Now I need to make a new presser foot, one that is height-adjustable. And a decent bobbin winder. The beauty of this thing is that it's so primitive that it's easy to work on! (I also found another post on here about the Able 290, which is the same machine).

Thanks guys. The needle that came with it appears to be the same as the 15x1 in my little Singer 201K. The length of the needle looks fine when it's operating, but a bit more investigation is obviously necessary. By the way, I only use a machine to pre-punch the holes and then use an awl to open them up for the stitching needles. This gives me uniform spacing as well as making it easier to get the awl through the leather.

Don't worry, queenslander, you're not alone - wife, house, kids, work all tend to take up most of the available time!!! It's only since I retired that I've been able to "indulge" myself. I got back on a motorbike again (at last), and recently took up shooting muzzleloaders, which led to single-action shooting, which lead to reloading and then leatherwork. I needed holsters and was having trouble getting what I needed, so thought "wonder what's involved in making them?". And here I am . I really enjoy working with leather, and while I'm not into carving I can appreciate your obvious skill at it . And yes, it's all expensive, but even if I'd had the time all those years ago I didn't have the money then. Now, I do.....

I just bought one of these little hand-cranked beasties, and was wondering if anyone else has one, or has used one? It's listed as a to-16 model by the seller. It's a very interesting little piece of machinery, crudely made compared to a Singer, but using a standard (15x1) sewing machine needle (for leather) has no trouble punching through three layers of 8 oz veg. I haven't got it sewing yet, as I think I need some suitable thread (keeps breaking ordinary cotton thread!) but I bought it mainly to use to pre-punch the holes prior to hand stitching, and being a patcher-type machine means I can get into awkward areas - at least, that's the theory!

Being new to all this leatherworking stuff, I have an advantage in not knowing the "right" way to do things . My method is to run a groover to locate the stitch line and then I use an old Singer 201 to punch the stitching holes along the groove. The Singer is a hand-cranked domestic model, and while the needles and bobbin can't handle the heavier thread used for leatherwork, it makes a neat job of punching the holes, with even spacing and nice and straight. I then use an awl to widen the hole and proceed to saddle stitch. A bit tedious, maybe, but it works for me.

G'day Red cent. At this stage it's not an issue, as we're still in the process of getting our range approved by Firearms Branch to enable us to shoot at metal targets (can't do anything regarding firearms in this country without police approval!). Plus I have to be certified for holster use (I kid you not) which is a minor problem as our range doesn't have any relevant procedures in place for it yet. We will probably have to vary the normal SASS operating procedures to suit our particular range too - but we'll get there eventually. The longer barrels may be an issue for fast-draw, I guess, but I'll worry about that if it happens. These two revolvers came up at a good price, so I grabbed them, as single action revolvers aren't exactly common here in Oz. I actually really like them as they are different (nearly everyone else seems to get Colt clones) and they look nice with my 1858 cap and ball . And they go Bang when I pull the trigger!

Thanks Red Bear (the answers are pretty obvious - once I was told!). I had another long look, and I realise that what really appeals to me is the under-stated elegance of it, as in no flashy tooling and shiny baubles. It just looks right.

Very sumptuous! How could someone not be happy with that. The British Tan has a very "rich" look to it. A couple of questions, if I may, as I'm very new to all this and trying to learn as much as I can. 1. Why do you "cut" the stain? 2. What is NF? 3. I was wondering why you didn't line the holster. (I thought it made it smoother for the revolver).

Red Bear - "one of the best hobbies"? Do you mean SASS or leatherwork? (I'm inclined to think both ). I'd forgotten how hard stitching is on the fingers (as a young bloke I spent a lot of time lacing telecommunications cables with waxed twine), but even though it was a tedious business I really enjoyed doing the hand stitching on this rig. You'll notice no carving/stamping/conchos, as I reckon plain looks better on holsters (nothing to detract from the quality - or lack thereof - of the work). The back of the belt has a stitched "infiniti" pattern, with no bullet loops as I don't need them. I learnt a lot from making this, and even though I don't need more holsters I'm tempted to make another set, maybe shorter so that the barrels stick out the bottom, and a tapered belt (some refer to the belt as the "Eastwood" style?). I've been browsing the forum for a while and figured I should join (along with the several gun forums I'm on, amongst others). While I'm only interested in making belts, holsters and maybe the occasional knife sheath, there's lots of good info on here. Although I have been thinking maybe I should make myself a leather vest, just need to find out how! Cheers all, Dik.

I'm in the process of taking up Single Action shooting, and the two revolvers I bought came with a single Buscadero-style holster, made by Hunter. I wanted a crossdraw holster to go with it, but could not find exactly what I wanted (I'll spare you the details of the hours wasted searching!!). So I thought "I wonder what's involved in making one?". Lots of reading and watching of youtube videos (thanks, Nigel A, for the excellent stitching videos you made), and the result was a quite acceptable crossdraw holster. Only problem was that I soon realised it wasn't going to work too well with the existing belt/holster - so the obvious solution was to make another holster and a suitable belt. End result below. Please bear in mind that this is the first bit of "real" leatherwork I've done, so there's mistakes (if you know where to look ). The revolvers are Uberti 1875's with 7 1/2" barrels. Did I mention it was fun?