Chief31794

Thanks Bill, same to you and yours. Monica, I don't know, these look great and it is on Veg Tan 4oz. It looks like a film laminated on the leather not sure, but it is very nice. I made this one up, probably gonna give it to someone who can let me know how it lasts, I thought about the same thing, but they do look pretty sturdy. We'll see! Thanks to both on the braid comments, Chief

Thanks Rohn, yes the insides are from Springfield as well. I'm thinking I could hide it easier from my wife!! Chief

I got these backs from Springfield Leather Company. I think they will sell pretty good, particularly in the south where I'm at. Everyone loves camo and these are much better looking in person, they are printed on veg tan and in person are absolutely beautiful prints. Chief

I always shift to reverse after the needle has just started back up from Bottom like was said, the loop should have already been picked up at that point. Mine hasn't failed to work yet. But I agree that there might be some issue with the needle or the bobbin shuttle as was said also. The only problem I had (only once) was it started fraying and breaking the top thread in forward or reverse, after checking every thing I found that although the needle looked good it was slightly bent and wasn't exactly lined up anymore. I replaced that needle, made sure it was aligned perfectly and it is still sewing well. Might be a worn or misaligned needle. Chief

I'm not sure what you'd call it, but I'd be interested in how it looks after 6 months of wear, the reason most belts are beveled and burnished isn't for the looks so much as to prevent fraying, sharp edges on leather will wear and fray most times. Let us know how it turns out on the wear. It could be a new thing. Chief

Joe, Here is a tutorial on the web about lacing slits and how to do them. There are videos on Youtube on double loop lacing and Mexican Round Braid Lacing, some people find them helpful. Here's the tutorial: http://www.kingsmerecrafts.com/page99.html Here's a tutorial on double loop lacing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KPY-T6yOSLo Hope that helps, Chief

They will work, although the slanted thongs are more for Buck Stitch Lacing, normally you want to use horizontal slits for double loop, you can use holes but the slits are preferred. Nothing wrong with either way slits or holes, most prefer slits for double loop although I've seen a ton of stuff laced with holes, I would punch 00 holes to use 3/32" lace if that's what you're going to do. The proper lacing thong for 3/32" lace would be the 3/32" thong. The way they make the lacing chisels the smallest is 3/32 and is designed for use with 3/32 lace, the 1/8 is designed to be used with 1/8" lace, sometimes we like to use 3/32" slits with 1/8" lace to make it a little tighter looking. Nothing wrong with either. I don't think I'd use an angled chisel, just me. Chief

The best lace is Kangaroo, however, Tandy has some Calf Skin lace that is pretty decent if Kangaroo is out of range. Springfield Leather carries Kangaroo. 1/8" lace for 3/32" slits. Chief

If it were me, I would use 1/8" lace, and 3/32" lacing slits (made with a lacing thong), I'm not sure what a 1/8" stitching slot is, if it's a horizontal slit, that is a lacing thong. If it's a diamond shaped hole, I wouldn't use it. If you don't have a lacing thong, then you can punch a 0 size hole spaced 3/32" apart and 3/32" from the edge, that will give you a nice tight lace. Chief

X2 except mine is a 3lb Mallet from Barry King. My grandkids call me Thor! Gravity is about all you need to punch through anything with it. The big one in the picture, the other is my carving mallet. I learned with the old Rawhide mallets and have tried but can't get used to the maul. It all boils down to personal preference like was said. Chief

I use several deer heads, this one is from a picture in a carving book I think, google or yahoo images and look for "Deer Head Line Art" you'll get plenty of them. I always look for line art when I need to find a new graphic to carve. Chief

Thanks Monica, I have to stop a little early, I'm coming up to your neck of the woods next weekend, my grandkids live in Powder Springs. Chief

Yep, always made it that way, been playing for about 58 years, started when I was 7. Thanks, It is a very nice piece of Indian, lots of folks think it's Brazilian but they stopped those the year before or so. I feel for you on the orders, it gets crazy this time of year. I sell Dobro straps at the Resogat every year and that's what I have to start getting ready for next. Thanks, Chief

Thanks Rohn. Chief

Here is the last of it, I may have to do some family stuff (Belts and such) but I'm done with orders for this year. Chief

Chief, I think you're right. Here's a picture of me with one of my straps on my 74' D-28. Chief

I understood, thanks. Lots of hours and a lot of prep work, I make a lot of straps and I have most of them already cut out before the Christmas rush, this year I closed orders early cause I got a few more than I anticipated. Since Friday after Thanksgiving, I did 5 Banjo Straps, 2 Mandolin Straps, 1 Guitar Strap, 22 Rifle Slings, 1 Wallet, 1 Money Clip, and 1 Belt. I make several of the Rifle Slings with Deer already carved so all I have to do is put the initials in and stamp the basket weave. That helps, the only ones I have to carve are orders for different carvings. I did 2 Deer last night (they were already carved) and all I had to do was a Bear Head carving and a Duck, the duck is pretty easy, the Bear took a couple of hours. Oh well, I'm off for the holidays now anyway. Love your work!!! Chief

Thanks Rohn. Thanks Bill, mine haven't been idle but they're about to be, I stop taking orders tonight at midnight. Thank you sir, the rifle slings have been the biggest seller this year, I haven't counted completely but I know I've made at least 20 since Thanksgiving, could be a few more. Thanks, Chief

I have a huge first aid kit in the shop, the first thing I do is treat with antibiotic and then bandage, keep it that way until it heals. I got through it fine, thanks for the tips. Chief

Thanks, be glad when January comes around. Chief

On the Friday after Thanksgiving, the orders started flowing. This is most of what we turned out, I missed photographing a few that were rush orders for overseas shipping. Chief

I don't have any trouble with mine, it's solid as a rock. I sew guitar straps and belts all the time and have never had it lose adjustment. It doesn't move, I did add a washer between the roller end and the arm to drop it down a little for when I sew thinner leathers. Chief

Pictures attached. I did get it from Bob and Bobby, when I took it out to take the pictures, it does look like someone Filed the sides down, works great. Chief

I'm confused, did they change the guide. I bought my machine in the summer and it came with a guide that has the knurled knob on top or at least that's the way I installed it, and it works perfectly and will go all the way to the needle if you want. Chief

I mark a hole with an awl at an accurate location, but I think you said your problem was punching them accurately after marking them right where they should be. I tap the punch lightly and lift it leaving a small impression, then I move the punch if necessary and keep tapping until I get the mark dead center of the punch impression, then I put the punch in the impression, and punch it through. All the slightly offset light impressions are obliterated by the punch. This works for round holes and ovals. Chief