Chief31794

For those not as industrious or talented as Dwight, Weaver sells bag punches, I bought the 1.75" one from them and I'm thinking about getting a 2" but the 1.75 does most holsters really well. Most folks wear a 1.5" belt with their carry holsters. They are a bit pricey, I think I paid ~$75.00 for the one I got, course they got the expensive ones too, they go for about $125.00 if I remember right. Chief

I didn't get the plates, they won't work with the 3200, with the standard plate it will only go high enough to sew a little over 1/2". I got a left pressor foot, double pressor foot, roller guide, and a lamp for it, I can't think of anything else I would need, I mostly make guitar, dobro, banjo and mandolin straps, plus belts and some wallets, etc. I decided to get the 3200 with the 5/8" lift as opposed to the 3500 with the 7/8" lift. I never used the Boss to sew anything near 1/2" so I'm happy with it. It comes standard with a servo motor. The needle foot on these doesn't have the groover on the bottom, they are stainless steel and very smooth. I usually cut a groove with my groover, then set the edge guide so that the stitches are in the groove. When sewing across holsters, etc, I groove the line and then follow it free hand. I don't think I'd like the groover on the bottom of the needle foot either, I'd probably do the same thing you did. Chief

The Boss was good, but I never got to liking it much, these are head and shoulders above the Boss in my opinion. Chief

Thanks, I see you're from Georgia, not many of us out here. Chief

I know what you mean, I had a Boss for a long time and never had an occasion to sew more than 1/2" so I sold it and bought this one, I like it a lot better. I didn't use the Boss that much because it was hard to hold the material and pull the handle at the same time. So I wound up hand sewing almost everything because I didn't have much confidence in getting a good looking stitch line, it could be done but it was harder than it is with the servo motor and triple feed, the Boss was a needle feed and was a little more finicky about sewing straight and accurate. I'm getting older and the hand sewing on say a lined guitar strap or belt is pretty punishing on my arthritis. I'm thinking this machine may keep me in the game a few more years. Chief

Not sure what you mean? Chief Thanks, Chief

Thanks, no this is Hermann Oak, I still have some left, but I'm transitioning to the NY stuff, I've made a couple of holsters with it, looks and works great. Thanks, should'a seen my practice scraps!!! Chief

Trying to learn how to use this thing, I like it so far but there is a learning curve from the Boss that I used for years. Belt is two layers of 7/8 oz X 1.5" wide. Chief

I know this thread has matured and you got some great advice, I didn't see a plain answer to your question, "Does the Swivel Knife Really Matter", logically it does, if it didn't then Barry King and other tool makers wouldn't be able to sell swivel knives and all professional and amateur leathercrafters would be using Tandy basic swivel knives. Now, could Bob Parks carve beautifully with the basic swivel knife in the Tandy kit, absolutely, even the guys who work for Tandy Tony and George, use the higher end knives that Tandy sells (the Al Stohlman Professional Type). I would buy the best knife I could afford and learn to use it. It will last a lifetime, most people who start with the basic Tandy knife wind up buying a quality knife as some point. The roller bearings in the top are worth the difference in price alone in my opinion. Just my $.02 worth, Chief

This set was on sale at Bass Pro Shop and I needed a Machete to clear some underbrush on the back of my property so I bought it and the sheaths that came with it were made out of some kind of nylon webbing, so I made these. Chief

I make my holster patterns (each gun, I don't save patterns) on poster board. There are several books and tutorials on how to draw out a holster or sheath pattern, but it is relatively simple. I use a set of angles to get the center line perpendicular to the bottom, then I use a set of french curves to lay out curves across the top etc. I think most people make their own patterns. I have some patterns in books and pattern sets, but I wouldn't trust nor use them. Best way is to draw them out yourself. Chief

Thread can get old. Not all thread is lubricated or if the lubrication has "evaporated" it may fray. I would be concerned if the top tension is "real tight" as you said with no tension on it. It sounds like the thread may not be threaded on correctly or it may have gotten wrapped around something. I've had thread get behind one of the tensioners and wrap around the post. Just something to check. There could also be a burr on your needle or something like that. Chief

Correct, and the department of heraldry designates the order of the seals as I said, Army, Marine Corps, Navy and then the Air Force and when the Coast Guard is displayed, as it should be, it comes last. Chief

Great job, nice to see you back. Chief

Thanks for your service. Billy P, thanks so much. Chief

Love it, great job. Chief

Thanks Thanks Wild Bill, I appreciate the kind words. Chief

Maybe something in the water, have you tried distilled water. Chief

Great job, really nice looking holster. Chief

Very nice, love the color and the overall look. Chief

Very nice and someone researched the Department of Heraldry and put the Service emblems in the correct order. They are displayed from left to right by the date they were established, the Army is the oldest service, the Marine Corps dates the Navy by a short time, most people don't realize that the USMC is older than the Navy. I like this, thanks for sharing. Chief Ken Harper, Chief Warrant Officer Three, USA (Retired) Disabled Veteran from the Vietnam Era.

Thanks, Chief

Here is one I made this week. Seems like everyone wants a Bible Cover or a Holster, they either want to shoot em or save em! Chief

Not sure but it may be something in the water. I always use distilled water for wetting leather whether I'm soaking it for molding or casing it. I use it to cut water based products as well. Just never know what's in the water. Chief

Wild Bill, Copy away, I have no problem with it what so ever. Thanks for the nice comments. Chief