RonSC

Another perspective.... I'll be the the first in line to thank any and all 1st-responders and to tell them how much I appreciate their continued efforts and sacrifices. BUT the reality is there really is no comparison. I'st responders are not routinely separated from their families and loved ones for YEARS thru their time of service. Ist-responder's families are NOT routinely forced to pick -up and move dozens of times thru the years, (forced to live in sub-standard housing... With the spouse suddenly ALONE and responsible for every facet of hers ( and her children's welfare). And this is just the tip of the iceberg for a veteran's family. Ron Retired Vietnam veteran (23 yrs)

Just a "WAG" here but I suspect that the 'hardening' you achieved was the result of the combination of Vinegar based dye, Acetone and heat. Vinegar is among other things an astringent as is Acetone (just getting it on your hands will leach out most of the oil in the skin resulting in crazing/cracking) same thing happens to leather. This was further accelerated by heating and your results were probably not unlike the consistency of "beef jerky" or a modern form of 'mummification'. Much the same results could be achieved by taking a well-oiled baseball glove an storing it in an attic for several years. Even though you achieved a high degree of "hardness" I'd wager that if you attempted to flex the holster it will develop cracks and eventually fail at the stitching due to the loss of natural emollients in the leather. Again I'm no chemist so others might want to Weigh-in here.. Ron

cool: While the concept is appealing unless you have dimensional accuracy it would be difficult to transfer this to an actual "working" pattern. One question..Did you "scan" the gun, that is to say, is it dimensionally accurate? This type of work would need to be treated like a sheet-metal pattern where the shape could be developed into a flat pattern. I could see it working with a 3D program in Kydex.... (OOPS! there's that dreaded word!!!) Hope it works, keep us posted.

Randy: Many thanks for your explanation and formula. I was beginning to think that maybe this was (for the lack of a better word) a "dumb" question.. Usually it is not a problem for me except in "long" projects such as belts and slings. You have been a tremendous help. Ron

New guy here.. I've been loitering here for about a month and have to say this is a great forum with many knowledgeable and polite folks eager to help novice leather crofters like myself. KUDOS to admin folks for as well for well thought-out format. Thus far I've gleaned rafts of information from threads posted here.. Most of may projects are shooting/ hunting related , holsters, sheaths, belts, and rifle slings, but my work pales in comparison to most of the example I've seen here! RonSC

New guy here.. I've been loitering here for about a month and have to say this is a great forum with many knowledgeable and polite folks eager to help novice leather crofters like myself. KUDOS to admin folks for as well for well thought-out format. Thus far I've gleaned rafts of information from threads posted here.. Most of may projects are shooting/ hunting related , holsters, sheaths, belts, and rifle slings, but my work pales in comparison to most of the example I've seen here! One question I've had for years concerns how to gauge or estimate thread lengths for assorted projects so as not to run out of thread and or to have an excess amount left over at the end of the stitching. I know this will be a function of the thickness of the work pieces as well as the thread size so there has got to be a way of estimating it within reason. Any help/suggestion in this regard would be greatly appreciated. Again many thanks for a great forum..! TIA, RonSC

Very nice work: The background colors (red , yellow and green) are representation of the Vietnam Service Ribbon which is meant to duplicate the South Vietnam Flag which is identical in pattern/color but lacks the green bars on each end. The center emblem on the left is the Purple Heart Ribbon while the example to the right is a Captain's insignia of rank. Can't help with the "circle emblem' but I wager it is part of a particular unit's insignia. Ron (Vietnam Vet..'66-'68)