rickybobby

I use the "duck bill" vice grips too!!! I used a drum sander to round out any sharpe edges and glued some 3oz veg tan to them to make sure there were no marks and I have been using them for years! Timbo, those look a little sharpe on the edges but if they work, good going!! Its great to save some money! Take care, Rick Jorgenson

Great job. Its fun to do a "odd" project now and then. It frees your mind up to get back to the projects that NEED to be done!! lol !! Nice work, Thanks for posting it! Rick J.

Ask away, I think Clays response has the best insight and moral tone. Most of us here are learning and sometimes we just need a hand to finish a project and to learn something. I try to share and have spent time at a copy store and then at the post office for folks in need of something at my own expense and other times I have asked for postage and copy fee's. Everyone has been very thankful and have never "skipped out" on payment for my cost's. I have sent leather to begginers and extra books I have collected in a flat rate postage box to help them and encourage them to keep practicing, (my own expense) it is something that I do to help keep the art alive (bring in new people). This site is about sharing and I thank Johanna and the others that I know spend countless hours here giving advice and encouragement. Just my .02 worth Rick J.

Johanna, If I were a packrat of leather information for the last 35 years and had a pattern set that tandys discontinued, and someone requested that information and I have it. Then photo copied the discontinued patterns and only asked for copy and postage would that make me a "snake in the grass"?. lol!! I have sent patterns that are not available any longer to folks and only asked for postage and copy money back. The people were thrilled and it was a great help to them, as some folks out side of the forum would not share and they were not able to even know how to start the project. They thanked me over p.m.'s when they got the information. Rick Jorgenson

Nice job!! Your friend will be happy with that. Good use of tools and spacing looks good. Have you checked out another members work, "Joe V." ? He does some bracelets and belts. Keep posting, if you get stuck on a step in the leather working part of a project, feel free to ask in the "how do I do this" section. And if you care to have a critical eye look at a piece you finished and want suggestions on how it could be done different post under "critique my work". Good job, and keep posting. Rick Jorgenson

F.O. Bairds books do come up for sale on ebay from time to time. One is "Leather Secrets" and the other one is "Design Artistry" Both are large, hard backed books and hard to find. The floral patterns and drawings are a great source for ideas and applications. I got one in xlnt condition and $165.00 and the other for $60.00 in like new condition, I feel very lucky to have both. Rick J.

Very cool piece !!! Stitching the skeleton must have been tough!! Nice work!! Rick J.

I have Dusty Johnsons and have used them quite a bit. I have just learned to make changes depending on the persons build and height. I would be glad to share them with you if you are interested. Send a PM Rick J.

Thanks for the tip, I have heard of others picking up toy guns on ebay to mold off of but I worry about sizing. To get proper "draw" vs. retension for a customer I think the "blue guns" are the way to go. They are $35.00 and you can put them in a press, rub on them to mold to shape and not worry about breaking them and they are EXACT size of the guns your customer will be carrying. I am lucky the owner of the saddleshop I work at has a friend that owns the gunshop down the street so when I need a gun to size for a customers gun I get the real thing to work with. But I am starting my own leather business from home and all the expence is mine so I need to buy blue guns a few at a time. Rick J.

Are you "Heating" the tool while stamping??? If you are you are BRANDING the hide and burned areas on veg tan or any leather will not act the same for wetting, tooling, dyeing. Case your leather properly and use a heavier maul for tooling. For very deep looking patterns look into "embossing" there are several books and tutorials, this maybe a better method for you. Just a few thoughts for you to consider. Rick J.

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Nice job!! The customers and their family will really like that. Great idea to incorporate all the elements you did and it does not look crowded or over done. Nice work!! Rick J.

I am not sure what they are brushing on the inside, the dunking is most likely "Neats Foot Oil" or "Neats Foot Oil Compound" Rick J.

Tim, Use your horse clippers to get it cut down to the length you want. Rick J.

Welcome to the forum Tac. All of us here love to see photos so post a bunch!! The forum has quite a few of us "westerners" from Arizona!! I work in a saddle shop in Wickenburg and build all of the holsters and knife sheaths. I have learned a lot from books and from trial and error. Rick Jorgenson

Dan, I read this post last night and did not answer because there is no easy way if you have never done it! So the next best thing (like Randy said) just jump in, but first there are some info you need. A "how to book" is the biggest help with no one local to ask or show you. I can make copies of the "covering the swell" pages of a couple of books I have for you (pm me if you want that info). Next post some pictures of the saddle, so we can see what swell is on it. If you feel confident enough, start pulling up the swell cover (maybe use it for a rough pattern) and post pictures of that. Once some of that info is posted, weight of leather, process to begin, ect. Can be recommended. "It ain't rocket science, it's just dead animal flesh" Rick J.

Go to the hardware store and look for "finishing nails" I am working on a "half pint" saddle and 1/4 inch nails seem a little short to me I have used at least 1/2 to 3/4 inch nails. (Just my opinion) and they work for me. Rick J.

I just got my new LC&SJ and our own ArtS has a really nice "how to" of his chap purses !!! Great job Art on the tutorial and photos !!! These are a real nice Holiday gift !!! Art must read every post here on the forum and always gives help or a "ataboy" (or girl) to even the smallest post or question. Thanks Art and congradulations !!! Rick Jorgenson

Shorts, Thanks for the information!! I have Glocks and some friends of mine have them but here in Az. everyone has 1911's and I get teased something fierce!! lol!! I would rather turn out really nice pieces that are durable and safe so I am learning as much as I can and trying different things on leather and carrying them to see what works and what does not. It cost some money for materials but this way my mistakes stay with me and do not make it to a customer. I am also developing my own style of things, take off's from others ideas but not a total rip off! There are some great holster makeers on this site and the web, I do draw from these but try to make them "my own" as well. Thanks again, Rick Jorgenson

Hi all, Thanks for all the information. I appreciate all the information. The models you guys mentioned will be the first few I will look into. If you don't mind telling the information, 1, How did you get your holster customers? 2, How many holsters do you make in a week? 3, Are you making heavy gun belts as well? 4, Are you selling thru gunshops? and what should I look out for doing so? 5, How did you go about starting your business? Again, thank you for all the information you have already given.

I have been making lots of Glock holsters because that is what I have to mold with, my friends with glocks are "swimming" in holsters I have made. I am ready to start some others but, what would be the most popular 4 or 5 blue guns to buy first? I really don't have a customer base yet but I would like to take some finished product to a gun shop that showed interest in hand made holsters. I have noticed that most of the makers with websites have "shyed" away from making gunbelts, is there not enough profit in them? The prices I have seen are 60.00 to 85.00 for a double layer, plain (no tooling) stitched belt. At the saddle shop I work at we get $85.00 for a full tooled belt that I work on for 3 to 4 hours. I am located in Az. and the 1911 is pretty popular here so my guess is that should be on the list. Any help or comments are appeciated, all of you and your posts have been a huge help and I thank you for them. Thanks, Rick J.

Here in Arizona there is no change. The VCR still blinks 12:00 lol !!! I lived in Hawaii for a couple of years too, no time change there either!!

Pally, After looking at the rest of the photos I can tell it is made in Mexico. I am sure there are some very fine craftsmen there, I have seen some posts from one maker from there on this forum, they looked like top notch saddles. But the production shops try to make as many as possible and as cheap as possible. Looking at the stirrups, the way they are covered, chap leather on the inside. The tooling pattern is pressed then a few tools are used. The buckstitching is classic "Mexico style". Be very careful of the riggings, they are usually off and sometimes only held on with nails or staples.

Pally, The photos are of a lime dog leash. The photos lower in your post did show up. The leather appears to be a poor grade in the billets. I have seen that kind of texture in the surface on saddles from Mexico. Also the tooling appears to be from a production shop across the border. The leather in the back under the bars that shows up over the sheep skin are either the lug straps or saddle strings holding the rear skirts on. from the looks of them they will sore your horse real quick, they look thick and protrude the lining a lot, causing a lump that will get your horse in a bad mood and you on the ground!! This is only my opinion from the few photos that did show up. Maybe someone else see's something different? Take care, good to get as much info on this saddle before putting it to a long ride or selling it to someone. Rick J.

Nice job on both! The Rattle snake is not very durable to have a gun pushing on it I guess it is lined?, how did you handle the lining (what did you use?) and did your construction differ much with the inlay? Again really nice work, I hope to get half as good at holsters as you and Jeff @ Boomstick! Rick J.