fredk

Look for KAM snaps. You can get them very cheaply, like under $5 for 100. Available in different sizes. I use the tops to go over the bases of metal snaps. I did a wee test on them a wee while ago. I'll look for that ** The tops dont just snap into place you need to glue them on/into the metal snap, but they stay in place well enough eg. KAM snaps. This size will cover the base of a 15mm dia metal snap; https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/332638472744?var=541754601669 ** Found it;

I once made a sort of apron for a chap. He wanted it like a tabard with a full length back. I used upholstery grade chrome tan which was a mid-brown colour. The leather was about 1.2mm thick. I had a very large piece of leather and just cut a head hole just off centre, only for to try it out for size and shape. The chap thought that was going to be it and liked it! so I added straps and buckles just about waist level and that was it. No pockets, no trimming. That was what he wanted. * He was a farrier and used it in his work, he wanted the back piece to protect his bare back from the open fire, both heat and sparks *other workers will maybe want pockets for tools

My casing for stamping 3D designs is just a slight wetting of the leather with a wet sponge. I usually do a number of items in one session. By the time I've wet the last item the first is ready to stamp These book covers were of pre-dyed veg and cased my way

What diameter of leather are you talking of? I'm thinking that a ferrule crimper for hydraulic hoses might be adaptable

Not exactly the same; I was once tasked with putting a retention strap on an already made up knife sheath. I couldn't take it apart to do it. I used double sided tape to hold the strap to the back side of the sheath. I put a thin wood block inside and punched sewing holes. I only needed about 4 each side of the length of the strap. I prefer not to make holes go across a strap. I cut down then curved a saddler needle into a semi-circle (I still have that one and use it) and sewed it. Extremely fiddly and annoying. After that was done I took the strap across the knife guard to almost the other side of the sheath on the front where I cut it to length and punched holes to take a Sam Brown button. The SB was a screw fitting. When it was fitted I glued a small piece of very thin leather over the screw head inside the sheath. For that I needed very long needle-nose pliers to get down into the sheath. = Job done HTH

Yes, the same steps. I don't tool but stamp 3D designs. I use a press for this. I just do it as if it wasn't coloured, ie, regular pressure and depth. Just be careful that the leather is veg tan and not chrome tan

I've used these creams. They are nothing but glorified shoe polish. They will not cover up stains, they'll just colour them. but they still be very eveident. I now use the creams as edge paint or low-lighting designs

The four British Army regiments of Dragoons still keep to their traditional roll of mounted infantry and scouts. Now they use Jackals and Coyote semi-armoured wheeled vehicles

woweee! all that deserves at least two Some really fabulous tooling I wish it was me, or at least that I was able to do any tooling even 1/10 as good

Get a heavy bristle pasting or white-wash brush. From a $-shop or hardware store. They are cheap and have enough bristles for a lifetime. I've pulled them apart for using the bristles as 'thatching' on model houses. The bristles are stiff enough to stay straight but flexible enough to bend when pushed a suggestion; hold the end of the bristle near the side of a candle flame. it will melt a wee bit and roll back slightly giving a more blunt end

I've been reading up on early guns; Its hard to believe that these pistols, with barrels up to around 14 inches, were 'pocket pistols' Your belt holster would have been really appreciated back then

The town called Asbestos in Canada recently changed its name; https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-54608836 One of my uncles got asbestosis through his work in the Belfast shipyard

dang, boye, that is nice. Very clever way to get around the flintlock

That is real artistry

Thanks for your replies. I don't dismiss any ideas. The thread is about 1.5mm / 1/16 inch thick. Just enough for a heavy sewing job. And its pre-waxed. I use 2mm multi-strand stainless steel wire in handbag straps for anti-thief security (I've only done few though) That s/s wire is a real bugger to cut when you want to

How about a simple pouch bag for carrying pistols? Not every one might want a holster but a padded pouch to take their gun to a club range. In WW2 US military personel used to be issued with a pouch to carry their Colt Auto in, and friends I used to have used pouches to carry their Olympic pistols to their club range for practice evenings A small case for the cleaning equipment. Again, those friends, used various biscuit tins for that. A nice leather be-spoke case would be ideal

good one. I've not heard that one before

Another question about a certain type of thread reminded me that I wanted to ask about a certain thread I have About a quadzillion years ago I bought some small hanks of an unusual heavy black thread from Le Prevo. They haven't had that thread in for a very long time. The thread has a fine steel wire in the middle. What might this have been used for? I once asked Le Prevo but no one there even remembered them having it in stock. I only bought some because I thought it might come in useful I've only ever used two short lengths; both on horse harness when I had to splice on a repair section on certain straps. I thought the wire insert would give the sewn part more re-enforcement and google doesn't give me any answers

Tandy did/does a pattern set 'Percussion Pistol Holsters' which includes flapped holsters and a small pouch, maybe for cartridges Might that be a starter? I think I could post it on here if you think so. I know nothing of these things Percussion pistol holsters.pdf

That the clothes fit

I dye first, then seal, white or silver colour acrylic base coat on where I want to paint, then top colours; lightest first thru to darkest.

Have you tried Le Prevo? http://www.leprevo.co.uk/HeritageCollection.htm http://www.leprevo.co.uk/offers.htm

Welcome to the nut-hatch, er the forum The only daft question is the one not asked. You'll find plenty of help on here. And there are several hunderd pages of 'How do I . . . '. I'm still making my way through them Have to get you off that beer, ale is better, and even better is wine Ever thought of keeping bees? A friend of mine* lives in Londinium and keeps bees in the top floor of his house. Gets about 100 -150 pounds of honey every season. Honey is very useful for making wine and mead. Goes nice on toast as well *lost contact with him several years ago

We just had 'Mothers's Day', on Sunday 19th. Our Mothers Day is an old religious festival day, unlike the commercial Mother's day observed in other foriegn countries Good luck with your projects

Another scource for lead is aquarium shops. Lead strips are used to hold plants down