Albob

I recently bought a nice Singer 111W155 and with the help from Bob at Toledo Sewing I have the new servo installed and sewing quiet well for wallets and belts. It does not seem to like the 138 thread size but I never intended to make heavy-ish items with it any way. I want a cylinder arm machine for pieces the Singer won't like to do. Now I'm looking at a second machine, a FERDCO Pro 440. Asking price is $900.00 but has been on the market for a little while so I might make an offer, but if it is a good machine for my needs (Holsters, heavy knife sheaths) I'm willing to pay asking price for it. I'm still learning about sewing machines and there is so much information out there that well, it can be a bit confusing for a old dummy like me. Assuming it passes my inspection, condition and function does this sound like a good deal for me? Thanks in advance. Fredo San Diego CA

I have a "Wall of Shame" in my shop. I nail items I mess up to it. If I'm not careful I'm going to need taller walls. On the up side I use it to help me slow down. If I'm making a belt I look at the belts on the wall and tell myself "Don't do that again"

Like Dwight and Halitech, I cut them out with my strap cutter as long as I can. Any cut offs are saved for other uses. Most work great for the billets on ranger style belts...or ranger belt style dog collars...

Welcome Home

I made this about a year ago, forgot I had taken photos. It was a lot of fun to make and my honor to make it for this man. The knife was a gift from his platoon when he rotated out. They call him "DOC"

Sorry for the delay in responding. Anyway this is the material I bought to use to make patterns I want to keep. I have to say it's working out pretty good. You'll find it in your local big name hardware store. Look for the wire shelving in the build your own closet kits. I think it's about $5.00 for a roll of 10 feet

No, it's not textured, not really anyway. It's not the kind you would use in kitchen cabs or tool box drawers. I'll get you a name brand and pic when I get home later today.

Those are very nice, I really like the round window inlays, very sharp indeed.

First, A big thanks to JLS for his generous sharing of free patterns!! A few weeks ago I down loaded one of JLS' patterns (avenger for 5" 1911) but could not get it to scale out right from my printer. So today I was at my buddies house, he prints t-shirts and has computer know how. He printed the correct size for me and I hurried home because I wanted to try out an idea I had for making reusable patterns. I bought a roll of plastic shelf liner from the local big name hardware store. They sell it in the wire shelving section for build you own closet organizers. It's about 1mm thick and comes in 12 inch X 10 foot rolls. Since it's semi see through it was easy enough to trace out the pattern I printed. Then I used a sharp awl to mark the stitch lines. as a bonus the stitch lines are now marked with dimples and you can use the pattern as a craft-aid type rub and mark set up. Anyway here's a pic of what I'm working with and where I am on the holster. Veg tan 5/6 oz. outer to be lined with 4/5 oz. veg tan. Now I'm getting excited. Next step is to start buying a Few of his patterns, they are perfect for a dummy like me. You thoughts and critiques are always welcome and appreciated. Fredo San Diego CA

Looking good, two of my favorite things. Tan leather and 1911's!!

Thanks everyone. Dwight, I'm sorry I delivered this holster about a year ago. I don't have any finished shots except for the one she sent me wearing it. Belt is 8/9 oz veg tan lined with 4/5 oz. Hand saddle stitched. I'm pretty happy with the way it came out as it was my first western style rig. She and her hubby live up in the Ramona area, plenty of snakes up there. But she means the two legged kind of snake....

I had to re-register because I had forgotten my secret pass word and with the site reboot a little while ago, well here I am again. I was Fredo on here, heck I'm still Fredo but with a new name. Albob or Al-Bob is a knick name a guy gave me a few years ago. Anyway I'm still reading more then I post and still learning more then I thought I ever could, thank you all for your knowledge. I'm real happy with the new format. It looks like I can now post pictures. So here's a test to see if I can. This was made for a friends wife, this pic is mid build before I lined and stitched. She carries a Ruger wheel gun in .44 mag to keep snakes at bay while out camping. Fredo San Diego CA.

Hi Ya'll, I used to be Fredo on here but since I always stayed logged on I forgot my password. I tried to retrieve it but I closed the yahoo account a long time ago and was not able to answer the "secret clue" question. So after a few days of trying to log back in The site went down for a short period of time. When it came back up, I was doomed to making a new account. Anyway it's good to be here and I'm sure I'll get back to reading more then I post (listening more then I talk) and sharing when ever I can. Fredo When it hits the fan we's all eleven bravos.