Hildebrand

@Oxbo at that age kids are very busy with school and other activities, sometimes it takes a while for them the realize what it is they want to do. Its a great looking shop and logo. Todd

In the year you have yours, how often have you used it? One or two threads? well with responses like that I wish you well. Frankly if I had only used it to burn "one or two threads" I would not have posted since I would not have had a valid sample size. I won't waste any more of your or my time. Todd

Also possible you got a bad one. I’m just a hobby guy but I am still on the first set of batteries more than a year after I started using it. Todd

I usually use 220 then 400 grit, followed by water then a glycerine soap rub and a brisk canvas rub. I got the soap and canvas from a Don Gonzales utube video on edge slicking. This has worked the best for me and I have tried, saddle soap then a motorized burnisher(Dremel and grinder motor based), saddle soap and cloth but nothing works as well as the glycerine soap and canvas for me. Todd

I use the Aquilim 315 as well and have had great results and no failures or issues.

I never used the stitching chisels but when i was hand stitching I would use a groover front and back then wet the leather and use a stitching wheel to mark hole locations front and back then I would use an awl to push front to back. You get a pretty good feel for where the point is coming out and rarely did it miss the stitch groove. Not sure if thats an option for you but I can tell you it was a lot less stressful than what you are trying to line up. Todd

For 1mm leather I would talk to the clicker die people and have them make you a mallet die that you can strike and cut your patterns out. I have one that is 3 1/2" by 5" and it works fine in up to 9 oz leather with just a dead blow hammer. Todd

i really haven't and I have not messed a bunch with the pressor foot tension. I did learn the hard way not to sew on leather that is the least bit damp. That will leave bad marks. Todd

@Kcstott sorry I was guilty of repeating something I read without confirming it. Todd

I use 277 top and bottom on my CB 4500. So far there have not been any issues and I screwed up and ended up with a couple belts that are 18-19 oz, it cruised right through those. Todd

For cutting I bought a large fabric cutting mat at JoAnns Fabric, it was on sale and didn’t cost much. Been using it for a year and no sign of cutting through and doesn’t seem to dull my knife much. Todd

I line all of my holsters, like @Dwightsaid it makes them much firmer and they retain their shape better. Plus I like the looks of it. I have lined some mag pouches but I don't think I will any more going forward, didn't seem like it improved things much. Todd

I saw an ad where Fiebings has a new line of non alcohol dies out. It said for places that alcohol could not be imported, here in the US California won't let alcohol dies in. Might have to order them direct from Fiebings or possibly one of the leather supply houses. Todd

I bought an identical one to the Tandy Pro one on Amazon a couple months ago. I only paid $170 so I was a little skeptical but once I got it I looked at the videos using the various splitters and it is the same. It came razor sharp and does a great job on what I have tried in it( 1 and 1 1/2" belt leather to thin it). You have to mount it solid but otherwise it is great. Might be worth a look. Todd

@JRP430 buyng by the square foot is generally the most expensive way to buy leather. I you are looking to do belts and holsters I would either buy a side of leather(Knowing the belly won't really be good for your purposes except possibly pattern making) or from Springfield Leather buy a single shoulder for the holsters and a 1/2 belt bend to strip the belts off of. The second option would give you the most usable leather for the money. Your question as to how many square feet is difficult to answer, it depends. A drop loop holster which has the holster and back piece all in one takes much more than just a fold over western style which typically takes more than an avenger or pancake style. Typical belt will only be say 2 to 3 square feet but it needs to be 50+ inches long by 4-6" wide.