Hildebrand

I have pretty much quit stitching backward. To backstitch when I start, I turn the piece around so I am sewing forward toward the starting point, I usually try to mark about 3 stitches out, then when I get to the starting point I turn the work around and still sewing forward go back over the 3 starting stitches and sew it the rest of the way, when I get to the end I again turn the piece around and backstitch 3 stitches sewing forward along the stitch line. Todd

Good start, it looks like your leather was a little to dry when you were tooling, there are several good posts on here about casing leather for tooling. Keep practicing and in a month look back at this one and compare it to what you are doing then. Todd

Just beautiful, very nice work. Todd

Thank you both for the kind words, the scabbard is for a Thompson Center Encore. Todd

I usually carry a knife and leather man combination when I am working outside or camping/hunting/etc. I have 2 sets one stays on the work pants the other moves depending on what I am doing. Both needed new leather so I took the leather man pattern from the Leather Crafters Journal and modified it to hold both. The scabbard is to carry a single shot pistol in a backpack, you could also carry it on a saddle but I don't have any stock so backpack only. The zipper keeps it pretty weather tight. It is based on the scabbard build in The Art of Making Leather Cases. Todd

This topic comes up frequently where to buy the metal portion of the clip to hold the tape measure. I made a holder recently, this one has a pencil pouch also, and decided to try just getting a conduit clip with 2 holes in it and bending it into the right shape. It worked great, they are cheap and easy to bend with just 2 pairs of pliers, I was ready to put it in the vice but they are really pretty soft metal. Todd

I usually sand by hand unless it is a multi layer knife sheath, holster or scabbard. If the edge is pretty square I use 200 then 600, if it needs a little squaring then I start with 150, and that usually gets me a nice smooth slick edge. I use water and saddle soap for the slicking part. Todd

I generally put a coat of NFO on and let it set 24 hours before dying. I finish with Resolene diluted 1:1 with water and have never had a problem. I use a wool pad for the NFO just putting enough of a coat on to see the color change, I am not soaking it with the NFO I think you can over do it and make your leather too soft. Todd

@kgg hit it on the head on all points, nice assessment Kgg. Todd

I use that same method, I keep some scrap around and make a piece the same thickness I am going to sew then sew a line of stitches on it. Does two things, makes sure everything is running right and it gives me a way to measure 3 stitches. I use my wing dividers set them in the holes and make a mark 3 stitches in on the project and start there and sew back to the start point then forward over the 3 stitches and on down the project. Todd

Looks like a good start, 2 things I would look at when you make your next one is grip clearance, looks like it might be difficult to grab the grip of the gun, second is make sure you don't cover the magazine release. Todd

I can’t help on the thread issue but, yes you have to back stitch to lock the stitches.

I like the discussion @bruce johnson I will throw out there, slicking or burnishing really only matters to us leather workers. Most customers don't even notice the bright shiny, glass smooth edge on a piece unless you point it out and then they usually just glance at it and say, that's nice. Todd

I use water and saddle soap, Don Gonzales has a great YouTube video showing how to do it. I tried all kinds of things before I started doing it this way and this is the best I have found. Still takes good square cutting and some sanding but makes edges you can be proud of. Todd

Saw the beautiful work by @Stetson912and decided to give the pattern a try, I am not a floral carver so I went with a basket stamp. I really like the pattern it is a great fit for the weatherman tools. Todd

One issue I have had with the Aquillim 315 is it is difficult to get good smooth edges. It's like it leaves a rubber cement type of substance on the edge when you are trying to sand it. I have not been able to get rid of it. Which is too bad because and odorless contact cement would be awesome especially in the winter since I have to go out to the shop to use the regular stuff due to the fumes. Todd

Customer just picked up this holster. His son had me make him one a few years ago for a .41 magnum and he wanted one similar to it for his 22 lr. I have a love hate with white thread, if you don't die and finish before stitching it takes on the color of the die. In this case with it being lined I needed to sew the top edge before assembly so I did without it being died and paid the price when the top stitches disappeared in the die. White edge stitches still popped pretty good. He is tickled with it, I was able to use my 3-D printer to print his initials rather than hand cut them. The 3-D stamp is much cleaner and easier.

@cowagonwheel I would ad a caution that leather harness that old with unknown care should most likely be retired for display only. Really bad things can happen really fast if harness gives way while pulling a load. You didn't say if you were cleaning for use or display so I thought I would throw this out there. Todd

This is the stamp I printed for this sling.

I got the logo as a .png file then used the adobe free program to convert it into a .svg file. I imported it into tinkercad and added a little text, I increased the height of everything then I made a base for it not as thick as the logo and text. Then I put the base on the logo, evened the top of the base with the top of the logo, this leaves what you want to make the impression with sticking out of the base, I combine all pieces then rotate it 180 degrees so it is lying on the base with the impression parts sticking up. This lets you print it without supports. Then export as an .stl file and you are ready to print.

I just use regular PLA, for the depth I just experimented a couple times. I am not sure how many mm I am pressing it in. I will try to remember to take a picture of the stamp itself tonight and measure the depth on it. Todd

I use 3d Printing to make 1 off stamps. I have been doing some prizes for events and I was able to get the logo from the event and 3d print a stamp to customize the prize. I did not print the makers stamp just the Mark Allen Hampton Stamp on the left. Todd

I use a set of calipers to find that 4th hole, leave machine in forward but stitch back to the start point, stop the needle just after it starts back up and the turn the work around and stitch forward through the stitches I just made. I don't have to worry about forward and reverse stitches being exactly equal in length. I keep scrap around so I make sure how long 3 stitches is currently on the machine. Todd

I have never done any saddle work but could you countersink a tee nut from the other side and use a machine screw? Todd

I have no experience in this area but I wonder if that is a straight press mold and no additional hand tool usage. Todd