Hildebrand

One thing I have struggled with is moving to fast with tooling or other processes then end up not happy with the end product or I have skipped something. It seemed like I was in a hurry to get to the finished product. What I have done is limit my time in the leather area, I try to do a little each night but if I start to feel rushed or get the I have to get to this point feeling I just put everything away and stop for the night. I have found I am not missing important steps and my finished products are better. Might not work for you but I thought I would throw it out there. Todd

I would mold and stitch this one the way you normally would. Then I would look at the stitch line vs the carving and modify the carving to allow proper fit of the stitch line and make a new holster. Longer process but probably have better odds of ending up with what you were shooting for. Todd

@Constabulary I switched to the Aqulim 315 and have had no issues on holsters or belts. The hold is just as good as the Weldwood I was using plus this I can do in the house without disturbing my wife or blowing the house up. Plus I figure at my age I can't afford to lose to many more brain cells to things like glue odor. Todd

@spurdude101 I think you may be overthinking it a little. To be safe maybe add an inch or so but the extra thickness doesn't really change much length wise. @Northmount no offense intended but the search feature on this site is not user friendly at all. Since I joined I have searched several times for subjects that I know I have seen in the past only to have the search come up empty or literally thousands of results. Neither is very helpful. Todd

Which Kimber compact? Is it the Micro? Thanks, Todd

Depends on the intended use. Most any belt that will be carrying a firearm really needs to be lined to hold up. That said, I am not sure if I would do very many hand stitching them. The first one I did was with a Tippmann boss and I felt like popeye when I got done pulling the handle to go all the way around that belt. Todd

Extreme level of talent. Beautiful work.

I have a similar set up. You have to be very careful with how much pressure you use. To much pressure and it’s not going to give a nice finish. That’s the way I combat the speed issue. Todd

@Michellleatherworks most of the accessories are available from the blue gun companies especially for the common models like Glock. I think you can probably get enough parts to replicate most gun configurations, the question then becomes how much do you want to spend to make a one off holster? Todd

I have no experience with this particular situation but business wise I think either a minimum first order(to insure you get your stamp paid for and some profit) or a cost share for the stamp would be appropriate. The minimum order route may get a better response because businesses are used to having to make minimum orders of items. Todd

@chrisash having picked up and set up a CB 4500 I am not sure how practical taking any of the 441 clones to use at shows is. Trying to physically get one to and from shows without damaging the machine or your body would be a monumental task.

There is a long thread on here that started when the Outlaw was announced and periodically updated but I don't remember any end users contributing. Honestly as a former Tippmann Boss user I would save the extra and get a motorized machine. Only having one hand to hold your leather when sewing is a bigger deal than it seems. I have sewn numerous items on my CB4500 that I wouldn't have even tried on the Boss. Todd

Sweet thank you for sharing that makes my paper templates pale in comparison. Todd

Heather, All I did was measure the shaft and then I used a drill press to drill out the burnisher drum. Its pretty hard wood so I would suggest a new bit. I picked a bit slightly smaller than the shaft so its a press fit and I put the nut on and it works like a charm. As noted above you have to be careful because of the speed but with a little practice and a light touch you are good to go. Todd

Any chance you would share your layout method? It sounds great.

@CIC as a business person(not leather, this is a hobby) all I can say is good luck. Just because you didn't get a notice doesn't mean you don't have to collect it. If you look ignorance of the law is not a legal defense in most instances. If you are in business it is on you to know the laws. Todd

I think it looks great especially if you can die the letters and make them pop. Sometimes less is more. Todd

Thanks for the input. Thats why I asked before I made one I figured someone had tried it. Todd

Dwight that holster you picture is right handed. Picture it as a left hand holster with the loops on the other side. The flat side of the holster would be against the pants not the body. I didn’t mean to imply cross draw I was just looking at a flat back designed a little different.

Wizard, not sure how to explain it better, reading it I can see it’s not clear sorry. Todd

Just a curiosity question on IWB holsters. Has anyone ever essentially built a left hand holster but worn it on the right side. With a flat back pancake holster you would have the flat side against the belt making it very easy to put the loops around the belt. In contrast to having to pull the sides/wings outward past the gun so you can run the loops around the belt. I just thought I would ask before I tried it in case its been done and failed, no use re inventing the wheel. Todd

@jrprottas make sure you are stepping down hard on the pressor foot release peddle. When you push it all the way down it releases the top tension, also on videos I have watched they sometimes grab the thread on the end of the machine and pull down creating slack so you can pull the work out easier. Todd

I bought the wood burnisher Tandy sells for their machine and put in on a $60 Harbor Freight buffer. Works great. You could put a sander on the other shaft of the motor. Todd

@Eric51767 one possible issue is that you put the neatsfoot oil on after the sealer. The sealer will inhibit the oil from penetrating the leather. Todd

I do the 1 and 1/2 wraps and run the bobbin counterclockwise. I think I put the bobbin in wrong once and went clockwise and I don't remember there being any difference in the stitches. Todd