Hildebrand

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

That is what I have switched to and love it. I can use it in the house with no odor and I have not noticed any difference in items I glued with Weldwood and the Renia 315. Todd

As far as dumb mistakes. I made a custom molded belt sheath for a folding knife. Everything had gone great it was a perfect fit and the sewing was perfect. The gentleman wanted his brand on it, no problem. I drew it up on the computer perfect, only one problem it was a sideways d attached to a w. What I drew up was a z, didn’t notice till I had it carved and beveled. So I said some words my granddaughters can’t hear and started over.. Todd

I like that Dwight.

Glue them then stitch together, you won’t see the separation. This is a very common method of creating heavy duty belts.

I would watch the videos posted, look on youtube for others similar then practice. I really wouldn't figure on being ready to produce gifts for this christmas. I have never used antique but just being able to use the dies and finishes is an adventure. Best to try different products and combinations to find what works for you. It is very difficult to produce a list of this is what you need because everyone does things slightly different. Todd

Given that information I wouldn't have a "Christmas Sale" or just have a sale on items you know you can get done. Nothing irritates a customer more than seeing an ad for a sale then when they show up or call they get the I'm sorry but what you want isn't part of the sale. Had this happen to me on a custom log bench, advertised on facebook a big sale, when we got there and went through all the details of what we wanted and placed the order then he said oh you want that for christmas, then its not on sale the sale only applies to items to be picked up after christmas. I would have walked but my wife wanted the bench to give as a gift. Just my $.02 Todd

Nice work. Only negative I would comment on is generally you don’t want to cover the mag release, possibility of accidentally pushing it on reholstering exists. Todd

Could be great if they stock some supplies, thread, bobbins, needles things like that. My concern is the level of knowledge of the employees. Of the 4 Tandy stores I have used none of the employees seem to have much if any knowledge of leather work let alone the machines. I asked a couple of questions about the Tippmann Boss when I had mine and they had no idea what I was talking about let alone how to help. Todd

Check your needle size and make sure your needle is correct for the larger thread. Also when you change the top tension without affecting the stitches you may have too much bottom tension. I had that issue with my CB 4500 when it was new, I had a hard time balancing things and then by accident I found out there was something caught in the bobbin carrier and no matter what I was doing to the tension adjustments it wasn't changing. It popped free and life has been good since.

What was copyrighted for the purposes of this discussion was the Al Stohlman floral carving pattern included with the sale of a holster makers pattern.

And you JLS make a darn nice belt. Todd

Thanks Josh, Casing and flattening is one option we talked about when I delivered it and I think thats where I will start. I like your idea of a lace to act as a backup. Thanks, Todd