ABC3

It will rub off on clothing even if I put gum on before I burnish???

Has anyone found an easy way to apply "Reliable" - Wax and Burnishing Ink while making sure the edge is covered & yet keeping it off of the face or surface of the holster or belt? You have to put enough on to blacken the edge but mine running down on the product. Also, what is the drying time for this ink. (How soon can you start to burnish ?) Thanks for your help.

Damn, this hobby doesn't give you much room for mistakes. Kinda like reloading.. Thanks for the come-backs...

Bob, thanks for the come back. I'll try it.

Kevin, not at all sure of what to do. That's why I ask the question. Pulling out thread can be a pain but don't know what it would look like if you stitched over a couple of threads to continue. Maybe like "back stitching". Like I said I'm new to all of this and looking for some direction.

I know you should check the bobbin before sewing a new project (belt in this case) but I did not. Half way through the project my bobbin ran our of thread. Nothing but holes for several inches. How do you salvage the belt. Can you load the bobbin & over-lap the stitches and continue down the groove ? Please don't tell me you have to pull out the stitches & start all over.....

I posted this question before but, I think, in the wrong place, thus no response. I think now I've found the correct area & will ask the question again. I have an Osborne 1 1/2" Bag/Oblong punch that is a week old that I need to sharpen. Can anyone tell me how to do it using a Osborne Bench Stone? Thanks for your help.

I'm new to leather as you can see & I have a million questions. Making holsters, belts, ect is alot more difficult than I thought it would be. I wish there were an ABC chart to follow from cutting the straps to finishing , but it seems that everyone has their own way of doing it. But I am determined.... Question: How long can you leave Dye ( Fiebing's Professional Oil Dye) in a Stainless pot before it starts to lose it's properties ? Can you add anything to it to bring it back to 100% ? I understand that alcohol will evaporate from the dye, yes-no-what can be done? Thanks so much for any help. Maybe one day I'll make something that is useful.

Rdb' I've read your tutorial several times & I must say it has helped alot. Thanks for posting it. But to finish my belt you are saying just apply Leather Balm over the entire belt. This is a plain BLACK belt with no tooling. Let it dry & I'm ready to go. No sealing.

Need some opinions regarding finishing a Belt: I've cut the strap, edge it & punched the "slot" & the "chicago srews" dyed it - then what. Regarding sealing, finishing, burnishig, ect. What are the steps from A to Z. Thanks for your input....

TinyL; I just got in a large order from Zack Whites as well. Tim is a great guy to work with. I'm sure you will be pleased in your future dealings. Stay safe.

Can anyone help me find the book entitled "Belts Galore" by Al Stohlman. I ordered it on Amazon.com but they emailed and cancelled it. I've been to several Borders book stores as well as Barnes & Nobles & nothing. It seems that it has dropped from the face of the earth.

Greg, You have a PM...

Looks good - nice job.....

Ryano; I think Weaver sells only one Rotary Punch. I am talking about the big automatic not a hand held unit.

Has anyone got an opinion on the "Rotary Punch" that Weavers leather Co. sells?

I was looking at the same deal. I've never had one. Also I was surfing the web & came across Weavers Rotary Punch (what a gem) but @ $1480. You would have to punch alot of holes go get your money out of that.

Where would the best place to start looking for a "Western Punch Press". I want to have some dies made to punch buckle tongue holes & Chicago Screw holes as well as a die for the other end of the belt to punch tongue holes. Or maybe there is a better way to skin this cat......... Any suggestions ?

I have an older workbench that I will be using in my leather craft. The work area or surface is painted. Should I sand it down to the natural pine, leave it as is or does it matter. I didn't know if the paint would affect the hides.

Great looking holsters. Thanks for sharing....

Dwight; I've been looking for something to make the job alittle easier and it looks like you've got it. Two questions: What do you put on the edges to burnish when you use your dowel attachment & did you use the dremel sanders to cut the groves or did you use someother sander. Great information by the way - thanks

Does anyone know if there is a tutorial on holster making on this forum. Any info. from pattern to machine sewing to dyeing to sealing. Anything at all. Thanks in advance for your help.

Marlon; That's not it. Thanks for trying. I'll find a sample somewhere.

Rawhide, I do not have any pic's. I have such a belt and it looks like it was sand blasted. Just covered with alot of little pits. I can't find it in any catalogs. Maybe I'll take a look at some of the web-sites.

Do I need an Embosser for leather belts ? I am looking at one from Zack Whites but really all I want is the "pebble" design. Can anyone point me in the right direction ?