Frank

I think you have a winner there....very nice

Thanks Jon. I hope all is well on your end.

I put Bag Kote on all parts, buff out and let dry for 10-15 minutes. After that I use a Tuff Kote from Weaver and do the same.

Thanks much, I appreciate it. I think I have logged in maybe 5 times in the last 5 months. Hopefully that will all change soon. After a month of not being on here, there is a lot to catch up on.

Hey All, I haven't been on here much at all. I've had a lot of family stuff come up in the past 5 months, along with getting ready for a Spring show. I've been busy in and out of the shop with little time to post or even comment. Usually when I log on, I have 25-30 pages to read. Here is a new rig that I made and lightly antiqued. The other is a pair of 1880's style shotgun chaps (my first pair ever) that I just finished up. I picked a large scarred up hide from Springfield specifically for these chaps. Frank

There are 5-6 or more members on here in the Wisconsin area that work with holsters. I am in Milwaukee, there's one in the Sparta area, one in the Madison area, and a couple more up north. I think you can hit one or the other without driving 8-9 hours. Frank

Well, if you get down this way and have extra time, feel free to let me know and you are more than welcome to stop by. If you private message me, I'll give you my phone number to make it a bit easier. Frank

It's great to see more and more Wisconsin people on here. Definitely a big welcome to you. Down in Milwaukee here.

Floyd, First of all, welcome to the forum and stay safe. I've been where you are at and I know how warm it can get. Generally speaking, you will need to add a top coat finish to the leather. I have never used Eco-Flo so I do not know what is best to use on that. I'm sure Tandy has their own top coat to be used with the Eco-Flo products. Be sure to buff the dyed leather vigorously after it has dried but before adding a top coat. This will get any of the residual dye off the surface. I personally use Fiebings oil dyes and it depends on what I am working on as to what finish I use. I use either Fiebings Bag Kote, Acrylic Resolene, Tan Kote, or Leather Balm with Atom Wax. No matter what you use, with that much heat and sweat, you will always have some rub off. Though not as bad as what you are experiencing currently without a top coat. Frank

Welcome...there are a few of us here in WI. I'm over in Milwaukee. Bluesman (Jon) makes it here every once in a while. I'm finally back on here after a 2 month hiatus. Frank

Hey All, I had a gentleman contact me about getting a heavy duty shoulder holster made for a Ruger Super Redhawk Alaskan. Most of what I do is single action and I do not have a mold for this one. Anyone interested, PM me and I will give you his contact info. Thanks in advance. Frank

Most of the mounted holsters that I have seen are very heavy....12-14 ounce and have a suede or rough out lining. I see no sense in using metal to line the holsters when they are this heavy. I have seen rawhide used in between layers though. Just an option if they keep on you about it. I think Elton Joorsity on here has built a rig or two for his wife. You might want to talk with him. Frank

I have 2 machines and working on getting my 3rd. The reason behind 3 machines......I'm lazy in a certain respect. One will be used for heavy leathers, one for lighter leathers and the other for canvas. I really hate adjusting tensions. It can take a lot of time away from the project. As Bob said, you need as many as you need. In my case, it's 3 since my disdain for adjusting tensions requires me to spend more money on machines!! There is also another reason and that is in case one happens to break or have problems, I do have one to fall back on if need be. Frank

The other thing you might want to do that was not explained is to cut 2 toe plugs and glue them flesh to flesh. This adds a lot of beefiness to the plug and is a lot easier to work with in my opinion. Frank

I second Bruce on that!

I would use a round needle as the diamond will have the tendency to cut the canvas, causing it to fray and unravel. Frank

I would taper the 2" belts to a standard 1.5" at both ends and use regular buckles if it is feasible. Frank

Denix of Spain makes a lot of cast replicas for the old west style guns. Collectors Armoury here in the U.S. carries them. If you have a business and are able to purchase wholesale, they are relatively cheap and work well for simple molding and fitting. I just cover them with plastic cling wrap. Frank

I use sheepskin scraps to apply and remove. The quicker you work the better as you well know by now. You only have seconds to work with the stuff before it gets tacky. Sheepskin will allow you to do larger areas in a quicker time span depending on how large you cut them. Be sure to trim them too as they will inevitably start "shedding" onto the project when it becomes tacky. Frank

No problem at all Bobby. Even at $39.00 a gun, the quality difference is night and day! Frank

Bobby, Does that mean I get a refund??? LOL. I'm just messing with you. Thanks for everything. I just wanted to let everyone know that the guns Bobby dropped off 2 weeks ago were top notch. I was able to get front door, in person service. There is no comparison between the ones Bobby supplies and the Duncan guns. Do not hesitate to order from Bobby if you need something. Frank

I do use gum trag to finish the inside on all of my western holsters, unless they want them lined. I can turn the holster upside down and shake them, the gun will not fall out. I have never used it on a pancake, or CC holster though. It's a slicker finish but not so slick that the gun will just drop out. I won't use anything else on the inside. I just like the way it works. When you mold a holster properly, I do not think the inside finish has much to do with the gun falling out. Just my opinion. I hope it helps a little. Frank

I had the same thing happen but I am very hard headed. I had a person ask me to make a fully floral carved belt in a specific size and send it to the UK as a sample. I advised them that all samples are located in the pictures on my website. Frank

Welcome...another Wisconsin guy here in Milwaukee. It's good to see this coming back to the state. Frank P.S. Jon, did you ever get my email?

The second edger has been sold. You can delete this post anytime. Frank