Frank

I got my sewing machine for "big" work items such as belts, flank cinches, breast collar and stuff like that. All of my holsters and smaller items I still hand stitch. It may take a little longer but I like the results a lot better. It's just my opinion but the smaller jobs are just easier to do by hand since it would take me just as long to get my machine set for the smaller items. Frank

I think Weaver has black "japanned" roller buckles under the reenactment section of the catalog. I'm not sure what size they carry. Frank

I went to Outlaw Saddlery in Custer, South Dakota. Dallas Stermon is the instructor there. I have nothing but the greatest things to say about him. Most people will tell you that about their instructors. Two things made me decide on him: #1-He was close and I could make the drive, #2-He only books one student at a time so all of the attention is on you. It's a one-on-one training. If you want his info let me know and I'll gladly give it to you. Good Luck. Frank

This item has been sold!! Frank

Bev, Glad to hear that it all worked out for you. I know I love mine too. I have found a couple different places where the blades are right around $100. I plan on getting another one so I can sharpen them at my leisure while I put a fresh one on. Frank

Bruce Johnson, a member here always has a good selection of quality tools up for sale. I have bought quite a few from him in the past couple of months and you'll never hear me complain about him or the tools. You can find his website at: Bruce johnson Frank

I'm not sure if I should jump in on this or not but here goes. I've ordered from a lot of different companies over the years, some with excellent service and some with less than stellar. If you take a look at my single post on here when I complain about service, the name of the company was never mentioned. I did this for a couple of reasons. There is a great possibility that many people on here are friends with the person I bought stuff from. If I mention names then I make enemies in both directions. Now it could be that this company has a great track record and somehow I slipped through the cracks. It's definitely a possibility. If someone wants to talk about it personally then it's between them and I who I relay this information to, not a whole forum. FYI, it wasn't Siegel!! It causes distress and a lot of grief for all parties involved and sheds unwanted light on an already bad situation. Now with this forum being dedicated to leatherworkers, you are going to hear bad things about companies a lot quicker than any other place since we are a small tight knit group. Could it be that the 5,6,7,8,9,10 or whatever people who complained about the service are part of the .0001% who have had issues compared to all of the other thousands of satisfied customers? ABSOLUTELY!! Chalk it up as a bad experience and either keep trying or go to another supplier. Someone sooner or later will make you happy with their service unless you are the .0001% of the population that can never be made happy. Believe me, I have dealt with a few. I think it's really time to move on before anything else bad comes out of this topic. Frank

Thanks for the reply. If you are interested, PM me your email address and I will get one out tomorrow to you. I just took it apart tonight so I'll put it back together tomorrow for the pic. Frank

Definitely not a problem. Well, if you ever have need for them, Leatherman1457 on here (Gary) makes some nice ones. I was going to order a couple last year but got severely distracted. I'll still be ordering a couple from him in the near future though. Frank

Hey All, I have been getting rid of stuff lately that I do not use. Right now I have the Small Weaver Rex style tube riveter for sale. In great condition, I might have used it a dozen times. It comes with the splash anvil and also the magnetic anvil for setting caps on the tuber rivets. I am asking $35.00 shipped. I think they are $50.00 plus shipping from Weaver. PM me if interested. Thanks Frank

Saddle makers use them to smooth out the wet leather on fork covers, gullet covers, seats, cantle covers, and stuff like that but they can be used in just about any application where you need to smooth wet leather. They make them in all sizes. Frank

The video set has been sold!!

Hey all, I have a new (watched once) John Bianchi "The Art & Secrets of Advanced Western Holster Making" DVD set for sale. It's a 3 volume set with a 4th bonus video "Interview With a Legend John Bianchi" Price $50.00 Shipping Included (inside the US). Anyone interested PM me. First PM and it's sold. Or I will possibly take trades of similar videos, etc. depending on what you have. Thanks Frank

Gunter, I could be wrong...it happens on a daily basis so I'm told, but I think the Christian belt had 36 cartridge loops attached. Frank

Bev, Howdy from Milwaukee. I have family up in your area. Now on to the splitter. I paid $675 for mine plus shipping and it was in mint condition. I believe your price is approximately $100-$150 too high (my opinion). If you don't mind thinking of the $100-$150 as your insurance for the next year then you you will do fine with it. If you do not have to pay shipping then even better as it does get expensive. Now if I had to add a part or blade to mine when I bought it then it could have easily gone into your price range. Price is always relative when you look at how bad you need a piece of equipment and how soon you need it compared to the price. And also what is included...in your case, it's the warranty which most do not get. All in all, not too bad of a price compared to what new splitters bring these days. Frank

I don't think you are really going to find anything better than the leather crafters and saddlers journals. You have the top people in all aspects of the profession/hobby posting in the journal, giving how-to's, and also patterns. They are definitely worth their weight in gold. Just my opinion. Frank

I've always put the front of the skirts to the butt of the sheepskin. The butt is heavier leather and more dense in fleece. You want this on the withers of the horse where it will see the most wear. Frank

Will Ghormley has a good, easy to follow pattern pack for cartridge belts. You can get them at Tandy or via his website. Frank

Thanks Lobo! The way I see it besides what I stated before, is that seconds are still great items. They are not perfect but still great. Everyone started out making stuff that looks like it came out of the south end of a northbound steer and we all sold that to get started. Seconds are nothing compared to that. If I had my druthers, I'd take back the first 20-30 items I ever made!!! Frank

I can see and understand everyone's point of view on the subject. I as well have a few "seconds" and I do sell them at a discounted price and I advertise them as such. The reason being: there are people out there that do not have the extra cash for a full price holster. Those are the ones buying the cheaper mass production gun leather. If you introduce them to custom leather...even "seconds", they'll start saving their pennies for only custom leather. It also gets them in the door to buy a matching belt later on down the road. I have had them come back a year or two later wanting a belt for a holster they purchased from me...after they saved up enough money. Frank

If you search for round knife or leather working on youtube, it will pop up a few short videos that might come in handy for you. Frank

See this post. It was started the other day. Belt Post Frank

Definitely not a problem Bill. I've never had any of these methods cause any problems in the heat and it gets terribly humid here in the Summer months. The only fallback to the leather balm is eventually with stress it tends to crack but it is very easy to apply another coat and cover up any of the stress marks. Frank