PastorBob

My area is not nearly that big. You will definitely be able to store your rolled leather under your cutting table. I placed a work bench (2x6') against a wall and use it as my work space. On the back edge, against the wall, I have my wood blocks holding my stamps and other round metal handled tools. On the wall, directly above my blocks, I have some 1x4x6' pine mounted with leather loops to hold my edge bevelers, round end punches, etc. Above that are 3 shelves 1x15x4' I store my threads, and larger bottles of dyes, glue can, etc. Beside the work bench I have some of those plastic stackable drawers for hardware, misc tools. I also have some under one end of my workbench for work in process and small pieces of exotic leathers. On the other wall is a 3x6' folding table my wife uses for her sewing machines.

Anxious to see your progress....practice, practice, practice. Now you know why really good leather work is priced the way it is.

Very nice work. Getting any leather work done? LOL.

Wow! very impressive. You're right...the gold addition really does make it pop. Kudos!

I tried painting a piece prior to adding supershene as a top coat, only to have the paint smear all over the piece. When I inquired of the guy at a Tandy store, he said he always paints last, then applies a spray coating, instead of a rub on. That seems to be working for me. The spray coat I use is Saddle Lac. Expensive, but seems to go a long way.

Man, you do nice work. So clean!

or it is the cheaper veg tan leather that varies alot in thickness and you are edging a thinner piece.

Wow. Nice work. How do you get it in the sheath? Looks like the top part would prevent it from going straight into the sheath?

edge applicators....I like the simple one from Tandy. Nice work on holder. Amazing how much a routered edge changes a simple block of wood to look fancy.

i am still on the fence. The machine is close by...just spending that much money on a hobby, versus hand stitching. the more I think about it, i will probably pass. Thanks for all the help and timely advice.

I can't tell much from the pics...they are from far away and don't really show much. i will call and if I find out anything I will share.

Thanks!!!! Is is a good price for a 2007 model?

This will be my first sewing machine and don't know enough to be dangerous. I found a Juki 1541S with a walking foot. The owner says less than 100 hours. $1200. Is this a good price? Will it sew 12 oz. leather okay? Thanks for all your help.

Thanks for sharing the photos. I like the basketweave and stars on the one. Something to consider when basket weaving...to ensure there are no unfinished basket weave stamps around the edge, follow up with a border stamp encapsulating the entire area that has been basket stamped. It will literally look like the basket weave continues under the border stamp for a really neat affect. Do you have the actual firearms now so you can make a pattern? If so, I would definitely use them. 10cm is about 4 inches. That seems like a lot. if you don't have the firearms, based on the pics, you could probably add 1/4" to each side(1/2" total) of the flat cut piece. So yes, just extend the width and not the length of the piece.

I have never worked with "oakleaf" veg tan, but do know if there is no top coat (pro-resist, supersheen, etc.) natural veg tan will absorb the oils from one's body when making contact. It will get darker as you mentioned, over time. Not sure about the greyish color you are speaking of. From the pics it just looks like normal wear marks. What process did you use to slick the edges? Gum Trag? Tokonole? water?

it was $300 in your original post. How is $350 a drop? LOL. Are the tool holders included?

Looking good.

Thanks @LatigoAmigo for fixing the photo. What process did you use to dye the belt? Dipping, dauber? Any top coat applied like Super Sheen? I would think it's not enough dye or like you said, no NFO (neatsfoot oil) applied. Welcome to the forum!

the holster did get to dry overnight before shipping. It looked great. After I mailed it, guess what my wife found in my inventory bin? You guessed it, the holster I thought I had in inventory. All is good. Off to the next build. Thanks for all your insight and advice. I do like the drying cabinet idea to speed up the process. I am using Pro dye so it seems to dry pretty quickly compared to Eco-flo products.

Thanks for sending. i will have to take a crack at it one day. Unfortunately my scrap pieces are less than 6" x 6", anything larger i use for projects. Will have to bite the bullet.

I have been admiring your work from this and previous posts. Once these are complete, what is the final product? Are you selling them, or just keeping them around your house? Thanks and keep sharing your work?

welcome to the forum.

Very nice work, even with hand tools. Please keep the pics and progress coming.

I too, normally leave several hours between steps. My customer orders are nowhere near your volume. Maybe 1 every week or so. I am also the only one in my shop. Occasionally I will get my wife to mail something for me, but she has a full time job as well. I also hand stitch every item. I haven't been able to justify a new machine, nor do I have enough knowledge to buy a good used machine. Heck, I have never used a sewing machine so not sure I would know what to do with it if I did get one. Thanks for the insights. I almost didn't even ask the question to begin with, but if we can't be honest with ourselves and our fellows, what are we doing? Hopefully someone will be able to glean something from this...I know I did. Thanks!!

When I say it was rushed, it was just not letting the dye dry for several hours to a day. I did not short cut any of the other processes. I allowed ample time for Barge's to setup before tacking pieces together and did my normal saddle stitch by hand. It is home drying now (over night) from the wet mold. When I get home from my day job, i will apply water proofing compound and rub in before shipment. Just wasn't sure of the dye dry time being shortened before gluing and stitching. There were no other compromises. Great point Tugadude. Like stated above, my main concern was with the dye. All other steps were done as usual. Not even when his buddy Lazarus was sick. Agreed.