Tequila

You’re ambitious taking on such a big build as your first one. If you are like me you have an idea of how you want something look, but maybe not knowledge or skills to get it that way. So, don’t get discouraged if everything is not perfect, as long as you like it that’s all that counts. As you gain experience with the tools and techniques to use them and figure out what type of things you enjoy making it will eventually all come together. You’ll be the toughest critic of your work.

@Johanna it is never easy being a moderator and trying to please everyone is just plain impossible. I think your doing a good job balancing things out and I hope it brings back the helpful and talented artisans who help people like me get better (and sometimes jealous )

I really like these punches, very well made and stay sharp Here’s a link for the 2mm on Amazon Gedore Punch

Thanks! I’ll give it a try and post how it works out.

This is why I’m thankful for this forum, I thought it was a very long shot that it would be possible, now I’ve got 2 methods to try. If I can get this to work it’ll be a game changer moving forward. Thanks for all the help.

Thanks Bruce. The piece will be up against the crescent part of the stock and then glued and sewn to the leather part of the cover. Do you soak the suede in the water/alcohol mix or just spray some on?

I’m making a buttstock cover that has a crescent shape at the shoulder end. I’ve got pig suede that I’m going to use and I’ll sew it to the leather cover. Can pig suede be molded like a thin veg-tan? Sorry if this seems dumb, but I know there’s a lot of stuff I don’t know.

Yep, I like it!

Knew a guy that got a short finger from cutting, we called him Nubby.

@Dwight have you seen Bruce Johnson has a couple like you were describing. Bruce Johnson

Show’s you how dumb I can be

Great work my friend! I think the crown not being inverted is what may be bugging you.

Uh, I didn’t make the comment on the Juki TI-2000qi.

Having a Janome HD3000 and a Juki clone and for leather work I’d take a walking foot machine with a servo motor everyday of the week and twice on Sunday. When you run the Janome slow it struggles to get through leather, while the Juki clone can go 1 stitch at a time and give me much more control. You can get a light duty walking foot machine, but I don’t have any experience with them, this is one example of a portable walking foot machine. Sailrite

@bladegrinder if you can forge (or do most anything) in that heat you’re a better man than me one of the benefits of a small shop is it’s easy to add A/C. But I have to say I am jealous of your set up.

Thanks everyone for all the good input

@bladegrinder nice shop! Can I assume one side is for forging and the other for leather? I live in south MS so I know the humidity you’re dealing with. My shop isn’t as big as yours but I do ammunition loading in mine and humidity is critical, so I put in a dehumidifier with a hose so it drains outside. I guess my point is that if you find humidity is getting to be a pain maybe add a soft partition and keep the leather side dry.

@Handstitched thanks, I’m always leery about asking questions, unfortunately too many people now a days will blast someone for asking what they consider a rookie question. And the western look letters are what I’m trying to find for a custom rifle butt cover. @tsunkasapa thanks for the link, I didn’t know there was a book like that. Tequila

I WISH THERE WAS A LIKE BUTTON! I’m going to have to look harder for some stencils

I’m pretty sure some will think this is a stupid simple question, but, I’ve run out of ideas. I want to carve letters and the only way I can think of to get consistent style, size and spacing is to print them out from a computer and then transfer them, does everyone do it that way? Is there a better way or stencils available?

I’m not sure what you mean by “thread pin”, hopefully someone that’s more knowledgeable will chime in. Here are a couple of books that may help you. Juki LS-341N InstructionManual.pdf Juki_LS-341N_Engineers_Manual.pdf

I make things for myself or if someone asks me to make something. It’s been mostly gun stock covers, belts, coasters, next project will either be suspenders or another stock cover.

Thank-you good Sir!

Thanks I learned something new, never thought of angling the guide. BTW what thread/needle combination did you use in the video?

Looks good! It would probably been easier to do your edging and burnishing before. I do like your choice of words, “kludge” isn’t something you hear everyday, I like it.