AlZilla

Thanks, that's more than I had. I micrometered some black, which I've read is double dyed so that's probably why it measured closer to v69/v92 (not to mention how difficult it is to micrometer thread ... ). I wouldn't use it for anything important, anyway.

I've got a few old spools of "24/4 Cotton Shoe Thread". I'm really just kind of curious where it falls in the world of thread. I mean it's kind of self-explanatory but there just doesn't seem to be much in the way of information about it when searching. seems like Shoe Thread should be able to stand up to harsh enviroments. It measures somewhere between V69 and V92, sews fine in my 111W machines and subjectively breaks about as hard as recent production V92 nylon thread.

I think, @SUP, in this case some education would go a long way. First, with 100+ knives, I think it's unlikely he has high end knives worthy of hand crafted, bespoke sheaths. Which is my second point, that there's a big difference between a Savile Row suit and one from JC Penny, though to the average person they look similar. Make your husband a really nice knife sheath. There's plenty of inspiration in these pages. Stamp it, carve it, inlay it, something nice. Finish the edges beautifully. Then your potential customer might see the difference between your work and a Genuine Split Grain Pleather, mass produced sheath. Maybe he even has a knife or two worthy of your level of craftsmanship.

If you value the scrap at zero, then the portion you used cost more than you paid overall. Academic anyway, if you're not selling your items.

Very clean and neat.

Would unsewing it and adding welts give you some room to work? I think we're talking about length rather than width but maybe. Or, cut it straight down the center and add a filler piece in contrasting color. Maybe do it all - welts and a filler piece in contrasting color.

This is the definitive post on evaluating what sewing machine you need: You said footwear, bags and knife sheaths. That means a cylinder arm machine like the ones I linked earlier. There are many other cylinder arm types, but those are as good as any and easy to find knowledgeable support and reputable dealers.

My friend, you are now standing at the top of a slippery slope. Here's how it goes... For so much money you can get machine X that will do what you need. But look, for another couple hundred, you can get machine Y that does another thing you might need. You're this far, so what about another little bit for machine Z? The hook for me was a 16" cylinder arm, you know, just in case I ever want to make a western style gun belt, so I have enough room to turn it. It took me the better part of a day to disassemble that giant sewing machine, drag it up the narrow, steep stairs and reassemble it all... Yes indeed. I'm ready to make that gun belt now ... Now, I want an Outlaw so I can set up a mobile workshop! Not that I have anywhere to go sew leather, but wouldn't it be cool?

George Ohr would be proud ... Congratulations.

Out of curiosity, I trolled $10 knife sheaths on Amazon. I found what we'd all expect, cheap, thin "leather", no welts, complaints of poking a sharp knife through the sheath. One reviewer measured his "leather" at .040", so about 2oz. But look! 4 stars out of 5! How does Amazon Math work when 45% of reviews are 4 stars and under, 29% are 3 stars and under, yet somehow average out to 4 stars?

Yep, mass produced junk is the enemy of handcrafted quality. We live in a Walmart world. I hope you get the deal.

105 sheaths x 20.00 profit per = $2100. More than the cost of a Cowboy Outlaw or CB2500. If you never do another for-profit order, you've propelled your hobby leaps and bounds forward. I'd be on that deal in a heartbeat.

Aesthetics aside, If it hasn't failed in 20 years, I'd suggest it's not really a problem.

I have a SWAG. Does the blue piece slide back and forth inside the red piece? Or at least supposed to? Because that looks like a great place for gum and/or varnish to have built up. Assuming that's all metal I might drip sewing machine oil down there. I might even be tempted to drip rubbing alcohol. Also, if I'm looking at it right, I think the blue piece inserts into the little hole in the end of the piece to the left, identified as either 91-009 602-02 or 91-009 702-02. That piece also appears to insert into 91-009 604-05 and 91-009 603-45 and rotate with the lever. That little tangle of parts looks like another haven for gummy crap and looks like it's supposed to raise/lower with the stitch length lever. I could see that being problematic. That whole area reminds me of old domestic zig zag machines I've unfrozen with all sorts of twisty turny little parts. It can take a lot of patience, oil, wd-40, PB Blaster and heat to free them up. Sometimes a week or two of tinkering on and off. Just some observations from someone who's never even seen a machine like you're working on.

Just showing off here. I've been tinkering with this machine on and off for close to a year. Used the clutch motor for a while and it now has a 550watt servo and a speed reducer. I counted 56 stitches in 60 seconds at my slowest speed. Here it sewed a single layer of fairly hard 3.8MM veg tan and then 2 layers. A shade over a quarter inch. It griped a little on the thicker piece. I still need to look at the feed dog height and adjust the walking foot lift height. And, obviously, a pressure issue if I want to sew 6.8mm. I'll keep this one threaded with 138 top and bottom.

Well, I took all my guns down to the lake because I wanted to scrub them up for the big gun buy back program. You know I'm the kind of guy that wants to keep the streets safe. The wind blew my favorite scrubbing rag overboard! I LEAPED to save it, tipping the canoe over in the process and all my guns PLUS the large economy size bottle of Dawn Dish Washing detergent I bought just for the occasion, all gone to Davy Jones Locker ... I was so broken hearted and dejected that I couldn't do my part to keep the streets safe! And all those fish now in danger, what with dangerous guns scattered all over the lake bed. My scrubbing rag blew ashore, so I did get it back.

Some pictures would be fun. Never heard of it before but the pics I find look a lot like these chinese shoe patchers people seem to be so fond of torturing themselves with.

I guess the time has come for me to make one of these. I love the Mexican Loop design but I really don't have any single action six shooters. The 1911 looks at home and I do have one or two of those floating around. Well I did before the tragic canoeing accident, but I hope to fish them out of the lake. Nice job.

Yep, that's what I saw. If you figure out a formula, I'm all ears. I really like the ropes top and bottom of the right hand side on the bottom piece, too. Can't do that one, either.

@chuck123wapati was it you that did this border a while back?

Honestly, I can't decide if you're inspirational or if you just make me feel like a lazy slug. Probably the latter. Nice work.

Welcome aboard. Based on your other posts, you're doing some nice work.

Wow. Very, very nicely done.

Yes, Bison Brown, not the other way around. Dyslexic fingers ...

I guess when you look at 2x24" and both sides, it is a pretty good amount of real estate. Maybe I'm just a cheapskate (yes, I am). I'd still like to find something close enough that I could get by the quart. The Bison Brown seems to be only available in the small size.