Members woolfe Posted January 30, 2009 Members Report Posted January 30, 2009 Please be blunt, and don't be afraid to offend me. This is my 2nd leatherrorking project ever. I'm having so much fun with this new hobby I'm about to start selling them on eBay. Materials used: Tandy 6-7 oz cheap leather. Fiebings light brown dye Fiebings Resolene 50/50 dip (1 coat) Neatsfoot oil (only used on the belt loops) Kiwi Neutral shoe polish (1 coat) T-nut 6-32 from Homedepot 6-32 scews from Mcmaster #8 countersunk washers Tandy line 24 snaps I know of one thing I need to improve on and I'm not sure how. The Dye appears to have a little bit of a marble look to it where you can see black through it. This first appeared after dyeing, the finish only amplified it. I cleaned the leather with Iso Alcohol before dyeing. Any ideas of how to remedy this for next time would be greatly appreciated. Quote http://www.woolfegunleather.com/
MADMAX22 Posted January 30, 2009 Report Posted January 30, 2009 (edited) Looks really good to me, maybe work on the edges a little bit but over all really nice. When I say edges I am talking about on the straps, just look a bit rough, Edited January 30, 2009 by MADMAX22 Quote
rhall Posted January 30, 2009 Report Posted January 30, 2009 Looks good edges could use a little work but overall good!it's only your second project?you will do fine I can see that for sure! Quote
Members woolfe Posted January 30, 2009 Author Members Report Posted January 30, 2009 Yep 2nd project. I didn't spend much time on the loops, yeah they are rough, thanks for pointing that out! The holster edges are allot better. I made an edge burnishing thing for my dremel tool out of an oak dowel from homedepot. Quote http://www.woolfegunleather.com/
tashabear Posted January 30, 2009 Report Posted January 30, 2009 woolfe said: I made an edge burnishing thing for my dremel tool out of an oak dowel from homedepot. How did you do that? I have a Dremel Stylus and would love to speed up the edge burnishing process. Quote
Members woolfe Posted January 30, 2009 Author Members Report Posted January 30, 2009 tashabear said: How did you do that? I have a Dremel Stylus and would love to speed up the edge burnishing process. I cut off a small piece of the wooden dowel. Drilled a small hole in the end and hammered in a piece of steel rod, also from homedepot. Then I took some files and grinded on the dowel as it was spinning on the dremel until it was in the shape I wanted. Quote http://www.woolfegunleather.com/
Members JRB Posted January 31, 2009 Members Report Posted January 31, 2009 (edited) Looks good. Pretty well defined lines on molding/boning. How did you do your tensioner? Edited January 31, 2009 by JRB Quote ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ
Members woolfe Posted January 31, 2009 Author Members Report Posted January 31, 2009 JRB said: Looks good. Pretty well defined lines on molding/boning.How did you do your tensioner? 3/4" 6-32 screw, #8 washers, a modified 6-32 T-nut, and black rubber hose from Autozone Quote http://www.woolfegunleather.com/
Lobo Posted January 31, 2009 Report Posted January 31, 2009 Very nice looking work. Minor details already addressed, and I expect your future projects will continue to improve. On the dying, I suggest thinning your dye then using 2 or 3 light applications. This usually results in a more uniform coloring with the brown shades. I have had good results using dye cut with about 50% isopropyl alcohol, then applied with a spray bottle, but I'm sure that a small sponge would work as well. By the way, Tandy doesn't sell any "cheap" leather; their prices are always just about as high as the market will bear! Their leather may not be of the best quality, but their prices are always "retail". I have found that single shoulders can be very economical, priced lower per square foot than double shoulders because they are not large enough to cut belts or long straps. Usually about 7 square feet in size, each will make 8 or 10 holsters like you have displayed. Look at eLeatherSupply (877-433-8468), their 6-7 oz. single shoulders are only $39.95 each, and the quality is good (occasional fleshy spots in the undersides, I save those areas for making lined holsters where it won't be a problem), typical grade markings are .060, which is actually a lot closer to 8 oz. than 7 oz. I wish the internet, and forums like this, had existed back when I started doing this stuff. Trial and error was the only learning method for me! You are doing just fine! Don't sweat the small stuff, you'll just keep getting better and better. Quote Lobo Gun Leather serious equipment for serious business, since 1972 www.lobogunleather.com
Members woolfe Posted February 2, 2009 Author Members Report Posted February 2, 2009 Lobo said: Very nice looking work. Minor details already addressed, and I expect your future projects will continue to improve.On the dying, I suggest thinning your dye then using 2 or 3 light applications. This usually results in a more uniform coloring with the brown shades. I have had good results using dye cut with about 50% isopropyl alcohol, then applied with a spray bottle, but I'm sure that a small sponge would work as well. By the way, Tandy doesn't sell any "cheap" leather; their prices are always just about as high as the market will bear! Their leather may not be of the best quality, but their prices are always "retail". I have found that single shoulders can be very economical, priced lower per square foot than double shoulders because they are not large enough to cut belts or long straps. Usually about 7 square feet in size, each will make 8 or 10 holsters like you have displayed. Look at eLeatherSupply (877-433-8468), their 6-7 oz. single shoulders are only $39.95 each, and the quality is good (occasional fleshy spots in the undersides, I save those areas for making lined holsters where it won't be a problem), typical grade markings are .060, which is actually a lot closer to 8 oz. than 7 oz. I wish the internet, and forums like this, had existed back when I started doing this stuff. Trial and error was the only learning method for me! You are doing just fine! Don't sweat the small stuff, you'll just keep getting better and better. Thanks Lobo!!! you always give really good advice. I will check out eLeatherSupply, by cheap leather I ment it was the lower quality stuff. I cleaned out an old spray bottle and I'm going to give that a shot. I really appriciate you taking the time to help out! Quote http://www.woolfegunleather.com/
Contributing Member UKRay Posted February 2, 2009 Contributing Member Report Posted February 2, 2009 Lobo said: Very nice looking work. Minor details already addressed, and I expect your future projects will continue to improve.I wish the internet, and forums like this, had existed back when I started doing this stuff. Trial and error was the only learning method for me! You are doing just fine! Don't sweat the small stuff, you'll just keep getting better and better. What Lobo said... Nice job. It is hard to believe you have only just started out - watch out guys, we have a live one here! Quote "Some mornings, it's just not worth chewing through the leather straps" Ray Hatley www.barefootleather.co.uk
Members badger Posted February 2, 2009 Members Report Posted February 2, 2009 I agree Ray, he knows too much............... Karl Quote
Members gicts Posted February 2, 2009 Members Report Posted February 2, 2009 How did you attach the snaps/belt loops? Quote
Members woolfe Posted February 2, 2009 Author Members Report Posted February 2, 2009 Thanks for the nice comments!!! gicts said: How did you attach the snaps/belt loops? I posted some pictures in the IWB straps thread for you. Quote http://www.woolfegunleather.com/
Members JRB Posted February 2, 2009 Members Report Posted February 2, 2009 Where did you get your hardware? I want to locate some of the black finished hardware but didn't see the "cup" washers like you used in black at McMaster-Carr. Quote ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ
Members woolfe Posted February 2, 2009 Author Members Report Posted February 2, 2009 (edited) JRB said: Where did you get your hardware? I want to locate some of the black finished hardware but didn't see the "cup" washers like you used in black at McMaster-Carr. Mcmaster has them. here is a link. Black counter sunk washers hmm, it wont let me link to it.. but here is the part number 92918A135 Edited February 2, 2009 by woolfe Quote http://www.woolfegunleather.com/
Members SouthernHolsters Posted February 2, 2009 Members Report Posted February 2, 2009 One word of caution if you plan on the selling holsters. Out of respect for Nossar Gunleather, I would not use that "foot print" as your logo. You can check out the site here. I replied on your other topic about adding leather washers. One way to overcome the dye issue is to apply the dye with an airbrush. Other than that, it looks pretty good. Quote Tom Burks Southern Holsters, LLC Custom Holsters and Gun Friendly Auction Site If you are a holster maker, contact me at sales"at"southernholsters.com to be able to auction or sell your holsters for free at our auction site, www.southernholsters.com/auction.
Members JRB Posted February 2, 2009 Members Report Posted February 2, 2009 woolfe said: Mcmaster has them. here is a link.Black counter sunk washers hmm, it wont let me link to it.. but here is the part number 92918A135 Guess I just missed it. Thanks! Quote ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ
Members woolfe Posted February 2, 2009 Author Members Report Posted February 2, 2009 SouthernHolsters said: One word of caution if you plan on the selling holsters. Out of respect for Nossar Gunleather, I would not use that "foot print" as your logo. You can check out the site here.I replied on your other topic about adding leather washers. One way to overcome the dye issue is to apply the dye with an airbrush. Other than that, it looks pretty good. ahh crap, Thank you very much for pointing that out. The foot print stamp was a generic stamp from tandy, I had no idea someone was already using it. Maybe I can file it down and alter it enough so it wont appear to be the same. I dunno, I'll think of something. Thank you very much, you prevented a huge future problem for me. Quote http://www.woolfegunleather.com/
Members gicts Posted February 3, 2009 Members Report Posted February 3, 2009 woolfe said: Thanks for the nice comments!!!I posted some pictures in the IWB straps thread for you. your the man! Thanks! Quote
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