Cowboy Fast Draw Association Rig Build

[mattsh]

Looks like a great start. Nice stamping and stitching!

[IngleGunLeather]

Looks like a great start. Nice stamping and stitching!

Much appreciated Matt. This is only the second attempt at stamping. The first was my craft-aid I made yesterday. I really like it. I'm already shopping for a better mallet than the yellow Tandy one I have. Thinking Barry King but not sure what weight I need.

[IngleGunLeather]

Day Three cont.....

After dyeing this morning I let it dry for a few hours. Finally got back to it tonight. Tonight I was able to cut, glue and skive my welt and get that attached. I also was able to knock out the burnish on the edges. Well, I burnished everything except for the seam. That'll have to wait until it's stitched, sanded and edged.

Welt tapered and glued

A finished edge on the flap

[DHopper]

Looks fantastic, TC. Very nice stitching and edge work! What machine and burnisher are you using?

[IngleGunLeather]

Looks fantastic, TC. Very nice stitching and edge work! What machine and burnisher are you using?

Thanks Dave. I use a Cobra Class 4 sewing machine and love it. I've had it for a few months now and haven't had any problems with it. Most of the problems I have are my errors in setting up and those are quickly fixed with a phone call to Leather Machine Co. http://www.leatherma...alog.php?item=1 .

Here's my steps in burnishing:

1. sand edges even

2. edge (i used a no.2 edger for this holster)

3. re-dye edges and let dry (this step can be deleted if you complete steps 1 and 2 before overall dyeing)

4. moisten with water and shape with the Tandy wood slicker

5. apply Gum Trag and burnish with canvas

Edited November 14, 2012 by CountryTrash

[DHopper]

Thanks, TC. I appreciate the helpful info! One of these days, I'll have enough saved up for a machine. I know I dang sure need one!!

[IngleGunLeather]

Thanks, TC. I appreciate the helpful info! One of these days, I'll have enough saved up for a machine. I know I dang sure need one!!

Anytime Dave. The machines needed for this type of leather work are expensive. I bought mine earlier this year with my tax refund and considered it an investment in myself. I commend all leatherworkers that hand stitch.

CT

[IngleGunLeather]

Day Four: Haven't been able to do much since I went back to work. Tonight I was able to sew, sand, edge and re-dye the seam. Just waiting on the dye to dry before I burnish.

Sewing the seam was kicking my butt. I know I've asked before, but if anyone is using a Cobra Class 4 and routinely sews welts I'd love to chat with ya bout it. I think I did okay, but there has to be an easier way. I marked my line and set my stitch spacing with an overstitch tool. I was using the machine manually without making any tension adjustments and everything was going good until I got to the top of the pocket's seam. The thread must have got hung up inside the leather and started fraying on me. From there I lifted the foot and cut the thread and had to go back over it. Just weird as this was the first time this happened to me and really didn't know how to recover it. I did the best I could. I guess something similar would be a broken stitch and handled it the same way with an overstitch. I just hope the seam doesn't open up down the road.

Edited November 16, 2012 by CountryTrash

[IngleGunLeather]

Early Day Five. I had a few minutes before work this morning so I was able to burnish the seam. It looks a little porous. Noticing this after I burnished with Gum Trag, I applied some beeswax and burnished again. The beeswax helped fill in some of the pores. At least I think it did. But overall, I'm satisfied with the burnish.

Edited November 16, 2012 by CountryTrash

[Josh Ashman]

That sure looks good to me, great job!

Josh