My First Attempt Sewing A Holster With My New Cb3200

[Toolster]

OK, here it is for all the world to see. After much "test" sewing with my new CB3200 I finally broke down and decided to try a new holster pattern with some cheap Tandy leather. Machine sewing is nice but it appears I have a bit to learn. Thanks in advance for any input.

[Rohn]

I think you did a good job on that holster. I am saving for a machine and hopefully I won't have to wait too long to get one. That being said, I'm glad you posted that holster and I like what I see.

[Colt W Knight]

Everything looks straight and even.

The CB3200 is on my list. I have started squirreling my leather money to buy one. I hate hand sewing guitar straps and portfolios.

[JLSleather]

Just my opinion, it looks like that's enough holes to weaken it along the stitch line. Maybe just the picture, but doesn't look like much "meat" left between the holes. Perhaps a smaller needle, or if you can't do that, then perhaps just a bit less stitches per inch. Not sure how your machine adjusts - stitches per inch or distance between stitches.

Colt -- agreed! Holsters, not too bad. The gunbelt can get to be a chore

Edited July 7, 2014 by JLSleather

[Toolster]

Thanks Rohn!

After lots of hand stitching the Cowboy sure does a nice job and a whole lot quicker. The Cowboy will never compare to "handy work" but man it's fast!

JW

[Colt W Knight]

Just my opinion, it looks like that's enough holes to weaken it along the stitch line. Maybe just the picture, but doesn't look like much "meat" left between the holes. Perhaps a smaller needle, or if you can't do that, then perhaps just a bit less stitches per inch. Not sure how your machine adjusts - stitches per inch or distance between stitches.

Colt -- agreed! Holsters, not too bad. The gunbelt can get to be a chore

No doubt. 6-8 inches of stitching isn't bad at all. 6-8 feet, FML!

[Tallbald]

I really like your holster. I'm still learning to use my Cowboy 3500. I was going to buy a 3200, which is from all reports I see is a great machine, but living in Kentucky I figured that a thicker capacity machine might resell for my family "one day". I started out using 6 or more stitches per inch until I read here about weakening leather. I switched to 5 stitches per inch as I was doing with hand stitching. It lets the thread be seen better and with the thickness of hides I use, the thread doesn't seem to bury itself deep into the leather. I still have so much to learn and though I've wasted leather, it's not been the machine's fault.

I love all holsters but lightly boned simple holsters turn my crank, and that's what I have found I do best. Mercy I admire the artistic carvings many can do but I can't even approach the beauty of their work (some physical and medical issues/limitations), Boning by hand is difficult due to arthritis too.

It would be interesting to see how you worked the belt loop. Can you share a photo please?

I really like your work and look forward to seeing more! Congratulations! Don

[Toolster]

I really like your holster. I'm still learning to use my Cowboy 3500. I was going to buy a 3200, which is from all reports I see is a great machine, but living in Kentucky I figured that a thicker capacity machine might resell for my family "one day". I started out using 6 or more stitches per inch until I read here about weakening leather. I switched to 5 stitches per inch as I was doing with hand stitching. It lets the thread be seen better and with the thickness of hides I use, the thread doesn't seem to bury itself deep into the leather. I still have so much to learn and though I've wasted leather, it's not been the machine's fault.

I love all holsters but lightly boned simple holsters turn my crank, and that's what I have found I do best. Mercy I admire the artistic carvings many can do but I can't even approach the beauty of their work (some physical and medical issues/limitations), Boning by hand is difficult due to arthritis too.

It would be interesting to see how you worked the belt loop. Can you share a photo please?

I really like your work and look forward to seeing more! Congratulations! Don

Here you go Don. It's actually from a set of patterns I downloaded from Leathercraft Library several years ago. I do plan on increasing the stitch length on my machine from now on. Thanks! JW

[JLSleather]

Is that a 'snap-on', as in snap it on your belt without taking off the belt? Suueee weeeett .....

[Colt W Knight]

I just noticed you had a laser on your wheel gun.

[Jimbob]

Here you go Don. It's actually from a set of patterns I downloaded from Leathercraft Library several years ago. I do plan on increasing the stitch length on my machine from now on. Holster Back.JPGThanks! JW

The stitching is a bit off....check your stitches per foot....make it lesser, your top tension is off...your bottom shows knots like the top is to loose....stitch all in one contineous line...leave no gaps open when you connect, a light holster like that can handle a thread size lighter...207 ??!!

Other than that, looks good and clean style....keep learning on ur Machine, it is a heart break after designing and cutting and gluing....to ruin your work on a sewing machine...guess how I know this....haha...

[Toolster]

The stitching is a bit off....check your stitches per foot....make it lesser, your top tension is off...your bottom shows knots like the top is to loose....stitch all in one continuous I have line...leave no gaps open when you connect, a light holster like that can handle a thread size lighter...207 ??!!

Other than that, looks good and clean style....keep learning on ur Machine, it is a heart break after designing and cutting and gluing....to ruin your work on a sewing machine...guess how I know this....haha...

Thanks Jimbob! I have reset to 5-6 SPI and I also feel it looks better IMHO. I'm playing with the tension settings (slowly) to see if I can get the knots balanced better. I expected to have a small learning curve so I've been using some cheap leather I bought from Tandy on sale. I consider it the "sacrificial side" to learn with and it was relatively cheap ($69.99) so I have plenty to play with w/o feeling guilty. Thanks for the feedback! (BTW nice website and cool shop!)

JW

[Jimbob]

Tension thingy is all about experience, you will learn that pretty fast and it is so easy to adjust....stay away from the bottom tension screw for now....make sure your thread is threaded right with no loops or snags....have it floating freely to your tension wheel and beyond....you will find out very soon that eventually the thickness of the leather will make your knots move in or out.....always keep the right needle in your machine and also the one that makes a stitch you like...( many different styles of needle heads ) speer, dagger, point and many more....

Keep your needle sharp or change when dull...dont use pre-waxed thread ...use bonded Nylon or Prop.

Always use a number smaller on the bottom....helps to tighten the loops ( knots ) When I start a importand project, I use the exact same leather as scrap and run a few inches to see if the stitches look good.....

Thanks for the praise on my website and shop....my mancave....haha...NO GIRLS allowed !!

Have fun

James

[DoubleC]

LOL Jimbob, guess I'm not allowed. I have a cobra 4 and there is a learning curve and one of them is spi. I just did a CC holder and spi was way too long, set at where it came from the factory. So I shortened it. I think your stitching looks nice. Yes tensions, the bobbin screw, etc is hard at first. Like Jimbob I run some stitches first to make sure my machine is cranky, LOL. Good luck with your Cowboy. Cheryl

[ktucci]

On 7/7/2014 at 4:26 PM, Colt W Knight said:

Everything looks straight and even.

The CB3200 is on my list. I have started squirreling my leather money to buy one. I hate hand sewing guitar straps and portfolios.

Colt did you end up getting the 3200?  If so, where did you get yours and hows the performance been?

[Colt W Knight]

I ended up getting a 4500 from Bob Kovar at Toledo sewing. Performance is amazing. These machines have a lot of capabilities. 

[alpha2]

17 hours ago, Colt W Knight said:

I ended up getting a 4500 from Bob Kovar at Toledo sewing. Performance is amazing. These machines have a lot of capabilities. 

Bob called today, 4500 has shipped!! WooHoo! It's like being 6 years old waiting for Christmas. Except instead of hot chocolate, I get Jack Daniels to blunt the anticipation. 

[garypl]

49 minutes ago, alpha2 said:

Bob called today, 4500 has shipped!! WooHoo! It's like being 6 years old waiting for Christmas. Except instead of hot chocolate, I get Jack Daniels to blunt the anticipation. 

I am excited for you - setting up and playing with a new tool, machine, reloaded, etc., is one of my favorite things to do!  Hope you have plenty of scrap leather on hand to practice with.  It took me awhile to become comfortable sewing on my 4500, and I am still amazed when I see it effortlessly punching through any type of leather I feed through it!  I rarely have to adjust tensions - but that may be because I am usually sewing leather that is the same thickness, even when I change needle and thread size.

Have fun and let us know what you think after you have a chance to play with your new machine!

Gary

[alpha2]

Oh, I'm all about scrap leather! I'll be in touch!

 

[garypl]

2 minutes ago, alpha2 said:

Oh, I'm all about scrap leather! I'll be in touch!

 

Also, I hope you bought extra bobbins.  It’s nice to have a separate bobbin for each thread size and color so you can quickly change thread sizes.  I think I received 4 with my machine and I quickly ordered enough extra to always have a bobbin full of every size/color of thread that I use!

Gary

[alpha2]

I saw that coming, ordered some extras. I also ordered some various threads, but will need to slowly add to that over time. My selection of Tiger thread isn't going to do me any good with the CowBoy.

[garypl]

5 hours ago, alpha2 said:

I saw that coming, ordered some extras. I also ordered some various threads, but will need to slowly add to that over time. My selection of Tiger thread isn't going to do me any good with the CowBoy.

I'm in the same boat - I have a ton of Tiger thread spools that should last me for the rest of my life!

Gary