Dorado Report post Posted February 22, 2016 So thanks to the help of the gurus here I was able to make my first CAS gun rig. It's for my .357mag SAA's and I'm really happy with how it came out. There are a few things that I'd have done differently though of course and I'll make sure to do it right on the next one. But without further ado here it is. I wasn't thinking about it and I accidentally made some lines in the face of the belt and something very important that I learned. Sew on the billets and measure from the center billet to center the cartridge loops. I didn't know that and centered them exactly in the center of the belt so they are off set to the right too far however that means that I can get to almost all of my 32 bullets with my right hand. The main dye I used is Old Master's Red Mahogany wood stain that was then treated with SnoSeal before gluing and sewing. The Holster liner, billets, and cartridge loops are dyed with Fiebing's Saddle Tan in a 1:4 ratio with Mineral Spirits. The entire rig is then sealed with Resolene. Holsters are made with 8/9oz lined with 3/4 oz. Wet formed Belt is two layers of 5/6oz Cartridge loops are 4/5 oz I have no clue about the billets. They were made from a Tandy belt blank that I had laying around. I think it's about 9/10. I am very proud with how the holster liner came out. No wrinkles what so ever. Next time though. I'll glue the holsters together and burnish the edges before I gouge a stitch line and stitch it. So how did I do? This is my first holster and gun belt. and my biggest project to date. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rickdroid Report post Posted February 22, 2016 Very nice work, you did it right. Congratulations. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dorado Report post Posted February 22, 2016 I really need to get better with my stitching. I'll need more thread before I can do that. I ran out. I was planning on doing a decorative stitch on the billet but I barely had enough to finish the belt. I have about one foot left. I need to order some more. I like that Tiger thread. It stitches nice and it doesn't break on me all the time like that crap I was using. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jon P Report post Posted February 23, 2016 That is awesome!! You have inspired me to tackle one!!! Thanks for sharing! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dwight Report post Posted February 23, 2016 I like it, . . . but it makes my fingers hurt, . . . all that hand stitching........... Good job, . . . good perseverance. May God bless, Dwight Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sideforce Report post Posted February 23, 2016 Nice job on the whole rig - I'm impressed with the stitching! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dikman Report post Posted February 23, 2016 In the second photo the stitching on the inside of the belt looks a bit uneven? The outside looks good, though. For a first effort I reckon you've done very well, tackling a pair of holsters and belt for a first project is what's known as "jumping in the deep end"! (I did the same thing!!). It's amazing how much you can learn from the first project. You will only get better...... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SLP Report post Posted February 23, 2016 Beautiful! That came out very nice. I hope my first belt is half as nice. If you're looking for a good place for thread I've had good results from thethreadexchange.com. For small orders check out their small spools section under nylon thread. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dorado Report post Posted February 23, 2016 I like it, . . . but it makes my fingers hurt, . . . all that hand stitching........... Good job, . . . good perseverance. May God bless, Dwight No kidding...My hands hurt all day after I finished my marathon belt. I did all that stitching on the belt in one sitting not counting the billets. It was something like 650 stitches not counting back stitching. I'm just glad I spent the time to punch the holes before I stitched them. In the second photo the stitching on the inside of the belt looks a bit uneven? The outside looks good, though. For a first effort I reckon you've done very well, tackling a pair of holsters and belt for a first project is what's known as "jumping in the deep end"! (I did the same thing!!). It's amazing how much you can learn from the first project. You will only get better...... I had a hard time with my groover. I slipped in a couple of places and I had no choice but to follow the line I cut. That's the uneven part. I focused mainly on getting the outside as perfect as I could I have a couple of places that I'm not completely satisfied with but I can live with them for now. This isn't my first project but it is definitely the biggest. Most of what I've made have been small things that I've needed. Beautiful! That came out very nice. I hope my first belt is half as nice. If you're looking for a good place for thread I've had good results from thethreadexchange.com. For small orders check out their small spools section under nylon thread. Only advice I can offer it to go slow and pay attention. Hey thanks for the tip. I bought that Tiger thread off a guy on Etsy. I got 40 yards for like $6. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Toney Report post Posted February 24, 2016 Very nice Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Steve75 Report post Posted February 27, 2016 (edited) Nice looking rig. You will have people bugging you to make them something when they see it. I made the mistake of showing one of my holsters to some colleagues at work-now they are waiting for me to agree to make holsters for them. Edited February 27, 2016 by Steve75 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dorado Report post Posted February 28, 2016 Nice looking rig. You will have people bugging you to make them something when they see it. I made the mistake of showing one of my holsters to some colleagues at work-now they are waiting for me to agree to make holsters for them. Yeah I'm looking forward to that. I won't as I don't think my stuff is good enough to sell yet but still. It'll be a lot of fun. I'm already looking to make another one. I'd like to have one that is a nice finished and polished black. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
