How to make a linesmans pouch and use a Cowboy 441

[RockyAussie]

This is how I went about making my first heavy duty linesman's pouch.there have got to be easier ways but for now this is what I did. I got a call from a guy that wants his own pouch as he is left handed and also wants the tools to slide in easy and not fall out when upside down.Leather has to be waterproof and as thick as 3.6mm (9oz) to remain durable as possible.No problem!!??. First step buy a big Cowboy sewing machine and spend a day learning how to use it and find its capabilities. This resulted in knocking it out of timing as I found it could stitch OK going forward but would not pick up the bobbin thread going backward. A search on the net showed some videos on the subject but the best info I found was in a Juki engineers manual which gives clear measurements I found referenced in L.W. After getting in the right needle and thread (277-10metric used top and bottom) I proceeded to CAD out some patterns as shown below.                       

Second pic shows leather cut out and bolted together to test pattern.

Picture 3 shows back view.

4 shows the test hanging upside down works

Pic 5 shows the outer third piece stitched to the second piece.

Pic 6 shows stitching the outer stitched layers onto the back layer by sewing through and following the same holes and removing bolts on the run. Bit scary but all went well.

Pic 7 shows the finished pouch with tools in and it tested good.

Last pic shows the belt that is suede backed  and measures 6mm (1/4") thick stitched here with a 230 size 26 LR needle except for the keeper.

Any tips and criticisms are most welcome. Brian

[bikermutt07]

Looks awesome, Brian.

[Matt S]

Looks great Brian. Did you use nylon or polyester thread? Nylon is much more readily available but I'm worried about its UV resistance when used on outdoors products.

[chuckgaudette]

Great job!

[wlg190861]

6 hours ago, RockyAussie said:

This is how I went about making my first heavy duty linesman's pouch.there have got to be easier ways but for now this is what I did. I got a call from a guy that wants his own pouch as he is left handed and also wants the tools to slide in easy and not fall out when upside down.Leather has to be waterproof and as thick as 3.6mm (9oz) to remain durable as possible.No problem!!??. First step buy a big Cowboy sewing machine and spend a day learning how to use it and find its capabilities. This resulted in knocking it out of timing as I found it could stitch OK going forward but would not pick up the bobbin thread going backward. A search on the net showed some videos on the subject but the best info I found was in a Juki engineers manual which gives clear measurements I found referenced in L.W. After getting in the right needle and thread (277-10metric used top and bottom) I proceeded to CAD out some patterns as shown below.                       

Second pic shows leather cut out and bolted together to test pattern.

Picture 3 shows back view.

4 shows the test hanging upside down works

Pic 5 shows the outer third piece stitched to the second piece.

Pic 6 shows stitching the outer stitched layers onto the back layer by sewing through and following the same holes and removing bolts on the run. Bit scary but all went well.

Pic 7 shows the finished pouch with tools in and it tested good.

Last pic shows the belt that is suede backed  and measures 6mm (1/4") thick stitched here with a 230 size 26 LR needle except for the keeper.

Any tips and criticisms are most welcome. Brian

I like that. Would you be willing to sell me that pattern with assemble instructions

[SolarLeatherMachines]

Basic timing fix for a 441 Style machine.  This covers just the basics.  
 

 

Edited February 9, 2017 by SolarLeatherMachines
Fat Fingers

[RockyAussie]

5 hours ago, wlg190861 said:

I like that. Would you be willing to sell me that pattern with assemble instructions

I would be happy to give you the patterns for free but you have to consider that it is made size wise for the actual tools in it. Are you able to take DXF format?  Or which file format can you use? Instructions on how - as this was my first I would wait for a few days and see if any other members can input any better ways of construction as this took more time than I thought with all of the bolting etc.

[billybopp]

I love the idea of using bolts to pre-assemble and test the design... Why didn't I ever think of that??

 

[SolarLeatherMachines]

Another assembly option:  Clecos would also work well to assemble it together.  And they last forever.  You can get them several places, but here's a link to one version.  

http://www.eastwood.com/panel-holding-system.html

[gigi]

Very cool! Looks very durable. What kind of leather is this?

Edited February 9, 2017 by gigi

[RockyAussie]

26 minutes ago, SolarLeatherMachines said:

Another assembly option:  Clecos would also work well to assemble it together.  And they last forever.  You can get them several places, but here's a link to one version.  

http://www.eastwood.com/panel-holding-system.html

Thanks for that idea. It would save a lot of time if it works. I will try and find local and give it a try. I think they may need a washer on the back to hold but that should not be a problem. The length they can get through to hold in this case up to 11mm (7/16") may be an issue as well. I love the idea a lot. Regards Brian.

[RockyAussie]

4 minutes ago, gigi said:

Very cool! Looks very durable. What kind of leather is this?

Cant say for sure as I've had it a while. It appears to be a chrome tanning, quite compressed with a possibly urethane top coat. I tried casting with it a while back in hot soapy water and whatever I tried it just dripped the water off and laughed at me. I did manage to cast a gun pouch with it but that took some extreme pressure. I have to say bending sheet metal is probably easier and I don't think I will be any hurry to use it again. The fact I got away with stitching it on this CB 441 at this hardness and thickness did surprise me.

[OLDNSLOW]

great job nicely done please put up the pattern when you think it is time for it PDF works, and also the type of leather used!!

[wlg190861]

1 hour ago, RockyAussie said:

I would be happy to give you the patterns for free but you have to consider that it is made size wise for the actual tools in it. Are you able to take DXF format?  Or which file format can you use? Instructions on how - as this was my first I would wait for a few days and see if any other members can input any better ways of construction as this took more time than I thought with all of the bolting etc.

PDF

[RockyAussie]

2 minutes ago, OLDNSLOW said:

great job nicely done please put up the pattern when you think it is time for it PDF works, and also the type of leather used!!

Will do tonight if I can. The only thing is the A3 printer I use is not long enough for the larger piece in length in one hit. I had to print out and cut the top and join. So I am wondering what is a paper size to put it on? A3+ should work but is that tits on a bull for most people? Regards Brian

[OLDNSLOW]

the A3 is a larger format than what we here in the 48 normally use I am not sure 8x14 is close in size, but can always cut and tape together or redraw out section if need be.

[RockyAussie]

4 minutes ago, OLDNSLOW said:

the A3 is a larger format than what we here in the 48 normally use I am not sure 8x14 is close in size, but can always cut and tape together or redraw out section if need be.

OK. I will draw up a couple of ways and sizes with a lot of measurements.

[RockyAussie]

11 hours ago, Matt S said:

Looks great Brian. Did you use nylon or polyester thread? Nylon is much more readily available but I'm worried about its UV resistance when used on outdoors products.

I have for years had a preference to using the thread in this pdf attachment.shann_Strongbond_spec_sheet.pdf

I have over the years tried a lot of threads and this has always given the least sewing problems.

Unfortunately here in Australia they only stock black and white in the 277 range.

[OLDNSLOW]

Thanks

[RockyAussie]

I have done up the patterns for the linesman's pouch to the best of my ability for A4 printing.  Please let me know if there is any problems in printing and make sure that the printer is set to print 1 to 1 or full size. The new owner/ customer picked up the pouch yesterday and kindly posed for a couple of pics and he was very happy with the new pouch. Brian  Linesmans pouch for A4 printing.pdf

[JimTimber]

That turned out great!

[RockyAussie]

1 hour ago, JimTimber said:

That turned out great!

Thanks, main thing is that the customer thinks so too.