Single action rig

Dale Gribble

Dale Gribble

Can't starve us out; Can't make us run
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Picked up a holster from EPS for my Vaquero. I was going to get a belt, as well, but wanted to attempt making one myself.

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I’ve probably spent 10x as much into reading/research as the time I’ve got in so far, just working with the materials.

Started with the base/strap for the cartridge loops first…

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Cut the belt and dyed it…

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Rear cartridge loops cemented in place…just have to stitch them on, now. No sewing machine, so all the stitching on the rig will be by hand.

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All I have done, so far.
 
MacEntyre said:
Very well done!

BTW, one must make or pay a lot to have a cartridge belt made, because the one's you find for sale in various places are all nearly a foot too short!
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Tell ya what..

I have nothing but mad respect for folks who work custom leather. For my first attempt, I’m pretty happy with the way it turned out, but I’m an amateur and mistakes were made. FWIW, I had a limited amount of tools and used a relatively economic grade of veg tanned leather.

Guarantee the craftsmen on here, who do this type of work, could turn out a product 100x better than this one. Yeah, it’d be pricey, but after working with heavy leather and the handwork involved, I have a greater understanding of why custom rigs cost so much.

Anyhow, @Gunbelt, @chiefjason and others on here, my hat’s off to you.👍
 
Dale Gribble said:
Tell ya what..

I have nothing but mad respect for folks who work custom leather. For my first attempt, I’m pretty happy with the way it turned out, but I’m an amateur and mistakes were made. FWIW, I had a limited amount of tools and used a relatively economic grade of veg tanned leather.

Guarantee the craftsmen on here, who do this type of work, could turn out a product 100x better than this one. Yeah, it’d be pricey, but after working with heavy leather and the handwork involved, I have a greater understanding of why custom rigs cost so much.

Anyhow, @Gunbelt, @chiefjason and others on here, my hat’s off to you.👍
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Don't beat yourself up on any of that one. Looks good. And I understand you know where every single annoying flaw is. lol.

Speaking of annoying, how did you like lining up that liner with the outside? I alway cut the liner larger so I can trim it down. Much easier than lining it up.
 
chiefjason said:
Don't beat yourself up on any of that one. Looks good. And I understand you know where every single annoying flaw is. lol.

Speaking of annoying, how did you like lining up that liner with the outside? I alway cut the liner larger so I can trim it down. Much easier than lining it up.
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Oh…it was a pain, as was the stitching…don’t know how any of you aren’t afflicted with carpal tunnel or arthritis.

Cutting the liner a bit bigger than the belt is one of the many things I would have done different.👍
 
@chiefjason …do have a question for you.

One thing I noticed on some belts, specifically the cartridge loops, is the edges left rough instead of being burnished. Is there any particular reason for that? Will leaving rough edges contribute to the longevity of the loop being able to retain the cartridge firmly?

May seem silly, but burnishing the edges of the loops is one of the main aspects I set out to do with this rig (although it was a feeble attempt on my end). I just think it looks better.
 
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Dale Gribble said:
@chiefjason …do have a question for you.

One thing I noticed on some belts, specifically the cartridge loops, is the edges left rough instead of being burnished. Is there any particular reason for that? Will leaving rough edges contribute to the longevity of the loop being able to retain the cartridge firmly?

May seem silly, but burnishing the edges of the loops is one of the main aspects I set out to do with this rig (although it was a feeble attempt on my end). I just think it looks better.
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No good answer other than I hate that and think it's ugly. Finish the freaking belt! Heck, I dye all my edges black then burnish them.

I see that rough edge thing more and more. I wonder if folks just don't know how to finish an edge without edge cote, which tends to flake off belts at times. Or they don't want to spend the time to do it. Guess it's a solid model when you can convince your customers that doing the tedious work isn't worth it and call it a design feature by not doing it.

I tend to see it more with some of the newer makers too. Or some of the IG leather folks that are not going gun leather.
 
Didn’t have any gum, so I used water and a slicker. Followed that up with beeswax and a slicker, then finshed it off with a piece of canvas.

The edges to the loops got a bit beat up when I was weaving them (used 4-5 oz for the loops).
 
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Dale Gribble said:
After careful consideration, I have decided to make the rig an integral part of my “sh*t has done hitted the fan” gear.👍

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I like the look. I think a rig that combined leather and nylon webbing/molle/etc would look cool. Post apocalyptic cowboy.
 
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