For three years I've taught myself leather crafting, with youtube videos and huge amounts from fine folks at Leather Shop on the CAS site and Leatherworker.net. As my physical capabilities have diminished due to psoriatic arthritis in all my joints and my spine, lumbar spinal injury and surgeries, and a total knee replacement, I reached the point that I could no longer sit or stand to hand saddle stitch the many holsters I design and make for self, family and friends.
With my loving wife's encouragement and some money from savings, I went ahead and ordered a Cowboy CB3500 from the folks at Toledo Industrial Sewing Machine in Ohio. Once I learn to effectively use the machine, I'll be able to sew a holster in minutes instead of days. I also plan to make messenger bags, knife sheaths, knife cases, belt key rings, cell phone cases, and many other things that were beyond my reach.
Physical problems have forced me to give up some of my other hobbies, one of which is wood turning sculptures, bowls, and the like that I used to sell through art galleries in my region. I've even considered selling a couple unused long guns like my NIB unfired Ruger 77/357 bought on a whim when times were better a year ago.
Changing hobbies is I suppose one of the ways us "gettin older" folks have to deal with the progression of life. I fooled myself as a young man for too many years as an ER nurse and factory tool and die maker, thinking that I would always be ten feet tall and bulletproof. Abusing my body all those years has taken its tool. Interestingly though, my family has openly stated that they knew how hard I worked to bring in the money that helped them live a comfortable life. Being recognized for all my long hard work is rewarding itself. My two adult children know that just like their mother I cooked a lot, cleaned house, did diaper duty and laundry. Had a small lawn care business in addition to working full time swing shift too, that paid for both their braces in the mid-90's.
This thread isn't really about holsters I guess, but it's the best place I could think of to post since it pertains to my plans to make leather holsters for my handguns. I'm not giving those up unless we have to begin choosing between medicine and guns (been there done that too).
I'll post photos of new things I create. And my hat goes off to a long distance friend Rick (Rayban here, the man who makes so many beautiful things with his CB3500). I highly advise folks here to visit his website, and read my review of the marvelous gun belt he made to order for me a few weeks back.
As always folks, thanks for your time. Don
With my loving wife's encouragement and some money from savings, I went ahead and ordered a Cowboy CB3500 from the folks at Toledo Industrial Sewing Machine in Ohio. Once I learn to effectively use the machine, I'll be able to sew a holster in minutes instead of days. I also plan to make messenger bags, knife sheaths, knife cases, belt key rings, cell phone cases, and many other things that were beyond my reach.
Physical problems have forced me to give up some of my other hobbies, one of which is wood turning sculptures, bowls, and the like that I used to sell through art galleries in my region. I've even considered selling a couple unused long guns like my NIB unfired Ruger 77/357 bought on a whim when times were better a year ago.
Changing hobbies is I suppose one of the ways us "gettin older" folks have to deal with the progression of life. I fooled myself as a young man for too many years as an ER nurse and factory tool and die maker, thinking that I would always be ten feet tall and bulletproof. Abusing my body all those years has taken its tool. Interestingly though, my family has openly stated that they knew how hard I worked to bring in the money that helped them live a comfortable life. Being recognized for all my long hard work is rewarding itself. My two adult children know that just like their mother I cooked a lot, cleaned house, did diaper duty and laundry. Had a small lawn care business in addition to working full time swing shift too, that paid for both their braces in the mid-90's.
This thread isn't really about holsters I guess, but it's the best place I could think of to post since it pertains to my plans to make leather holsters for my handguns. I'm not giving those up unless we have to begin choosing between medicine and guns (been there done that too).
I'll post photos of new things I create. And my hat goes off to a long distance friend Rick (Rayban here, the man who makes so many beautiful things with his CB3500). I highly advise folks here to visit his website, and read my review of the marvelous gun belt he made to order for me a few weeks back.
As always folks, thanks for your time. Don
