Well, that didn't work...

[BrokenolMarine]

Ordered a few things from Tandy while they have the Black Friday sale in progress. Three orders in as many days. Some antiques, a couple tools I needed, and today I ordered a couple styles of buckles for the belts rather than use the old recycled ones I planned on while they had some that matched the belt styles perfectly, on sale for Black Friday. I was going to order one of each, but just for grins, I marked the order up to two of each and the shipping didn't change, so four buckles it was.

[BrokenolMarine]

I was about to post up that the backgrounding was completed after my afternoon session, but when I resized the picture, I noticed a couple small sessions I missed. Ten minutes of work, and they will be done and the backgrounding WILL be completed. Uh... duh. Tomorrow we'll be making that long five minute drive to a friends for Thanksgiving. But, I'll likely find ten minutes to knock that out. Can't do much more until the Buckle comes in from Tandy, I'm guessing midweek next week?

07 backgrounding complete.jpg (441.46 KiB) Viewed 2899 times

Yeah, yeah, the colors will match once the working area dries.

I have the billets cut out and ready to cut the buckle holes and the holes for the buckle bar in them, but THAT will also wait for the tools I ordered. A 1 inch oval punch for punching out bullet slots, which should work for belt slots as well.

We are moving right along. Until then I can burnish the edges on the parts and pieces, and do some staining.

[RetiredSeabee]

I see you keep a supply of butt wipes close by. Never know when you can’t trust a fart,

[BrokenolMarine]

I see you keep a supply of butt wipes close by. Never know when you can’t trust a fart,

Well, that, and knowing that butt wipes are great for taking off the gunk I get on my hands working with leather, woodworking, or in the making of knives. The soft wipes are great for blowing my nose when the chemicals get it running, and will remove some of the index marks I put on metal. Between the wipes and paper towels, I'm covered for "most" things.

[BrokenolMarine]

With four kids and seven grandkids, what else would you call them when you are holding a kid by both ankles?

[fortyshooter]

Wow a beautiful piece of work!

[BrokenolMarine]

Got out for a few minutes this morning and shaded (Backgrounded) the area(s) I missed. I think it's all backgrounded now. I'll be able to burnish the edges and do a few other minor things while I wait for the orders from Tandy. I might even cut out the 2-1/2" blank for the gunbelt while I wait. I have to check the leather I have under the bench and make sure I have what I need.

08 ok this time background is actually done.jpg (444.51 KiB) Viewed 2869 times

People are always telling me that I should turn my hobbies into a business. Ever get that? You could make a living at this.
Back when I was working patrol, it was woodworking. Why risk your life on midnights when you could make boxes and cabinets for a living? Um... I make these things to relax and I enjoy it. If my hobby was my job, what would I do for fun...?

[RetiredSeabee]

From that camera angle you have very small feet. Have quite a few of the same self portrait shots.

[BrokenolMarine]

10-1/2. Those are my lined moccs. Keep my tootsies warm in the shop.
Surprised they showed. Guess my diet is working.

[BrokenolMarine]

One Tandy Order was supposed to arrive today, the other tomorrow. They weren't quite as quick as the earlier orders, I guess ordering from the Black Friday Sale saved a chunk, but with same many orders they were a bit slower getting them out. No Biggie, I'm not going to whine and complain, I needed the rest. Today's order didn't come but both have arrived safely at the UPS hub that delivers to our area and should arrive together tomorrow. I'll be back in the shop and working in the afternoon, unless UPS is swamped and delivers after dark, then it will be Friday.... Our guy runs until the stuff is delivered. We have a great UPS guy, and we treat him well.

[BrokenolMarine]

Got the order in, so I could fit the buckle to the strap, and begin to fit and finish the belt. I tooled the two billets and punched the needed holes... and made a belt loop. I'll need to make one more. Duh, (Insert Gibb's Slap here)

09 all prepped.jpg (453.96 KiB) Viewed 3558 times

Once that was done, I got out the Watco Oil, in Natural and oiled each part of the assembly and left them to dry. I'll get back to it tomorrow and work on putting some of this thing together. Next up after this is the gunbelt. All I need for that has come in.

10 watco natural oil.jpg (476.43 KiB) Viewed 3558 times

[BrokenolMarine]

Got out today and waxed and buffed the parts of the belt, two coats. Then got 'er put together. I am pretty happy. Miss Tina really likes the weathered look and the contrasts in the various pieces that make the tooling pop.

A view from the front with the tooled turquoise accented buckle. It goes very well with the Native American design.

11 done front view.jpg (659.55 KiB) Viewed 3535 times

The view of the back, using single feathers from Joe's pattern plate to lay out filler other than the Arrow and feather design.

12 done center rear.jpg (569.62 KiB) Viewed 3535 times

Here is the side view, behind the buckle and billets... the Arrow and Feather layout, where the design gets it's name. I like it. Next time I do this pattern I might make the belt just a tad wider to give it a bit more border.

13 done a side view.jpg (542.39 KiB) Viewed 3535 times

Overall, I'm happy, a learning experience, first time thru the pattern. Of course there were things I would change, things I could do better, but that's why we do things, to improve.

[fortyshooter]

Amazing work!