New England B.S. Thread

Couple progress shots of this purse I'm making for a friend's grandma. This is easily the most labor intensive shit I even know how to do and I remember why I quit selling leatherwork. Trying to get even $10/hr on labor is like pulling teeth from a moving horse.

 

I'm really curious now, how long does it take to make a complete purse or wallet? I have a fascination with leather work, some of the custom made items I've come across are really cool but I've never known anyone who actually made things like this.

 

That isn't bad at all. My line was replaced when I bought the house - it's now a coated line. The one one had no coating and was in cement so it was starting to corrode.

 

The labor hours depend pretty much entirely on the complexity of the pattern and the the type of construction. I work entirely by hand and eye, and exclusively saddle stitch with cut grooves on any surface that might see any rubbing in use, which drives up the labor quotient considerably. Saddle stitching is by far the strongest and most durable stitch type there is, and there's no machine that can do it, but it is dogshit slow compared to any machine stitch or even using one of those bobbin fed hand awls (Speedy Stitcher? Speed-E-Stitch? Something like that.) I also prick-punch all of the stitching holes, which is much much slower than drilling them in a drill press, but also much much stronger because no material is removed from the leather.

This purse as an example is going to probably be about 20 hours total of labor, from raw material to completion, and I designed the pattern to be as strong as possible while still being clean to the eye and touch. A specific example of a big labor factor on this pattern - the liner is one piece, so there are no seams on the inside bottom to collect cruft. That detail alone adds a lot of assembly time before I can even start stitching, and also makes the bottom and corner stitching a lot more awkward. It also adds a lot of overall time to the project because there are multiple glue-ups, which require waiting on the adhesive each time (just like woodworking).

There are a couple styles of wallet I've made over the years, and the most complex (with large contrasting inlays, full lining, driver license window, and credit card slots) is probably 4 hours all up, more or less depending on the complexity of the inlay shape.

When I make leather or wood goods, I really prefer to make them the best way I possibly can, and since I don't have a famous maker's mark, it means when I do sell non-commission work, I'm mostly doing it for the satisfaction of turning my stuff loose to the fates.

Edit - that little red clutch I posted the other day here was probably 2-3, just as another reference.

 

The stuff you've posted up have all looked very well done so keep up the good work! Thanks for the info, really puts things into perspective with what it takes to produce hand-made, quality items like yours vs. mass produced shit you see in department stores or online.

 

That was the problem with my buried line as well. The new one has an orange plastic coating and it's attached to the ceiling joists.

 

Not poking... just curious. Do you CARY the .22? Or just a nice shooting range toy?

Depending on where you are, let me know, I'm sure I can get ya a nice fair price if that doesn't line up.

 

Sometimes I carry the .22LR when I’m walking the dog at night.
The .22 LR is on the left and its big brother .357 Magnum is on the right. I’m more likely to carry the .357.
I’m also a big fan of the S&W Shield 9 mm as a carry piece.

 

Gotcha. Was just curious.
Just never understood the .22lr for a CC unless it's a small close in back up.
Is that .357 a 340PD??? I've been eyeballing one for a few years, but, 1k for an 11oz 357 that I won't carry.... tough sell....

Disclaimer, I only have one .22lr, it's a nice bolt action rifle, and I am currently working on marksmanship with my youngest with that piece. Was essentially picked out by her, so she could handle it etc.

Amusing note... my wife finally shot my M1A(.308) a few weeks back.... after sending 100+ rds of .22 down to the gong.... so happy I got that blind reaction on video...

And I currently only have 2 S&W(even though I used to take care of their chillers), and those are Shield .40 2.0(huge improvement out of the box over my old hot-rodded .40), and my well seasons bodyguard(summer/shorts carry).

She likes to steal my Glock, and these days, it is a crap shoot on whether I carry that, or my "Ol' Reliable" 9mm XDs( before Mod 1 was even a thing)....

 

Damn nice. I need a new rack. Got the wife a new cannondale hybrid bike earlier this year and my daughter has a trek 24" mountain bike. Plus my youngest tag along bike the shitty chi-comm 4 bike rack I got off marketplace isn't cutting it. Bikes barely fit, need to take the wife's and daughters front tire off, and put a bunch of pool noodle foam on forks and stuff so they aren't getting all beat up. Thinking of getting a platform rack for them. I just ordered airbags for the rear to help with 4 bikes on the ass end of my LC and the rtt. Also ordered bilstin 6100s/ 5160s and 1.5" lift springs to replace the stock toyota shocks and springs. So much for keeping it stock....

 

Hey is this normal as the wildpeaks wear or the result of something I did to the truck? Sounds to me like I got the spin cycle going on the washer or running over something small over and over

https://youtube.com/shorts/8u_aEAjWhak?feature=share

I feel like it’s getting kind of loud when driving which turning up the volume can mask so if it’s normal truck sounds then fine nbd but I don’t wanna keep driving it every day if it’s the beginning of something else without fixing it

 

I had wildpeaks and got ~60k out of them. They definitely got louder as they wore, but not like that. Just a standard AT hum not an oscillating sound like that.

 

Maybe missing wheel weight(s)

 

I'd say that is pretty solidly normal ni my experience.
I only got 40ish K out of my wild peaks. Constant balance issues.
Was great on a 5k road trip....

 

The .22 is a S&W Model 43C. It was an eight round cylinder. Federal Punch and CCI Stringers are fairly hot rounds. It a pinch, 8 well placed rounds would give pause to many situations. But, why not just start with one of the more potent options.

If you're looking for a .22 revolver for target and plinking I suggest you look at the Ruger SP 101. It is solid and has an 4” plus barrel. Tack driver. It had a very smooth trigger, with a heavy pull.

Yes, the .357 is the Model 340 PD. It’s a fire breathing dragon that kicks like a mule. It’s much easier to handle shooting .38 Special rounds, although it’s still a has a healthy kick.
It’s the type of gun you carry a lot and shoot a little.

 

Wish I could send some through that 340pd... still on my short "wish list"....

And I shoot consistently, especially anything I carry. Still basically keeping up my "quals"

 

Yeah I feel like I’m gonna try a different tire next lol

 

I'm on my second set of Goodyear UltraTerrains. Been happy thus far.

 

Yes, practice is important, especially with a carry gun. Marksmanship is a martial art. Practicing the skills and “ doing the work “ are essential.

 

DM me regarding firing the 340 PD.