Time on my hands

[steelbuttplate]

I needed a holster for my Tokarev, bought two that were less than perfect. I've got time now to fix a thing or two now. The original Rapala filet knife, made in Finland was my first repair with the awl. Then the holster. Thats awl for now.

[SA1911a1]

Nice work.

I want to learn to do that. I have been thinking about ordering some tools and figuring it out. I really wish that there was a class I could take for basic leather work, but no such thing in this area.

[steelbuttplate]

Nice work.

I want to learn to do that. I have been thinking about ordering some tools and figuring it out. I really wish that there was a class I could take for basic leather work, but no such thing in this area.

Anyone that can build boats and tables and shutters can do this. Get a good sharp ice pick to pilot your hole first or you'll break a lot of needles. That's a $20 awl at Ace hardware.

[Sonny]

Wow that's awlsome.

[Junk Yard Dog]

I have a kit similar to that for fixing horse tack, found it in the barn were there have been no horses since 1920 inside an old cigar box. Never gave much thought as to why I saved it, but this is giving me ideas. Mostly about stitching together a new leather fan belt for my Model T.

[ffuries]

I started learning to do this when they merged Aircrew Life Support with the Fab Shop (chute packers, life raft inspectors), but senior leadership felt since I was retiring it would be better for me to teach the Fab Shop how to inspect/repair NVG'S, flight helmets, oxygen masks, and how to teach survival training.

So I didn't get much time doing this type of stuff. We did however use the needle awl for tacking parachute harnesses and personal lowering devices.

[Longcolt44]

Used a slightly larger one to pack the chute on my funny car.

[steelbuttplate]

Used a slightly larger one to pack the chute on my funny car.

So when you pop a chute, does it rip a set of stitches out ? Same on a paratroop chute ? All I ever used was two umbrellas off the roof of my Aunt's house

[SA1911a1]

Used a slightly larger one to pack the chute on my funny car.

So when you pop a chute, does it rip a set of stitches out ? Same on a paratroop chute ? All I ever used was two umbrellas off the roof of my Aunt's house

I hope you used a better umbrella than I did......My mama tore my ass up for breaking her umbrella, it was an unnecessary whooping. I never intended to repeat my paratrooper impersonation.

[Longcolt44]

Actually it is the chute cover that gets laced. The chute itself is folded in to the holder then the cover is laced up with a rod through the laces. When the chute is deployed the rod is pulled out of the laces and Byyoong, out pops the chute, you hope.

[steelbuttplate]

I have a kit similar to that for fixing horse tack, found it in the barn were there have been no horses since 1920 inside an old cigar box. Never gave much thought as to why I saved it, but this is giving me ideas. Mostly about stitching together a new leather fan belt for my Model T.

I wonder how Moose hide would work for that. It should be tough as hell. Is that like a wide flat belt or V belt ?

[Junk Yard Dog]

It looks like a belt made for holding up pants. The belt just turns a fan, during the T era leather was the preferred material for belts of all sizes, even big ones running industrial equipment.

[entropy]

Feeling a bit awlish, were you?

[steelbuttplate]

AS a matter of fact, I decided I needed holsters for my derringers. The little one is .22 lr w/ germany stamp, nothing else. The Davis is a .22 mag.

[Igrlik]

I think - about two hundred more - and you are profi!

(decided - my Griswold and Gunnison by Pietta needs holster and transport bag)

[entropy]

Actually it is the chute cover that gets laced. The chute itself is folded in to the holder then the cover is laced up with a rod through the laces. When the chute is deployed the rod is pulled out of the laces and Byyoong, out pops the chute, you hope.

Which is why the chute packer (rigger) jumps with the stick he packs them for.....a friend of mine was a rigger with the 82nd, spent some time in Bosnia. He has more jumps than Carter's got pills...