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Time on my hands
Posted: Sun Aug 19, 2018 3:09 pm
by 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.
Re: Time on my hands
Posted: Sun Aug 19, 2018 4:42 pm
by 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.
Re: Time on my hands
Posted: Sun Aug 19, 2018 5:05 pm
by steelbuttplate
SA1911a1 wrote: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.
Re: Time on my hands
Posted: Sun Aug 19, 2018 6:15 pm
by Sonny
Wow that's awlsome.

Re: Time on my hands
Posted: Sun Aug 19, 2018 7:21 pm
by 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.
Re: Time on my hands
Posted: Sun Aug 19, 2018 7:30 pm
by 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.
Re: Time on my hands
Posted: Sun Aug 19, 2018 7:50 pm
by Longcolt44
Used a slightly larger one to pack the chute on my funny car.
Re: Time on my hands
Posted: Mon Aug 20, 2018 5:18 am
by steelbuttplate
Longcolt44 wrote: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

Re: Time on my hands
Posted: Mon Aug 20, 2018 5:58 am
by SA1911a1
steelbuttplate wrote:Longcolt44 wrote: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.
Re: Time on my hands
Posted: Mon Aug 20, 2018 7:11 pm
by 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.
Re: Time on my hands
Posted: Tue Aug 21, 2018 4:07 pm
by steelbuttplate
Junk Yard Dog wrote: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 ?
Re: Time on my hands
Posted: Tue Aug 21, 2018 7:04 pm
by 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.
Re: Time on my hands
Posted: Tue Aug 21, 2018 8:25 pm
by entropy
Feeling a bit awlish, were you?

Re: Time on my hands
Posted: Sun Sep 23, 2018 11:53 am
by 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.

Re: Time on my hands
Posted: Sun Sep 23, 2018 12:33 pm
by Igrlik
I think - about two hundred more - and you are profi!
(decided - my Griswold and Gunnison by Pietta needs holster and transport bag)

Re: Time on my hands
Posted: Wed Sep 26, 2018 6:39 am
by entropy
Longcolt44 wrote: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...