Johnny Ringo Rig from "Tombstone", "How-To" web page

[will ghormley]

Hey Guys,

I got finished photos of Ringo's spur leathers on the site now if anyone wants an idea of what they look like finished.

http://www.willghormley-maker.com/MakingRingoRig.html

I'm startin' on the worst part of pattern makin' this week.  I've got to type out all the text that will go on the pattern and the envelope covers.  It is to tedious and time consuming, and I have to spend large blocks of time at the keyboard.  The good news it, there is room for the spur leather pattern.  I laid it out so it can be made to fit spur/boots that measure from 8" to 12" from center of button to button.  It also has half inch marks, and can be reduced to the quarter inch sizing by adjusting only one side up or down to the nearest quarter inch.  It should be pretty self explanatory once I have the pattern, sketches and explanation laid out.

Will

[Django]

The straps look great Will!! i like the idea of using shoe polish..we even have the Kiwi brand in England!!!

I just took in a delivery from Tandy with the stamps spots etc needed for the Ringo Rig and straps... just one stamp out of stock the B701 beveler, can i use an alternative?


OUCH! HOW CAN SUCH A SMALL BOX COST SO MUCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Which  size diamond awl in Tandy equivelant do you use Will and is the complete rig sewn with 7 cord?
Thanks again for a great service you have done us with this thread.
Django

[will ghormley]

Hey Django,

Just about any beveler will do.  I usually use three different sizes during beveling.  The B701 is just a middle-of-the-road size that seems to do well in most situations.  I use larger bevelers for larger, straighter lines.  Smaller bevelers work better in tight spots.  But, with some practice, you can make do with just one if you have to.

I buy TLF's #3 awl haft blade.  But, I wouldn't even dream of usin' it out of the bag.  I put it in a vice and file it down to a narrow diamond shaft and then polish it.  If I tried to use it as is, it would wear me out makin' great big holes in my leather.  It is really amazing how much easier it is if you spend some time customizing the gear.

http://www.willghormley-maker.com/Photos.html

If you go to this link and scroll down, you will see a photo of my awl.  You can kind of get an idea from the photo how much you have to file off the #3 to make it usable.  Somebody aught to make something usable straight from the package.

And, I did sew the whole Ringo Rig in the photos with seven strand linen thread.  The original from the movie used a combination of threads, but for the sake of simplicity and keepin' the costs down, I showed it with just one.

Will

[Django]

Thanks Will, Tandy UK just list the awl as "Diamond Awl, small med and large"i assume the #3 US tandy must equate to large?...it was out of stock!! so i've got a med and just polished it up on a wheel buffer.
I will get the large with my next budget blowing order!!

The holes look pretty big on the Ringo Rig cartride loops that you punched, it looks almost like you are lacing them up, is this the same size hole you use on holster seams as i am getting tired of struglin' with a pair of pliers a pushin' and a pullen'!!!

Also do you glue your seams or go right ahead and sew without?

Thanks for the advice will.
Django

[will ghormley]

Hey Django,

I use it on everything.  It takes some practice usin' an awl that size just 1/8" from the edge of the holster.  In the early years, I messed-up plenty.  It does make it a lot easier to pull double needles and thread through the same hole at the same time though.

And no, I don't glue seams.  I experimented with it some when others said they did it.  But for me, it just works better bracing the back off the seam with a block to steady it, and just stitchin' it down.

If you have any other questions, let me know.
Will

[Django]

Just two more questions Will, how many stitches to the inch are you using and do you put a stitch groove on the backside of the main seam?, if you don't how does your finished seam look on the reverse when it is all sewn up and will it wear without being in a groove?
Django.

[Curley Cole]

Will

I got my conchos today. Man, they are beautiful. thanks

curley

[will ghormley]

Hey Django,

The stitchin' wheel spacer I use throws seven imprints in exactly one inch, so that would make it a six stitch-per-inch spacer.

I always put a stitchin' groove on the back of holsters, for the very purpose of extending the life of the stitch.  I also make my stitch grooves several passes deep.  This saves wear-and-tear on the stitches, and helps the stitches to lay straighter even with operator error.  On the reverse side, my stitches look better than a machine.

When folks see my hand-sewing, if they don't know what they are lookin' at, they can't believe it's not a machine stitch.  The difference between my hand-stitching and machine-stitching is that my hand-stitching is more uniform and of better quality.  The reason I still hand-stitch after over thirty years of leather work is, I can't find a machine that can compete with the quality of my own sewing.  I'm not saying that to brag, but to illustrate what is possible with hand-stitching.  Machines are faster.  If you want to make good money making leather goods, you have to have a machine.  I own two and never use 'em.  They just can't compete with the quality I can achieve by hand.  I make less money, but then, I've never been a good businessman.  I'm content with poverty as long as I get to do the things I want.

Will

[Django]

Thanks Will, I think being content  is, whatever your situation  the most important thing  for family.
There are to many people and families torn apart by chasing and wanting money to give the illusion and the high of happiness on a permanant basis.
We have found that extreme  happiness happens naturaly at various stages in life but is short lived then we settle down to being happy to be  content  .
Django

[santee]

Quality is your game, Will. We all know it, and respect it.

[JD Alan]

Will, you stitching is scary good, as in "How does he do that?" good. What brand of stitching wheel do you use? It doesn't seem to me that the Tandy's I have make much of an impression.

Will I, and all of us I'm sure appreciate you taking the time to give explanations of how you do things.

Thanks, JD     

[will ghormley]

Hey JD,

The secret to gettin' your Tandy wheel to work is, (now this is a trade secret and I'll have to track you down if you blab to anyone), runnin' it down your stitchin' groove while the leather is damp.  I always wet my holsters as some point.  Even if they 'aint gettin' any decoration, I wet 'em down to fold and bend 'em into shape.  While the leather is damp, run your stitchin' wheel down the stitchin' groove.  Of course, if you fly out of the groove, you've got a line of bullet holes in your leather, but that's why we practice, right?

Not only does the damp leather take a good stitchin' wheel impression, but when the leather is dry, it acts as a guide for the thread so it lays down all nice and uniform.  You end up with a very graceful and contoured stitch that looks oh-so-nice.  You can't do that with a sewing machine.

That was one of the trade secrets I was savin' for when I make my "How-To" holster DVD.  Now I've gone and let the cat out of the bag.  Oh well, I'll probably never have enough scratch set aside to do the DVD series anyway, so might as well.

Will

[will ghormley]

The Johnny Ringo Rig pattern is done.  I'll be takin' it to the blueprint shop tomorrow to get a limited run printed up.

To see the envelop cover, visit the "How-To" sight.

http://www.willghormley-maker.com/MakingRingoRig.html

Will

[Marshal Will Wingam]

You sure do it right, Will. That's a fantastic pattern. Thanks for keeping everyone up on the progress.

[will ghormley]

Not a problem Marshal Will.

Everyone who pre-ordered, your patterns and conchos went out today.  I'm fresh out of conchos now, but I put an order in a couple weeks ago, so I should have more soon.  They will go out first-come-first-served.

Will

[Curley Cole]

Dang Wil

I am sure glad I got my conchos already, they are purty.
thanks
curley

[Boothill Bob]

Hi Will.
Did Dick placed an order for me?

[will ghormley]

Hey Boothill,

He called me with some questions, and was goin' to send the check.  Haven't gotten it yet, but I reckon it's in the mail.  I should have the new order of conchos soon, so I'll probably be shippin' it all to Dick as soon as the order, or the conchos, (whichever comes in last), get here.

Hey Curley,

I'm glad you got your conchos already too!  Have ya' been up Colorado way yet to grub in the dirt?  I'd'a loved to made a rendezvous with ya' at the diggin's, but right now I'm so broke I can't pay attention.  Meby if my fortunes turn before the fall, I can still make a trip to the shinin' mountains and scout for color.  By that time, it would probably pay me better to trap beaver, but I can do that here.  Might just have to satisfy myself with that.

Will

[Dalton Masterson]

I got my pattern and conchos yesterday! Looks great Will, and the conchos are nice and heavy duty. I like em!
DM

[JD Alan]

Hey Will, your wet leather "secret" has been out a while friend

I've noticed that some stitch wheels seem to have sharper points on them than others.

I've heard it said "It's a poor workman who blames his tools" so I will make do!