How to Make a Leather Gunsling

In this Project Video, I show you how I make my leather gunslings that we sell in our saddle shop.
These are made basically like a belt with some small differences in the final stages of assembly.
We do have a pattern pack for this project video if you would like to try making some of these. You can purchase a printed version of this pattern pack by clicking here: dgsaddlery.com...
Our LeatherCraft newsletter was given access to the pattern first before video posted and they bought the first run out... but we are expecting next run next week and so we are allowing backorders on this product if you would like to reserve your copy.
We are also offering this pattern in a digital download for those that would prefer that. You will have to take to a print shop that uses a large format printer... the page is 36" x 48". Here is the link for the digital version: dgsaddlery.com...
Thank you so much!

[@busybeegarage5420]

what a breathe of fresh air . no rubbish just good honest help thanks

[@johnbaker3082]

I’ve found with tracing paper that you can rub the back side with a spoon to transfer the lead to the leather

[@Handles-R-Lame]

This is true, thats what tracing paper is for lol. But using a pencil to transfer ur lines let's you have reverse pattern on the back side, so for example with belts you just flip and turn the paper when transferring the pattern down the length of the belt. Simplifies the process.

[@bryanthibodeaux2552]

I use 1/8" thick neoprene foam between the strap and liner for padding. I taper the edges down (feather). It comes out really nice and seems to be comfortable

[@JohnPorsbjerg]

That's a great idea!

[@learntoswim9050]

A note for transferring from tracing paper: use a heavier pencil and you can lay it on the leather before casing and take a tooling spoon and rub, it leaves a nice dark lined pattern, easy to see. Gum eraser tidies up any pencil after tooling. Careful when rubbing depending on the leather's temper. As always test before applying technique to a project. I've got a whole drawer of tracing paper patterns, pencil transfers so nice. Very helpful for those of us that like to use the exact same pattern often, saves alot of time as you don't have to trace the design twice. Ever once in awhile just retrace with a heavy lead pencil. I can rub transfer the pattern probably a dozen times before needing more lead on the tracing paper.

[@Ryan-fosho]

This is a great video and valuable resource to me thanks for taking the time to explain everything so well!

[@trentfrancis4646]

Wish your store was down under Your an exceptional leather craftsman !

[@kenscott8243]

thanks for sharing your craft.

[@robertk-qn6mg]

I don't know if you ever heard of a tactical sling, but it's a sling that has an "extra" attached to the main sling. More or less, you cross body the sling, and it lets you have it carried and a moments notice you can just bring the rifle up and sight in on your target. Asking because I want to make one. Just coming up with the attached sling and how it would comfortably do a cross body.

[@brianturpitt4716]

Thanks for sharing your knowledge

[@Ireland831]

That tooling is amazing.

[@JohnPorsbjerg]

Wow, these are beautiful! And super relaxing to watch the carving process. I made a gunsling for my dad last year but would like to make a new and improved one. The first one was braided but now I think I'll go for decorative carving, it's so unique (at least here in Denmark I've only seen plain straight leather slings or webbing/nylon slings)

[@juanc.mendoza632]

Hey Don! I think you are one of the best. That glue tray means I think almost your master. Hi from Easton Maryland. Stay safe.

[@markdenney3903]

I use Conway buckles for them. You certainly have some nice looking tooling on there.

[@robertdikes8285]

Super NICE Don!

[@ffmed425]

Saw this tip on someone’s video. Use the Montana markers for you edge slicking cream. Works great!!!

[@ozzy1066]

Beautiful work I wish I can become your student

[@markb3129]

A true craftsman making it look easy!! Great looking gun slings and beautiful tooling patterns, will have to order this one. ✌

[@ryanh6081]

Awesome. Thank you! Will be ordering in the near future

[@Mark-ug6fx]

Bueatiful work,thank you

[@jenkins1979]

Those are nice gun slings

[@ryanroope4629]

I’ve made 3 slings with buckles and I thought it came out pretty neat

[@markscustomleather4081]

I love watching your videos and always pick up new ideas. I use Chicago screws on my slings also but I’ve also used Conway buckles on the lower part for an easier adjustment. Great video as always.

[@1fastser]

Amazing work.

[@vaqueroalvarez2794]

Very nice work sir I like the one that has the thumb hole how much do you sell them for

[@harrison87ss]

For northern climates instead of tan kote what finish would you use over the antique? Say if the gun sling could be in the rain/snow

[@larryschmidt3594]

I have used suede on the backside, it seems to stay on the shoulder better. Have you done that before and what do you think of that?

[@tinoyb9294]

What was the point of drawing multiple parallel lines when stamping the basket weave? I think you have an extra trick for keeping the weave from twisting! Thanks as usual. I keep checking for a new podcast. Really look forward to those. I tried your antiquing technique on a belt and really like the way it turned out.

[@Page5framing]

He’s got another video where he explains that process. It’s to keep the weave true to itself as you stamp.

[@jameshubbard7965]

Can you do some guitar straps also. I'm a big fan of yours. Great job!

[@PriceReynoldsMaker]

Well done brother!

[@cowboyleatherproducts]

Great video as always.

[@8626John]

Looks great! I wonder if lining the sling makes it slip off the shoulder more than having the rough out side against the clothing. Maybe not. I haven't used a lined leather sling. Again, beautiful work.

[@maddawgnoll]

You can always line it rough out. I've seen quite a few lined leather slings. Almost always lined with a suede or rough out leather. But I think that would end up a preference for whoever wants one.

[@8626John]

@@maddawgnoll I may just try an unlined sling out of some 8/9 ounce vegetable tan leather and see how it works. I don't have a sewing machine, so it would be tedious to try to stitch the lining by hand. Thanks for the reply.

[@bsbrizle]

just what i needed

[@richardkatzman2066]

Don, this may be a stupid question. I was wondering how sharp should a Swivel Knife be? When I started using my Swivel Knife it was kind of jumping. It wasn’t a smooth cut. I thought it It’s have been dull so I sharpened the blade and it seems to be a little better. Can you shed some light on this?

[@chrisfarley9213]

Wait a minute, so you don't need to wet the leather to stamp it?! Sorry if thats dumb, I am just now getting into leather work.

[@TobiasJStrand]

Not all guys have a son in law who's a hunter and brings home nice warm moose heart to his father in law to smoke. I'm one of the lucky guy! Got to make the thumbhole one for him. To bad I can't do tooling. Guess it will be a sewn gunslinger pattern instead.

[@jackiemitchell4418]

I bought several of your cutouts @ Waco a few weeks ago to make Christmas gifts, but I didn't buy the pattern. Why is there a 5th hole on the long side, for possible adjustment since it's a Chicago screw? Also, how far between do you place your Chicago screw holes?

[@jenkins1979]

Mr Gonzales,can you demo some guitar straps also?

[@aixpert291]

Would you normally dye the keepers? Thanks for another great video!!

[@tuckerwaugh5744]

I make a padded one and include the hardware. I rivet them on so there’s no chance of it coming off.

[@kten237]

What size thread are you using on the sewing machine? How many stitches per inch are you sewing too? Thanks for making these videos!

[@tinoyb9294]

Thread locker on the Chicago screws!

[@izzygonzalez6259]

Don I just bought your gunsling templates, i just wanted to ask what size needle and thread your using on the cobra 4 i just bought one and don’t know much! Thanks in advance!!

[@ShepFL002]

Do you make slings for sxs shotguns? Not wanting to drill my 1907 AH Fox for swivels.

[@billmillsaps4431]

What size tiger thread do you use? Thanks

[@PopUpRecordShop]

What is the average length of a rifle strap?

[@heatherflanders4748]

;thats my question also

[@kennyfrazier4585]

Very nice work! Maybe have the customer put a drop of loctite on screw to secure it after installed to their preference, I’ve ran across same problems in the past.

[@hollygaudet9107]

Will this work for a shotgun sling?

[@rjacks2285]

What size leather do you use for the liner?

[@Karanar]

Why dont you use locktite on the screws so they don’t come lose? Use the blue one. It’s waterproof and it can be opened again but it won’t ever shake lose

[@billhartman150]

Put a drop of Elmers glue in your screws. They will unscrew, but wont wiggle lose.

[@nickhugie3686]

I don’t know if you still look at your comments: Can you use rivets on leather instead of the Chicago screws? How does one get into leather work? 0 experience. I’m a refrigeration tech so I’m not looking for a career, just a rewarding hobby

[@mattsmith1737]

I bet every tool box in the US has at least one of those black and yellow Stanley screwdrivers in it. Lol

[@bruceedwards5271]

In the video you mentioned making a tap off so that you don’t have to trace the pattern 3 times, do you have a video of how that’s done? Thanks!!

[@PriceReynoldsMaker]

You would make a tap off if you were making several slings. To make a tap off, just follow his instructions on the pattern transfer the swivel cut the design a little deeper that you would if you tooling it. Let the leather dry and apply an acrylic top coat. Then you could use your new tap off by casing a piece of leather, laying your tap off face down and using a hammer to tap the back side of your tap off to leave an impression in the cased leather. You will now use the path that you transferred to cut the design. Now you can reuse your tap off to transfer the design into many slings

[@tinoyb9294]

There are lots of KZbin videos on tap offs.

[@carlrockaway1696]

Do you sell the patterns for them

[@harleyeater33]

Keep the background music theme for future vids please. 👍

[@baciliozamora2552]

What's the weight on the chap leather for lining

[@PHamm54]

if the "box tape" (aka packing tape); lady it on yourjeans & then peel it off. Makes it less tacky but still adheres well.

[@bear5687]

Is that a carpet knife you use to cut out the lining?

[@jimgeipel7820]

Beautiful workmanship, you won't find one of these at your local gun shop!!

[@sreynoldsred22]

You can put packing tape over pattern and that works good too

[@shanehansen2141]

Aaron from Makers Leather Supply says the tape leaves a marks on the leather that can't be dyed or top coated. I've never tried it but I always use plastic wrap over wet leather for tracing.

[@jackiemitchell4418]

I agree and use it too but,... you gotta use the cheap 3M stuff. The other brands (and the top notch 3M stuff) stick too well and goof up the underside.

[@jenkins1979]

Do you put something over antique as a sealer? What would it be? Thank you

[@cwpetersonschannelofthings7785]

Don normally uses Tan Kote as the final finish over the Antique ... hope that helps CW Peterson Grass Valley, California; USA

[@scottstephenson9597]

I use a drop of Loctite in the Chicago screws.

[@maddawgnoll]

Super glue or hairspray works well

[@matayanki]

how buy in other countrie?

[@jaredwilbanks8112]

Do you sell the pattern packs at your shop

[@heatherflanders4748]

Yes they do

[@jacobcarter5616]

Whats that guitar tune that takes off at 20:50?? That's the kinda jam I need at my tool bench!!! Anyone?

[@JohnPorsbjerg]

That's Broke Down heart by Peter Crosby :)

[@jackiemitchell4418]

@@JohnPorsbjerg and Jacob,... that song takeoff reminded me of "Hard time Killing Floor Blues" from the Movie O Brother Where Art Thou, by Chris Thomas King

[@Page5framing]

Is your camera foggy or does my phone suck? I can’t tell.

[@harrison87ss]

Anyone know what tools he using to tool? 10:02

[@redneckgarage1167]

I blue lock tight my Chicago screws

[@learntoswim9050]

I thought vegetable oils were always shunned by leather workers because they go rancid and leave a smell?

[@grimtt]

Technically, olives are a fruit. I have been using evoo for years now after watching don and it worked out well!

[@CD10000]

What music is this? It’s awesome for working in the shop

[@sysublime5091]

Can you make a pattern for a shot shell sling. Amd a shot shell belt