Zadokk

thanks, I still have 2 to sell in the Sales forums. I will probably be starting a Project Run thread next week so you can be on the look for it.

TC9040 requesting 501st access

Thanks for the feedback and help everyone. Here is basically how I see things progressing from here. First, let it be known that these will not be just rolling off the assembly line and construction may seem painfully slow but they are hand constructed. I took a couple of pouches to a shoe repair shop to see how they looked using their sewing machine and was not impressed at all - these 2 pouches will be sold as B grades to recoupe costs of materials. I hope to have 3 other pouches up for sell in the next couple of days. Once those are sold, I will start a 'project run' thread and will start filling orders as they come in, more about that later in the thread. A little about me and what I am dealing with on the home front - my wife just started a new job so we are trying to get settled into a routine that works for us and our kids. I have a 15 mo. old and a 2 year old so we are kinda busy in that reguards too. I say this to ask for a little patience and understanding. I am very excited about the enthusiasm I have received about the pouches and I look forward to working with you all. Just to keep things fair, I will post here a day before I put the pouches up for sell so everyone can be ready and have a chance at them.

sure, just get me the measurements and I will see what I can do.

Juan, you will have the 1st set for sure as you have helped me a ton, just need to know how many of what type you want. I am going to start with the limited set that I have then I will start a production run and start a list of requests. Hopefully, more pics tomorrow.

okay, sorry it has taken me this long to get back with some pics but my wife has started a new job and we are adjusting. Anyway, here are some pics of a slant loop pouch. I hope to have some pics of vertical loop pouch tomorrow.

I have run into a stitching problem so I was trying to work with a local shoe repair shop to see what they can do and for how much. I am having to wait till next week (tuesday probably) before they can get to them. Due to the way I have to assemble these pouches with the rivets, I am having trouble getting the stitching straight as I have to use a dremel to punch through both layers of leather. I am also brainstorming to try to figure out a way to get around the problem myself but kinda doing the family thing this weekend. When is the C5? Have a great 4th everyone.

no problem Juan, thanks for checking out the pics and asking questions. as far as the material, the front is made from 3-4 oz vegi-tan leather and the back is 8 oz predyed shoulder leather. It is the closest thing I can get from studying the pics. As far as the heat, it is all leather so it shouldn't do more than become a little more 'plyable' as most things do. I use a leather sheen on all of the leather to seal it so it should help protect it also. I don't expect any problems caused by the heat but if you discover a problem, please let me know and we will work something out. I have all the parts cut out and hope to get them dyed and sealed. After that, I will start the assembly process and see what they look like. I will keep you updated.

I took the measurements for the vertical straps straight from the pics you sent me so not sure what to say there. I will double check them though as I could have done something wrong, I am not used to using metric. as far as the edges, I tried square ends but they looked funny. I looked at the pics again and it was as if they were almost square but rounded at the very tip. I tried to get that look but I guess I didn't get it right. I will square it off and see what happens. There is enough material that I can just snip off a little on the end of each one. ***I went back and looked at those pics again and the measurements are correct. I also took a close look at the edges and they do have a slightly rounded edge, both the IO pouch and the one from Rolf. My rounded corners may be slightly larger but realize I am doing everything by hand. Not sure if they had a leather punch pattern or what.*** Edited to add note

here is some pic of the back sides. I have cut out the front and I am starting to work on it so I hope to have something more to show in the next day or so depending on the weather as it is raining buckets right now and most of my tools are in the HOTTTTT garage.

just a quick update to let you guys know I am still working on these. I had enough 8 oz for 6 but totally screwed up one, and kinda messed up another although it still might be okay so I am down to 4. I will have 1 diagonal and 3 regular pouches. I have just been trying to make sure things are just right because I know that is what you guys want, lol. I hope to have something to show you soon. I will post those 4 in the reg "For Sale" area and after the feedback from those, I will start a new thread in the project run area. I will also post here to let you know to look for them.

quick question, does any know what the snap strap is for at the top of the pouch with diagonal belt loops or even how long the snap strap is? This the the one I am talking about: I figure the 2 diagonal straps are roughly at a 45 degree angle and are shorter than the vertical belt loop straps. The strap at the top with the snap is giving me problems though as I have no clue what it is for or how long it is. Can anyone suggest a minimum length for it for a way you are using it?

well, if no one has any other corrections right now, I will go ahead and make a couple of them and see where we go from there. I will start a new thread in the Project Run section once I have a couple made so keep an eye open for it.

I just need confirmation that this is what you guys are looking for then I will start production.

anything is possible for a price, lol... sorry, couldn't resist. Yea, it would just be 2 of the same type vertical loop sets which I currently have the pattern for and 1 the other way which I should be able to figure out pretty easily. I could probably throw in a set price for 2 or more. Just need to know if anyone else sees anything that needs to be fixed. I can start making some this week if everything looks good.

from the pics I have been given, that is what the straps look like. There is one that has a diagonal strap set which could be done easily enough, I just need to know what you want. Do most need one of each type, with vertical straps and with horinzontal straps. Here is a pic of an IO pouch that I saw (I hope there is no problem with posting it and I give full credit to IO for the pouch posted) I have some pics from iconoclasta_88 (hope I spelled that right) that show black on the back but I don't want to post it without permission. I can try to do some type of brown if that is what you guys want though. as far as the rivets, the pics show them as brass but I can dye them black if needed as I can't find black rivets.

As of now, I have enough materials to make 5 of them before I have to order more 8 oz leather. I am thinking of setting a 'introductory' price for those 5 to make sure that the recipients are happy about them but I will have to raise the price some to cover the cost of the huge piece of 8 oz that I will have to get plus a leather press (to set the rivets) because of all the rivets. Nothing in stone but I am thinking $50 for the original 5 plus a money back guarantee but after that, I will probably have to charge around $60-65, not including shipping on any of that. When you buy leather, it comes in huge 'sheets'. The 4 oz I bought was literally half a cows worth. Remember, everything I do is basically done by hand but I may be able to speed up the process on the sewing, I am looking into a source for that also. It just depends on the demand, if the demand is low, I will hand stictch, high and I will use another source. I will know more after this is approved or not. Oh, and the stitchig will look better too (what I do by hand) as I had to figure out the best way to assemble it and I have modified the process a little to fix that.

Okay, I have finished the latest 'screen accurate' pouch and while I know there is a problem with the bottom corners, I have modified the pattern to fix it. Other than that, are there any other issues that you see that need to be addressed? Also, based on this prototype, how many of you would be interested in purchasing it so I can get an idea if it is worth me buying the materials needed to make them? the darker black spot on the back is me testing the predyed leather to see how well it held the newer dye, it would be all black. If there is interest and no other problems are presented, I will start working on a couple and put them up for sale.

I went to the Leather shop in New Orleans and spent some time talking with the head guy talking about what I am trying to do and working through some ideas with him and we tried a couple of samples at the store. He set me up with some hardware and 8 oz pre dyed leather (a sample of it) to try. If I can get a chance today, and once it cools down outside (really hot here right now), I am going to try to at least get the rivets and buttons set then work on sewing it together. Hope to have something to show you soon, has just been a busy weekend with the family and all.

cloth style rivets would probably explain alot and would work well, I will look into them. as far as the originally posted pouch, I use a wet molding process to give it that sharp edged look. I now understand that that is the wrong look for these type pouches so the new one will not be shaped that way. I am going this afternoon to pick up some 8 oz leather to use on the backs so that it will be thicker. it is a pre-dyed and pre-sealed leather which will also speed up the crafting process but will be harder to make the holes for stitching. thanks again for the feedback. hopefully this will all come together with a satisfactory result.

okay, I have the leather patterns and leather cut out and have figured out where the stitching and rivets go but I can't get a good pic of the rivets. Can anyone tell me if they are a 2 piece rivet or a tubular rivet? I also need to know if the hardware (rivets and buttons) are brass or if nickel will do? Last think, anyone have any idea about the thickness of the leather? I am using a 4 oz leather right now but I think the leather, at least the back part, is a thicker leather, maybe an 8 oz leather. I plan to make a run to the leather shop this afternoon and get the hardware if I can get feedback by then.

just an update on this to let you guys know I didn't give up. I had to completely revamp my patterns and I have finished cutting out the leather after taking a plethera of measurements from some screen accurate pics that iconoclasta_88 sent me. I will start assembling the pouch today and hope to have a new prototype ready in the next couple of days. I hope to make you all very happy with this one. Not all of the hardward (rivets & buttons) will be the exact color needed as I will have to order them if this prototype is accepted. Look for pics soon.

as quoted from http://www.looksirdroids.com/replica_pouches.htm "Overall quality/build: By and large, the build quality of original German MP-40 is very high. Tolerances are tight and the final product exudes crispness and quality. The pouches seen on the stormtroopers are jsut the opposite. They are sloppy, with very loose tolerances and have an overall dishevelled appearance" this makes me feel a little better as I am hand stitching and cutting so it might make it look right, lol I will keep working and researching this for you guys.

okay, thanks for the feedback. like I have said, I am ignorate to the needs of this particular screen accurate pouch. It may just take me a bit to get the hardware needed as the rivets I currently have don't seem to come out right. I will keep working on it. just to check on things that I might have missed in my research. The shape and size seem correc to me. Everything is done by hand so the stitching is only what I can do right now - it seems though that the stitching is done in a way as to not see it from the front. I am not sure how to accomplish this by hand. I can weather the leather a bit and I have the black dye. I have rounded out the flaps and I am looking into the brass buttons on the front. Now, the rivets - black or silver? the pics linked to me showed silver. Also, I have only 1 layer of leather on the back piece but it seems as though there are 2 layers, is this correct? Lastly, it seems as though there are 2 different types of attachments - the belt loop and the shoulder (with slanting loops). Did I miss anything?

again, not knowing much about storm/desert troopers, how important are the rivets on the back holding the flaps on and the ones at the bottom? I wouldn't think that they would be seen? The rivets add another level of difficulty so I thought I would ask.