Not firearms strictly, but I think this is a good fit

[Fjordforder]

I turned a point in my life about two months ago. I realized that there`s almost nothing I have use for that I can`t just make myself. So I`ve begun hoarding scrap materials, needles and thread for my own little projects. They invariably finish ugly as sin but tough enough for my purposes. So this is the project I`m most proud of:

I`ve always liked the old Soviet drop cases for folding AK pattern rifles but have been having trouble justifying the price tag for a surplus case. I got on google and found a few good photos of them opened and closed and set to work. I used a cannibalized pair of Austrian surplus BDU pants and a Swiss rubberized rucksack from which I cut webbing and buckles. The overall look of my case would be a bit cleaner if I hadn`t been working on another project before. I was originally making the pants into a set of gaiters but decided to scrap that, that`s why the muzzle end of the case looks terrible, because it was originally intended to be a tube.

I pleasantly surprised myself with this project, all told it took about 6 hour`s solid work (4 hours one evening and about two the next day, excluding a bit of touching up around the edges). I still have a lot to learn (for example I do most of my stitching with waxed dental floss because it`s easier to thread) but I have a lot of fun doing it.

Anyways, here are a few progress pics:













EDITING TO ADD:
About 3/4 of the floss used on this one was Mint flavored. For a while afterwards my fingers stunk of menthol, as did my bedroom. Only reason it`s not totally mint is because the roll ran out. It seems that green gear with white stitching has become a bit of a trademark.

[Traut]

Neat. Rugged and functional, what else do you need?

[MadPick]

Neat. Rugged and functional, what else do you need?

Exactly.

I'm not much of a craftsman myself, but when I do occasionally make something it's very satisfying to be self-sufficient!

[Fjordforder]

Many thanks, guys! I`ve also made a shitty sling (that was cannibalized for this project) and I think I`m forgetting something else.

[MynameisJeff]

Dat carpet doe

[Fjordforder]

Dat carpet doe

Had to skin 4 whole wookies.

Labor of love, man.

[survivor]

Get yourself a sewing machine. An old one. One made of metal not plastic.
Then find a little old lady to show you how to thread the.......well...thread and bobbin.
And you'll be in business ! Faster, better looking stitches and perhaps stronger also.
I do admire your willingness to try and make anything

[Fjordforder]

Thanks, man!

[Mediumrarechicken]

Get yourself a sewing machine. An old one. One made of metal not plastic.
Then find a little old lady to show you how to thread the.......well...thread and bobbin.
And you'll be in business ! Faster, better looking stitches and perhaps stronger also.
I do admire your willingness to try and make anything

This, and you can double stitch. Meaning turn whatever you are making inside out, run a stitch then flip it back to how it should be. Pull the seam tight and stitch back over it.

[NWGunner]

Many of the 'sewing machine/vacuum' stores offer free, or very cheap, classes. Their goal is to get you to buy a sewing machine, but of course, you don't have to.....

There are industrial ones that would suit you well....like guns, there is an art to finding the older models that were better made & last forever....