So I just realized that I now have two pages of posts and replies! Hadn’t really looked too closely and didn’t realize until I pulled it up and didn’t see my last post.
Thank you everyone for the comments and kind words.
Progress is somewhat slow right now - we are currently in ‘when will the snow end’ winter so all of the projects that need a well ventilated area (like painting, sanding, dremmeling, bondo/xtc3d, etc) are all on hold until this round of snow melts and we can get outside. But small steps have been accomplished using other means.
I still don’t know what these are actually called, but I used an exacto blade and shaved down the middle ridges that had to go away. Yes, it would have been faster with a dremmel or sander, but again, no outside or masks for particles, so exacto it is.


I got the first five smallest done, and still have the five bigger ones left. I’m debating adding the middle grips now or waiting until after we’ve figured out how to seal up the ends and add the end button. I might add some more snaps to things tomorrow and might stain some of the leather pieces, since that doesn’t have fumes. Have to see how adventurous I’m feeling.