Homemade Leather Holsters

[RiverRat]

Looks like I need sewing lessons...very pretty. I used some waxed thread for patching sails on my sailboat. It's about two times too large.

One question on using diamond punches....the straight inline or the offset?
I have only used the punches for lacing, like on belt edges.

[Shorts]

Looks like I need sewing lessons...very pretty. I used some waxed thread for patching sails on my sailboat. It's about two times too large.

One question on using diamond punches....the straight inline or the offset?
I have only used the punches for lacing, like on belt edges.

Make your groove line, then run an overstitch wheel (to evenly mark where each hole will go). Then take the diamond punch, and make it at a 45* angle in the groove.

Here is a link with a very good illustration: http://www.wrtcleather.com/1-ckd/tutori ... titch.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;


I've never done any lacing, but I'd definitely like to learn.

[Nighthawk]

Sure thing. It also looks like the cost has jumped. It's now $79.99. Sheesh. Anyhow, it's a good kit to rolling.

Hand Stitching Kit
Item #11189-00
http://www.tandyleatherfactory.com/home ... =Product_5" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Thanks Shorts ~ I was hoping to spend a little less than that until I made my first one and saw that I was not to bad at it. I liked the "old" price a lot better Anyway ~ if anyone has some extra tools that the would be willing to part with please let me know what and how much. Otherwise I'll have to start a "leather tools" fund and see how long it takes

[RiverRat]

Make your groove line, then run an overstitch wheel (to evenly mark where each hole will go). Then take the diamond punch, and make it at a 45* angle in the groove.

Here is a link with a very good illustration: http://www.wrtcleather.com/1-ckd/tutori ... titch.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;


I've never done any lacing, but I'd definitely like to learn.

Thank you, Shorts. Good article. It also references the $29 kit (I couldn't find it in the Tandy catalog, either).

The author recommended the "age old Saddle Stitch" (thought you'd like that Charles) with an illustration using two needles. Haven't sewn many (read any, never) saddles, so new info for me. Much appreciated. Won't turn me into Tucker, but I won't be embarrrrrasssssed by my sewing prowess....or lack of.

Looks like I can disassemble my other "sewing" and do it again much more professionally. I liked the hint about running back over it with the overstitch tool to give it a burnished look. I had just been beating it with the rubber hammer during molding.

Mrs. RiverRat had done hers in lock stitch so I got to tell her she was wrong. Events like that only come along once or twice a decade. Luckily, It's too cold to sleep outside

Most of the lacing I learned was in the Boy Scouts many, many years ago......but we did lots. Everything from decorative to structural. My brother-in-law is Ocala Souix and still does lots of traditional clothing, etc.

I'll let you know how it comes out. I have two more quickie pancake holsters in mind to build. Then I want to do some serious gunbelts........when the stitching is better.

[Shorts]

RiverRat, you're holsters look great. No worries on the stitching, you'll have it down in no time.

An keep yourself available, you'll be hit up for holsters. As you mentioned, leather is scarce for the Champion Operator. A railed 4" is just not common but folks still need them!


Go easy on Mrs RiverRat, she'll remember come next time you might be "misinformed"

[RiverRat]

She will never forget. My best tactic is data overload......so she has to remember too many instances and forget.

Here are the two Operator holsters finished last night.....as finished as they are going to be;

The Springer Operator pancake:




The Springer Operator belt holster:



I started two more last night for my sons Commanders. It has been lots of fun. At the very least, I have something better than a belt loop to wear my Operator in the next time I head out to the ranch..........should have added a mag holder.....Oh, well, New Project for next week. Thanks to all for the help, info, and tutorials, Much appreciated.

[longtooth]

That is some good loonin work RiverRat.

[stroo]

They look really nice. Much better than mine ever have.

[RiverRat]

Thanks ya'll, I still grab my Tucker and matching belt for any barbeque work.

[NickM]

She will never forget. My best tactic is data overload......so she has to remember too many instances and forget.

Here are the two Operator holsters finished last night.....as finished as they are going to be;

The Springer Operator pancake:




The Springer Operator belt holster:



I started two more last night for my sons Commanders. It has been lots of fun. At the very least, I have something better than a belt loop to wear my Operator in the next time I head out to the ranch..........should have added a mag holder.....Oh, well, New Project for next week. Thanks to all for the help, info, and tutorials, Much appreciated.

WOW, RiverRat, very nice!!! Good job!

[RiverRat]

Three new starts;


Pics of two....didn't get a pic of the third one before it went away...


Lots of variations, but gathering experience...A Commander is a half inch longer than a Champion, different leather gives different finishes...duh... but no one can tell me which type finishes out differently than the one I want to get some more of, measure three times and measure again, color control of dyes..always turn darker than it was, and finally....... carving characters or figures...they only get smaller and smaller the more you work them.

PS: Left hand 1911's need a higher front leather part to cover the mag release...

[Charles L. Cotton]

Three new starts;


Pics of two....didn't get a pic of the third one before it went away...


Lots of variations, but gathering experience...A Commander is a half inch longer than a Champion, different leather gives different finishes...duh... but no one can tell me which type finishes out differently than the one I want to get some more of, measure three times and measure again, color control of dyes..always turn darker than it was, and finally....... carving characters or figures...they only get smaller and smaller the more you work them.

PS: Left hand 1911's need a higher front leather part to cover the mag release...

Are you hand tooling these holsters?

Chas.

[Shorts]

I was going to ask about the tooling as well. Very extensive work!

[RiverRat]

They are hand tooled. I'm still trying to figure that out, too. Different leathers have different tooling and molding chatacteristics. On these, I carved them first, then molded to the pistols, then tried to touch up the impressions lost by smoothing when molding before the leather dries and set.

I have about a dozen tools, so making do with modified screw drivers, etc. Anything that makes an interesting impression. Most of the work is done with a knife, a groover, and shading tools. I spent about an hour each on the carving.......took me longer to do the saddle stitch.

My next experiment going to be layering multi levels, cut outs, textures, and colors. I bought some thin tooling leather scraps yesterday to play with layering with cut outs. I'll post as I get some going.

[Shorts]

Great stuff! I liked the improvised tools. Those make the neatest things