Newbie holster maker

[ebarber]

Hello,

My name is Eric. Im new to holster making and im hoping to start a holster business part time for now but full time eventually. I own a construction company and as you know home building is kind of in the tank. I myself am pretty busy doing remodels and alot of repair now but Ive kind of lost my love for it. Being a woodbutcher and working with my hands alot I thought id give this a try.

Im looking at switching gears and maybe trying to make a full time business out of it eventually if not I think it would at least keep me from bending nails during the winter months. It gets awful cold here in Ohio during the winter.

I made the decision to give it a shot and bought my Adler 205, a couple double shoulders, and some misc stuff to get me started last Friday.

I talked to broomstickholster via pm about a few things and mentioned that I would post some pics when I got a little better. He talked me into showing some pics now.

The first 3 holsters in this first pic were absolutely awful but im learning. They are numbered in the order I made them.

This revolver holster was my 4th and I wore it all day today to try it out. Im pretty happy with it except for my forming.

This last one, an IWB I made for my Glock 30sf but I stitched it to tight. My Dad has a Walther just like mine and mentioned that when I was practicing he would like me to make him one for his so I formed it to fit my PPK. I also learned a few things on this one, like I need to run a reinforcement and run the leather up further to protect the gun from the belt.

Heres a pic of my new machine!

And my messy workbench!

I know I have a ways to go but if you could give maybe some pointers I would appreciate it!

Thanks

Eric

Edited March 23, 2009 by ebarber

[rickeyfro]

Eric, theyre looking good, was wondering what they hit you for that Adler? Rick

[rustyriggin]

Your off to a good start, & I don't know a whole lot about holsters, but if it was me, I would leave the bottom open. You want to let any debris that might get in the holster to fall out. Thats how they wanted it when I made holsters for Wilson Combat.

[ebarber]

Eric, theyre looking good, was wondering what they hit you for that Adler? Rick

Ha! to much for sure. I paid 4850.00 +tx. For that the darn thing should sew by itself! But it dosent. Its rough trying to learn how to sew I think the last time I sewed anything was in home ec 20+ years ago. Thanks for the compliments.

Your off to a good start, & I don't know a whole lot about holsters, but if it was me, I would leave the bottom open. You want to let any debris that might get in the holster to fall out. Thats how they wanted it when I made holsters for Wilson Combat.

Thanks Rusty and I agree, all of the bottoms are open on these. I know from the pics it might not look like it but they are. I think that is the way to go too esp for conceiled carry.

Edited March 24, 2009 by ebarber

[Randyc]

Eric,

Welcome to the world of holster making. I too think your off to a good start. Like any other craft or trade, you will learn to make holsters by making more holsters. No two are exactly alike and I try to learn something new with each holster I make. With guys like Jeff (Boomstick) to help ya out and lots of practice, you will be a holster maker.

Good Luck

Randy

[ebarber]

Thanks Randy, OOPS I saw I made a mistake in my first post. I meant Boomstickholster sorry Jeff. I am a little tired today my mistake. Gosh my first post and im insulting people already!

Eric,

Welcome to the world of holster making. I too think your off to a good start. Like any other craft or trade, you will learn to make holsters by making more holsters. No two are exactly alike and I try to learn something new with each holster I make. With guys like Jeff (Boomstick) to help ya out and lots of practice, you will be a holster maker.

Good Luck

Randy

[Lobo]

Eric: I think you are doing very well. Basic design work looks good, forming and stitching are coming along very nicely. Within a very short period of time your products will be much better as you fine-tune your methods.

When I first started about half of my production made good chew toys for the dogs.

Good luck.

[Shorts]

Thanks Randy, OOPS I saw I made a mistake in my first post. I meant Boomstickholster sorry Jeff. I am a little tired today my mistake. Gosh my first post and im insulting people already!

I saw that! Good stuff! Jeff shouldn't rake you over the coals about that one too much. But if I were you, I wouldn't leave myself open for the near future

Welcome! Congrats on the new machine and your workspace is looking like an old pro

[BOOMSTICKHolsters]

I think you're off to a good start (except for that whole "Broomstick" thing..... ).

If you want to keep your holster looking cleaner, handle it as little as possible, and do as little as you can manage to shape it. The more you touch it, the easier it is to mess it up. Set a picture of the gun down next to your work bench so you know where the lines are, and then push the "definition spots" in with your thumbs or your knuckles (make sure your nails are trimmed!). When the basic shape is there, chase the lines with a smaller, harder object like a bone folder, a rounded end from a dowel rod, etc.. Just make sure that whatever you use doesn't rust, and won't leave scratches. Also remember not to intersect the lines you are making with others, or it starts looking messy.

[ArcherBen]

The more you touch it, the easier it is to mess it up. Set a picture of the gun down next to your work bench so you know where the lines are, and then push the "definition spots" in with your thumbs or your knuckles (make sure your nails are trimmed!). When the basic shape is there, chase the lines with a smaller, harder object like a bone folder, a rounded end from a dowel rod, etc

Excellent advice BoomStick. I have learned exactly this from my own experience. Before I mold a holster I alway trace the outline of the gun onto a sheet of paper and then draw the lines that I want to mold. It makes a great road map as I can never remember from memory just where those lines start and end.

[ebarber]

I think you're off to a good start (except for that whole "Broomstick" thing..... ).

If you want to keep your holster looking cleaner, handle it as little as possible, and do as little as you can manage to shape it. The more you touch it, the easier it is to mess it up. Set a picture of the gun down next to your work bench so ....

Thanks Boomstick ill try and not make that a habit! Hahaha. Great advice thanks for everything. I have some clips coming from Ohio travel bag thanks.

Excellent advice BoomStick. I have learned exactly this from my own experience. Before I mold a holster I alway trace the outline of the gun onto a sheet of paper and then draw the lines that I want to mold. It makes a great road map as I can never remember from memory just where those lines start and end.

Great advice thanks!

Here are a few more. I had a little time today. I think I might try and sell these. Do you think they are sale worthy yet? I have a makers stamp coming but I couldnt wait on it...gotta sew some leather. I....I...just cant.....stop! Ha!

1 pic with flash the other two without.

Next step is to get some molds. I have already talked to rings and Im going to get set up as a dealer.

My poor Glock 30 is getting tired of me messing with her I think!

[ebarber]

Thank you! My friend said I should keep my first ones to look back at one day. He may be right I may throw them in a box in the basement for a chuckle down the road....lord knows they are hard to look at right now

Eric: I think you are doing very well. Basic design work looks good, forming and stitching are coming along very nicely. Within a very short period of time your products will be much better as you fine-tune your methods.

When I first started about half of my production made good chew toys for the dogs.

Good luck.

[ABC3]

ebarber;

Those look good. How did you finish them (with what) And did you dip or air brush them.

[ebarber]

ebarber;

Those look good. How did you finish them (with what) And did you dip or air brush them.

Thanks! Dyed with Weaver black dye using an old sock and a pair of rubber gloves. Then after they dried used a sealer.