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dirtyernie

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Posts posted by dirtyernie

  1. Posted · Report reply

    Corel Draw is a graphics design program. It's advantage over things like MS Paint is that it natively works with vector drawings instead of bitmaps. Jpegs and other photo files are bitmaps. It's difficult to do design work with a bitmap program because you're working with individual pixels (dots). Vector drawings, instead of being dots, are instructions which specific color, direction, dimensions, etc. That means that you can easily stretch and modify vector drawings. It's very easy to combine simple shapes to create more complex objects and to break them up as necessary. This allows you to reuse drawing objects for different projects and modify them to suit your current needs.

    A few years ago, I bought an OEM copy of Corel Draw X3 for $99. That was in a local used computer store. You can do as well or better on Ebay or other web based resources.

    If I didn't have Corel Draw or something similar, I wouldn't bother trying to design and make my own holsters. I just don't have the manual artistic skill.

  2. Posted · Report reply

    Corel Draw is a graphics design program. It's advantage over things like MS Paint is that it natively works with vector drawings instead of bitmaps. Jpegs and other photo files are bitmaps. It's difficult to do design work with a bitmap program because you're working with individual pixels (dots). Vector drawings, instead of being dots, are instructions which specific color, direction, dimensions, etc. That means that you can easily stretch and modify vector drawings. It's very easy to combine simple shapes to create more complex objects and to break them up as necessary. This allows you to reuse drawing objects for different projects and modify them to suit your current needs.

    A few years ago, I bought an OEM copy of Corel Draw X3 for $99. That was in a local used computer store. You can do as well or better on Ebay or other web based resources.

    If I didn't have Corel Draw or something similar, I wouldn't bother trying to design and make my own holsters. I just don't have the manual artistic skill.

  3. Posted · Edited by dirtyernie · Report reply

    Here's a cigar case I made for myself. It was my first legit floral carving attempt and the second box I have ever made and needless to say it took me WAAAY too long! Oh well, I dig it and I'm pretty stoked on how it came out :)

    I got the this design (with permission of course) from one King's X did for a water bottle. It just happened to fit perfectly.

    I also made a quick video detailing the construction you can check it out here.

    Tell me what you think! And for the pros out there please do tell if you see things I can improve on, I want to get better!

    Enjoy!

    Wonderful!!

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  4. Posted · Edited by dirtyernie · Report reply

    I am a MISERABLE freehand artist.

    Acknowledging my limitations, I use Corel Draw to lay out my patterns. I can scale and shape them as many times as I need to. I can easily modify a pattern for one gun to fit another, especially different length versions of the same gun. I did this with my Glock 17/22 holster to create the pattern for my Glock 19/23 holster. I'll do the same thing with my M1911/Commander/MicroCompact holsters that I'm working on now.

    I print prototype patterns to paper to see if I'm close. When I've got the pattern where I want it to be, I switch to card stock. This saves me the step of having to transfer anything to separate pieces of cardboard.

    I use plain old scissors to cut out the patterns once they're printed on card stock.

    I've cut leather with both a razor knife (box cutter) and my grandmother's 70+ year old seamstress shears. I'm not completely satisfied with either. Her shears need sharpening, which I'm finding a bit difficult to do, since I have little experience sharpening scissor like implements. I find that I usually need to make multiple passes with the razor knife and have problems making a proper vertical cut (see separate post). A head knife would probably work better. Maybe after I sell a few more holsters.

    What is Corel Draw, and how do I get it?

    Thanks

  10. Posted · Report reply

    Hi,

    I read this with great intrest! I don't quite get the retention idea, but it sounds very sound. Can you send me a photo so I can see what you mean by placing the screw below the trigger guard? I am sure I will see right off that I know what you are talking about. I don't know for sure what a saddle wassher and a T nut is. I'm sorry I just started to make holsters and have been using the thumb break retention system; however your design sounds much more effecient.

    Thanks,

    ernie

  11. Posted · Report reply

    Let me start by saying that your attempt to be unique paid off. I have been doing leatherwork of all types for over 35 years now. Holster making is of it's own, a creature that is hard to tame... I, like you started modestly years ago, and started making my own duty gear for Law enforcement, due to the fact that there was something I did not like about store bought goods. Through the years I have developed and improved all the accessories and holsters, and have field tested all of them. Pancake holsters are a half breed of compromised duty rigs that are more convenient to wear. Your holster has a strong developement, and the proper cant that has been tested by the Air Marshalls and FBI. It appears that the cant you developed is close to these, so that the weapon can be accessed while sitting or driving. I however would do away with the clothing shield that is excess. It will eventually break down and get in the way, making it difficult to reholster the weapon after use. The basic holster itself is sound in design, but missing a retention device to keep the weapon in place in case of spills, or in most cases an attempt to gain control. This is easily rectified by using a T nut in 8-32 threads, a hex head screw of about 1 1/8", a small piece of auto vaccum hose 1/4' ID and a saddle washer. Placed just below the trigger guard, these items work more effective than a thumb strap. Trust me when I say that a few cows died in vain during my research and developement stage, but now I have repeat customers all over the world, that utilize my products. Stick with it and look at the designs used by the commercial makers, that can be implemented in your personal designs. The day we stop learning is the day they fill the hole in behind us... You have a strong grasp, keep moving forward.

    Daniel.

  12. Posted · Report reply

    colt,

    Sounds great! Can you show what that looks like? Can you showa pattern you made in this way? I'd like to see an example so I can understand what 'works'. Thanks - Dirty Ernie

    I use Photoshop to make my patterns. My workflow involves scanning the gun, then designing the holster around it. It's all kept to scale, so when it's printed, it's the right size. Also, if the pattern gets boogered up down the line, I can just reprint it.

    In Photoshop (or other comparable applications), the pen tool is what you use to get perfect curvy lines. Also, this is how you can make sure that your slots line up.

  13. Posted · Report reply

    What can one say . . . beauyiful comes to mind. Great job as usual!!

    Dirty Ernie

    Here's a belt I finished this weekend. This is one of my own patterns....it's not new, you've seen it before. I wanted to do something a little different when I drew this, so I wrapped the pattern around the borders. I like it but it makes it pretty slow to tool.

    The leather is 7/8 oz grade A, HO, with a 2/3 oz finger cut lining. The finish is Fiebings Cordovan dye, Fiebings Lt Brown Antique and Neat-Lac. Stitching is 138/99 at 9 spi. I can't decide which I like better....138 or 99 on top. Any opinions? I also lined the keeper, but I'm not sure why....you can't see it! As always, I appreciate critiques and suggestions! There's always room for improvement!

    Bob

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