steelhawk

I cut out a pattern from what looked like a good section of leather but when I dyed it, it was covered in long scratches. I don't want to find out after I have done lots of work that a piece has bad cosmetic defects, but don't know how to detect this when it looks like a good piece, but isn't. I can't try anything out until I get home, but I thought that maybe rubbing a damp sponge over the area would show marks that my eye can't see. Any other suggestions would be appreciated.

Are you referring to the traditional way of using the awl, like Al Stolhman, or do you put the awl in a drill press and punch instead of drilling holes?

That's how I started. Now I am selling some and hope the punch will make things easier.

Welcome to the forum. I have made 2 avenger style holsters. I will eventually make another one, hopefully better this time. Like you, I bought a 4 prong punch and only used it once, luckily on a test piece of leather. Now I mark with the overstitch wheel on dampened leather, and since I can't see the holes, I use an awl to make each hole visible. Then I drill with a dremel tool and 1/16 bit. I tried smaller holes, but it made lacing more difficult. I just bought a drill press and next week will buy a belt sander. I am also making a burnishing tool using apple wood, but I can't get it fully round, so I will ask a co-worker who turns pens if he can finish it up for me.

I've been using the hole punch and knife method. It works, but I really didn't like it, plus it takes too long. I ordered a belt slot punch from Texas Custom Dies but haven't got it yet. I will try the chisel with a center cut first and see how I like it while I wait for my slot punch. When my $66 punch arrives I hope it makes things easier and neater.

Where do you get the white rouge. I have some dull tools as well.

Nice. I like them. Although picture #4 looks the same as picture #1

Thanks for the help. I will be making the holster just as soon as my dummy guns and snaps arrive, hopefully next week. Then I will decide how I want to mail it.

Thanks, I will try a couple of the ideas presented here.

Ok, that's good information. I'll definitely look into it. I just need to know how to protect it. I am assuming a good plastic bag, but is bubble wrap needed? I have seen some other stuff that is like white, thin sponge rubber that things can be wrapped in. I want to protect it properly, but, of course, not spend too much on shipping.

This site has been a great source of information for me and I am sure it will continue to be. My latest question concerns shipping holsters to the customer. I am making a holster for someone out of state and will need to ship it. I have a box and bubble wrap for this one, but am needing a source for less expensive shipping supplies, as well as what is the best way to package it up to send off to the customer.

Thanks. I was hoping there was another answer. I did dye the last two I made first. It looks like that is what I will have to continue doing.

Is anyone going to help me with this?

I searched and couldn't find an answer, but when I hand stitch, the wax from the thread builds up on the leather and I don't know how to remove it so the dye can soak in. I have tried deglazing stuff, but it doesn't do the job, or I didn't use it right. You would think I would already know this, but I don't.

I tried Resolene with a wet sponge last night on my latest holster. It took some of the dye off. I had to re-dye parts of it, but couldn't dye all of it. I didn't like the end result.

I use an eraser remove rubber cement, one of the thick white ones, or an eraser pen with a long refillable eraser in it.

I sold my first holster yesterday and have orders for more. It is a combination IWB/OWB with removeable belt loops. I call it the "Double Duty Special". It is for a Springfield XD40sc. The new owner is very happy with it.

Lobo, that is a great looking holster. Excellent work.

Well, I soaked it in hot water and put it in the oven briefly, monitoring the temp so it didn't get too hot. It is definitely tighter. I also did an old holster at the same time, but haven't found out the results yet for it. I'll definitely be making or buying some kind of oven or drying cabinet in the near future. Today I am going to buy a round knife using the money from my first holster sale.

Thanks. I will re-wet it in hot water and stick it in the car to dry out and see what happens. It looks like I will need some kind of drying cabinet as well. I'll search the forums, but if anyone has plans or a source, I would appreciate a link.

I did wet form, and I thought it was a good one, but it has loosened up. That's why I was wondering if I used too much leather, or maybe didn't do something in the process after wet forming.

I made a magazine holder for a 9mm double stacked mag. It was tight at first, but now has loosened up more than I like. How do I make one that stays tight enough that the magazine doesn't slip out. Maybe I allowed too much extra leather, but I am not sure.

Very nice. What does the other side look like? A lot of pocket holsters have a back panel that covers the gun so that in the pocket, with the panel out, the gun can't print.

Those are great. I recently got a Single Six and am holster poor right now. I need to make myself one, but can't until I finish making a few I have sold for other guns.

I like the case. Where do you get those magnetic closers? I would like to make my wife a case and she likes the magnetic closers over velcro.