gregintenn

As I remember, I couldn't keep the ends from fraying long enough to thread them through the needle eye. Bent over double, it was too large to fit. I have great luck with the small rolls of waxed linen thread at Tandy. I wish they sold it in large spools like the nylon thread.

I bought two big rolls of waxed nylon thread. I tried to use it once, and canned it, in favor of the waxed linen thread.

This was a refreshing project, as I've never made one in this style. I sort of like it. The reason there is a bit of barrel stickingout of the bottom is that my revolver is a 4", and I built it to fit a 3".

I kind of like the wild bunch style holster for the 1911. It isn't what you asked about, but it's a thought.

http://www.jdlawhon.com/tutorial.html I found this, along with the leatherworker.net forum here, to be invaluable when I was gathering supplies to make my first holster. I made a few for me, then a couple for friends. Next, I advertised a few for sale on various gun forums. I also displayed a few in a friend's gun store. Last year, I sold enough to pay for all my tools and supplies, along with a few handguns I can use as molds. Notice I didn't say blue gun molds, I said guns! I enjoy it a lot.

I'm a guesseer. The more holsters I make, the closer my guesses seem to be. Every once in a while, I run across an odd shaped gun that throws me for a loop.

Great question and discussion!!!

Making double layer belts is a great reason to obtain a sewing machine!!!

I generally make 1.5" belts, and try to make them look like a run of the mill belt. The less attention you draw to them, the easier conceal carry is.

It is a large piece of leather that you can cut a 56" belt from.

Thanks. I watched the entire movie "True Grit" in the time it tiik me to sew it. I've found I can make more money with holsters than I can making double layer belts. However, I don't mind occasionally doing one for a repeat customer.

Not from me!!! It takes a while to hand sew a belt for a 44" waist.

I've been able to justify to my wife the purchase of several handguns in the name of using them for holster molds. She doesn't know about blue guns. I hope she doesn't find out.

You can use a low end 1911 compact.

I use an adjustable groover around the edges, and a freehand groover for the outline around the gun. I then mark the stitch locations by rolling over the grooves with an overstitch wheel. I then put the holster on a piece of 2x8 lumber, and punch each hole with a diamond shaped awl and a rubber hammer. The diamond shape seems to draw back up around the stitches as you pull them tight. I use two needles, one on each end of my thread, and sew in a crisscross pattern. I believe this is called a saddle stitch.

Thanks, Mark. I searched for a while last night, but I guess I need to hone my searching skills. I didn't run across that one.

It would help a lot if anyone would be so kind as to expound upon this topic a bit. I'm sure having trouble getting it to come out right. Thanks,Greg.

http://www.lasergiftcreations.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=165

There's sure a lot of creative people here.

Where would you suggest I buy Wickett and Craig leather, and exactly what should I buy? Side? Back? I'm really wanting to learn, but without wasting a lot of money. I've gotten the Tandy sucks sentiment here, so what are the differences between their hides and others?

Is there much difference in sides, backs, and shoulders?

I've been learning about making holsters for about a year now. I've been using 7/8 oz veg tanned double shoulders from Tandy. I try to get them when they are periodocally on sale at $2.99 per SF. I know there is better leather out there. Where do you all recommend buying leather? What leather do you use? How is it superior to the Tandy stuff? i'm having trouble finding 7/8 oz double shoulders on any of the advertisers on this site. I am only a hobbyist, so I don't want to buy a truckload at a time.

THe cool thing about handmade items is that customers expect to see flaws and imperfections, no matter how small. They're what makes handmade items different from items spit off an assembly line.

Were I buying it, I'd notice it, but it wouldn't bother me.

I like it. I make some similar to it. They carry very well.