Fredo

I like it, I agree ont the firmmer padding on the inlay. If you ever want to double your money on that old rugger.........

Thank you all for the input. I learn something new every time I log on to this great site.

I realy like this. Nice clean work. I made a holster a little while abck and recived the same advice, a wider belt loop will make you a lot happier.

First things first, credit where credit do. I coppied a style I saw posted by ISW380, Thank you!! I made this for a friend that has a CCW for his Ruger LCP. Did not have the gun to use so I made it very basic with minimal tooling. Convertable for use as front or rear pocket carry. Thank you everyone for your postings on this site. It is helping me learn quite a bit. Your coments and critique is always welcome. Fredo

Yes please.

Mattsh,Yes this is my first holster. I've been learning to work with leather for about 3 months now and keep trying new things. Per your tutorial I made a outline tracing of the gun, I did this before they put it in the safe for the 10 day waiting period. I used a 3/4" pvc pipe to set the initial slide area, I placed a 1/8" drill blank on top of it to form the front site tunnel. For the trigger guard i cut a copy of the guard out of double laminate of 9-10oz leather wedged between the PVC bottom and the bottom of the trigger guard area. You wrote a tutorial with enough info/help to be able to make a holster by remote. HA! THANK YOU!

Thanks for everyones input on this. On cost versus DIY. I know that if I take into account the cost +. my time and effort I would be way ahead by just forking over the cash and getting one. I also know that I can go find a monument shop, or custom kitchen shop and dig through the scraps and make that piece or pieces work. However I suffer from an illness that will not allow me to pass up and oppertunity to learn how to make something myself. Thats why I own a Tig Welder. I could have bought a rigid frame for my bike but decided to by a welder and make the modifications to the stock harley frame myself. Now I know how to tig weld and I won a pretty nice welder. Also I could have bought a nice seat for same bike, but decided to try my hand at making my own one off seat. I needed a holster for my latest gun. I can buy one or learn to make one.... I think you see where I'm going with this. The original intent of my post is to ask for input on the best way to laminate the two halves of granite. After all of the responses I agree with Biggun, Contact ceament will be thin enough, and remain flexible enough to give me a pretty good chance at success. I think the most important part of the project will be in making the support system. If I can get that rigid enough to suport the granite with minimal movement then I'm thinking I'll be patting myself on the back shortly.

I think the traditional carved seat has more soul to it. Not really digging the looks and feel of the laser cut set up. it seems almost too mechanical

Thanks BigO your input is appreciated., I looked at your site I see what you mean about the larger belt tunnels. definately looks like a better/stronger set up. I am going to try that with the next one. This is for the Star Firestar-M40, I plan to go back and get the same gun in 45ACP next month.

Special thanks to (in no particular order)MATTSH, Biggundoctor, shorts, leather images, twinoaks and many more on here. I took your advice and made my own pattern. I read and re-read MATTSH's tutorial and then made a few small changes to suit my needs. I did waste leather on my first try but it was ok because I learned quite a bit. Since I am in california, I have to wait 10 days to get my Firestar. All I had to use as a template is a cardboard tracing I made of the gun that is still in Limbo at the gun store. I pick it up next week, I guess I could have waited untill then but waiting is not one of my strong points. Anyway, here is the outcome, 9-10oz veg tan, hand stitched (if you want to call that stitching) Dyed black, finished with supper sheen. I do not like the finish and the next one will be more of a matt finish. Your comments and critiques are highly appreciated. Fredo

Contact Cement, BRILIANT!!

Mike, I thought about that but feel once epoxy sets it becomes brittle. Wouldnt that allow for easier cracking?

Thanks for the encouragement and input folks, I'll be giving it a shot as soon as I pick up the gun. SPECIAL thanks to MATTSH for the tutorial that even a rookie like me can follow. Also thanks to Shorts whoever you are, your holsters are beautiful.

I've decided to try to take two slabs of granite 3/4 thick and laminate them together. I'm thinking that "IF" i can get a good tight seal I should be able to use it as a tooling table-top without craking it. I'll build a strudy suport table to make sure noting flexes. I'm going to frame the perimeter in so they can't slide on each other. 3/4 granite can always be found cheap on craigslist. For instance I'm heading out to pick up a piece that 42x 36 for $25. I'm going to cut that in half and glue the two halves together. What type of adhesive would you use? I'm thinking I'll go with a construction adhesive like liquid nails. Your input is appreciated

BIGGUN you're right, I've been reading all of the tutorials and I know you're right. It's just that some of the folks on here are so damn good at it I was a bit intimidated to trying it my self. I will be doing that though, what have I got to loose? Worse case is I learn something new.

I bought pure white linen cord at the local fabric store. That way I can dye to color, I just use a cake of bees wax to wax my thread after I dye to the color I need. I think I paid about 4 bucks for 100 yards.

B-days come and they go, after 25 yrs of marriage the wife just asks what i want. So I decided to get a favorite of mine. I found a Star Firestar M40, at a local gun shop. Unfotunately for me, thhey also have another fav of mine. The same gun in .45 cal. I guess I'll have to go back and get that one too. Now I need to see if I can find a pattern or two for it (them). Just about any style, but mostly interested in a concealed carry. Does anyone have one they would be willing to sell me? Thanks in advance. Fredo

Hi Tat2, Impact wepons get a bad rap here in the states and may be illegal in most of the states. The bad rep may very well come form a time that the police used them too quickly I see you use stainless stell shot for your saps. I'm more of a fan of lead shot myself as it seems to have a "softer" feel, more plyable if you see what I'm saying. Either way, you've given me a few more ideas for a nice "massage aparatus"

I've been married for 25 yrs, my best advice to you is to just learn to live with it. I say this because well, my wife told me to.

Thank you gents, I guess one problem I'm having is trying to take the easy way out. I do not use an awl, I'm using a multi tanged punch from tandy. Tonight I will try the stab method and take care to make sure I remain constistant. All your advise and help is greatly appreciated. Fredo

There is a certain look to clean leather work, youitr work has that look. The lines on the flag are outstanding and work real well with the overall look of the bib. I have that same small star stamp and use it quite offten on every thing from dog collars to tool bags.

I'm really liking this seat. real nice work, tight seems and perfect color. The skulls came out nice I especialy like the side trios. Thanks for the insperation! I want to do a two-up seat for my rigid but the thought of making a mistake on a piece of leather that big makes me cry like a little girl. For now I'll stick with the few solos I made for it since the wife wont ride on the rigid, she'll only ride on the ultra.

Hi ya'll, I'm wondering if anyone has any tricks or tips for keeping my hand stitching straight? I am trying real hard to take my time, I'm carful about setting my punch in the pregrooved stitch line etc. However when I'm done I still see obvious flaws. I can post a pic or two when I get home form work if that helps. Thanks in advance.