Thanks!
I've considered an awl. Have never used one. I'll do a search on the "how". With the first holster I made, I used the Tandy 4-prong stitching punch. On 8-9 oz shoulder leather. Tough to pound in, tough to pull out. Actually broke the punch. Used the Dremel from that point on. Tried using the Tandy overstitch wheel to mark the hole locations. No joy: can't see the holes afterward (black leather). So, I've just been winging it, Might actually be easier with an awl. I don't know.
Of course, I'm ASSUMING that a properly sharpened awl would probably slice through the leather a lot easier than a pot metal, chisel-shaped punch. Can someone confirm this?
I like the LOOKS of stitching....preferably other peoples' at this point, because mine still is uneven and not neat at all. It's probably because of the holes being large and unevenly spaced. I like parallel/concentric lines. On the reinforcement piece, I figured that there'd have to be two lines of stitching right there at the front end of the belt tunnel mouth anyway (one on the outside edge and one to hold the "closed" edge of the tunnel mouth down). So, I got busy with the groovers and tried to make it as pretty as possible, along with being functional. Actually ended up with THREE lines of stitching in that one area. Maybe it's the grooving I like more so than the stitching. I've been doing my stitching while sitting in my living room recliner, kinda-sorta watching TV.
I like really solid-looking stitching. Always have appreciated it on holsters that I've bought. Two is one, one is none and all that.
I've always liked the "Avenger" style, though it didn't dawn on me until I saw it on this forum that this was its name. My first such holster was made by G. William Davis, God knows when. I bought it used back in the late 80's, and sold it (stupidly) about 5 years ago. I thought the design was sturdy and elegant. This latest holster of mine was inspired by Adams' design, with the oval tunnel mouth in the reinforcement piece wrapping around the front. I didn't want to wrap it all the way around the front, though, because I like molding, too. (Something the Davis holster lacked)
I just bought the drill press stand for the Dremel off of eBay. I think I'll dig around and see if I can find the right chuck for a 1/16" bit. I've been using a 5/64 bit, because it's the smallest one that fits the smallest chuck I have handy. I'm just a little leery of going smaller, because it's already tough to pass the needles through in the double-stitched areas. But I DO own pliers.... I had been thinking of just getting a flexible light that I could direct right at the work area to see the markings, but the awl idea sounds like it has merit. I'm 46, and my eyesight is starting to go to crap. This would actually be my fifth Avenger holster. (I really, really, REALLY like the design) I've also made your basic scabbard holster which was my first experiment in stitching first and molding second (and resulted in me having to tear out one line of stitching because it was way too tight), and an absolute abortion of an IWB holster (8-9oz leather is WAAAAAAY too thick for that - feels like sticking a brick under your belt). Speaking of absolute abortions, here's my very FIRST holster: And here's my sixth, which is the last one I made before finding this forum: