Shooter McGavin

Ya the elephant is a monster when it comes to sanding the edges and whatnot. I think I could hit this stuff on the highway doing 85 and not damage it.

Thanks Mike. Personally, I'm no fan of Kimbers, but she's a big girl and doesnt have to like the same things I like. At any rate, the gun followed me home from the last gun show I attended. I overpaid, but heck, it made her happy, so it was worth every penny. And then I seen those grips last week. Desert Ironwood, which I think is code for "expensive" thanks for the compliment!

pretty cool! Whats their pricing like at Rojes?

I'm helping the wife build a pancake holster for her new Kimber Stainless Ultra Carry II She is unsure if she wants to paint the flower or antique it. I'm unsure what color I should dye the trim panel for either option. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

I'd happily wear that rig to a BBQ

Looks good Dwight. I'm curious what the holster looks like when removed from the press? Do the blue guns hold up OK? Also, looks like you're into reloading as well. Good stuff. My workbenches alternate between being loaded up with leather stuff and reloading stuff it seems. Too many hobbies.

This was my first one: 2nd one from today: I do like the texture of the elephant on the first holster better. It came with the bag o scraps from Springfield. The elephant on the all black holster is also from Springfield by the square foot. Anyone know what pieces these actually are so I can have some sort of clue what to order next time? Also feel free to comment or critique my work. Thanks

I tried those, all the did was get stuck in my eye. I think theyre too soft. More similar to this, but the ones I ordered are 1 inch diameter by 1" long, with a 1/8" shank http://www.foredom.net/amp8.aspx

I heard W&C has a minimum order quantity? I'm not at the point where I can drop a G on hides yet.

I use the same wax mixture that Lobo uses. I've been applying it to the edge after the dye is done, then using a wood stick to rub it in, sometimes hitting it with a quick blast from a heat gun. After reading Lobo's post yesterday though, I called and ordered a 6 pack of the felt wheels as recommended. Anxiously awaiting them so I can give them a whirl.

I use both, and have had success with super sheen, satin sheen, and 600 as topcoats. The oil dyes go on evener (is that a word) for me. I use a wool dauber and saturate the leather inside and out. Certain colors of the alcohol dye would come out splotchy for me. Both are a giant improvement over the water based dyes, which have found their way to my wifes workbench, never to touch a holster again.

What tonnage press is needed?

Not really a brand vs brand question as much as a "what part of the hide" question. I've been buying sides of Hermann Oak from Springfield, but it seems like I always end up with a bunch left over that isnt good enough for holsters. Sketch spots on the grain side, thin spots, necks and bellies, etc.. I need to purchase some more leather and am looking for something that will have less waste areas. Any suggestions? Thanks!

Looking for 50 dollars shipped on this. Cut maybe 10 inches of leather with it and put it away. from Tandys website: Thanks

I use the #6 T-Nuts as well, but I place them between the front and back pieces of leather so the holster has no exposed hardware.

If your sewing machine can bully it's way through 2+ layers of cowhide, a super thin layer of glue isnt going to stand in it's way at all. Glue to the edge and party on!

So here is the outcome. I'm not 100% pleased with it but the customer seemed ecstatic.

A little off topic, but to add to you list of things not to do. - use a table saw like a circular saw while trying to cut a stationary item. Holster looks pretty good. I'd freak out a bit about the trigger coverage. I also prefer to pre-curve mine a bit during the molding process. Makes them a bit easier during the break in.

Isnt the gum trag actually a barrier of sorts though? I usually dye first, then trag, then seal.

Awesome work. Love the color fade. Airbrush I imagine?

Nice work. Mind sharing how you did your sight tunnel on those?

Start with you piece of leather, and a narrow strip of whatever width you want. punch a series of slots that your strip will fit through. Attach the end of the strip with a rivet or stitching, put your strip through the first slot, wrap around the bulet, back through the same slot, then pull tight. repeat until finished. attach end.

Thanks Tony

Thanks for the compliments. @Reaper: Yep, took me a couple years but I stumbled into something that I get to be creative with again and plus it's nice and warm in my basement in the middle of Winter when I know the garage is all of 15 degrees inside lol. Heres a couplea pics 64 Impala SS with air ride 63 Impala SS convertible with hydraulics 83 Caddy Couple with 90's updates and hydraulics Got more i could upload, but I need to get in bed.

Nice save!