Warpe

SO, just finished my first holster in Vinagaroon.....nice deep black......sewed it all up.......got it all nice and damp for forming......... Slowly pushed the Sig P220 into the holster........ You got it......1/8 of an inch off.....mmmmmm....the exact measurement of the leather thickness.............. Needless to say, the Sig only made it part way in before it jammed out! Thought i would post this as a reminder to double check your measurement and not end up with a nice looking holster that is just that.....nice looking

If you still have the P12, I will take it...let me know where to send the Pay Pal. Thanks

I am looking for a blue gun or Aluminum replica of a Ruger Blackhawk.

I purchased a cowboy 3500 a while back and other than a learning curve in tensioning (my problem, not the machines) i have had zero issues with it. Customer service is great and shipping was quick. I defiantly recommend the Cowboy series.

"how to make holsters" by Al Stohlman has the patterns for making the loop holsters. It also has a lot of good information for general leatherworking.

There is a tutorial on making a belt in the "how to" section. He touches on that question.

Another design first for me.

I will try the sponge wipe down next time and see how that works for me. Thanks for the reply.

I just dip dyed my first leather today and ending up with a darker edging...basically two tone (brown w/black edging). The leather was only submerged for about 15 seconds. Am i missing a step?

Thanks for that list! Answered some of my questions.... Warpe

First attempt at this style. Couple of things I learned: 1: Make sure the pattern accounts for the leather thickness!! I know, I know...rookie mistake 2: Place your Makers Mark on the leather while it is damp from forming...not AFTER the holster is done.....again....I know.....ROOKIE Overall, I like the style and will be making some more. Next one should be dead on.... Warpe

One thing to remember: We, the maker, are the worst critics out there! ESPECIALLY of our own work. Just because a blemish "glares" at us, it has no meaning to the average buyer. They don't care that a stitch was off by 1/32 of an inch, or that the leather had a small grain imperfection, or that the dye was not blended correctly. They care that they have a custom made holster that functions perfectly. Those buyers that do care will not buy the second, but will have you build them a perfect one. It boils down to the customer. Just a couple of weeks ago, i was talking about a prototype holster I was working on to a co-worker. "Make it fit a CZ and I'll buy it". There was NO WAY i was letting a mistake-ridden prototype out of my shop, but he did not care. He knew that coming from me, it would not fail him. He didn't get it. He got a brand new one made for him. Cold Steel Knife Company has a seconds program. The knives are clearly marked with a 2 on the pommel. They can't keep them in stock! Bottom line, in my opinion, don't sell yourself short on "seconds". They maybe exactly what a customer is looking for. Warpe

Galco sells Y-hooks for their sky-op holsters.

I like it!

Congratulations! The Tom Threepersons holster is still one of the best designs out there IMO.

I used that link to make mine and it worked like a charm...nerve racking as you swear you are going to sew the wrong pieced together, but it all works out.....just take it slow.

Never thought to melt/burn the ends.....will have to add that to my finishing steps. Thanks for that tidbit, and thanks for the comments.

Hate to say it, but it is just #2 tooling leather, but I lucked out and got a really good clean piece with no defects. I see the sharp edges now that you mention it.... Thanks for the suggestion on moving the back stitch. It looked like a good spot until afterwards....than it just glared at me. I will try it in the spot you recommend and see how that turns out on the next one. Thanks for the comments. Always useful. Warpe

Finally finished my first holster for a customer. This is also the first holster that I got to use my new CB3500 sewing machine on (still need some practice on corners). Overall, came out great IMO, but definitely has areas to improve on. Warpe

They look great....I just may have to check on some of the local machine shops and see what deals i can swing.

Ok...did you make the "stainless steel" burnishers or purchase them somewhere?