K-Man

I used a Model 5 from Ryan's shop for a couple of years, along with a couple of his other machines. He helped me get started in this madhouse of making holsters with respect to sewing machines. The Model 5 will do a whole heck of a lot for you, and it's a machine I would highly recommend for someone to use whose unable to acquire the Toro 3000 or similar style of machine. Here's a couple of things I did with the Model 5: We made the belts, holsters, rifle sling, and most of the stuff on the young girl (on the right) for the Star War convention approx 3 years ago in Indianapolis. She won first place in the costume contest. We made up a couple of these styles of fantasy knife sheaths for the customer. Not exactly my cup of tea, as they say, but the results made the customer happy. These were a couple of cowboy rigs that we made. The point to posting the pics is to show what the Model 5 machine is capable of producing, and IMO should not be discounted as a viable choice for a craftsman getting started in the industry.

PM sent.

In my experience, foam pads are far too weak to provide any substantive results. Would a higher cfm be advantageous in this application? I agree that there's no real advantage with the vacuum bag process over the press set up. It's something to consider if initially starting out perhaps. It looks, based on the pictures you've posted, that it would work best for small objects, such as pocket holsters. In the picture of the OWB holster that you show, it appears that the definition is even less than in comparision to the pocket holsters, or am I seeing that wrong?

Interesting concept, Denster, though not a new one. In my experience, I can get greater "initial" detail with my Weaver press with a 6-ton jack. I use the gum rubber to surround the gun/holster. I've had no marring of the leather. I can press two pocket holsters at the same time, in approximately 3 minutes. I then only have to spend a couple of minutes on the boning enhancement of the gun in the holster.

A user could probably use an Uncle Mike's (or similar) holster for both. In my opinion, the molded leather or kydex holsters are going to require two different holsters:

Nice job. Would it be possible to see a picture of the backside?

I've got my 3/4 Tele on order and I can hardly wait to get it.

ebarber: PM sent.

I stand behind my comments 100%, as they were made based on my own research and testing. People researching this subject can evaluate all of the information posted here and determine for themselves what they might wish to do. Some of the wood glues might be a viable alternative. I've used Titebond III in the application of exotic skins to a variety of subbase materials, to include aluminum and wood. I've met with excellent results. Titebond III is a waterproof glue. Since the beginning of this discussion, I've also tested it in the application of gluing veg tanned leather pieces together. After following the directions on the container, it's held together. It dries basically clear. I cannot even pull the two pieces of leather apart. I've not yet sewn the leather pieces together. It's way too early to tell how it will hold up long term, but based on these initial results, it does show some promise.

Contact these folks: DUNCAN CUSTOMS, INC. 501 SALZBURG AVE. BAY CITY, MI 48706 Phone: (989) 894-6691 Fax: (989) 894-6688 www.duncansoutdoor.com They have an aluminum dummy gun version in stock.

Never mind.

I have the LCR with the Crimson Trace grips. It's vastly different (IMO) in comparison to the SP101, so using a holster made for that may or may not work.

Awesome work - on both accounts! Sent you a pm.

It depends... Usually when you reach a certain income level, it's recommended that you switch over to an S-corp for tax purposes. You still maintain your LLC status with respect to everything else.

I didn't see any of the responses here given as "in your face." I believe there would be no doubt in your mind if that was the case. You were questioned legitimately as to the validity of your claim with respect to the Elmer's glue. And in short order, it was shown to be an unsafe way to manufacture an item such as a holster. The responses by myself and Jeff were not opinions, but rather experience talking. It was suggested that when you have a thought on designs or methods to do some research. You might be surprised at the knowledge base here on LW, even from those with less than 37 years of experience. (There are some here with more than 37 years of experience also.) In this industry, in particular the fashioning of holsters, there are a variety of ways to make that holster. In some aspects though, it's done the same across the board. If you want to continue to manufacture holsters in the way you do, that's your perogative. If you wish to extoll your knowledge here on LW, just be aware there may be folks here who know better than you. Let me give you an example. I want to make some horse tack, in particular, breast collars. So I read, looked at pics, and ordered/purchased a couple as samples. I came up with what I thought was the right design, etc. I was pretty proud of what I had made. I mean, it looked good (somewhat fanciful) and everything. I sent pics to one of the mods here who does a lot of work in horse tack. In short order, he pointed out that there were some flaw/issues with it. After reviewing what he said, I took a closer look at it, and I could see right away where I had screwed up. The moral of the story is you may think this Elmer glue deal is the right deal, and it looks good, etc. But in reality, it's not the right way to do it. You can either accept that or not - that's your decision.

I've been making holsters for a few years now, and I've learned nearly everything I know from those considered the best in the industry (at least in the custom holster industry). The application you describe here, Lobo, is not a safe and secure means with which to fashion holsters. Jeff/BOOMSTICK Holsters is spot on with his analogy. People who visit this forum come here to learn techniques and the proper way to produce a product. They most often want to produce the best quality of product they can. They consider a number of things in that process. They look at the responses they receive from any inquiries they make, they look at the experience level of the person making the response, they look at the means used to make the product. Your discovery of using Elmer's glue is a legitimate thought and wonderment if it would work. The next step in the process should be to test the theory. This testing should entail more than a 15-20 minute process. Any design or application idea I usually come up with entails weeks and, most often, months of testing. Part of that testing is consulting with others in the industry and researching any similar applications that are either currently in use or have been previously tested. After the legitimate testing, and the proven reliability of the product/design, should it be put into production. The ultimate use of a gun holster is one of the more serious aspects of the leathercraft industry. The liability is significantly greater for someone making a holster than making a portfolio. Therefore, the proper techniques are far more critical for a holster than some other crafted items. If you make it wrong, there's the greater potential that someone can be hurt or killed. I don't say that to squash inspiration. I often encourage people to think outside the box. But the bottom line is the techniques remain the same - how they put the holster together. Elmer's glue is a temporary hold type of glue. It holds the material in place long enough for it to be sewed. It then starts to break down. A holster fashioned with Elmer's glue is going to break down in very short order. You often speak (every posting you make) of how much experience you have. I have over 30 years of experience in law, law enforcement, and business. I have a degree in criminal justice. I have nearly 20 years experience in the leathercraft industry. I sell well over $100,000 worth of custom-made holsters and related accessories a year. I have a current backlog of ~500 holsters, plus a great number of related accessories. I've provided holsters to folks in every walk of life, to include around the world. I've provided holsters to those who have safeguarded past and current sitting U.S. President's. My point here is I would not be at that level if I was producing a sub-standard product. I come here to learn, just like the great majority of the membership. At the point you stop wanting to learn is the point you stop becoming a craftsman.

While the writer of the article would most likely draw that conclusion, or may have been told that by the folks at Ruger, it is not the case. I've known the folks at Kel-Tec for quite some time now, and have recently talked with them about this very subject. I'm not privy to any information about what, if any, legal action Kel-Tec may be taking against Ruger regarding the LCP. Suffice it to say though that there is no license agreement, of any sort, between the two companies regarding the production of the Ruger LCP.

There's no reason for concern here, as George is a legitimate business seeking someone to contract this work to. He just used terminology, i.e., "holster," that most of us would associate with gun holsters rather than camera cases.

George is not looking for gun holsters to be made; it's actually camera cases. You'll need at least a cylinder arm machine (like the Artisan Toro 3000 or similar), stirrup needle plate, and at least 5-10 years of leathercraft experience. The cases are a challenge for anyone with less than that level of experience or without the proper equipment to sew the cases together.

Who and/or what is your source of information regarding that?

Revised availability list: SIG Mosquito (ring's) S&W M&P Compact (ring's) S&W K-frame 4" (ring's) Walther P22 (short barrel) (duncan) Feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

Available dummy guns left: SIG P226R (ring's) S&W M&P Compact (ring's) S&W K-frame 4" (ring's) Walther P22 (short barrel) (duncan) All others listed in original post above have sold, pending receipt of payment. Forms of payment accepted are credit card (Mastercard/VISA), Paypal, and money order. Thanks for your interest.

I have the following dummy guns for sale: S&W 5906 (aluminum) S&W 3913 LS (duncan) SIG P226R (ring's) S&W M&P Compact (ring's) S&W M&P Compact (ring's) S&W K-frame 4" (ring's) H&K USP 9mm (ring's) H&K USP .45 (ring's) Taurus PT 24/7 (ring's) SIG Mosquito (ring's) SIG SP2022 (ring's) S&W 6906 (round trigger) (ring's) Walther P22 (short barrel) (duncan) Price is $25/each + shipping. Will combine shipping. All are used. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions. Quickest way is to call our shop @ 813-601-0504, and we're available Monday-Saturday, 9:00 - 6:00 (eastern time). Thanks for your interest.

woolfe: I would really like to see what you've made, even if it is rudimentary. I've got something partially made up as well, and I would be interested in seeing how yours compares. Then perhaps we can join the two designs together and make something that others can benefit from/use. I have access to some machinists and other craftsmen who may be able to help us in manufacturing the jig.

You're just going to have to trust those of us who have worked with this type of leather and know of it's harmful effects first hand. I have personally seen what chrome-tanned suede can do a gun's finish, on more than one occasion. I would not recommend using any leather of that sort for a lining on a holster. I won't do it for a customer, and I've lost a sale or two because of it. That's fine with me, as I'd rather lose a $75 sale than have to pay for a refinish job on a handgun.... But there are some who would rather take that gamble and make the sale of a holster. That may or may not affect your reputation as a competent holster maker. Word spreads pretty quickly as to who knows what they're talking about and those who do not.