triage1998

You have been a tremendous help Steven. I appreciate it.

For the last 2 years I have been running Tippmann Boss. A decent machine but extremely finicky if the tension is not right. I have seen pictures of stitches from CB4500's and Cobra 4's and they look so much better than the Boss stitches. Some of the holsters I make are extremely hard to maneuver on the Boss. The throat clearance is horrible. I am ready to step up to the big leagues. I plan to spend around $3200.00 shipped on a machine soon. I have been looking at the Cowboy CB4500 and the Cobra Class 4-P. I mainly will be using it for holsters and belts but I may be stepping up to messenger bags, luggage, briefcases, and similar items in the next few years. Should I be looking at other models or are these the 2 standard for holster makers? Those with Cobra 4's or CB4500's, why did you choose one over the other? They seem to be very similar machines. Anyone regret getting one machine over the other?

Thank you Steven for the links. What size plates did you use and did you weld them to the press yourself? May see a picture of your setup? I have been in contact with Heather Kinnick of Texas Custom Dies the last week in regards to there air run 12 ton clicker press. they want $650.00 for it. That is without the compressor. I really would like a 20 ton and Heather said they can build one and the pricing would be significantly more. I am trying to figure out if I can find someone to weld the plates on for me. I just need to find out what size and thickness I will need for the plates with the 20 ton press.

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Great advice here. For those with clickers. What machine are you all using? I am ready to step up to a clicker real soon. I spend one whole day a week just cutting leather and I really need to streamline that. It is probably the most time consuming part of my business.

Try Roje Exotic Leather. You can order online or if you want to speak to someone give Michelle a call.1-800-810-1988 She is great to work with.

Package on the way electrathon.

electrathon send me an e-mail with what you need and I will see what I can send you I have the 1009 clip and the 175.04 3 hole thumb break stiffeners email me at kevin@nightingaleleather.com

I agree. Great people to deal with and they shipped a bulk order of holster clips and thumb break stiffeners within 2 days. The pricing is the best I have seen on the web and the quality of the steel and the finish is fantastic. I will be using JRM Clips exclusively for now on.

Excellent work as always !!

Dan that is awesome!!! Merry Christmas buddy!

Thanks guys. I am finding out you are correct Lobo and Red Cent there are many variations. I don't work with revolvers much so I am learning about all the variations in the N Frame lineup I may have found the mold from a fellow member here. Its a full under lug barrel that should fit my customers N-Frame. Thanks all!

Rob has been pretty quick lately. Last January through March orders took 3-4 weeks. Now back ordered blue guns have been running around 2 weeks.

Anyone know where I can get a S&W 6.5" N Frame mold? I thought had a line on one with Duncan's and it turns out they were sold out. I called Jason at Duncan's and they will be casting some in the next few months but only the 3.5" barrel N Frames and I need it soon. I would be willing to rent the mold from someone. I would need it at the end of December early January. Shoot me an e-mail at kevin@nightingaleleather.com It would be much appreciated.

I have the exact setup as Particle. Thanks to Eric for the wonderful thread about a year ago. Its a pricy setup but my holster look better than they ever have with his setup

I will take the HK USP .45 and the Beretta Vertec blue gun if still available. E-mail me at kevin@nightingaleleather.com with PP info

Dan I love them!! Fantastic work as always!

I prefer to sandwich my T-nuts but I haven't stripped one out yet like Shooter has lol. As soon as I do I will probably go to just putting them through the back of the holster. Nothing worse than making a horsehide and elephant holster that sells for $200+ and ruining it because I stripped out a 2¢ T-Nut Brigade Gunleather T-Nuts are really nice. Anyone have a line on really nice black #6 or #8 T-Nuts?

I have seen no issues of lifting or twisting with the design in the 4 months I have been wearing it.

Beautiful. Classic!

Mike I usually purchase my Hermann Oak leather from either Weaver Leather or Springfield. I have been using it for a year and have had no complaints on the quality of the leather. To purchase leather directly from the Hermann Oak Tannery you need to purchase huge amounts. That is why I usually purchase small batches from Springfield or Weaver. Hell you can even purchase 2 square feet at Springfield to see if you like the quality. I occasionally buy leather from Springfield and the people are fantastic to do business with but I like to buy my leather from Weaver Leather in Mt Hope Ohio due to the fact it is an hour away from me and I can hand select my leather. I plan on purchasing a couple sides this week from Wickett and Craig Tannery though. I want to see there quality also. They also offer drum dyed skirting will split to any weight you need. I will let you know how they compare when the sides arrive. I hear the quality is excellent. For holster making you want the skirting leather. The English Bridle, harness and the Latigo leathers won't mold well at all for holster making. They are "hot stuffed" with oil and waxes already and wet molding will not work.

CountryTrash nice work on that professional holster. As to your question. Some people call them snap cake holsters. I use a "pull the dot" directional snap on mine. Many holster makers make a variation of the style. Milt Sparks Axiom, Del Fatti LPS, Brigade Gunleathers M-5 Aspis. My style that I sell is based off the Brigade GunLeather design. It is my best selling OWB holster and I probably sell them 2 to 1 over my professional style that you show above. I personally wear my version of the snap holster, the Griffon V, everyday carrying my HK P30 and it is one of the most comfortable style I have ever worn. Here is a couple examples of my Griffon V OWB holster.

Josh I bought a couple strips of Springfields $12.00 butts awhile back and it was rough but not to bad and was able to get a holster out of it. I bought about 20 pieces of the $24.00 butts a couple months ago and it was way nicer and worth the price. I was able to get 2-3 holsters out of each piece.

I was getting mine from Springfield Leather up until they ran out of 7/9 oz. Its tannery run from Horween's . Very nice stuff. Around $20-$24 per strip. I just got some in from Maverick Leather out in Petaluma, California. I was desperate for some 7/9 oz natural veg horse strips for my OWB holsters and wanted to give them a try. They also get their horse butts from Horween's. These are seconds and very nice. I was hoping to get some of the first quality horse butts but they are out right now. Same quality as Springfields. I believe I paid $15.00 per strip.

Thank you Dwight for sending me some 1/4" in black from Tandy. Those are really nice. I am going to order some but I also need the 3/8" Chicago screw and nobody seems to carry them in black. Anyone?