Highlands858

Oil or water-based? What do the pro's use, and why? I've been using water-based, but I don't know why. Links would be appreciated as well.

Related question on how to keep your white thread white: Is it necessary to dye your leather after drilling/making the holes I've done one project with white thread and didn't like how gray the thread looked after I stitched it, but I always assumed that the dye had darkened the thread, not dirty hands or wax. Most of my thread and projects are black, so I just dye everything again after I've got it stitched. I feel that takes care of any leather that may have been exposed when I drill the holes for stitching. Are you folks who use white thread and a dremel having to dye your work after you drill the holes?

I've done a variety of different leather projects now, and everything I've used a drill every time I need to sew anything. I'm stingy, and I don't like changing techniques that work, but I do recognize that for certain things I've made drilling my holes probably wasn't the best option. I want to invest in an awl, but I have no idea where to start. Here's what I do know: I like working with leather enough that I want to buy something high-quality I want to buy something that's versatile but simple If one awl won't satisfy those two requirements (versatile and simple) then I'd like to know that before I buy anything at all If anyone can point me in the right direction I'd greatly appreciate it. I'd also be interested in hearing from anyone who doesn't use an awl, and why, and so on... On a completely unrelated note, what's the best way to sharpen my edge beveler? And if someone knows of a place that sells sets of different sizes I'd be interested in that, too. Thanks for any and all input, and for listening to my rambling!

Hey there. My brother just asked me if I'd be able to make him a custom leather patch for his helmet. He wants a very simple design, and I shouldn't have any problems with the cutting/stitching of the patch. My question is more about how to do the lettering. Here's a sample patch that's similar in design to what he wants: I see white letters against a red background. Are they painted/dyed on? if so, how? Stencil? The smallest letters on the patch he wants are the ones on the bottom that say "Fire Department." Rather than having white letters on a red background like in the picture (two contrasting colors on one layer), would it be feasible to cut the letters directly into the top layer of leather (the black layer in this picture) and have that sit right on top of a different color layer underneath? I tried cutting out small letters just now and gave up pretty quickly. Anyone have a technique for doing something like this? Thanks for any and all responses, and I hope my questions weren't too confusing. Also, any custom patch-makers who wouldn't mind sharing their work or any tricks of the trade, you are most welcome!

Awesome! I'm envious of the owner. What style clasp is that to close the bag, and where did you get it?

Me too, please!

Hey folks, any tips on burnishing the edges of sharkskin, or should I do it exactly like cowhide? I plan to trim a pancake holster with sharkskin so the edges will all be exposed as opposed to an inlay. Thanks!

Hey folks. Here are my two latest holsters. Any and all criticism is very welcome, especially on the pancake holster for the Glock. Some things I know I did wrong on it: The stitch line around the trigger guard is too loose, and cuts for the belt loops aren't clean, and the boning/molding isn't "bold" enough for me. How does one go about getting those deep boning lines around the corners of the gun? I'm using something like 9 oz. leather here. Anything else anyone sees that I could improve on, please bring it to my attention. I don't have a great eye for fit and finish. Thanks!

I got it in a bag of odd leather. Thanks for any and all help!

I know you all have methods of protecting your stitching from the knife when it's in the sheath. What works best for you? Thanks for any and all replies.

Fits your theme perfectly! I like the way the nose looks, human nose superimposed over a skull.

Thanks for clearing that up for me.

I hear people talk about resolene all the time. I have some stuff called Fiebing's Acrylic Resolene, but I've stopped using it because I was told not to use it with water-based paints. Is there a resolene for water-based paints, and if so what is it? When I tried to use the Fiebing's it wore away some of my paint. Thanks for any and all responses!

Yes, this type of wear is what I meant. I guess I was being a bit dramatic when I said "torn to shreds." Oops! Here are my first two holsters, from left to right: Bad pictures, I know. I don't mind the grooves caused by the safety, sights, and fire controls, I just don't like my guns wearing into the raw leather and creating strings. Maybe I need to think about buying some higher quality leather now that my first few projects have been finished? The leather I've bought has all been from Tandy, and I hear they're not the best, but I'm still a newbie so I don't know what I may be missing out on. When you say you use resolene or Mop-n-glo, do you mean acrylic resolene? That's what I got to finish my paintjobs. And do you mean Mop-n-glo for floors? I'm intrigued... I'm not sure how to make a lined holster, but willing to try. I don't mind the cost or extra work, or the trial and error, but where do I begin? Anyone have a link to a tutorial? Also, does anyone have pictures of their finished flesh sides, protected from wear against gunmetal? Preferably very used holster pictures to give me an idea of how they'll look after they're worn in. Thanks so much for your responses. You all are my greatest resource.

How do I finish the flesh side of a holster so that it's protected from the gunmetal. I like the look of an unfinished flesh side, but once the gun gets up and against it it gets scraped and torn to shreds. What can I do to protect it from the gunmetal? Thanks in advance for any and all responses.

What do you use? I've been gum tragging it for my holsters, but it seems like anything metal will wear into that over time. Suggestions? What do you folks find useful?

Is there an empirical method for testing the strength of leather? What is it? I'd be interested in seeing how it tests some exotics in comparison to cowhide.

Where's the best place to get them? I want an assortment of new stuff to work with, mostly small pieces, and especially sharkskin. I'm in the LA area, and I don't mind paying.

The results of my first leather project: Thanks everyone for all the help, both to the questions I asked and the ones I didn't have to from reading. I welcome any and all criticism, especially tips on how to improve. Functionally I'm 90% satisfied with this holster. I find it aesthetically pleasing as well, though I wasn't going for a look this rough. What's the best way to get a cleaner paint job apart from using a spray gun? I don't have a compressor handy, so that's out of the question for me. The last picture highlights some of the main problems I had. I grooved both sides before folding and gluing the holster, and when I went to stitch it I missed the groove on the back side. Is it better to bevel, groove, and stitch after gluing and sanding the edges even, or am I doing something wrong? The last picture also shows how I had a tough time making the finer cuts in tight places like the belt loop (there really is a curve there, it's just stretched out because it wasn't matching the other loop right.) I used trauma shears for most of the cuts on this, which worked OK. What kinds of cheap tools are people using for tighter cuts? An exacto knife would probably work better than shears, but is there something even better? The belt loop looks a little blah. I'll definitely be taking a little more time with it next time. Also, is there a way to cut grooves for the stitching that isn't along the sides of the holster without going freehand? Do many people do this? It seems like it would mostly be for looks since the stitching is pretty well-protected there, but I'm curious. What's the best way to hide the stitches? I tried to put mine under the belt loop, but there has to be a better way. I don't know anything about stitches other than to pull them tight. Enlighten me! Also, what's the best way to rub gum tragacanth deep down inside the holster after you stitch it up? Or is it better to do that before sewing it as well? And a couple of completely unrelated questions: What's a lined holster lined with? Just another piece of leather with the skin side out? If I wanted to attach a metal clip to say, a phone case, what's the best way to do this? Are there specific clips for leather work, and if so where do I find them? Thanks again for all the help. I'm going to wear this for about a month to try to expose any design flaws that weren't immediately apparent to me, then give it another go. With any luck I'll be even happier with my next one!

I'd be curious how to make things more fire-resistant as well. Anyone have any tips?

Awesome replies! I'm headed out to a Tandy's and a leather distributor that says they sell holster leather. Just a couple more quick questions before I head out: What's the difference between leather finish, leather conditioner, and leather sealer? Do I need all three, or are they all the same thing?

Thanks for the quick reply. It's for a CZ-75, a mid-sized but all-steel (heavy) 9mm. I'm not planning on lining the holster, and I'm going for the Avenger style holster, if that's what was shown in the tutorial I linked. Am still good with 8/9OZ, or do I want to go heavier/lighter? Thanks for the Hidepounder link, I'll use that. One other question: what do most people use to stitch leather, and where do you get it? Thanks again!

Hey there. I have absolutely no experience with leather, but I really want to make a holster for a handgun that I can't find one for. I've been doing as much reading as I can for the past few days, including the tutorial here: http://leatherworker.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=5696. Got a coupla questions though: OK, so the most embarrassing one first: what do the different weights of leather pertain to? 8/9OZ, 3/4OZ, these numbers are a mystery to me. What would be the best choice for an OWB holster? What's the difference between vegetable tanning and chrome tanning? Which is better for what I'm trying to make? What do you use to glue leather in place, and where can you buy it? In step 14 of the tutorial I linked he talks about waxing and slicking the edges that aren't stitched. What's the purpose of this, and how exactly is it done? Is there a better way of molding leather than dunking it in hot water? Is there a way to control just how hard the material gets? What is boning, how is it done, and how do you know when it needs to be done? I'm sure I can find a good tutorial on how to dye leather, but at what point should it be done? Right after I cut the leather to size for my holster? I'm sure I'll have more questions along the way. Thanks for any and all replies. Much appreciated!