DHopper

Hey all. Please excuse my complete rookie sewing machine status. I'm spending quite a bit of time researching, but wanted to ask the experts here as well. Just found this Singer Model 15- today at a local thrift shop. Now, I do know that this is not a substitute for a true industrial machine that I'll need for regular holster production. What I'm hoping is that it will be a good side machine for sewing straps, trim pieces, and other small projects. From what I've read and seen so far; it looks like it should be up to the job. Could any of you help me with what needles I could use for leather up to 1/4" tops? I'm thinking I could use #69 nylon thread. It looks like everything is here in the cabinet, except the power cord; which looks to be available online for $7. And yes, I'm assuming it runs. Looks to have been babied for a loooong time and is super clean. I'll get more pics tmrw morn when I pick it up. Anyone using one of these? I've found a couple manuals on pdf, but would love more info if you have any. Thank you in advance! Oh - it was $10! borrowed cabinet pic

Thanks for all the feedback gentlemen! I do appreciate it. I went back and fixed that missing stitch. The top line actually went through the back on the last two holes originally, but it does look cleaner this way now. Grump - that stitch line down the front near the fold is for looks only. I think it gives the whole from of the holster a uniform perimeter and ties in well with the stamping pattern. Especially with the white stitch; it just really pops all the way around, IMHO. Josh - i know what you're referring to as far as having the trigger guard sit down in the holster. I don't have any problem with that style whatsoever, and will certainly make them that way traditionally. However, I wanted this to be a mix of the traditional standard, and something different. I actually prefer the look of the full trigger guard exposed on a single six. As far as flow; I think the curving line follows the line of the bottom of the trigger guard well and transitions into the holster smoothly. At least in my mind's eye. Definitely doesn't mean this rookie knows what the heii he's talking about, though! LoL. The one thing that confused me was why you would think I stamped while wet? Stamps too deep or something? Or is it just the blurry cell phone pics that don't capture how crisp the detail really is? There was 0 moisture when these were stamped. Dry and undyed. Here's a couple more pics that are slightly better. Still cell pics, but at least I had good light.

Here's my latest 'Slinger holster from today. I finally made myself a decent pattern after cutting this one out. I'm happy with the shape and angle, so it will now be much easier to repeat. This one is a light tan dyed outer veggie hide with a dark brown dyed interior. I used a single loop rather than the mexican double. Looks 'cleaner' to my eye I guess. Please comment away. The more I hear from you all, the more I learn. Thanks! Sorry for the crappy cell pics. Lighting and detail looking dull. Better shots tmrw.

Thanks, TC. I appreciate the helpful info! One of these days, I'll have enough saved up for a machine. I know I dang sure need one!!

Looks fantastic, TC. Very nice stitching and edge work! What machine and burnisher are you using?

Dang. Great catch, CT! Appreciate that 'cause I completely forgot about that. Thank you!

Thank you again, everyone. I really appreciate all the comments. This has been a great learning experience for me. I've gotten several requests for cowboy rigs, and now I'm on the right track to be able to make them some. By no means is this thing perfect, but I'm pretty happy with how it turned out for my first set. Please let me know what you see that I could improve on.

Looking good so far. Can't wait to see your progress and finished work! Thx for sharing.

Absolutely amazing work. Congratulations on a well deserved win!

Here is the matching Cross Draw holster together with the Straight Draw. Next comes the belt.

Guess I should have looked closer. Replied not seeing page 2. I'm out at $140. Thx anyway.

I'd be interested in one that cuts 1 5/8 x 5/16. Handle or not. Hope he decides to run with it.

Thanks everyone. I'm working on the matching cross draw and belt now.

Did this one last night & this am. Much better than my first cowboy holster. Not too bad for #2 I think. Still needs the leather leg tie put on, but I was out of any long enough.

Thanks much everyone. I appreciate the feedback. Yeah, that single snap OWB is more of a one-off design than anything. There is another maker that has a similar design and I had a couple requests for one. It actually works quite well that way, though. You can either leave it snapped and slip your belt through both loops, or have it unsnapped if where you wear it doesn't sit right against your belt loops. That way you aren't going through one holster loop, then a belt loop, then the other holster loop. It's odd, but it does work.

Been crazy busy with family and work lately. Hadn't had much time to post or even browse for the last couple months. I've been getting an ever increasing demand for work and just set up my new website. Still working on my cart, but at least it's up. I'll be adding a ton of new holsters and sets over the next month there. Here's a few of my most recent works: 1911 Wild Bunch - 1911 MOLAN LABE Sidewinder OWB - 1911 Wingmaster II OWB - The Muti-Max OWB - fits 1911s, M&Ps, etc. -

Oh, ok! I was a little confused that you could put in the acrylic after the neats foot. That really helps! Here's one I'm finishing up this am. The edging is getting much better IMO. Not perfect, but better.

Hi Bronson. I can see where that would be a concern. However, the holster really seems to hug pretty timely to the body while standing, walking, etc.. Now of course, there would be difficulty in fully concealing in lots of situations; but no more of an issue than any other OWB carrying a full size 1911. I can say that this design was not necessarily meant for full cc, but IMO would hide as well if not better than most OWBs out there. And it looks cool! Thx again, Steven and Grump! Great help!! I do have a question for you ... what are you both using as a top coat finish? I see some use oils, waxes, or even sprays. Resolene, mink oil, sno-seal, car wax, etc. etc. etc. I'm getting a bit over saturated with choices. I like what the mink oil does to and for the leather, but the maintenance down the road is more than some customers want to deal with. Is there a good combo or something different you're using?

Thanks much, Steven. Taking time to help out show some real character. Very nice. I'll look into one of those wheels from Spinner. I'm kicking myself now for getting rid of my lathe a while back. I've needed it numerous times since after it say quiet for almost a year. Go figure!! LoL. I'll check eBay for the felt, too. I've tried to google that thick pure wool felt but I didn't see it. I'll try to get a routine set that will also help get those edges much more uniform holster to holster. I've been able to get them super smooth, but they don't really seem finished until you get the rounded edge and a really good wax job. I'll see where I can go with this over the weekend. I know I'll need a lot more practice than that, but maybe I can make a little improvement after you help. Take care.

Thank you guys very much for the feedback. It's great to have top notch craftsmen out there willing to help out the rookies. And without much grief! I really appreciate it. Grump ... I'll throw in some trail hiking into the outdoor trials. A few hours climbing around the sticks and hills should give me some good ideas. Thx Jake. It's hard to reinvent the wheel after so many great makers out there have been doing it for decades. Just was trying to find my style and hopefully some functionality in the design. As an IWB, I know the design works. Whether it adds to the IWB is still in the air, but seems like it may; at least a little. Wingman IWBs: Thank you, too Steven. It's an honor to hear from you. I've admired your work for quite some time. I can't imagine getting as busy as you are at it. Lots of great things to be heard about your holsters! It was your double buckled owb that I first looked at when I bought my first 1911. It just seemed to be such a good idea to distribute weight on an OWB just like you do IWB. It wasn't until much later that I saw Mr. Alessi's work. That double buckle idea inspired mine for sure. But I needed to add something(not that it's needed). I wanted to make sure I wasn't just making your holster or myself. I figure if I'm gonna take the time to do this then I should get as creative as I can and just have fun with it. My edges? They still suck, honestly! Definitely my weakest link. I finally made myself a crude burnishing wheel, but it needs much improvement. I need more than one slot with different size grooves. Hopefully I'll keep improving that technique and break down soon and just buy a proper set-up for it. If I keep going long term with this; that's the first big change that needs to come. That and a sewing machine. Hand stitching is just too dang time consuming for me. And those hand cramps are a bi@tch!! Once again, thx all. Keep those pointers coming.

If the ladies are happy then you are happy!! They look pretty darn good. Well done!! My local boot maker told me about dish soap to help in molding some super dense veggie tanned hide I was working with. Before it just did not want to stretch and form well, but the soap really did the trick.

Hey Mike. Thanks for the response! And that's a very good question! My basic theory behind the "Wingman" design is stability and comfort. I initially come up with this for the IWB holsters to help form fit the holster to the users body. The sides are designed with a wrap around effect to help fit better and the lower wings help distribute weight while wearing for long periods of time. I wanted to test that same theory on an OWB really for some of the same reasons. With most OWB holsters there is no added support at the bottom. The wings again help form around the users body to help stabilize the rig and also gives a bit of weight support. I'm still be testing the OWB for a few weeks, but it seems to work so far. Here's a pic to give you an idea of how it wears at the 4:00 position. Notice how the wings form around the hip.

Just finished up my new OWB prototype. Black base, tan ostrich leg, & white stitching. I see a few corrections I'll be making on future ones, but ... what do you guys think?

Thanks again, Josh for the great info! I'll try the cross grain trick for sure.

Thanks again all! This is definitely loads of fun!! Here's a couple more I just finished: