RoosterShooter

I have access to either of these machines for around $300 in fully operational condition. Can I use either of these machines for holster making using 7 to 8 oz leather? This is assuming I will be sewing 2- 7 to 8 oz pieces together. Thanks

electrathon .... I know the tool that you are referring tool as an edge burnisher. It looks like a fishing line spool. That's not the one I am using. I'm using the 'multi-edge wood slicker' seen here ... http://www.tandyleatherfactory.com/en-usd/home/department/Tools/8121-00.aspx I took one look at the plastic disk they sell, and told myself it wasn't any good. Thanks for the tip on the sanding and using soap. I'll try that. Time to go get some new belts for the sander!

I'm following the advice of a guy at Tandy Leather, and using a standard Dremel drum sander to sand my edges, but I'm not happy with the results! It takes off too much material, especially when I'm trying to even out the edges. What are you using to sand the edges for evening? Also, I'm using a hand burnishing tool from Tandy, and I think I could get a better tool somewhere else, but don't know where. Furthermore, the Tandy hand burnisher doesn't allow for burnishing inside belt loops, inside belt loop cuts, etc .... What are you using for a burnisher?

I'm looking for t-snaps ... not t nuts. Thanks anyway.

I have looked through Springfield's offerings, and they seem to be limited on selection as well. Anywhere else I might look?

I'm just getting my feet wet with holster making , well, actually it's more like 'dipping my toe in' at this point! I've looked through Tandy Leather's offerings in the snap , fastener, and clip section, and they are very limited on what they offer. I'm looking for Professional Quality directional snaps, regular snaps, t-snaps, fasteners, and clips for making holsters. Also, I can offer a tax ID number for a business I operate if one is needed. For those of you not familiar with 'T Snaps', they are snaps where the interior of the post is threaded, and the stud has a small screw protruding through the bottom. You screw in the stud to the post, as opposed to, using a 'rivet style' setter to set the post and stud. Thanks for the help.

This is my first 'Oops' post, so please take it easy on me. I finally finished hand sewing my first holster today. I wet it down and molded it to the gun, let it dry for several hours in a 'drying cabinet', and attempted to apply Eco-Flo Black to the natural colored leather. I was using the corner of a sponge to dab in the dye and apply it. Some areas took ok, but other did not. The holster was completely dry prior to applying the dye, and it wouldn't soak into the leather. What am I doing wrong, or should I do to get the dye to take?

I don't save my history.

On Sunday I purchased several books and pattern packs from Amazon.com. I remember there was a specific pattern pack that had 12+ patterns in it that had the picture on the front cover. It had holsters from a 1911 all the way down to a pancake and an IWB holster pattern featured on the cover. Now, I can't find it for the life of me! I have been looking for an hour or more all over the internet, and can't find the patterns for anything! Could someone please point me in the right direction? I've already looked over Will Ghormley's site, and can't find it there which leads me to believe it was a pattern pack by another maker. Thanks.

From a new guy's perspective ...... I don't see a Glock 21 or 20 (Same frame size) on your list. The G21 is .45 ACP, and the G20 is 10mm. Both use the same size frame and are the same size slide. One blank in either the Glock 21 or Glock 20 with suffice for both models. You have the G29 (10mm) covered with the G30 (45 ACP) for the compact Glock models. Also, I might suggest getting a Smith & Wesson M&P Shield & a Springfield XDs blank. The S&W M&P Shield is the latest craze right now, and S&W actually released the blanks to holster makers prior to it's release so that they could catch up to release. The XDs is catching on, and is the compact / slim 45 ACp that Springfield offers. Just thought I'd help broaden your horizons with a fresh perspective.

That was going to be my next question. I read where a lot of guys use beeswax, and I have that in abundance. I raise my own bees, and have around 100+ pounds of it lying around that I've accumulated over the past 5 or 6 years. Beeswax is something I DO have plenty of. At one time I sold it at the local Farmer's Market for candlemaking, but it got to be too much of a hassle.

Thanks for the tips. It looks like I have my afternoon cut out for me in reading!

I see what you mean. Thinking back on it, all of them mentioned a few core tools that would be needed. 1) Leather knife or very sharp utility blade 2) Edge beveler 3) Burnishing tool 4) Gouge tool 5) Edge slicker 6) Bone Folder (since I will be wet forming leather) 7) Needles 8) Waxed Thread 9) Awl 10) 7 to 9 oz. veg tan leather 11) die 12) glue 13) resolene 14) edge dressing Does this sound like a good core set of tools, other than the obvious learning materials? Thanks

Also, several of the workers recommended the Pro Stitching and Lacing Pony. Should I go ahead and get that, knowing that I might need it in the future?

I'm brand new to the forum, and just ran across it in doing a 'Google' search. My main interests in leatherwork are holster making with the occassional accessories, bag, or other various item. I have a background in airbrushing, painting custom rifles and accessories, and pretty much any hobby that has to do with my hands. I've tried it all over the past several years. Woodworking, pottery, fishing rod making, fly tying, beekeeping, custom gunstock work, among many others. My wife even had me scrapbooking one year, but that just wasn't my thing! I became interested in leatherworking for two reasons. The first being making my own holsters, as mentioned above. Secondly, I'd like to become familiar with working leather as I tan my own deer pelts each year, and want to make moccassins, shirts, etc ... out of the end product. I'm sure I will learn a lot from all of you around here, and look forward to chiming in whenever possible.

I have recently become sick and tired of paying $150+ for a good holster for my pistols. My main interests with leatherwork is holster making with maybe a few accessories, bags, etc .... I'm really confused about what tools I will need for hand stitching my own leather holsters. In the past few weeks I have spoken to several different people at Tandy Leather, and each of them gives me a different set of tools to buy, so I just leave without buying anything! I just keep scratching my head and thinking "The other guy told me I'll need this and that ... not that and this!!!". See my point? So, what are the tools that I will need to hand stitch my own 'Professional Style' holsters? As a side note, one individual told me that the best way to hand sew leather for holsters is to use a Dremel tool press with a 1/16" bit to drill the holes. He said that this makes a very professional holster, and with hand stitching, you have more options for stitches versus using a machine. What are your thoughts? What tools will I need?