Red Cent

"I want to see what happens when it subjected to water, sun, sand, and temperatures of 100 + degrees." That will not be your problem. It is the numerous ways the gun will work as a lever to pry the holster apart. I do a lot of western leather. In competition, a 200 pound individual runs hell bent for leather to certain weapons used in the stage. All carry two guns that weigh about 36 ounces empty. When I do a western holster for competition and after the fold is made and glued, I sew one end forward, back, and forward to the other end and repeat on that end. Then I drop a tiny bit of liquid super glue on the middle stitches. Any stitches that is cosmetic, I cut and add the tiny drop of glue. Stitch ends worry me.

That is an interesting video, especially watching that behemoth of a sewing machine operate. Question: How does he bone with the wood instruments without burnishing/burning the leather?

If glue the is suppose to be stronger than the leather, why do the edges need to be stitched I guess it would depend on the glue. I use a contact cement that is strong but would never last. If you are making a pouch to drop the handgun into, might work. If you are going to form the holster to the gun, doubt it. The pressure put on a holster from all kind of things in nature would destroy the holster. And I don't know what you would say to a customer. Who do you know that glues and does not stitch?

O

Being a little particular with the edge, I spend about 25-30 minutes with a block sander (220 grit) on a belt developing a very smooth rounded edge. That way when you burnish, the U shaped groove will touch all of it evenly. You will wind up with a nice symmetrical edge. I use a small rag to dampen the leather edge and a grinder converted to a burnisher. I use a #3 on about any thickness of leather.

I do not like the folded sheath over a two piece. The two piece will give you better retention.

Vinagroon is not waterproofing. Scratch proof depends how long the piece is in the vinagroon.

Bake it. Turn the oven down all the way (usually 175 degrees) and bake it for about 15 minutes or longer if needed. Do this after you wet form the piece and it is stiff enough not to deform. 'Course, suspend the piece or put it on wood or something that will brand the leather. Occasionally I will bake a holster to serve a purpose. I suspend the holster.

At first glance it looks beautiful. Give me a couple days. Might find something wrong.

Ignorance can be fixed, stupid is to the bone.

I make (customer preference) gun belts out of two pieces of 8-9 ounce veg tan. Glued, sewn, and conditioned, they are supple yet will hold up any full size hand gun. May I suggest that you read about finishing your edges in a sticky somewhere on the site. The edge lacks the smooth polished look that it should have. I use a sander to make the edges even and 90 degrees. Bevel then hand sand. I use water and a motorized burnisher to make 'em shine. Dye, let dry, then burnish again. Rub the edge with paraffin/beeswax combo, and burnish again. Then use an old towel to hand rub until all excess wax is removed.

What is the product one uses with letter stamps to transfer different colors of tape to leather?

I apologize for not answering sooner. Use Neat Foot's Oil or Extra Virgin Olive Oil. Both are used quite a bit by the membership. This touted to be very good. I have not used the product. http://shop.fiebing.com/c/leather-boot-care_leather-care_aussie-leather-conditioner

And the neutralization is very important. That stuff will rust stuff overnight.

Making and using vinagroon is a very subjective matter. I use a large kitty litter plastic container (not airtight) I use one gallon of cheap white vinegar and two steel wool pads. I throw them in as they are. I don't put the container in the sun. Ain't necessary. Stir a few times. There is not this magic time when it is done. Try the mixture on scrap leather. My mixture goes to a vary dark brown quickly. The method I use is to drop the belt (or whatever) in the container and when the air bubbles are about done, I take the belt immediately to the big plastic sink in the washroom, run about 2 "s of water, sprinkle about three heaping tablespoons of baking soda and stir it up. Dump in the belt and swish around. I let it set for about the same time I left it in the vinagroon. Take it out and hang it in front of a fan. Sunshine or heat will make that belt into a lethal weapon. When totally dry, I wipe it down sparingly with Neat Foot's Oil. Let it dry naturally and I don't put it in the sun. Occasionally I will use Fiebling's black dye very sparingly for a rich black shiny color. Use very little.

Assuming you are a recent beginner that is darn good leather work. 'Course it is sinful to stick a Smith DA in a very nice cowboy holster:)

Unique knife. Customer wanted two same style, different color. I try to make all my sheaths with two separate pieces of leather. I taper the welt on the point and on the hidden side of the welt. I am also a little generous with the glue. I slice open the glue when inserting the knife. Won't hurt the knife. The other picture is a cheap blued blade (I like it) knife and sheath. Stays put. I kept the knife and sheath. May I suggest that when you do the folding knife sheath, make the sheath partly open on the bottom that allows the finger guard to be sheathed plus an inch. When you wet mold the leather will collapse behind the finger guard an provide retension. Great retention but rather easy to draw.

Cool man! Good luck with the range. The '85 Outlaws are cool.

This place is filling up with SASS shooters. Good work., Dikman. Those 7 1/2"s slow you down a little:)?

I will let you inform the wife.

Very good work. That ain't no regular Blackhawk. That is a three screw Blackhawk.

Cool. Rig is too.

I suggest that any shield is better than no shield at all. What Lobo said.

Never too old. I have never heard the term Texadero holster.

The LLC or incorporated business is not always safe from suit or a decision in favor of the plaintiff. Unfortunately, the small. closely held businesses are more vulnerable that the larger corporations with a number of stockholders. There are some instances where the plaintiff can "pierce the corporate veil" and obtain judgement on the principal(s).