Jordan

Interesting, I noticed I have been to or thru almost every place listed in the US when I used to drive OTR for CR England even went to calgary once

I am wondering if a Juki LZ 586 would be a suitable machine for holster and belt work, any info would be helpful thanks.

For the volumes you are talking about may I suggest contacting Tandy Leather Factory I believe they are listed on the stock market exchanges. They are probably well equipped to handle volume purchases. I have not been on this forum very long but it seems most members are small production or one off companies that would not be in the market for a large amount of leather at one time. Apologies for my previous post but there are many less than stellar individuals out there that will, given the opportunity, take advantage of others.

Don't mean to be rude or accusitory but after reading this thread it smacks of scam, maybe just my pesamistic and somewhat paranoid outlook on life that 52 years has provided me.

Flexible cuttingboard available at most supermarkets or the dark side (walmart) might work sandwiched between the layers.

try craigs list there are alot of free things in the classifieds, if not try placing an ad in the wanted section, I have had pretty good luck with finding stuff for little or no cash.

I saw a picture of an apron in a resturant supply catalog for handling beer kegs, looked very heavy duty, suede and had a slit bottom area that wrapped half way around the legs to just below the knees held with intigrated straps and buckles. Maybe a pattern for liderhosen(spelling?) could be modified into an apron the front panels on them look pretty cool.

Haven't had much time this week to do any design work, been researching and writing a business plan looking at issues like shop space and equipment needs. My plan is to offer maybe 4 to 5 styles of holster each with different features like inside and outside wear, cross draw, straps and snaps etc., with perhaps matching belts and magazine cases. I would also like to offer range bags in the future. I appreciate all the comments as I would rather find out stuff now rather than 6 months down the road after having made major financial commitments.

Dag nabbit ya beat me to it, mighty fine lookin bucketmouth anyway, LOL no offense intended just some good natured ribbing.

Yes I think you are right as you draw, the muzzle does go down and away from the leather into a more open area of the holster, probably a marketing ploy from some advertizing firm with fuzz on the brain, leather fuzz on your front sights does seem to be a buzz word in all the magazines these days. Besides, I don't think you would be noticing a little fuzzball on the business end in a high stress fire situation.

I know what you mean about the fit and ease of draw, at this point the pistol seems to click in place and comes out without much of a tug. I too am not to impressed with metal clips they don't conceal well and I realy don't have much confidence in their holding power.The next one I do will have some other attachment arraingment probably sewn loops with fairly substancial snaps. Thanks for the input I can really use the suggestions and advise at this early stage of my research. I also need to add a wood dowel for a sight channel on the next one I think.

used my wife's food saver put the pistol in one bag, sandwiched leather in a second bag and boned it through the bag then punched all the holes and sewed it together. Experiment that worked pretty good.

Thanks, that gives me a starting point, I am putting together my business plan now so alot of reasearch on my part, found a place for rings blue or black for $34 each. I live close to an Air Base so I imagine there is some business there for beretta's, and it would seem that the police favor glocks, not to mention the huge market the internet seems to offer. All in all I think it will be an interesting and enjoyable process, perhaps I will be self employed at last!

thanks, I couldn't find one that fit a bersa so made one, enjoyed the process of design and constuction enough that I am contemplating a business at it. Figure with 80 million plus gun owners there may be room for one more custom holster maker.

A couple of practice photos of my first conceal carry holster using a lightbox I made from the how to posted elsewhere on this site, still need practice and more lights to shine thru the tissue paper, but the pics at least didn't turn out like a black blob the other ones did.

Functional beauty, very nice, great detail work, someday by golly I will be able to do work this good!

Here's a couple of cases I came up with so I won't lose anymore zippo's. I have sold a few also.

I need some advise and thoughts on an idea I have. First is as I am just starting out, which models of dummy guns should be purchased that will cover the more popular guns? I have very limited funds so I want to avoid buying items that I may only use a couple of times, I plan on buying 5 to start with. Second is an idea I am toying with, will an apple/grape screw type press work for moulding? my thoughts are to mount some type of flexible material on the top and bottom plates so when the screw mechanism is tightened down it would mould around whatever is between them. thanks Jordan My first holster was for my bersa, I used my wifes food saver, it worked but left little diamond impressions on the leather, plus she was not to pleased to find her machine in the garage. LOL

Don't know if you are still looking or if you have the book but, The art of making leather cases by stohlman volume one has one on pages 46 and 47. Looks very sturdy and will not easily colapse.

It is truely bizarre what people with lots of cash will spend it on. Gotta find a way for them to send some in my direction.

Perhaps someone reading this thread could help me out, When buying blueguns to use as molds to start making holsters which ones should I get? My concern is that I will buy ones that I like rather than the ones I need based on general sales and popularity. I am trying to avoid buying something that I may only use a couple of times. I'm sure this info is out there somewhere but I havn't the faintest idea of where to look and I don't relish the idea of homeland secuity showing up at my door if I query a government agency. LOL....thanks, Jordan

Bruce thanks for the response, very sound advise. Hope more members chime in so I can get a better feel for if I want to expend the cash to get into it. I am having trouble finding a supplier for a flat metal belt clip that is heavy duty and considered a saftey clip, all I can get are the flimsy chrome ones. any ideas? Thanks...Jordan

I have noted on a wide variety of web sites that most makers of modern holsters are backlogged from 8 to 30! weeks. Is business that good? Reason for asking is I am interested in increasing my revenue stream by making them.

Thanks for the kudo's the purse is an ongoing project, I have cutout some medallions for the sides to attach a shoulder strap with some D rings I think. It's my first one so I am designing and building it on the fly. I thought I was getting good at this stuff, but after seeing the photos on this site, my skills set pales by comparison. I gotta say this site is a goldmine glad I found it. Totally by accident by the way, just surfing and clicked on something, don't even remember what it was, and poof! just like magic.

The one I made was a 11" wide roll that over laps in the front, with 3 1/2" oval shaped gussets on the ends. Tops of the ovals fold into the bag. 1/2" straps thru slots in the back with buckles on the inside so as not to scratch anything.